Archive for the ‘exercise’ Category

Your Brain, Use it or Lose it?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

It’s probably the most important body part you have, but when was the last time you worked out your brain? And, no, trying to remember where the Weather Channel moved on your cable system, doesn’t count. If you’re like most of us Boomers, the thought of  losing your mind, could cause you to, well, lose it. We’re obsessed with crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and Scrabble, but I would guess that very few of us actually make time to work out our brains. Even if you believe that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, exercising your noggin can’t hurt. The most important thing is to get started, and keep at it. Sounds like exercising anything, doesn’t it? There are a lot of companies working in this space, as Baby Boomers age, the market is growing with them. I met some of the people behind Posit Science at a Boomer conference, and recently have been in touch with one of their Internet marketing analysts, Eric. He’s sent me a couple of the games to try out…pretty interesting, and a little scary. Check them out here: 

How did you do? I’ll share if you do.

If you want another way to work out your brain, check out this week’s Blogging Boomer’s Carnival!

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Posted in Alzheimers, aging, boomers, dementia, exercise, people | 1 Comment »

Blogging Boomer Carnival 150: Travels and Tartans, RV’s and Gym-frees.

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

It's All About Aging Blogging Boomers CarnivalWelcome to this week’s Blogging Boomers Carnival #150. I have the honor of hosting all these great blogs by and about Baby Boomers this week.

Vaboomer.com volunteers at a Homeless Shelter and finds warmth not despair.

A Facebook Fan Page is a great way to promote your business. If you’ve been wanting to create a Fan Page, but didn’t know where to start, check out this nice how-to video by Andrea J. Stenberg: How to Create a Facebook Fan Page.

Intrepid traveler, Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut, is headed out on the backpacking trail again, this time to Mexico, Central and South America for four months. Her post this week explains how she came to give away or sell most of her possessions to pursue life on the road as a travel writer and photographer.

And if backpacking isn’t your thing, the Boomer Chronicles says RVs are 100 years old this year.

SoBabyBoomer tells us that, at roughly 50 gallons per person per year, our consumption of soda, not to mention other sugar-sweetened beverages, is far from moderate, and appears to be an important factor in the rise in boomer grandchildren’s childhood obesity.

At Writing Without Periods, Jenny explains why she’s Gym-free, Guilt-free…and Lovin’ It. Read how she quit beating herself up about not going to the gym.

Is this a midlife crisis or the opportunity of a lifetime?  The Midlife Crisis Queen has some thoughts on what questions to ask yourself when a life crisis strikes.

Are you curious about the latest medical research on aging?  Click here!

Are men with school-age kids are somehow undate-able? That’s the realization that one LifeTwo.com contributor is facing.

Cos Costi of design company, Michaela Louisa, really shot himself in the foot when he said that ‘women over 50 could not look sexy!’ and that there was no way he would want Michaela Louisa clothes associated with 50+ women.  Get the full story over at Contemporary Retirement.

Are you mad for plaid, and does it work after 40? Check out what the Glam Gals have to say at Fabulous after 40.

From It’s All About Aging, how do you feel about cell phones and driving? Would you sign Oprah’s no phone in the car pledge?

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Posted in aging, boomers, exercise, family | 5 Comments »

Hike 4 Hope. Will you please support a great event?

Monday, February 8th, 2010

This week’s blog is about a great event, Hike 4 Hope (that unfortunately I cannot attend this year). My friend Leslie wrote this earlier this week, and I think it says it all. Please give what you can to our team.

“My business partner, Eileen Stern, is an amazing can do woman.  Having lost 6 family members in a year (including her Mother) to cancer, she turned her tragedy into triumph by creating Hike 4 Hope, a fundraiser to fund women’s cancer research at City of Hope.   Twelve years later her grass roots idea has blossomed into an annual event & this year will host over 1000 participants hiking in the majestic Indian Canyons of Palm Springs.

When it comes to fund-raising for City of Hope, I have no shame.  My commitment to COH is a personal one.  Given three months to live, I’m alive today because of COH’s collaboration, care & research/development of the drug Rituxan.  COH research has also led to the development of other leading anti-cancer drugs; Herceptin, Avastin and Erbitux, as well as synthetic human insulin –all of which are saving millions of lives worldwide.  Additionally COH has pioneered the use of TOMO Therapy (pin point radiation) & the DaVinci surgical system (prostate cancer).

We are aware of an injured economy.  Unfortunately active cancer cells could care less.  Far too many of us know someone whose life has been impacted by this disease.  This year we’ve formed a team to hike in honor of our dear friend, Marcelle Freides, who is again battling breast cancer after a 5 year remission.  The great news is she is being co-treated at both St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica & City of Hope.

This Valentines Day marks 4 years since my initial cancer diagnoses and a day of sharing gifts from the heart.  Please open your heart and support me by joining Marcelle’s Mighty Marchers through the link.  Your gift of hope will help benefit all the mothers, daughters, friends, and loved ones who deal with the shock of a cancer diagnosis every minute.”

And please don’t forget to check out this week’s Blogging Boomers Carnival.

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Posted in Fathers, boomers, crisis, exercise, family, goals, love, memories | 1 Comment »

Do Dogs go to Heaven?

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

While posting on blogher, I came across a fascinating piece about a new service to care for your pets (and in four states: horses, camels, llamas and donkeys) after “the Rapture”. The service, Eternal Earthbound Pets has a team of “confirmed atheists” who “will still be here on Earth after you’ve received your reward.” It’s a pretty out-there concept, but it got me thinking, what happens to pets when their owners die? And how does anyone know that dogs won’t be first in line at the Pearly Gates?

This is Midori, a year old spayed female up for adoption

This is Midori, a year old spayed female up for adoption

If your parents or loved ones have pets, it’s another chance to talk about what their wishes are. The guidelines according to the Humane Society are very similar to estate planning for humans. They encourage you to set up a trust for the care of your pets, appoint caregivers, and make sure family and neighbors know how many pets you have, who the emergency caregivers are, and their contact information. Here’s a link to a great factsheet they’ve put out.

Don’t you think it would be easier to start “the Conversation” over the future care of a beloved animal?

And if you don’t have a pet? Think about adoption. Midori here is up for adoption at the Humane Society of Knox County, Maine. According to Thive NYC, having and walking a dog will boost your exercise level five-fold. “Dog walking is a lot more rewarding than standing on a treadmill. If treadmills were the answer there wouldn’t be so many of them holding up clothes”. So, which would get you to get up and walk? A large and expensive coat hanger, or man’s best friend?

BIG NEWS: I was just accepted into the Blogging Boomers Carnival, so please be sure to check out BloggingBoomers Carnival #138 being hosted this week at the Boomer Chronicles.

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Posted in conversation, exercise, family, parents, people, walking | 2 Comments »

What are you doing for Active Aging Week? How about Nordic or Balance Walking?

Monday, September 14th, 2009

It's All About Aging Balance WalkingNext week is Active Aging Week, and how many of you have heard of Nordic or Balance Walking? No, it’s not what they do in Scandinavia to cross the street, nor does it require snow or freezing cold temperatures. It was originally started by cross country skiers who wanted a way to workout in the off-season.  It’s a form of walking with two poles, that to the rest of us look suspiciously like ski poles (that’s where the Nordic part comes in, get it?).  Now, as with most exercises designed to get you to buy new equipment, you can’t just go into your garage and dust off whatever ski poles you haven’t used since the last century. What you need is a pair of walking/running shoes, something with a rocker bottom (think bottom of a rocking chair), and a set of poles. A good source for both is the Foot Solutions website. And here’s a good introduction to the technique.

You always hear that exercise is essential for all of us, and the more we are active as we get older, we stay flexible, and live longer, healthier lives. What are the advantages of Balance Walking? Because you are actively using your arms, you burn 40% more calories. They say if you do it right, you can actually burn as many calories as running, without all the wear and tear on your knees from the impact. You also strengthen upper body and core muscles and improve posture. Think arms like Michelle Obama without all those tricep kickbacks…

Even though my mother is a great walker, I worry about her balance, and with good reason. Each week, more than 30,000 Americans over the age of 65 are seriously injured by falling, and nearly 250 die from their injuries according to the National Safety Council. Getting her started Balance Walking would be a great thing. No more worries about uneven sidewalks in the city, icy winter weather, or uneven terrain in the country. A few other advantages for the Greatest Generation? Well it’s not exactly Cane Fu Fighting, but you see where I’m going with this, don’t you? Watch out aggressive bikers! And although you can certainly do it on your own, signing up with a group gives you social, mental and physical benefits.  There are even Nordic Walking marathons for the truly committed among you. So, let go celebrate Active Aging Week! Are you up for it? I’ll see you in Central Park!

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Posted in aging, exercise, walking | 4 Comments »