It’s rare that we come across a piece of content that applies to both the “Fit” and “Sexed” parts of our site’s title, but that’s exactly what we found in this video promoting couples fitness program WeFitFor2.
The system aims to motivate couples to get fit by keeping each other accountable. It’s already been written up in Men’s Health‘s Sex and Fitness series, and as you’ll see in the clip below, was featured on NBC’s The Today Show:
Drinking water is something we all should do, regardless of whether or not we are already in perfect health. Water is beneficial to our health in so many way. For one, it contains no extra ingredients which can have an adverse affect on our physical well being: no sugars, no preservatives, no extracts and no carbonation. Water is nature’s life giving mana and it is one of the elements that truly makes life, and health, better. But is there a way to make water better? (more…)
While it is true that our bodies always require maintenance and general upkeep, when proceeding towards certain milestones it behooves us to pay closer and more specific attention to our health. Such is especially true at the age of 50. This is by no means meant to suggest that 50 should be thought of in terms of the stereotypical misnomer of “old.” Quite to the contrary, 50 should be thought of as more of a precursor and opportunity.
At the age of 50 most Americans are not necessarily in the “danger zone.” However, preventive measures and assessment of one’s health can help abate possible problems that may arise before they ever do. Let’s face it, health at 50 is very important and it is important to pay attention to certain tips that may help you live, not only a longer, but a higher quality, life. Here are a few health tips for both the sexes to help ensure that your health and wellness stay at their pinnacle performance.
MEN
Daily Steps to Good Health
Ø Stay “Smoke-Free”
Ø Physical Activity is key (Try to start slow and work up to at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.)
Ø Maintain a healthy diet (Focus on fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, whole grains, and fat free milks.)
Ø Stay at a healthy weight (Here, it’s all about calorie balance.)
Ø Alcohol Consumption in moderation (It has been proven that a glass of wine a day can be healthy. However, as with all things, moderation and regulation are key as even too much of a good thing can be bad.)
Preventive Measures
Ø Aspirin (Taking Aspirin regularly reduces the risk of heart disease.)
Ø Immunizations (Get your flu shot every year! It does more than just fight the flu.)
Screening: What And When
Ø Abdominal Aortic AneurysmàIf between the ages of 65-75
Ø Colorectal CanceràAt anytime, this test is important so it should not be shirked
Ø DepressionàIf you go for a period of about 2 weeks feeling down or experience lack of enthusiasm or drive in that time
Ø DiabetesàIf you have high blood pressure you should get screened for diabetes
Ø High CholesterolàGet your blood pressure checked every two years but for reference purposes high blood pressure is right around 140/90 or higher.
Ø HIVàFor anything short of celibacy (and maybe even then) regular testing to ensure that you do not have HIV will ensure your physical health and quell any anxiety that the unknown may bring to your mind.
Ø ObesityàYou can calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index) and see if you are at your target healthy weight by using a BMI calculator found online, or you can simply ask your doctor.
Ø STD testingàAgain, if your are sexually active, getting regular testing ensures your health and the health of others are accounted for and protected at all times
WOMEN
For you ladies the process and suggestions remain the same as for the gentlemen in most respects, except for a few minor additions in the following categories.
Preventive Drugs
Ø Breast Cancer Drugs (If breast cancer has appeared in your immediate family seek a physicians advice on whether or not such drugs may be in your best interests to take.)
Ø Estrogen Use For Menopause (Hormone Replacement Therapy.)
Preventive Screening
Ø Breast Cancer (Have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years.)
Ø Cervical Cancer (A Pap smear every 1 to 3 years is recommended.)
Ø Osteoprosis (To combat bone thinning, have a bone density test doen at age 65. Further testing in subsequent intervals of every 2 years may be required.)
It is important to take care of your health and by following these guidelines, and other suggestions found on such websites as that of “The Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality” you can lead a happier and more energetic life. Take care of your mind. Take care of your body. Take care of your life, and be fabulous at 50.
For millions of Americans each year, the winter months usher in a season of melancholia and depression that lasts winter-long. Depression rates during the winter season are staggering and for this cold quarter of the year Americans experience a veritable epidemic of sadness. The average person looking to avoid pathologizing this occurrence may chalk it up to being lonely during the holidays. Others think of it just as the dreariness of the cold bringing them down. However, studies have shown that this state of depression during the winter months has less to do with simply “feeling down” and more to do with an actual medical condition.
The official diagnosis of this condition is called, appropriately enough, “S.A.D.,” or “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” Dr. Keith Ablow, the Fox News Psychiatrist, has stated, SAD is an under-diagnosed condition that is responsible for a tremendous amount of psychological distress, but also a big price-tag in terms of decreased productivity of folks who think they’re just ‘down,’ but are really fighting a real psychiatric disorder. People who have always ‘hated’ the holidays or who ‘can’t stand’ February should start to wonder whether that’s them speaking or an illness speaking for them.”
And the astonishing, although completely logical, explanation for this condition has nothing to do with the cold at all. Indulge, if you will, the notion that, in some respects, human beings are like plants. Here, the relevant correlation for the purposes of parsing out the cause of S.A.D. is that humans, like plants, thrive on sunlight. During the winter months it is not the pervading sense of cold that causes the sense of depression, but the lack of sunlight.
To that end, Dr. Ablow has treated various patients suffering from S.A.D. without the use of a pill or any other medication. The prescription is…Sunlight! Dr. Ablow has prescribed the use of special high intensity lights that you can put on your desk at home or work and use to simply absorb the rejuvenating rays that the lamp emits. These lights are widely available, from companies such as LiteBook and Northern Light Technologies.
However, for those who may possess a sensitivity to light that makes the use of this novel treatment impractical, there is still hope. There are medications available that may be prescribed by a doctor to combat depression. And, for an organic supplement to these prescription drugs, Vitamin D has also been recognized in certain medical circles as helping combat feelings of depression.
Your health and well-being are among the most vital aspects of your life to foster and nourish. If you or someone you know suffers from S.A.D. this treatment may prove to be a crucial aid in helping to combat the effects of seasonal depression. It may be worth trying this winter season. We can all stand to shine a little light on our lives from time to time.
Starting a new routine, in anything, can be daunting. But this can be especially true for getting in shape.
Many times people will find themselves making a huge goal for themselves, such as running a marathon or going to the gym everyday.
While these are indeed noble goals, for most, starting smaller and building up to the big goals will provide a smoother transition and create a staircase of goals, easily climbable, in lieu of one giant mountain of a platform to climb.
With an example like that in mind, here are seven tips for starting a new exercise routine.
In the current issue of Men’s Health magazine, there is a story regarding some of the best new exercises to have improved on the old standards. Here are a few from Men’s Health to help you get into top form in no time.
Pushup Plus
Assume a pushup position with your arms straight and your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Your body should form a straight line from your ankles to your head. Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor. Pause, and then push back up. As you straighten your arms, push your upper back toward the ceiling. Besides working your chest as effectively as any exercise, the “plus” part of this movement hits your serratus anterior—a small but important muscle that helps move your shoulder blades. Strengthen your serratus, and you’ll improve your posture and reduce your risk of shoulder injuries—as you build your chest.
Mixed Grip Chinup
Grasp a chinup bar with your hands shoulder-width apart on a chinup bar. Use an underhand-grip with one hand, and an overhand-grip with the other. Hang at arm’s length, and cross your ankles behind you. Now pull your chest to the bar by bending your elbows and squeezing your shoulder blades down and back. To prevent your torso from rotating as you perform this exercise, your back, shoulder, and core muscles have to work harder than in a conventional chinup.
Farmer’s Walk On Toes
Grab a pair of dumbbells and hold them at your sides at arm’s length. Then rise up on the balls of your feet. Now walk forward for 60 seconds. Not only will this work your calves, but it also improves your cardiovascular fitness.
Bar Hold
Set a barbell on a rack at the level of your waist and load the bar with a heavy weight. Grab the bar with an overhand grip that’s beyond shoulder-width apart. Dip your knees, lift the bar off the rack, and hold it for the appropriate amount of time for your goal. This helps make sure your forearms don’t give out too early, so you won’t shortchange the rest of your working muscles.
Read more at: www.menshealth.com
I’m going to start this week off with a little video of OMG Facts from a couple of years ago, then get into the new personal development jive.
Pretty interesting. Make’s me think of that Ferris Beuller line.. “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Let’s make that life the best we possibly can, right? Moving on… Lots to cover this week, so let’s get to it!
Over at the home of Personal Development blogger extroirdinare Steve Pavlina, Steve addresses how to “create your vision”
When you write down your goals, your primary aim is to create a new vision for what you desire to experience next in life, so that you can begin to make that vision a reality
So what do you do when you sit down to write a vision for your life, and you’re coming up with a lot of blanks that you just aren’t sure about?
Guess.
Steve also recently penned a book called “Personal Development for Smart People” Which I highly recommend.
The experts from Ask Dan and Jennifer, answer the question “Is your single behavior ruining a potential relationship”
Being single is all about freedom: freedom to dress how you want, do what you want, clean when you want, and so on. You don’t have a girlfriend who insists you cut your hair or take the garbage out before your apartment starts to smell. You don’t have a boyfriend who wants to see you wearing something nicer than sweatpants or makes you want to keep your legs clean-shaven. You don’t have a significant other who stops you from making a fool of yourself in public.
On PickTheBrain, we learn 5 Ways to slay the un-motivation demon.
You could be making attempts to get out there and do what you’re setting out to do. And even begin to get results here or there. But your surroundings, circumstances, and negative or lazy forces around you constantly hold you back. They pull you back to where you started. And you get discouraged or convince yourself you can’t do it.
That’s the un-motivation demon at work.
Dumb Little Man teaches us “how to shape your lifestyle to improve your fitness” in 3 simple morsels
Fitness, in the past, has not been a big part of my life and I imagine that’s true for many people reading this. I want that to change.
I don’t like running out of breath, aching after minimal movement and not being able to do the things I want to do just because I’m not physically prepared for them. For the longest time I felt this was just who I was. I was the computer geek, someone who wasn’t built for sports or to be fit and healthy.’
One of our favorites, The Positivity Blog has a great collection of quotes which help turn failure into success:
Failure can be quite the problem. And the fear of it can be paralyzing.
So what can you do to motivate yourself to take a chance, to overcome possible failure and to use it to your advantage?
Here are a few timeless words of advice.
Finally at MensHealth.com, we learn how to “Burn Fat In a Hurry”
Researchers at Australia’s University of New South Wales found that intervals burn three times as much fat as running twice as long at a moderately hard, steady pace. Use this interval program from the University of Oklahoma Department of Health & Exercise Science this winter to turbocharge your body’s fat-burning system.
The web is full of really useful posts that have all of the secrets required to become a better version of yourself. Here’s some of our favorite ones from this past week.
First off check out the inspiring Gary Vaynerchuk speaking at the Web 2.0 expo in NYC from 2008.
If you’re interested in learning more about Gary, check out his website or follow him on twitter.
Next up, the fine people over at Psychology Daily tells us about the connection between self confidence and gauging what kind of first impression that we make.
We found that people who were poor at making good meta-impressions were less confident than people who made accurate ones. So, after making a first impression, if you’re confident in your judgment, you’re likely to be right.
PickTheBrain.com offers tips on Taming your To-do list..
Do you use a to-do list? Most of us have some kind of running list of tasks which we want to get done (even if we keep this list in our heads). And I expect that at some point, like me, you’ll have had the experience of creating an extremely ambitious to-do list … only to end up completing just a fraction of the tasks on it.
We have a couple of selections from one of our favorites Dumb Little Man. First we have 7 Steps to turn Failure into Success.
Chances are you’ve got success on the brain if you’re reading this article. You’ve set your goals, you’re on your way to achieving your dreams. But they’re not coming as fast as you would like. You’re ready for it to all come true right now. You set a deadline to reach your goal, but it just didn’t happen in that timeframe. And now you feel a little deflated. Maybe you’ve even allowed a little doubt to creep in, as you’re not sure when (or if) it will ever happen.
The other piece from DLM, is one offering 7 Tricks to Sleep Like a Dog.
A bad night’s sleep is the worst when it comes to getting things accomplished and feeling good during what should be a great day. The effects due to lack of sleep on mood, productivity, creativity, and even the quality of our relationships take a bigger toll on our health than most realize.
Anyone who does have trouble sleeping most likely have read all the “regular” things to do in order to get better sleep. The concept becomes nothing more than a repeated set of rules that get ignored, similar to the simple rules of training a well behaved dog.
Finally over at Men’s Health, you can learn 32 ways to jump start your love life…
We have 32 ideas to launch a voyage of sexual discovery unlike anything you’ve seen . . . at least since Cindy Lou let down her guard senior year. The difference now: You know what you’re doing, and you have a partner who deserves your respect, attention, and devotion. So make the most of it.
Jena La Flamme is a Writer/Speaker/Certified Holistic Health Counselor/Weight Loss Coach as well as being the Jena Wellness Center. A real renaissance woman in the field of “being better”, Jena has an interesting and useful blog on her website JenaWellness.com.
Jena’s career in the healing arts began 11 years ago during her first visit to India. Touched by the message that the fulfillment we seek already resides within us, Jena launched into focused study of nutrition,yoga and meditation, where she experienced their power first hand, and her life was transformed.
Jena is now primarily a speaker. She speaks to groups of varying sizes, from small and intimate to groups of several hundred. No group is too big for Jena! Her ideal speaking opportunity? An organization that is passionately devoted to the health of its employees or a professional women’s group. (Via Her Blog’s About Page)
F&S readers who are interested in losing weight in the new year would be interested in checking out some posts from Jena’s blog such as:
You can also find Jena IRL (in real life) at some of her live-workshops, which you can read more about on her homepage.
Over at eMaxHealth.com they discussed the problem that many people have with completing New Year’s Resolutions:
Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, led a team of investigators who have come up with an answer to this age-old question. The research team surveyed about 700 people and asked them to describe their strategies for achieving their New Year’s resolutions. The most common goals told to the researchers were losing weight, quitting smoking, or beginning a better relationship.
A total of 78 percent of the participants did not meet their goals, and the researchers found that many of the individuals had focused on the downside of not achieving their goals. This included suppressing their cravings for food and/or nicotine, relying solely on willpower, adopting a role model, or fantasizing about being successful.
Luckily for us, we’re in 2010 and we have such useful tools as eHow, this video offers a solution to this problem:
What to Do If New Year’s Resolutions Fail — powered by eHow.com
