Staying Fabulous At 50

November 4th, 2010 | Posted by Ettore in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

yoga11While 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.

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7 Tips For Starting A New Exercise Routine

July 2nd, 2010 | Posted by Vin in Fitness - (0 Comments)

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.

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The Best New Exercises

April 13th, 2010 | Posted by Vin in Fitness - (0 Comments)

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

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Sex Is A Beauty Treatment

November 23rd, 2009 | Posted by Ettore in Sex - (1 Comments)

woman-with-facial-mask

Tired of expensive spa treatments and arduous beauty regimens? It’s a little known fact that sex can benefit your looks as well as the other obvious benefits. Below, author Ettore David Mazzei lists 12 ways that Sex can act as a beauty treatment.

1)      When women make love they produce hormones that make their hair shine and skin glow.

2)      Gentle relaxed lovemaking reduces your chances of skin blemishes.

3)      Wild sex makes you sweat which cleanses the pores making for a healthy body.

4)      This one is almost embarrassing to list because it is so lame, but as we all know lovemaking burns off the calories from all the food you ate today.

5)      Sex  stretches and tones many muscles in the body (including but not limited to Pelvis, hips, abdominals and pubycoccyeals.)  Some enjoy it more than being on the treadmill for a half hour.

(more…)

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