Snow Is a Four Letter Word

     According to The Cleveland Clinic, each year about 11,000 people end up in the E R from shoveling snow. Most are orthopedic injuries (sprains, strains and broken bones), but some are from cardiac events. You can minimize the chances of ending up in the E R, buy taking a few precautions. Even if you are in shape, keep in mind the cold air would make breathing difficult and effect blood flow.  Using a smaller shovel would make each shovelful lighter (and less likely to strain muscles). Taking more breaks would also reduce cold weather injuries (frostbite and the like). Lastly, try to be sure of your footing and wear proper footwear to reduce slip and fall 

injuries.

     The most important aspect of being fit enough to shovel, however, is to be fit enough to enjoy life. You don’t have to be the fittest that you can be, but you should be “fit enough.” Fit enough to walk, to dance, to enjoy life and yes, to shovel. Get some type of exercise a few times a week, stretch afterward (while your muscles are warmed up) to stay flexible. And while you’re out there. Have a snowball fight with your kids or grand kids, build a snowman, or a  snow fort, and find a way to laugh and socialize.   

Don't spend winter in the E.R...

   

Changing Seasons, Changing Activity

     The seasons are changing, the winds are blustery and you can tell that Fall is slowly moving into Winter.  In the Fall, you can get out there, pick some apples, grab a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, take a walk and enjoy the beauty of all the changing colors of the leaves. Go to a local football game, join a bowling league, take a bus trip to NYC...just get out there and do something.  While movement is very important, so is socialization and relaxation.  I always tell you, a healthy life is about balance. Balancing your work, exercise, family time and social life.
      If it gets too windy or rainy outside, there are a lot of ways to exercise indoors.  Buy a used exercise bike or treadmill, stretch out on a yoga mat, lift soup cans for weights, go to the mall and walk up and down the hall, walk up and down the steps to the second floor in your home, or put a fun dance exercise show or music videos on TV and just move along the best way that you can.  It doesn't matter how you move, it is that you are moving.


You don't have to "leave" your home...

Garlic Fun In The Sun

     Today we went to the Garlic Festival in Easton.  It was a nice day to get out and enjoy the sunshine, the garlic beer and the food.  Garlic has many benefits including: boosts your immune system; reduces your blood pressure; lowers your cholesterol and it helps prevents dementia among other things.
      Walking around in the sunshine gives your body chance to absorb some Vitamin D.  Not to mention, walking is very good exercise.  It is also very good to socialize and have conversations with people that you just met.
       Getting out and enjoying fall festivities in the sunshine is a great way to improve your quality of life. Since my wife and I both love garlic, it will be safe to kiss her goodnight.






You have to be fit to fest

It's A Dog's Life

     Molly, our dog, loves to go for a walk.    Usually after I finish my run, I come in and take her out for a walk.  It is good for Molly,  because she needs the exercise and also for me, because it helps me to cool down after I run.
      Research has shown that owning a pet is good for overall health and well-being.  They provide companionship, comfort and a reason to get up and get moving everyday. We've owned cats and dogs and currently we have one of each.  Shadow, the cat, likes to play with her mice and her feather mat and is content to stay inside.  Molly loves to go out and run in the backyard, bark at everyone in the front yard and make her way down the street on her leash.  Moving around with your pet is a simple way to get some exercise in every day.  If you do not have one, the animal shelters are full of pets in need of a home.

Take care of  your pet, take care of yourself.

Free To Be Fit

      Happy Fourth of July! 
      I took a picture of our home(the one on the right side of the photo) and the other homes on our block to show all of the flags flying proudly.  It is a matter of respect to fly the American flag, especially on the patriotic holidays.
       We all celebrate the Fourth of July in different ways.  I can remember, a few years ago, running the 10k at Peachtree, Georgia. The cutoff for this run is 60,000 people, all having a good time running, talking, celebrating life and freedom.  I  like to run in different states, with new people, for different causes. Running, walking or other forms of exercise helps you to socialize and keep fit.  I recommend getting out there, meeting people and moving.


Exercise and socialize...

Fun In The Sun

       My wife and I recently drove to Daytona Beach for our son's wedding. We met up with our family and got to spend time with our grandchildren.  It was a good and much needed vacation..
       We swam in the pool and walked down to the beach one or two days.  We walked around Daytona Speedway.  We walked around St.Augustine and took pictures of the lighthouse.  We drove down to the Ponce Inlet lighthouse and walked around the grounds.   I did a 5k while there, a fundraiser for the YMCA.  My wife did the fun walk. I played with the kids at the park during our grandson's Birthday party, showing them the turtles and kicking the ball.
     You have to be fit enough to enjoy your life.  Of course you can eat and drink  while on vacation, that is what it is for.  Then, you get back to your routine when you come home. Fitting in exercise while on vacation, by walking, running or swimming is  a good idea, it keeps you flexible and helps you sleep.


Life is short, enjoy it.

Sweat: Brain Food

The weather is changing (finally) and the sun is shining. It’s nice to get out and get some fresh air and exercise. Sometimes we do “training runs,” but other times (most times for me), it’s just nice to get out and enjoy the time. I have a tendency to get lost in the moment. I can forget about bills and the crisis of the day and just run. I try not to think about overdue deadlines or a way to make something work out. Yet most times that I run, I do come up with some epiphany. Some solution to some thing that I had been trying to work out, finds its way into my brain. The act of running enables me to see the process needed to get the end result required (or at least a step or two in the right direction). The trick I have found is remember to write it down when I get home.

                                                                                                                                                                              

Run, Relax, Rejuvenate, Realize.

Stay Playful

      We had a great time when we went to visit my daughter, her husband and our grandson today.  We went out to dinner in New York City and had some tasty barbecue and then back to the house for some running and rolling around the floor.  Ethan keeps you moving, but it is great exercise and I love to hear him laugh when he "pushes Poppy over".
       Running, the exercise bike, walking on a treadmill, stretching, walking the stairs or just walking the dog all help to keep me fit and limber enough to enjoy playing with my grandson.  You can pick something you enjoy and do it daily to keep active and keep your joints flexible.

Stay active - stay playful...

Strong Brain

Exercise is not just good for the body: keeping fat down; helping stay limber; and helping us sleep through the night. It is also great for the brain. Contrary to what we used to think, we now know that as we age, we DO grow new brain cells. Our brain cells, like the rest of our cells, are always dying and new ones are growing. To regenerate cells, we need a strong supply of nutrients (through blood flow) and lots of oxygen. We get increased blood flow (bringing nutrients and oxygen) by exercising. That increased brain activity will keep your brain, as well as your body, strong. It will help keep you more alert, and will help stave off Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Strong Body = Strong Mind

Phidippides Award

During the first couple decades of the 5th century B.C. parts of the known world were at war. One man named Phidippides ran to Athens, Greece telling of a military victory. Despite being a professional runner, he soon died from his effort. Today the United States Track and Field Association gives an award in that ancient runner's name to those members who participate in foot races. It is based on a point system for a certain number of miles for each of either a gold, silver, or bronze ranking. Last year, I earned a bronze ranking, this year a silver. It is based on a combination of age and mileage. To achieve an award, you need not be fast, only persistent. As with many things in life, it matters more about getting to the finish line than how quickly you get there. It's a matter of putting one foot in front of the other, and keeping moving.

One step at a time - but keep on stepping.