WELCOME TO GENERATION FIT! July 17, 2017 Hi! I’m Warren Cook and this is Generation Fit, the senior fitness blog. I’m writing this blog to help myself—and you—find the best ways to live well and to avoid most of the afflictions associated with aging. I’m just an average older guy, neither a natural athlete, nor a star at any sport. But I’ve seen the changes in my life that being on the road to fitness can make. You can read more about me in the sidebar to the right. I’m certain you’ve heard about all the studies that point to […]
HEAVY METAL POISONING A recent report suggests that many of us may unknowingly be brushing our teeth with toothpaste containing toxic heavy metals—including lead. Lead Safe Mama (LSM), an organization committed to preventing childhood lead poisoning through independent testing of consumer products, has revealed that several popular toothpaste and tooth powder brands contain detectable levels of lead, mercury, arsenic, and/or cadmium—all of which are toxic to humans. Among the products tested were well-known brands such as Crest Regular Toothpaste, Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste, and Tom’s of Maine Kid’s Natural Toothpaste. While none of them exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug […]
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS For years, I’ve added a packet of stevia to my morning coffee. I chose stevia as a zero-calorie alternative to traditional processed sugar because it’s derived directly from the leaves of the stevia plant and packaged without any processing or chemical bleaching. However, I’ve often heard that sugar substitutes, including stevia, may not be especially healthy. Curious to find out the truth, I turned to a trusted online source to see whether these artificial sweeteners are indeed safe for you and me. In this post, I share excerpts from a January 10, 2023, Mayo Clinic article titled Artificial […]
SHINGLES SHOT MIGHT ALSO PROTECT YOUR BRAIN I’m excited to share some encouraging news with you this week. A new study shows that getting the shingles vaccine may lower our risk of developing dementia by 20% over the next seven years. The research was just published last Wednesday in the journal Nature. (Please also see my November 2023 post Getting Your Vaccinations Could Spare You From Alzheimer’s) Here are excerpts from an April 2, 2025, Associated Press article by Lauran Neergaard, titled Shingles is awful, but here’s another reason to get vaccinated: It may fight dementia. — A vaccine to […]
FUNNY WAYS TIME IS SNEAKING UP ON YOU I subscribe to daily emails from The New York Times, though I get so many that I don’t open half of them. But a couple of weeks ago, one caught my eye with its whimsical tone and relatable topic. Since we seniors are all in this together, I thought I’d share some highlights from this recent “Well” article by Jancee Dunn, titled 4 Weird Signs You’re Getting Older (March 15, 2025). (I’m sure you could add a few more quirky ways time is creeping up on you!) Crooked Lower Teeth My lower […]
U.S. NEWS 2025 BEST DIET RANKINGS It’s that time of year again! I’m sharing the latest list of top diets according to U.S. News—a tradition I’ve kept up for eight years now. Below are highlights from their newly updated article, published online on March 19, 2025, by Johna Burdeos, RD, LD, titled U.S. News Reveals the 2025 Best Diets. Best Diets Overall 2025 If your goal is to manage your weight long-term and eat healthfully, try one of these science-backed diets that work. Each earns top marks from our panel of leading medical and nutritional experts specializing in diabetes, heart […]
WALK, RUN, OR A BIT OF BOTH? Do you remember that old 1960 hit by The Ventures, “Walk, Don’t Run”? Ever wonder why they didn’t flip it to “Run, Don’t Walk”? Either way, it fits the theme of this week’s post: should you walk, run, or combine the two? Personally, I like to do a mix. These days, I start with a half-mile walk to warm up, then jog for five minutes, followed by a brisk one-minute walk, and repeat that cycle until I hit 5K (3.1 miles). Maybe you’ve been thinking about adding more exercise to your routine—whether it’s […]
Ready or Not, We’re Springing Forward to Daylight Saving Time
READY OR NOT, WE’RE SPRINGING FORWARD TO DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME I’m late with this post—as it includes suggestions on preparing a few days in advance (rather than just a few hours until Sunday morning) to “spring” your clock ahead to daylight saving time from standard time. Personally, I’m ready for the change. Every day, my cat insists on waking me at sunrise for his breakfast. With the time shift, I’ll have a chance to wake up on my own—though this “reset” is temporary as we approach the summer solstice. Despite the tardiness of this post, I believe you’ll find the […]
How to Get a Free Online Hearing Test
HOW TO GET A FREE ONLINE HEARING TEST Growing up, my parents had me take multiple hearing tests. Each time the results were the same—my hearing was perfect. The real issue was my “selective hearing,” especially when it came to finishing homework or doing chores. Well, my hearing—now as an old man—is still pretty sharp. But for countless seniors, hearing loss is a serious concern. Despite this, many older adults hesitate to visit an audiologist. Fortunately, free online hearing tests are now available. While they may not be as accurate as a full evaluation by a licensed Doctor of Audiology, […]
GOOD NEWS FOR CHOCOLATE LOVERS I love chocolate in almost every form, but from now on, I’m sticking with dark chocolate. No problem! The idea that cocoa-rich dark chocolate offers health benefits isn’t new, thanks to its polyphenols, which help reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. But now, there’s even better news! A recent study suggests that consuming about an ounce of dark (not milk) chocolate daily may lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If you, like me, are a chocolate lover, that’s a pretty tasty discovery! Check out these excerpts from the December 5, 2024, NPR.org article […]
Are You Taking Multiple Medications? Understanding Polypharmacy
ARE YOU TAKING MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS? UNDERSTANDING POLYPHARMACY Polypharmacy refers to the daily use of five or more prescription medications. It’s particularly common among adults managing multiple chronic conditions, often under the care of different doctors. This trend continues to rise, fueled by an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the influence of pharmaceutical advertising. According to the CDC, the majority of U.S. adults over 40 take at least one prescription drug, and 22% rely on five or more. If this sounds familiar, keep reading. Below are excerpts from the February 1, 2025 Harvard Health Letter (my go-to source) article by […]
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About me
WARREN COOK
I was born in Augusta Georgia in 1943. Within a year my father, a special agent in the FBI, was transferred to Denver, where I grew up. My childhood was routine. I did make it to Eagle Scout. And I came to love hiking in the Colorado mountains where I scaled a few peaks. When my dad was transferred to Washington, D.C. in 1961, I tagged along. Four years later I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in zoology.
While in college, I was lucky enough to win a summer stint as a student trainee at the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office. By 1965 I was hired on as a full-time oceanographer. I spent a good portion of the rest of the 60s at sea on Navy research ships working in the Atlantic Ocean from north of the Arctic Circle to south of the Equator and many seas in between.
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