ARE YOU GAINING WEIGHT AS YOU GAIN YEARS? It’s all too easy to gain weight as we grow older. The causes are multifaceted, including muscle loss, underlying health conditions, side effects of medications, poor sleep, and the always cited — consuming an unhealthy diet and not getting enough exercise. I’ve added 5 pounds over the past couple of years that I’ve struggled to lose. For me, the issue lies in not exercising as intensively as I once did and frequently experiencing poor sleep. Both are “curable” but also challenging. Perhaps, you’ve also gained a few pounds lately. For a more...
GOOD NEWS FOR WEEKEND WARRIORS! We’re continually told we should get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week: such as brisk walking, swimming, or biking. And we’re also advised to spread this out over the week. However, some of us can’t fit in a daily walk or trip to the gym (like, maybe we have a job!) Yet, you could still probably jam those 150 minutes in over the weekend: thus the “weekend warrior” approach. I’ve always believed that cramming a week’s worth of exercise into two days isn’t the healthiest approach, especially for our hearts. However,...
DO I NEED YET ANOTHER COVID BOOSTER? I received my annual flu shot a couple of days ago. Heck, it’s October—time for the vaccine. (Every year, the CDC works with manufacturers of influenza vaccines to help predict the ingredients most likely to target evolving mutations in the virus.) My only negative was a sore arm for 24 hours. The big positive is that I haven’t come down with the flu since I was 11 years old. I don’t know if that’s the vaccine or just good luck. Now my question is: Should I get the newest COVID vaccine? I had...
HELP AT HOME OR ON THE GO—WHAT’S NEW IN MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEMS If you’re an AARP member, you couldn’t have missed their magazine ads for medical alert systems—including the one with the woman who’s fallen to the floor, which has run for years. Obviously, many of us seniors are subscribing to services or wearing alert devices. If you’re vulnerable or living alone you may already have such a device; if you have a medical emergency, such as a major fall, your system can connect you to a dispatcher who can send assistance. Some of the alert systems are for in-home...
BREATHE DEEP TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE My blood pressure was measured at 128/75 mm during my yearly physical a couple of weeks ago. I was fairly happy with that, yet this reading is still considered elevated. I asked for a simple way to lower it to under 120 systolic, and was told I could do this by regularly taking deep breaths. For tips, I consulted my (go-to) Harvard Medical School Heart Letter and found a September 1, 2023 article by Julie Corliss, Executive Editor. Here are excerpts from her article Breathing exercises to lower your blood pressure: A regular...
IT MIGHT BE HOME WORKOUT TIME AGAIN In 2020 and into 2021, due to the pandemic, most of us shifted away from gym workouts to exercise at home or in open outdoor spaces. Since then, a significant number of us felt confident enough to resume our gym routines. However, with the resurgence of COVID-19, marked by new variants and increased hospitalizations, concerns are again on the rise. Some businesses and schools are once more starting to recommend the use of high-quality masks. Given these developments, you might find it safer—and certainly more convenient—to work out at home. However, exercising at...
WEIGHT: SO EASY TO GAIN, SO DIFFICULT TO LOSE I had my annual physical yesterday. Surprisingly, my blood pressure reading was only 128/75. Not so surprising was that I had gained 3 pounds in the last year and now my BMI was just under 25—the number that signifies being overweight. As I age, I’m not jogging as far or as fast as I did just a year ago, the same with my cycling. For me, this adds up to weight gain. I’m not alone: nearly 3 in 4 American adults are considered overweight or obese. And I’m certain you’ve read...
IS THERE AN E-BIKE IN YOUR FUTURE? E-Bikes, or electric bicycles, have a small electric motor that can assist a rider’s pedal-power or even propel the bike on its own. They’ve lately become very popular. Three years ago, I might see one e-bike out of 50 cyclists on the Ojai Bike Trail. Now it’s more like one out of four are riding e-bikes—including many seniors. E-bikes can provide older adults with increased mobility, the joy of cycling, and an opportunity for regular physical activity. However, due to the possibilities of age-related changes such as reduced balance, vision, and reaction time,...
SHOULDER STRETCHES Our shoulders are versatile—they allow our arms to reach over our heads, behind our backs and swing in full circles. But they’re also complicated—an estimated 25% of people are challenged with shoulder pain. While some injuries happen suddenly, damage usually occurs over time. Swimmers, tennis players, and golfers are especially prone to these injuries. For more info, please refer to my February 11, 2022 post Keep Shoulder Injuries at Arm’s Length. Stretching exercises can especially help keep your shoulders flexible as you age. Here are excerpts from the August 1, 2019 Harvard Medical School online article, 4 stretches...
LECANEMAB: THE NEW ALZHEIMER’S DRUG Lecanemab (brand name Leqembi) is the first drug that appears to slow the decline of memory and thinking of Alzheimer’s disease. After promising trial test results, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month granted full approval of the medication. The price of $26,500 per year is steep, but Medicare and Medicaid will probably cover its cost. Mayo Clinic Staff published an online article on June 9, 2023 giving the drug’s possibilities, Lecanemab for Alzheimer’s disease: An option for you? Here are excerpts: The drug lecanemab appears to slow mental decline in people with early...
