Standing Back Shoulder Exercise to Correct Shoulder Pain I’ve dedicated a huge chunk of my career as a personal trainer, specializing in working with fabulous folks over 50. Why, you ask? Because that’s when I turned 50! Ten years later, at 60, I’m here, aiming to reverse those pesky movement patterns we unknowingly create throughout life. These habits, sometimes not the healthiest, lead to discomforts, imbalances, and even injuries. The good news? With my extensive experience, I’ve carefully curated exercises that work for just about anyone. Whether you’re like me, a fit 60-year-old, or some ..read more

How to Develop a Training Program as an Endurance Athlete Over 60 Well, I’m over 60 myself and still revel in participating in Ironman distance events and ultra runs. Plus, with over a decade of coaching experience, I’ve noticed a rising number of folks in their 60s and 70s taking on challenging endurance events. While it’s an awe-inspiring trend, there’s a dearth of information catering to our age group. So, I’m here to fill that void! Endurance Activities – What Are We Talking About?* When I say endurance activities, I’m looking at you, the ones tackling half Ironman and longer distances, m ..read more

Time to sleep better… Ashwagandha!! Today, we’re going to focus on a common issue that many of my clients face: sleep. Let’s face it – sleep isn’t always easy. Some struggle to fall asleep, while others wake up in the middle of the night, and some just can’t go back to sleep. No matter the form, disrupted sleep can be frustrating, especially when you wake up feeling anything but refreshed. While there’s a myriad of over-the-counter solutions that people try, like melatonin and magnesium, they don’t always work. Why? Because the root problem might not be a deficiency in these elements, but rat ..read more

L-Glutamine Hello and welcome, dear friends! This is Judy Torel and, boy, do I have an intriguing topic for you today. Ever spent over half a century indulging in those irresistible, mouthwatering treats that might not be the best choices for our body? Me too! And, after all those years, our digestive system’s inner lining might not be too thrilled with our food choices. The result? A compromised mucosal lining. Now, while I’m not the kind of gal who pushes supplements left and right, there comes a time in our golden years when we might need a little boost. Because let’s be real – our bodies ..read more

Reduce Inflammation with Turmeric Hey, fabulous folks over 50! Welcome to another sizzling blog where I’m diving deep into the magical world of supplements. Now, before you raise an eyebrow, let me tell you – I’ve been around for four decades practicing and researching, and I’m not one to push supplements willy-nilly. But with today’s lifestyle and all the external factors we’re up against, sometimes our 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s bods need a little help. Imagine this: Our bodies are constantly under attack, not just from the usual suspects like viruses, but from foods and environmental fact ..read more

It’s Just So Delicious! Diabetes and obesity are on the rise in the US. Our supermarkets are filled with “foods” (I use this term very loosely) which are not what our bodies were built to consume. Due to technological advancements, the food industry can manipulate parts of foods, creating products that stimulate our brain’s reward center, making them irresistible because, well, they’re “just so delicious.” In my practice, apart from dealing with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression, weight loss is a significant concern. Now, you might know what foods to eat ..read more

Nitric Oxide!! Hi everybody and welcome! It’s Judy here. Today, I’m thrilled to close out our series on supplements with a conversation about one of my all-time favorites. Today, my friends, it’s all about the magic of beets and the nitric oxide they bring to our bodies. Let’s get this clear first – **oxygen is the elixir of life**. Yep, you heard it! More than glucose, more than those essential fats and proteins. How long can we live without oxygen? Just about seven minutes. So, I want to let you in on something that can make the most of the oxygen we breathe in, especially for those of us ..read more

Pain in the Butt: Standing Back of the Leg Stretch Hey everyone! Grab your coffee or tea, and let’s have a little chat about those pesky pains and strains that so many of us “seasoned folks” experience as we age.  First off, a quick intro. I’m Judy, your health and older population optimization coach. I’ve got 42 years of experience under my belt, 11 Ironman Triathlons, and severe osteoarthritic knees! Whew! I know, quite a list, right? And for the past decade, I’ve been laser-focused on helping people like you and me, the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and above club.  Let me tell you, it’s h ..read more

Motion is Lotion: How to Use Movement to Reduce Muscle Pain Hey everybody, it’s Judy Torel here, from “Your Second 50”, and today we’re diving into episode number two of my Behavioral Medicine series. If you’re over 60 and you’re struggling with muscle pain, stiffness, or discomfort, I promise, this one’s for you. Firstly, let’s unravel what *Behavioral Medicine* means. Simply put, it’s my term for behaviors that act like medicine, minus the pharmacology or surgery. And our catchphrase for today? “Motion is Lotion”. Now, this phrase might have roots in addressing arthritis, but its principle ..read more

Foods to Increase Energy: Foods High in Nitric Oxide Hello there! It’s Judy here, bringing you another exciting episode from my series specifically for the radiant folks in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s and beyond! And guess what? Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite topics – foods that give us energy by being naturally high in nitric oxide. But first, a quick refresher: I’m Judy Torel, your trusted health and nutrition coach, personal trainer, yoga guru, mastered degreed addictions counselor and an 11-time Iron Man triathlete. Can you believe it? Here’s the deal: I’ve been in this ..read more