Here’s a “hot take” on a common bit of advice that tells us to “Never look back – you’re not going that way.” Yeah, sure. But here’s the deal. If you don’t look back sometimes, then how can you review where you’ve been – and feel great about how far you’ve come? If you’re always looking ahead to a goal off on the horizon, then you’re always going to be unsatisfied – because that goal, and the horizon, will constantly move farther away from your grasp. It flies in the face of so much of our “goal-driven” culture, but it makes sense to focus on our gains instead of the gap between where we are a ..read more

Do you want to live to be 100? More people are reaching that mark nowadays than ever before, and the trend will skyrocket in the coming decades.  The topic of longevity is having a moment, darn near approaching a cultural obsession. What can we do to live NOT JUST LONGER but also BETTER. What role does exercise play in all of this? Here’s just one example. Toni Stahl, at left in the photo above, lived an amazing life. As a young Navy wife, she was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She survived cancer. She farmed, enjoyed waterskiing, and worked into her 90s part-time at a hospital. She ..read more

You already know that exercise is good for your body. You might also know that it helps your brain, as well.   But now, new research in the journal JAMA Neurology shows that living a healthy lifestyle protects the brain from cognitive decline even if it already shows signs of Alzheimer’s hallmarks or other brain pathologies that can occur long before dementia.   Scientists said the study is “an important step” in understanding how people can change their lifestyle habits to lower their chances of getting Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.  In the research, they examined the ..read more

It’s the time of year when everyone wants to build new habits, and “getting in shape” is always one of the most popular New Year resolutions. I love it, of course, and welcome everyone who’s starting this month – and all the returning friends who are back for more strength, endurance, and agility. Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of people build healthy habits that last long after the holiday thrill fades. How’d they do it? Here are some common success factors for you to keep in mind. Set SMART goals SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. So, apply thi ..read more

You’ve heard of low-carb diets and low-fat diets. But you’ve probably never heard of anyone telling you to avoid eating protein – especially after age 50 or so, when we need to double our efforts to get enough of it. You need protein to grow and maintain muscle mass, which we naturally lose as we mature, causing frailty, falls, and more problems. Most of us get protein from meat, eggs and dairy; vegetarians find plenty in beans, nuts, certain vegetables, soy and more. Consider these key points. When we exercise, our muscle cells break down and need repair. (This is all a good thing!) That’s ..read more

It’s easy to think of aging as a steady decline. But fitness proves it doesn’t have to be that simple and dreadful. If you exercise regularly, you’re more likely to maintain physical abilities. Period. So think of it as a sliding scale – with physical dependence at one end and being an elite athlete on the other. Nobody wants to be physically dependent, of course. And while most of us don’t aspire to be an elite athlete, everybody wants something in the broad middle there. We want to be fit so we can stay independent and avoid becoming frail for as long as possible. So let’s consider the fitne ..read more

Here’s a gift from the world of science to anyone thinking about whether exercise and aging go together. If you’re afraid to try strength training, or if you think you’re too old or too banged up or too fragile… well, think again. A new study found that people in their 60s, 70s and beyond can start lifting weights, quickly make significant improvements, and improve their strength, health and mobility. What’s more, the study found that weightlifting is good for people in their 80s and 90s. The study was published in the journal Human Kinetics.  “It shows that healthy older people can certa ..read more

When Pat moved to a new town in her 60s, she quickly visited the local animal shelter to volunteer. Pat always has been an animal-lover, and she thought volunteering would be a good way to meet people and learn about the community. And she was right. She made new friends and found a purpose in serving the animals, many of them desperately neglected or abused. "There's something I can do to help. It gives you such a feeling of love, which obviously makes you feel good -- to do something for this little creature that is beyond words,” she says. Experts say older people who volunteer ..read more

The holidays can be a “good news, bad news” situation for some people. The good news: We get time off from work, we get to see families and friends, and we get to eat our favorite foods. The bad news: Disrupted schedules, busy calendars, and extra calories can throw us off our healthy tracks. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can enjoy the holidays AND maintain the commitments you’ve made all year to eating right and exercising regularly.  Here are our top 10 tips to stay on track this season. Be active every day. Maintain your normal workout routine as much as possible. If you’re tra ..read more

Fifteen years ago, Alan Rosenthal was a fit 60-year-old who had just returned from a bicycle trip through France. Then a blood test revealed type 2 diabetes. His doctor gave him a three-day course on diet, exercise, and self-care. The doctor also recommended a local trainer. And even though Alan knew his way around a gym, he adopted a new perspective and learned workouts to keep him healthy. “My goals were different when I was younger,” says Alan, who enjoys an active lifestyle with his husband, 78, who is not diabetic. “Our social life revolves around meals and eating, so there are challenges ..read more