How Retired Professionals Can Stay Fit

September 18, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When you’re working, it’s easy to maintain a fitness routine. As gyms become common fixtures in corporate buildings, a busy professional can stop off after work for a quick workout. It’s easy to get out of the habit, but working out regularly is even more important once you have retired.

Retired professionals need to pay attention to their diet to maintain a proper fitness level. While it may be tempting to spend the newfound free time going out to eat and snacking, that is a quick path to weight gain. Instead, retirees should focus on cooking at home and using lots of vegetables in their cooking. After working hard for 40 years, they have earned the right to eat out once in a while! However, it’s important to eat more home-cooked healthy meals than meals at a restaurant.

The second part of staying fit is maintaining an exercise routine. Sometimes, retired professionals lose out on exercise just by leaving the workplace. For instance, people who work in careers in physical therapy spend their working days helping people overcome physical disabilities. When they leave those careers, they need to work hard to maintain that same level of physical activity. Retired professionals may want to visit a personal trainer at a local gym. A personal trainer can put together an appropriate workout routine for anyone’s age, fitness level, and physical abilities. By setting specific times and dates to work out, retirees can stick to a schedule that makes it easy to stay fit and healthy.

By maintaining a proper diet and sticking to an exercise routine, retired professionals will have no trouble staying healthy. Both aspects of a healthy lifestyle will make a retiree’s time away from work even more enjoyable.

Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Recovering From A Heart Attack ? Lifestyle Changes Matter

July 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
An example of a heart attack, which can occur ...

Image via Wikipedia

Never make the mistake of thinking that medications will help you overcome the negative effects of a heart attack or a heart surgery. Medications will help you bring the problem under control but you will have to make changes to your lifestyle to make sure it does not occur again.

The heart can to withstand a lot of abuse. We spend years leading a life without emphasis on fitness. We do not have any regard for our dietary pattern. We live in a lot of stress and do nothing about it. Our heart survives for more than a few decades despite such a rigorous lifestyle. However, once you have suffered a heart attack or have undergone heart treatment, it is important to make sure such harmful habits do not enter your lifestyle again.

It is very important to control your diet when you are recovering from a heart attack. Many persons find the drastic change in lifestyle to be the biggest difficulty in recovering after a heart attack. Some even say that the reduction in fatty foods and the giving up of cigarette and alcohol causes more pain than the heart attack itself.

Well, being vigorous and disciplined when recovering will give you a better chance of living longer. Revert back to your bad habits and chances are high that you would not survive your next heart attack despite access to medications and advance treatment. Make sure you follow the advice of your doctors strictly and revert back to your normal lifestyle in a very gradual and disciplined way.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Fitness, Heart Care Tagged With: , ,

How to Maintain a good Heart Health

June 18, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Healthy heart is very important for the well-being of a person. Heart diseases are very serious illnesses and it could even lead to death. There are certain things one can do to prevent heart disease and lead a healthy life. Here are few tips to have a good heart health.

Heart diagram with labels in English. Blue com...

Image via Wikipedia

Heart diseases are mostly caused by smoking tobacco because chemicals in tobacco damages blood vessels as well as heart and thus it narrow down the arteries. When it comes to heart, smoking should be completely stopped and it includes low nicotine, smokeless, and low-tar cigarettes. Also, it has been found that the risk of heart disease due to smoking is dramatically decreased within a year after quitting smoking.

Exercise is an important tool to keep heart disease under control as well as to maintain healthy body. Simple exercise should be done at least 30 minutes a day regularly. This not only control heart diseases, but also control body weight and other health problems. Exercise here does not mean only heavy workouts, even simple walking, gardening, housekeeping, and walking the dogs also counts.

Controlled diet should be followed and eating plan should be heart-friendly. The diet should include vegetables, low-fat dairy products, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, a person should limit certain products such as packaged snacks, fried food items, and red meat. Maintaining the correct weight is very important because weight gain increases the chances of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Other than this, one should do regular health check-ups to know about their current health condition.

 

Filed Under: Fitness, Heart Care Tagged With: , ,

Roadmap For A Healthy Heart Is Hidden In A Healthy Diet

May 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment
food sources of magnesium: bran muffins, pumpk... 

Image via Wikipedia

What is the connection between a good and a healthy diet and a healthy heart? Trying to use medicines to overcome heart trouble is not a preventive solution. Rather, it is a curative option that will work only after the problem has begun. Instead, one should try to make use of dietary solutions to reduce the risk of heart problems.

The biggest advantage of having control over diet is that it offers multiple benefits without any extra effort. If you eat well, you will automatically stay fit, be very energetic and enjoy lower risk of heart problems. A single balanced diet should be more than enough to take care of all these complications at once.

Many persons conclude that they need not bother about the diet once they have been diagnosed with heart trouble. Well, your heart is not a machine that can be improved with sufficient quantity of antibiotics and medicines. Rather, your heart is an organic substance and providing good quality food to your body is always going to lead to long term benefits for your heart.

This is not to say that antibiotics will not do the job. However, going in for diet control to improve your heart’s condition will give you a sense of control and authority. You will not be dependent on some third party agent for your well being and sustenance. If you eat well, you can improve the condition of your heart even if you skip antibiotics or medications after a specific period. From the psychological point of view, improving your diet will help you get rid of the feeling that you are an unhealthy person.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Fitness, Heart Surgeons Tagged With: , ,

Better Nutrition for Better Health

March 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many health problems can be alleviated just by adding good nutrition to your diet, using a variety of vegetables, grains, and fruits. Learning to read labels will help to control sugar, salt, fat, and calorie intake. Choose foods that are high in nutrients but lower in calories and have a low fat content. Don’t add sugar or fat when preparing fruits, veggies, rice, cereal, or pasta. Limit your intake of sugar, salt, cookies, candies, cakes, alcohol, and soda.

You need fat in your diet but too much can raise the risk for heart disease and certain cancers. Americans consume a lot more salt than needed, 2400 milligrams (one teaspoon) is recommended per day. If blood pressure is high then a lower consumption of sodium is advised. Only consume alcohol in moderation, one drink a day for light weight people and two for heavier people. Alcohol just provides calories with absolutely few nutrients or none. Drink eight to ten glasses of water a day, even though no calories, it is an important nutrient. Drinking lots of water will contribute better weight management and you will feel much better.

Everyone overeats on occasion, but if you often feel a bit sluggish after consuming a meal, your portions are no doubt too large. Prepare dinners at home and cut down on going to restaurants. Try gradually decreasing portions and serve on a smaller plate, and eat slowly. These suggestions will aid you in eating smaller servings. Gradually add filling, nutritious foods to your meals and your calories will drop, and nutrient content will increase. For healthy eating, stock up on low-fat, nutritious items.

Shop smart and healthy, purchasing the items below will be a step toward good nutrition:

  • Low fat or fat free milk and dairy products
  • Bread, bagels, low fat tortillas
  • Crackers (low sodium)
  • Cooked or dry cereal, plain
  • Pasta, rice
  • Turkey or chicken (skin removed)
  • Canned, frozen, or fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Fish or seafood (no batter)
  • Extra lean beef cuts
  • Pork tenderloin and shoulder
  • Peas and dry beans
  • Mustard, honey, catsup, salad dressings (nonfat)
Filed Under: Fitness, Heart Care Tagged With: , ,

Medical Conditions, Illnesses and Diseases

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The term for any tendency or a condition hampering the normal body functions is called a disease. Most people think of disease as a condition causing dysfunction or uneasiness. Pathology is the name for studying of diseases, illnesses, and disorders. Many factors can cause a disease such as, biological, chemical, psychological, and social. When harmful pathogenic microbes or germs (viruses, bacteria, and protozoa) enter a person’s body, this is called an infection and can be infectious or non- infectious.

An infectious disease, also called communicable or contagious, can be transmitted through insect bites, food or water contamination, air, blood transfusions, and infected injections. It is suggested to take appropriate medical treatment and keep away from other people to refrain from spreading the disease around.

A non- infectious disease can not be spread to other people, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart conditions. Millions of dollars are spent each year on non- infectious diseases in the United States alone. The top most expensive are, heart, trauma, cancer, mental illness, respiratory, hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, and back ailments. There has been a substantial increase in the some diseases and ailments such as, high cholesterol, esophageal diseases, anxiety disorder, breast cancer, and hemorrhoids.

Some illnesses are not caused by infection but by responses of the body to clearing up an infection. Aspects of this type of illness include depression, lethargy, sleepiness, anorexia, and complete lack of concentration. Disorder is the preferred terminology in some cases instead of disease or illness. Disorders are grouped in several categories; mental, functional, emotional, genetic, behavioral, and physical disorders. A mental disorder acknowledges the interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors of a psychiatric condition.

A broad term including all disorders, diseases, injuries and even pregnancies is called a medical condition. Some insurance companies describe medical conditions as an injury, disease, or illness, with the exception of psychiatric conditions. A synonym used for a medical condition describes a medical state such as the usage of “critical condition”. The ending of a treatment or medical condition is called a cure, while a temporary disappearance of a symptom is referred to as a remission.

Filed Under: Fitness, Heart Care Tagged With: , ,

Noteworthy Foods for Good Nutrition

February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Whenever you hear your parents’ voice telling you to eat for good nutrition, your conscience is serving you properly. In a world with so many diets that come and go quickly, one thing seems clear. Proteins and whole foods remain among the best for heart-healthy enthusiasts.

When you don’t like fish with a strong smell or aftertaste, salmon might be a nice alternative means to obtain omega-3 fatty acids. Alpha-Linolenic acid and fish oil are in bountiful supply when you eat a piece of salmon. If eaten at least two times per week, this can prevent your heart from accumulating plaque. It also can help us avoid having our arteries harden over time and lower blood pressure. If you don’t like fish at all, you can try taking fish oil capsules but remember to avoid taking too many (as doing so can cause a greater risk for internal bleeding).

If you’re tired of cashews, peanuts and pumpkin seeds try flaxseeds instead. They might remain unknown by many people but these are high sources of proteins and fiber. Flaxseeds also contain omega three fatty acids. Additionally, they contain phytoestrogens which may help regulate hormones in men and women. Hormones can affect the likelihood of heart problems as well.

If you don’t like the way your mom made oatmeal as a child, you may want to reconsider banishing it altogether. Oatmeal contains a rich source of omega-3′s, magnesium, calcium and niacin. All of these can help support efficient blood flow to and from the heart and may minimize cholesterol clumping within the arterial veins. In the name of health, try putting berries on your oatmeal in the morning or make oatmeal cookies with low sugar.

Drinking occasional red wine with dinner won’t make you a lush. Actually, you have considerable common sense. The fermented grapes contain reservatrol, which can help reduce the bad form of cholesterol (LDL). So the next time you sit down, celebrate good nutrition.

Filed Under: Fitness, Heart Care Tagged With: , , ,

Exercise Made Easy

February 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Billy Blanks

Image via Wikipedia

If your middle name isn’t tae-bo, relax. You don’t have to be like Billy Blanks (although he’s very motivating) to get the body shape you want. Exercise exists however we choose to burn substantial calories. So get creative and start moving!

Instead of hiring someone to clean the entire house each week, try cleaning one room a day. Your home will not only thank you but your body will benefit too. Although scrubbing the toilet seems less than appealing and gross at the very least you’ll give your triceps and forearms a workout (if it’s done in the proper way). When your wood furniture is crying for attention, give it back its luster and polish it. Whether you polish or scrub an item you’ve just burnt about 30 calories. Cleaning the entire bathroom or dining room will shave off approximately 150 calories for an hour’s worth of exercise.

If you can’t walk and chew gum simultaneously, try. A brisk walk an hour a day will take off about 200 to 300 calories for an average-sized adult. Chewing gum for the same amount of time will burn 11 calories. If you’d like to try jogging instead of a walk, this activity burns off the equivalent of one sensible meal at approximately 400 calories.

When you’re planning to move into a new place nearby consider that packing all of your boxes will take up energy and may shed a few unwanted pounds. Many people wrap their valuables in newspaper and pack their boxes that way. Preparing to move (and depending on how many items you have) it can burn over 400 calories.

The next time your siblings need a babysitter for the kids, it might be fun and you’ll be burning the same number of calories in a small, non-fat milk chai latte beverage (about 170 calories). However if the children are more active and want to play outside, you’ll be burning 500 calories.

Filed Under: Exercise, Fitness Tagged With: , ,

Dietary Nutrition Made Simple

February 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Since the late 1970s the concept of nutrition seems to have gotten more complex. Fad diets have increased in popularity since then and they do help many people achieve a more slender appearance. The fact remains that unless we stick to the reduction of calories or maintain the proper calorie intake we can gain the weight back, no matter what we do and what plan we choose.

Many argue over the proper dietary needs and have done so since the early 1950s. The most realistic diet plan for an individual is one that should be kept. It’s important to understand that not every diet works for everyone since body chemistry varies with each person.

First we should ask ourselves how and why we originally gained weight, thus putting us in the condition to go on a diet. Some of us have been able to master the necessity of portion control and may find portion control weight plans to be useful in our long-term goals. Others find they feel bloated or unwell after eating certain foods such as dairy items or those containing high fat.

If a diet consists of what we eat and drink, we have to remember to keep it balanced. Otherwise we might feel deprived, give up and search for another weight-loss plan. This can send many of us on a frenzy of yo-yo dieting. Food was meant to be enjoyed and we shouldn’t be fanatical about calorie counting and weighing food. That said, we should be aware of what we’re consuming in the first place.

Dietary nutrition begins at home and the refrigerator should be stocked with fruits and vegetables spanning various colors of the rainbow. Foods like cucumbers, spinach, red bell peppers, yellow squash, mangoes, papaya, oranges and eggplant can provide us the vitamins and minerals we need to sustain health. It’s unlikely we’ll get bored with these different flavors if we learn to cook and enjoy the kitchen. Eat up!

Filed Under: Fitness, Heart Care Tagged With: , ,

Reasons to Exercise

February 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Unless we’re extremely forgetful, there should be no need to avoid engaging in an exercise routine each week. Perhaps some of us dread our morning run because we’d like a quick surge of energy by drinking a cup of coffee. Since the early 1990’s, many people have been fighting an ongoing skirmish with their clothing because it seems to be getting tighter. Exercise is one of the ways we can attempt to combat the extra pounds. Additionally, it also has other merits to keep in mind.

As we age metabolism can decrease dramatically and that 17-year-old figure many of us once had in high school can disappear. Although being active doesn’t guarantee maintaining our adolescent figures for a lifetime, we can maintain good physical health and refrain from gaining weight at the mere sight of food.

Weekend plans may be around the corner but if we can’t find our keys, we’ll have to walk or (somehow) boost our internal filing cabinet. Does this sound familiar?  If your brain’s memory has gone haywire since your last job, consider physical activity the antidote.

The heart has a big job to pump blood from the brain to our feet. This is especially cumbersome if the body mass index is more than 24 percent and blood pressure will likely be much higher as obesity increases. It’s more ideal to be about five percent underweight according to some physicians, since the heart is a muscle that won’t have to work as hard.

If Mr. Sandman hasn’t visited much lately, exercise can help you reach dreamland more quickly and minimize tossing and turning through the night. We’ll most likely wake up feeling refreshed, and we won’t necessarily need a special mattress to rest soundly. If these aren’t good enough reasons to alter your physical fitness regimen, your body can look better and clothing will fit more comfortably.

Filed Under: Exercise, Fitness Tagged With: , ,
«Older Posts