From The Editor
New Year, New Routine
And so a new year begins, filled with promise and potential. I have in the past made some unrealistic New Year’s resolutions, many of which I did not keep. But this year I have made a resolution to exercise more frequently. This should not be very hard since I currently do not exercise at all. In fact, unless our six-year old persuades me to throw the football or chase him around the yard or to jump on the bike and go for a ride, I am pretty much a couch potato.But no more! All of this changes this year. There are beautiful nature trails for hiking and biking throughout our area and although my wife does not know this yet, I plan on recruiting the family for afternoon bike rides. If I’m feeling really energetic I might even use the weight bench that has sat in the garage gathering dust for the past (gasp!) four years. I have learned the hard way that merely purchasing exercise equipment is not enough to get in shape; I must actually use it.
If anything is the fountain of youth it is exercise and diet. One need look no further than the Godfather of Fitness Jack Lalanne to see the remarkable results. Now into his 90s and counting, Lalanne gives new meaning to the phrase ’60 is the new 40.’ Indeed, in his case 90 is the new 50. I would hope to have his strength when I hit 90, but in reality I could use it right now.
Exercise not only restores health and vitality, it reduces stress and improves my mental outlook. Years ago, regular trips to the gym kept me sane during a time when both of my parents were battling life-threatening illnesses. If only I had kept up my regime, but I got lazy and out of the habit. As a result, I will now be starting over.
Fortunately, it is not too late. Even mild exercise has been shown to increase bone density in the elderly. Wheelchair-bound patients found they could get up and walk again after participating in even a moderate exercise routine.
While it may have once been conventional wisdom to sit in a rocking chair and grow old after retirement we now know this is not what a body needs. Every lively, energetic Senior I have met convinces me of the importance of staying active and being involved. They are my inspiration, and just one of the many reasons I enjoy what I do for Senior Times.
January is National Diet Month, so in this issue of Senior Times, medical writer Kendra Siler-Marsiglio describes the DASH diet approach to stop hypertension while Michelle Abrego takes a look at several popular diets.
If you are like me and have been eating pretty much non-stop since the holiday season began, you may find this information useful.
And now that I’ve put my resolution in writing, I guess I had best get busy.
