How To Add Fun To Growing Old

At an event I spoke at recently, I was espousing the multi-benefits of the 5Fs (Fitness, Food, Friendship, Future, and Finances) toward leading a longer, better life. A ninety-two year old in the audience reckoned that there should be a 6th F - FUN. She identified regular doses of fun as a major contributor to her longevity. Despite my response that FUN is generally considered to be linked to Friendships and associated relationships, she wasn't convinced and maintained that there should be 6Fs.
Her position in relation to FUN got me thinking. Away from the crowd, I googled 'Fun & Ageing'. My search didn't deliver much. I found plenty about Fitness, Food, Finances (particularly, how much you need to have enough stashed away for a rainy day), Future (as in, always having something to look forward to), and Friendship, but zit about putting some fun into growing old.
This absence got me thinking. It's yesterday's news that two-thirds of people who ever lived past 65 years are alive today. So, for a large, and increasing, number of people, longevity is a new chapter in life. Yet, the focus of much of research is more on survival than how to get the most from this new chapter - including, of course, how to have fun.
On further reflection, I thought what I do for fun.

• I have fun going for a run. (My wife prefers swimming.)
• I have fun catching up with others at the club. (Groucho Marx wouldn't join a club that would have him as a member.)
• I have fun playing with my grandkids. (A friend of mine reckons George Burns got it right when he advocated having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family - in another city.)

And the list goes on and on. We're all different. What one person finds fun may not appeal to another. So, there can be no one recipe for how to have fun.
Fun involves attitude, and attitude is a choice. You can have fun if you choose to, and conversely. Some attitudinal questions could include:

• Is it FUN to be alive? (If not, choose to do something about it.)
• Am I a FUN person to be with? (If not, choose to do something about it.)
• Am I receiving my daily dose of FUN? (If not, choose to do something about it.)
• Am I getting FUN out of being in my current group? (If not, choose to do something about it.)

We know that choosing attitudes (and goals) motivates toward taking some action. It's only then that success can be achieved (namely, progressing from where you are to where you want to be). Success, of course, is an essential precursor to leading a satisfying life. So, if you want to have fun in your life, it will involve making a choice (or choices).
If you'd like to explore further adding some fun to your life, Google 'Fun Theory'. The gist of The Fun Theory is that if you want to change behaviour, make it fun: when people start having fun, their behaviour is likely to change. Not only will you be entertained by the examples but also see how having fun can be catching: having fun can even create fun for others.

If adding years to your life and life to your years is of interest to you, Dr Neil Flanagan can offer you several things for free. When you go to http://www.neil.com.au you can download a free copy of Dr Neil Flangan's bestselling book BLINK! The Speed of Life as well as information about a life-quality pill that he has developed.

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Water Exercise: When It Hurts Too Much to Move

The golden-aged women taking a water-aerobics class at the local natatorium already know the benefits of water exercise. When traditional land-based exercises are not possible due to pain, muscle strain, osteoporosis, arthritis or other physical challenges, water exercise can help to improve your quality of life. Individuals with high blood pressure and/or diabetes are often advised to participate in aquatic exercises to better manage their disease. For many people, water exercise alone fulfills fitness goals and for some aquatic exercise facilitates a safe return to land-based exercises.
Water exercise doesn't necessarily mean signing up for a water-aerobic class - it can be done independently or under the care of a physical therapist. It's a good idea to make sure physical therapy in the pool is covered under your insurance plan.
The local natatorium keeps the water cool for swimming lessons, high school swim practice and swim meets, but during open swim hours individuals can jump in and exercise, or sign up for a class through the YMCA. Water therapies, however, have to be done in a heated pool, between 90-94 degrees, and are typically located in facilities that offer physical therapy. Check to see if classes or open swim times are available to the public.
Water exercise can accommodate all levels of fitness and is an excellent cardiovascular workout, but keep in mind that it may not be as beneficial for building bone strength. Water does provide resistance for muscle strengthening and conditioning, but the buoyancy of the water reduces weight bearing which necessary for building bone strength.
The resistance and support provided by the buoyancy of the water allows individuals to exercise with less pain, and the relaxing sound of being in the water adds enjoyment. For those able to access therapeutic temperatures feel the immediate comfort of the warmth in their joints and muscle tension is soothed. Stretching and movement becomes much easier, and it is common knowledge that a body in motion stays in motion.
You can simulate most exercises that can be done in a gym or on land in the pool. For instance, instead of walking on a treadmill you can walk laps in the pool. Sometimes people use water shoes so they don't slip. You can perform many types of stretches and you can even use buoyant weights.
In addition to providing physical benefits, water exercise can improve mental health. Swimming and exercising in the water can improve your mood and give you a feeling of well-being. It can decrease anxiety. Countless studies show that exercising can help improve your mood.
Water therapy has also been shown to be good for children with behavioral problems and is a good family activity.
Chronic pain can be debilitating, but try not to get discouraged. If you haven't tried water therapy, this may be what you need to do. If you hadn't thought about water therapy before, this may be an instance when taking some advice from your elders may really provide a lasting benefit.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen's blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people's lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com

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Antioxidants For Anti Aging? Learn How To Fight Free-Radical Damage

When you think anti-aging, do you think of expensive creams, spa treatments or surgery?

If so, you might want to look at another less-expensive, and healthier alternative: Food. Certain foods can do much more than fight the outward signs of aging, they can also help ward off inner symptoms as well. Many problems of the body are caused by inflammation & oxidative damage done by free radicals. If you can fight these two causes, you can look and feel better. The foods you eat provide your body with the power to fight damage and inflammation, especially when you mix different foods together.

What are free radicals?

These bad molecules can be a byproduct of normal metabolism. Free radical damage can also be caused by exposure to pollutants in your environment, food or drink. Everyone is exposed to free radicals as a part of daily life, so it's important to know what they do and how you can minimize their effects on you.

Free radicals are formed when a molecule has an unpaired electron and becomes unstable. When a molecule is unstable, it will steal an electron from the nearest item it encounters. (usually a cell in your body) Then, the molecule that was robbed becomes a free radical itself, scavenging for a spare electron to use so that it will be stable again. They can damage almost anything they come into contact with, which is why the immune system sometimes creates them, and uses them as a weapon against invaders it deems harmful.

Because free radicals can create chain reactions by stealing electrons from the molecules that make up your cells, they can cause inflammation, cell damage, and signs of early aging. It's in your best interest to fight free radicals with anti oxidants. The best way to get your anti-oxidants, is to eat them. Since you really "are what you eat", the right foods supply lots of free radical fighters.

You can fight free radicals with lots of different foods.

Food is your most potent weapon against free radical damage. Certain foods & compounds in them have the building blocks your body is looking for as it stops free radicals in their tracks. There are many different compounds in natural foods that fight free radicals. They do this by having a spare electron available to lend. When one of these unstable free radicals approaches an anti-oxidant, the anti-oxidant gives up its extra electron, and neutralizes the danger. An anti-oxidant doesn't become unstable, because that extra electron was always just a spare. When you have plenty of free radical fighting supplies 'in stock' your body is able to deal with these bad guys right away. They don't get a chance to damage cells.

What are the most common anti-oxidants you can look for in foods?

Anthocyanins- These powerful helpers are the dark pigments in plants. Plants will add anthocyanins to certain items, in order to give them a rich, dark color. Things like blueberries, blackberries, purple cabbage, cherries, and pomegranates all have plenty of anthocyanins. Pale foods like cauliflower, white potatoes, and lima beans don't have any. There are even some exotic foods, such as purple potatoes, heirloom tomatoes (these may have streaks of dark red, purple, & orange) and black chia seeds with dark, rich colors for you to choose.

Betanene- This is what gives beets a dark red color. It's more potent than polyphenols, which are found in green tea, black tea, dark chocolate and olive oil. Don't discount polyphenols though, green tea has earned its reputation as a health drink for many reasons. NOTE: drinking raw beet root juice may lower blood pressure in people who have hypertension. If you're going to drink it, and are on medication for blood pressure, you may want to have your doctor watch over your progress.

Vitamins A and C are also antioxidants.

Most people know the benefits of these fat & water soluble vitamins, but overlook their property as a free radical fighter as well. Fruits and vegetables are rich in A and C. Paprika, dried parsley, cayenne, chili powder, and basil are all seasonings loaded with A. Citrus fruits, kiwis, peppers, leafy greens, guavas, papayas and even strawberries have lots of vitamin C.

Antioxidants work best when they're mixed together.

Taking a supplement of an isolated antioxidant generally isn't as effective as mixing together multiples in one meal. They all work with each other and build on each other's benefits. Notice how tomatoes have both vitamin C and anthocyanins. Adding seasonings to your food, like a tasty basil pesto, diced peppers in chili, or parsley in tabbouleh not only makes the food taste better, but it makes it healthier as well.

What's a great and easy way to add antioxidants to pretty much any food?

Chia seeds. Chia seeds are tiny, they don't taste like anything, and they're as easy to add as sprinkling or stirring into whatever you like. All of the anti oxidant foods mentioned above have one thing in common: they all have a flavor. Seasonings like paprika mentioned above are good... but you wouldn't want them in your cake, pudding or yogurt. With chia, you can add antioxidants, b vitamins, calcium and protein to almost anything and it won't change the taste. Make healthy dishes healthier, and power up your favorite foods by combining antioxidants... like fresh strawberries in yogurt with chia mixed in. You've got vitamin c from strawberries, calcium in yogurt and omega 3 healthy oils in chia. Does chia have any other antioxidants? Yes! The less commonly known, but still important anti oxidants of chia are myrecetin, quercetin, kaemferol, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid.

The possibilities are endless, and your menu is so much more interesting when you add healthy spices, and combine antioxidant rich foods like fruits, veggies and chia seeds together. Now that you know what to look for, enrich your menu with the tons of great recipes available all over the internet, and in natural cook books. You'll be surprised at how many options are at your fingertips!

Ready to learn more about chia? Try http://www.mychiaseeds.com for photos, Chia Recipes with anti oxidants, videos & so much more. Plus, when you visit you can pick up our free cook books, & find out about free shipping too.

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