Friday, November 30, 2012

Take Care of Your Heart!

When the old heart is not doing well the rest of the body becomes much less efficient. So as we get older more attention should be given to the care of that old heart so that it continues to beat at a healthy level. How do we do that?


My experience as a 76 year old, with no family history of cardiovascular problems, is the following. I eat primarily a mediterranean diet consisting of some meat, chicken and fish and lots of fruits, vegetables and grains. I use olive oil by the truck load, and yea I know it has lots of calories but it's health benefit outweighs the calories.

I do different types of aerobic and strength exercises daily for at least one hour a day usually more. Lots of my exercising is in the form of sports that I really enjoy: Tennis, running races and cycling. Of course not at the level of when I was 26 but what's important is I still do it.

Remember: Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun.


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Body Heals Itself

My experience as a 76 year old is your body will heal itself of most minor injuries without having to do anything. Just let it rest and heal for the time it needs. Here's some examples from my own experience.

I tore my rotator cuff within the last 15 years by slipping on ice and landing in the wrong position.
Painful when it happened, yes, but not so bad that I needed to go to the doctor. The truth is I didn't realize what damage had been done at the time. Within 2 months it was feeling fine and slowly I got back to my usual physical activities including tennis, weights, biking, etc. I was told to have an operation to reattach it but I didn't and it grew back on it's own.


I also have two lower discs in my back that are hurniated causing them to push on my sciatica nerve which is real painful. I began to do stretching and squats easing the pressure from the discs. Within three months the pain was gone and has never returned. That was 5 years ago and needless to say I continue doing those exercises. The human body is a wonderful machine, it just needs care and maintenance.

Keep It Simple, Consistent and Fun.