Let’s go a little quantitative and slightly medical for a while. When you visit your doctor or any legally recognized health practitioner, taking your blood pressure is one of the basic examinations to be performed. And afterwards, they usually scribble some jargons on a piece of paper and probably prescribe to you some drugs thereafter, with cacographic handwritings. Blood pressures are measured with the use of a Sphygmomanometer tied around your upper arm as a cuff, and the values are documented as a fraction of your highest blood pressure (systolic) to your lowest blood pressure (diastolic). Normal values are of the ranges 100-140mmHg for the systolic and 60-90mmHg for the diastolic.

Secondary hypertension usually results from an identifiable cause. It is a case of “if Jericho refuses to challenge Israel, Israel must pull down Jericho!” either way, everybody must know that Israel wins. This means that primary hypertension can later become Secondary hypertension or Secondary hypertension can usually occur on its own due to identifiable causes such as Kidney failure, Hyperthryroidism or Coarctation of the Aorta and so many others. Either way, one’s body organs begin to fail. Jericho’s wall starts to fall!

Two new concepts suddenly emerge at this point. The one is called Hypertensive urgencies and the other is known as hypertensive emergencies. Both involve a sustained high blood pressure above normal (about 180/110 mmHg), however the latter usually occurs with an evidence of target organ damage. What are these target organs? They include the eyes, the Kidneys, Brain, Lungs and Heart. Imagine a blind bedridden human with paralysis, bad kidneys and yet has a heart attack. A good example of the living dead. Many patients are usually noncompliant when the doctor says, “Sir, we would need to admit you immediately”. This statement is often made when the kidneys have written resignation letter to the association of body parts and both eyes have decided to get a divorce.

Is Hypertension Age Dependent?

While hypertension is commonly a condition in adults and much worse in the elderly, children oftentimes are diagnosed of hypertension but this is very rare: like finding one bad egg in a warehouse of shipped crates. Children affected often fail to thrive or develop as should be, frequently have nose bleeding, easily fatigued, often breathless, blurred vision, irritability seizures and sometimes facial paralysis. If found in children, it usually is a pointer to a problem with their kidneys.

I’m Pregnant, What about me?

Hypertension would usually occur in 8-10% of global pregnancies, and is said to be in pregnancy if there is sustained elevation of blood pressure after 2 checkups within a 6-hour period in between checkup’s. It could be a preexisting hypertension which must have been present before conception. It could also be gestational due to pregnancy and may then progress to what we call Preeclampsia which is characterized by increased protein in the urine in addition to the raised blood pressure. Preeclampsia is present in 5% of pregnancies. However, preecmplamsia can further progress to becoming Eclampsia, which is a very fatal gestational hypertensive emergency. It is capable of claiming the lives of both mother and unborn child. Pregnant women should have regular antenatal checkups and have their blood pressures closely monitored and controlled when necessary.

Even drugs are Culprits.

All substances are potential poisons, the dosage would tell. There are many other factors aside from drug dosage that can cause adverse drug effects. Drugs such as NSAIDS(pain killers), Oral contraceptives like morning after pill, drugs that increase your heart rate, drugs that retain fluid in your blood vessels(Antidiuretics) and various Steroids can cause Secondary hypertension.

What do I do now?

Hypertension is not the end of life. Visit your doctor and listen to whatever treatment modalities he or she gives you. Be compliant. This is a serious one. Poorly managed hypertension is as good as no treatment at all. Appropriate lifestyle modifications are essential here: exercise regularly, reduce salt intake, avoid much stress, Smoking and Alcohol intake should be a no no, or at least reduced to nonlethal amounts. You may also want to quit these 2 habits meet with your doctor for advice. Eat well and Sleep well. DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet is encouraged here. Your meals should generally contain low fat dairy foods, enough vegetables and whole grains, fruits are also essential with limited sugar-sweetened foods and beverages.

Hypertension is another hidden menace in our evolving society. Let’s all join hands and fight it off together. Health is no doubt Wealth.

Just when you think there’s nothing new under the cycle travelling sun – a new idea squirts some grease on your gears.

Like – Why not make French Cycle travel a lifestyle? Not just a vacation option?

Ok – not a new idea for me, bien sur, but then, I’m an exception. Not the rule. And so are Darren Alff, Alastair Humphreys, Tom Kevill-Davies and Kate Harris. Four dyed in the lycra, obsessive, passionate, take no prisoners cycle nomad/explorer/adventurers.

Each keeping the wolf away from their panniers with websites/blog/books relating to their cycling adventures. Great for them, yeah? So – how does this affect you?

Well… now these “Fantastic Four” have morphed into cycle lifestyle evangelists. Encouraging “young people”(hopefully, “young at heart” too?)to follow in  their pedal steps.

Their “Mission Control” is the Bicycle Travel Network. I managed to catch up with Tom Kevill-Davies, the “Hungry Cyclist” between mouthfuls recently.

BG  –   How did you get inspired to create it?

TOM  – The cycle touring community is a small one and all four of us had been in contact with each other for some time. Through conversations it became clear that individually we were helping encourage people to look at bicycle travel as happy and healthy alternative but it was also clear that working as a four we had much more influence. So after a few emails crossed the globe we decided to pool our resources and try and make a collective difference. The result was The Bicycle Travel Network.

BG   – Why the word “network” in the title?

TOM  – A good question – countless emails went around the four of us while we looked for a name and in the end network seemed to work best. As well as providing funds and aid to first time bicycle travelers one of our main aims was to create a network of new generation bicycle travelers who are out there doing what they love and sharing what they learn from their experiences in an online environment.

BG  –  What were some of the challenges you faced putting it together?

TOM  – Coming up with a name? no that was pretty simple in the end… – I think the biggest hurdle was trying to pin down the four founders at any one time to make decisions- hard to do when each one us spends  the majority of our time out on the road looking for adventure. But once we were all talking it became very clear that we all wanted was to combine our collective knowledge and experiences with other prospective bicycle travelers – from then on the whole project took on its own momentum and it was downhill from there – so to speak.

BG  –  What expertise/inspiration etc. does each individual member of your team contribute?

TOM  –The world of bicycle travel is a small one and we had all been in contact for some time. Knowing about each other and our different offerings it became clear that each of us was making good head way in the same field and yet each with a very different approach. Darren was forging ahead providing first class technical information for cycle tourists through Bicycle Touring Pro, Al is leading his field in motivational advice and expedition planning, Tom has been showcasing the more enjoyable and cultural sides of bicycle travel while Kate is out there as a ground breaking female adventurer. With these four areas of expertise covered it was a case of ‘One for all and all for one!

BG  –  Why the focus on “young people?” i.e. – why not all people on the same wavelength?

TOM  – This was a tough decision. We were keen not to discriminate through age but with all of as having made talks at schools and youth clubs to promote travel by bicycle we were aware that the younger generation were the ones that needed the most help. Like so many things in life if you can get the little push and encouragement you need when you are young the rest is history.

And so by helping budding young bicycle travelers we hope to be aiding bicycle travelers of all generations in the future.

BG  –  Explain your funding strategy/process. (i.e. – how do you prospect for donors? what’s their return, if any, other than a tax-write off?)

TOM – Its early days for the project but we hope our main revenue streams for donations to come through the following sources.

1.  Income from cost per click advertising on a website dedicated to a niche market.

2.  Equipment donations from equipment companies in return for advertorial, field testing, and banner space on the website.

3.  Donations of old equipment and private donations from generous folk who want to help change a young traveler’s life.

BG  –  What’s your goal?

TOM  – To make travel by bicycle the first choice for anyone looking to have an adventure or see the world.

BG  –  How can people help?

TOM  – Spread the word –  pop a link on your blog or web page and tell your friends! If you’re a company looking for a targeted marketing opportunity for your products get in touch! And if you have a few quid you can spare, make a donation today!

THROW  ME  A  BONE  HERE  PEOPLE!

What are ya thinkin’?

Many of us spend time looking in the mirror, wishing for this or that, but the bottom line is that we as humans strive for improvement. Think about how great it feels to accomplish something big and see yourself rewarded for it. Looking at the mirror thinking about how you can improve your physique can be related. Improving your physique is a lot like improving other areas of your life. You’ll feel very accomplished when seeing results, and in turn, motivating yourself to strive to get better. Many of us want the end result, but in order to get that end results, you have to work for it. You won’t get a bachelor’s, or masters, or PhD by wishing you had one. These are all separate goals or achievements in the education process, just like you may have certain steps or goals for your physique accomplishment. The big problem here is transitioning into a healthy lifestyle or a bodybuilding lifestyle. This article will provide you with a step-by-step process on how you can transition from your current lifestyle, into a bodybuilding lifestyle or at least a lifestyle revolved around fitness and improving your physique.

Step 1: Desire the change

The first thing you need to do is to WANT the change in lifestyle. If you aren’t committed towards this lifestyle then it will eat you up. You have to want this. Some people are in unfortunate situations where they NEED it. Let’s hope you aren’t at that point because if you need it, but don’t want the change, that can be a serious problem. If you are serious about the lifestyle and desire the change, then you’ll be a lot more motivated. Motivation is key because increased drive can spell more desired results!

Step 2: Seek Support

No matter how much you think you know, there is always more to be learned. Bodybuilders at all stages of the game still always seek support from other people and it’s this support that can really help their physique grow. Thinking you know everything can lead you down the wrong path. Despite my experience as a bodybuilder, I’m always looking for more information or taking advice from competitors and coaches. Information can be a key to success.

Step 3: Be consistent

We want results that will last, not temporary results. Being consistent will help you establish results that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Continuing to pursue bodybuilding or a healthy lifestyle will give you just that, a healthy lifestyle. One of the biggest ways to achieve your best physique possible is by constantly putting in the work day in and day out.

Arbitrage is a business term defined as the buying and selling of financial instruments in different markets to take advantage of the price differences in foreign exchanges. Apply this to lifestyle design and we can come up with some interesting versions of arbitrage that can enhance your life when we think of the advantages of being a lifestyle entrepreneur, tech nomad, mobile worker or some of the other jargon used to describe someone who lives and works where ever they want for as long as the want.

Weather Arbitrage

Being able to work and live in a climate of your choosing is a great reason for living a location independent lifestyle. You can enjoy summer in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, if you want to live in a nice spring like climate for a few months. When the weather starts to get too cold for comfort you can lay out on the beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil when you want sun and fun. If you time your arrival in Rio just right you can get there when the hottest part of the year is over but the weather is still great to go to the beach.

Geo Arbitrage

One of the advantages of being a nomad is using currency from a first world country and move to a third world country. Your currency will go a long way in your new home. Depending which countries you chose to travel and live in, a person from a first world country can live on a third of the money it took to in the first world at the same and often times a higher standard of living.

Location Arbitrage

Having the freedom to work where you want to is probably the biggest advantage to “Going Nomad”. When you can spend New Years in New York, Carnival in Brazil, and then make up a holiday of your own just as an excuse to travel, that is what I call living. Many people stuck in cubicles dream of such as lifestyle, but few if any actually take the action necessary to live the life they desire.

Lifestyle Arbitrage

What we are really talking about here is lifestyle arbitrage, leveraging your experience, talents, and passions to create a better lifestyle for yourself. Whether you travel to another country, state, city or just establish a life style that gives you more time to spend with your family and friends and do some of things you have always wanted to do in life, choosing a location independent lifestyle and business is a option many people are exercising today.

Eye floaters are stressing and bothersome to say the least. They can bring untold suffering to the way you carry on with your daily life besides posing a risk of reduced vision or total blindness. That you have floaters in the eye doesn’t automatically mean that you’re now condemned to a life of wearing eye contact lenses or glasses.

It’s important that you find ways to correct the condition as soon as you notice it. Besides wearing eye contact lenses, there are other treatment options you can turn to with the most immediate being undergoing an eye surgery to remove the floaters. While this might sound like the most practical option, it also comes with a number of risks which you may want to consider before undergoing the doctor’s knife.

Laser eye surgeries will get rid of floaters in the eyes, but in the long run you may have to deal with more serious conditions like poor eyesight. What most people don’t know is that they can treat eye floaters by simply changing the way they live. Sometimes a change in lifestyle is all you need to do to get rid of those nagging floaters in your eye. Here are some of simple lifestyle changes that will help treat floaters in the eyes.

Quit smoking… Excessive smoking has been linked to causing formation of floaters in the eyes. If you love your cigarette, then it’s about time you consider abandoning the habit. Not only will you be improving your overall health, but you will help stop worsening the condition of the floaters.

Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that work to deprive the body of vital vitamins and nutrients. Cigarette smoke is laced with free radicals which can cause harm to the eye in addition to worsening the state of the eyes. If you want to keep eye floaters in check, quit smoking!

Stop or reduce your alcohol intake… Excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful to your eye’s health as it is to the body. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can trigger a formation of vitreous humor in the eye. The vitreous humor is a gel like substance in the eye that is age related and has been associated with the development of floaters. Alcohol also deprives the body of water which leads to dehydration.

When your body is dehydrated, so are the eye’s a situation which leads to a worsening state of the floaters. The vitreous humor is composed of 98% water content and it loses shape when you’re dehydrated. The proteins in this gel like solution are not fully dissolved causing the formation of floaters. Quit or reduce the amount of alcohol you consume if you want to make your eyesight better.

Get enough sleep… Working on the computer or watching television for long hours may lead to tiring of the eyes. It’s imperative that you get enough sleep to make sure the eyes have enough rest. This will help them repair and heal. Sleep will also make sure that the eyes are relived of pressure as well. Doctors recommend that you should get at least eight hours of sleep each day.

Reduce stress levels… Find ways to handle your levels of stress and anxiety and you will improve your vision fast in addition to lessening the eye floaters. Research has revealed that anxiety and stress can trigger formation of floaters in the eye and impede healing in the long run. Some of the ways you can reduce stress include meditation, herbal treatments and other relaxation techniques.

A great thought is a living arrangement called SHARED HOUSING.

Shared housing is a living arrangement among two or more unrelated people. The home owner who has a home can be matched with a person who needs a place to call home.

Professional organizations which specialize in these arrangements can be found and will match the two parties based on needs. Most organizations that do this are non-profit and supported from sources other than those seeking their help.

How old is a senior citizen who would feel comfortable sharing their home? This type arrangement can be a beneficial choice for senior lifestyle housing.

Consider REMODELING YOUR HOME. There are a number of items to consider when remodeling a home. Consult a professional early in your evaluation process.

Senior mobility should be a focus. if you already know a family member legs are failing, focus on modifications that eliminate stairs or likely hazards. If someone has arthritis that impairs mobility, develop modifications that are designed to anticipated increasing mobility limitations.

Search for ways to modify your home economically to obtain full use of all the rooms. If you are going to update a room for a teenager maybe consider putting in a 36 inch room entry door instead of thirty inch. The reason being when the teenager leaves the home now this room becomes an office and perhaps later a room for an elder person needing wheelchair access.

HOW ABOUT SOME SENIOR FUN? Relive the golden age of radio today! Hear your favorite old time radio shows and discover amazing broadcasts from yesteryear.

Contact the local or state senior governmental agencies, read local newspapers, Craigslist, Senior Centers and elsewhere for Senior Living Ideas.

Seniors have a colossal collection of living choices just let the mind open up. A consideration is joining a senior gardening club.

Working part time or full time again, depending on circumstances, may be a consideration. Socializing and meeting employees is a method of maintaining an open mind. Focus on searching the internet for sites where social engaging is the business. Join forums and other discussion groups.

Another senior lifestyle choice is DATING. Do not let your age define who you are. Prepare yourself to enjoy those moments. Plan ahead, set some time up for meeting others. Try visiting a senior center or join a senior dating service or spend more time at the grocery store! Focus on your healthy lifestyle choices and enjoy getting prepared, planning, and following through with those decisions.

Speaking about modern Ukrainian customs and traditions it is necessary to stress that the Ukrainians are proud of their colorful folk culture. They love good food and drink and have a zest for life.

Most Ukrainian middle-class and lower class urban families live in flat in multi-storied buildings; only rather rich people can afford to build cottages either inside or outside the city.

Ukrainians have a deep love of the land. Many families have small country houses, called “dacha”. They are able to grow just about anything in their neat gardens, orchards, and homesteads. Some people grow food only for their own personal consumption. They spend time canning vegetables and making compote from various fruits during the summer in order to make it through the long cold winters. They always have something in their houses to serve guests.

A modern average Ukrainian family has two parents and usually one or two children. At the same time there is a growing number of one-parent families usually headed by a woman rearing a child. Like in many other countries, there are quite a lot of young unmarried people living together and sharing a household. Bringing up a child in Ukraine is very costly now; that is why many couples decided to have only one child, or even no children. Children tend to live with there parents long after they finish school. Sometimes children have to rely on their parents in financial matters as the unemployment rate among the young is very high. A newly married couple often lives with either of their parents because they have no money to buy or to rent a house or a flat of their own. Often one or both grandparents live with their children and help take care of small children. Grandparents play a great role in raising children in Ukraine.

In the village families are usually larger, and the whole family works on the farm (or a patch of land they have) together. Most parents who live in the country want their children to get a higher education, so they send them to study to big cities. After 5 years of studies, the children get used to the city way of life and seldom go home.

In their struggle for survival people become less dependent on each other within families. But still parents think it is important to teach their children daily skills and basic values of life. The result of a resent nationwide survey showed that the most important values parents want to teach their children are honestly, common sense, purposefulness, responsibility, good manners and obedience to parents. Adults believe children should be brought up to expect that they will have to struggle to succeed.

Like most other people, Ukrainians like holidays and merrymaking. They usually try to cook many tasty dishes and invite a lot of friends and relatives to their places. Another thing Ukrainians love to do is talk (while strolling, in cafes and restaurants, or at home over a cup of tea or coffee or other drinks). Conversation tends to be light, relaxing, humorous, and sometimes philosophical. Many Ukrainians enjoy picnics in the wood or somewhere the water at almost any time of year. Picnics often involve shashlik or barbequed meat, homemade salads, and sometimes alcohol. Ukrainians love to sit around fires at night and snack, drink, and sing songs to a guitar.

Popular outdoor sports in Ukraine are soccer, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, and hiking (walking in the forest). Fitness clubs have appeared all over the place. Yoga and martial arts are quite popular as well. Mountain climbing and rock climbing clubs can be found. Scuba diving, yachting, and even golf have recently become available. Increasingly popular in Ukraine are all sorts of extreme sports (bungee jumping, river rafting, downhill mountain biking, spelunking, etc.), and, more generally, all forms of active recreation (hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding, skiing, etc.).

Not everyone will do the things we’ve described above. Some Ukrainians’ culture will strike you as incomprehensible and intolerable, while others’ behavior and attitudes will seem rational and compatible with your own.

Veganism is an extreme form of vegetarian. A vegan will not buy anything that is made with animal products. This includes everything from food to purses. A vegan will stay away from purchasing anything that is tested on animals. Become a vegan is a huge lifestyle change and may not come easy at first.

So what’s for dinner?

Shopping for groceries will become more of a challenge. Not all grocery stores are set up to cater to the vegan lifestyle. You may find your best option is to shop at food retailers such as Whole Foods. They have alternative options for milk, cheese and even bacon. Although it may change your store you can easily keep consuming your favorites but with a little change.

Can I eat out?

Of course you can eat out. There are many restaurants that offer foods for vegans. And there are some that don’t necessarily have a vegan menu but do have salads and other foods that would qualify for a vegan diet. Before you eat out just search the internet for “Vegans eating out” there are some great resources for fast food and restaurants menus for vegans. They can tell you what places have vegan friendly foods and what they are. This way you can be prepared before you go and know that you are able to stick to the diet.

What about eating at my friends and family’s homes?

Being a vegan is nothing to be ashamed about. This is a personal decision and your family and friends should respect that. Why not offer to bring some appetizer or perhaps a cake to a party. This way you know that there is something for you to eat and you can introduce your family to the life of a vegan. Who knows they may join you.

Beyond the food options

Vegans not only don’t consume animal products but they also don’t buy anything made or tested on animals. Many handbags, coats and shoes are made of leather. These items would not be purchased if you were a vegan. There are also clothes made with fur and feathers. Pillows and blankets made with feathers. The list goes on and on. However there are always animal friendly options of all these items that are made from man made materials. Now days you don’t have to give up quality or style when switching to these products. Some designers such a Melie Bianco is known for making beautiful handbags that are just as classy as some of the higher dollar bags offered in leather. If you have a certain designer that you prefer, you are more than likely going to be able to continue using them. Not every handbag or coat is made from leather so there are plenty of options available to a Vegan.

Animal Testing

This may be hard to add to your vegan lifestyle simply because of not knowing what companies test on animals. Again it may be best to search ahead on the internet to find the products you use everyday, such as make-up, shampoo and other hygiene products. You can also shop at Whole Foods and other similar stores that will have Vegan options available to you.

Here are 8 benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

This Article is written to reach the public with a simple and clear method to point out and to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle while reducing the risks of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

With the increased understanding of our bodies that we have gained from science over the past few decades, the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are becoming more apparent, along with the reasons why we should detoxify the body at least once a year to remove harmful bacteria, and even worms, from our digestive system. For people of all ages, weights, and abilities the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are endless. But for now let’s look at eight simple benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

1. Your Health:

Good Health is not something that you buy from a drug store or a department store, but can be achieved by practicing collective patterns of health-related behavior, based on choices made from available options. Following this logic, if you wish to realize the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, you have to repeat some healthy pattern as a part of your daily or weekly activities, some patterns like eating right and exercising. Other benefits includes: Reduced health care costs, reduced illness and injuries, reduced doctors visit, Keeps you employed and improved employee/employer relations.

2. Weight:

Managing your weight is the key to attaining all of the health benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle. A weight reduction of just 10 percent will significantly reduce risk of heart disease and other obesity-related illnesses. Obesity/overweight is the second leading contributing factor to many childhood diseases such as orthopedic disorders, sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, asthma, high blood pressure and cholesterol, skin disorders, emotional and psychosocial problems (Spigel, 2002), and many more. Weight-bearing exercise such as walking and strength training helps slow the onset of and/or prevent osteoporosis and some research shows that participating in such activities can actually build bone density and begin to reverse the disease. Other benefits are: Weight reduction, reduced tension and stress, improved well-being, Enhanced self-image and self-esteem and improved physical function.

3. Exercise:

Although drugs alone can often bring cholesterol down to normal levels, diet and exercise provide benefits that drugs don’t. They’ll lower blood pressure, reduce weight, and lower the risk of developing diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle is a dangerous risk factor for disease. Exercise and a healthy diet helps the body use insulin more efficiently and can help control, alleviate and prevent many diseases. Exercise, cessation of tobacco consumption, eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet, controlling body weight, and learning to cope with stress, reduce the risk of heart disease.

4. Medical:

We all want a trim and have healthy body for a variety of aesthetic, social and medical reasons. Healthy living is truly the best medicine. In a study conducted by Tufts University at the New England Medical Center, among patients with cardiovascular disease, an exercise program was shown to significantly reduce LDL cholesterol and other risk factors beyond what’s provided by drug therapy. Even modest weight loss can help reduce medical and pharmacy costs, help avoid bariatric surgery, and co-morbidities such as asthma, hypertension, and diabetes.

5. Wellness:

Wellness is about being comfortable in your space: your body, your attitude, and your environment. A healthy lifestyle can greatly increase a person’s longevity. And even though catching something contagious like a cold or flu is sometimes unavoidable, having the wisdom that feeling healthy is a better way to live should have you asking yourself why you are not taking action to live each day as beneficially as possible. The issue with a lot of people nowadays is that they are so busy working and/or taking care of everyone around them, that they neglect their own health and wellness. Make sure your heart is healthy and your bones are strong and Keep it that way to see the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

6. Care:

The best way to ensure good health is by taking care of yourself. The Care stakes are high but the potential rewards are great-preventing premature death, unnecessary illness, and disability, controlling health care cost, and maintaining a high quality of life into old age. With a healthy lifestyle, you are who you are and you don’t have to be self-conscious about those things that you otherwise would be if you didn’t care about your lifestyle

7. Control:

With a healthy lifestyle, you have more control of your life as you work with your body against those aspects of living which may work to hold you back if you would let them. With a healthy lifestyle, you have control over your sleep patterns so that you feel generally well rested throughout the day. With a healthy lifestyle, everything works together to help other aspects of your lifestyle make sense and benefit you. Science has proven that healthy weight loss, healthy eating and fitness routines make dramatic improvements in health, and help control common chronic illnesses like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stress, and general lack of stamina.

8. Strength:

Another benefit of a healthy lifestyle is a steady flow of stamina and strength; you can perform activities and exercises that will enhance your flexibility. With a healthy lifestyle, you have a balanced and varied diet that provides your body its needed nutrients and energy as well. You have strength to train to help build the muscle that supports the bones and joints; therefore decreasing the risk of falls and fractures. Cardiovascular exercise, also known as aerobic exercise, strengthens the heart muscle, therefore increases the heart’s efficiency. As we age, our bones biologically begin to lose mass and strength. Weight-bearing exercise such as walking and strength training helps slow the onset of and/or prevent osteoporosis and some research shows that participating in such activities can actually build bone density and begin to reverse the disease.

The good news is you don’t have to train like an Olympic athlete to enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The secret and logic are repeating a chosen healthy pattern as a part of your daily or weekly activities. We hope that this will get you to a healthy lifestyle if you are not there already. A healthy lifestyle is a way of life.

Are you one of the baby boomers who refuse to follow the traditional retirement path? Do you refuse to sleep late, or sit in a rocking chair and watch aimlessly as time goes by?

You see us in almost every neighborhood. We are volunteering, working part-time, or starting a new career. We are taking brisk morning walks in Parks and inside Malls. We are flexing our muscles at the gym and shopping at health food stores.

We do Yoga, Tai Chi, have read The Tao Te Ching, and follow the teachings of Lao Tzu. We meditate daily, get regular massages and know what “Co Q-10” is.

We are not old people. We are Baby Boomers living a second life. We have an eclectic choice of new lifestyles. We are using online dating services to find partners that have similar interests. We are having second and third time partners and/or marriages.

Some of us are letting our gray hair show, and doing it with style.

We are growing old gracefully, in active harmony with this late season of life. We would rather wear out than rust out.

What this unique group of people recognize is that their main limitation in all these lifestyle choices is their health condition. Money is not as much an obstacle. Much of what they participate in is either free or at little cost. Some continue to work because they need the money. For others it is to keep their brain active and engaged.

For me it is a combination of both. I love the idea, the process, and monetary reward of re-inventing myself. I was sixty-one when I went back to school to become a licensed massage therapist, it was an amazing experience for me. I was the oldest student in all my classes. I was three times the age of many of my classmates. Being fit was a huge asset in my successful completion of this mentally intensive and physically demanding program. Only 50% of students that begin, graduate, pass the state exam, and obtain their license to practice massage therapy. Many fail on the first try.

The cliché is true. You are never too old to learn. I quickly settled into my daily study and massage practice routine. We had daily practice massages, two tests each week, a “Pop Quiz” on Wednesdays and a full test on Fridays. I did this while juggling my career as a Realtor.

The state exam is three hours long. I used the full 3 hours and I passed on my first attempt. I got my license in December 2009. This was the start of a new life and career as a health coach and healer.

Many Boomers are heading back to school, to finish degrees or to embark on new careers. I am a strong advocate of life-long learning. Many academic institutions provide online learning programs on the internet, so there is very little excuse for any healthy Boomer to not pursue some form of new learning.

Many of my patients (I specialized in medical massage therapy) assumed that I had many years of experience as a therapist, because they could not believe that I became a therapist so late in life.

My next goal is to be able to speak fluent Spanish six months after I finish writing my book.

So does any of this resonate with you? How are you spending your Boomer years? If you don’t have a debilitating illness, what’s your excuse for your physical and mental inactivity?

Are you having a tough time finding the motivation to get moving? I can provide you with the coaching you need to live an exciting healthy life!