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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG TV9)- Supporters of programs to keep area seniors active hope donors step up beginning Tuesday morning to help replace some lost funding.

The Witwer Healthy Aging Program supports activities for those 65 and older at 13 different sites in the Cedar Rapids metro area. But supporters say some of the programs face cutbacks in donor dollars cant be found.

Karen Huber, franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care, is organizing the online fundraising effort called Give 65. It refers to 65 hours of donation time beginning at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. The goal is to raise $10,000.

The goal is to eventually open up a senior center. We havent had one since the floods took it away in 2008. Down the road, that is our big goal. But right now we want to keep programs going and keep seniors socially involved, she said.

Huber said the national foundation for the Home Instead franchise chain has pledged $5,000 to match whatever local donors raise.

She said donors can go to http://www.give65.org to pledge money to support social services for seniors in the metro area.

See more here:
Give 65 hoping donors step up to keep senior programs funded - KCRG

The American population is undergoing a dramatic shift. The nation is growing older.

Soon, we will have more older people than children and more people at extreme old age than ever before.

As both the proportion of older people and the length of life increase throughout the world, key questions arise. Will population aging be accompanied by a longer period of good health, a sustained sense of well-being, and extended periods of social engagement and productivity? Or will it be associated with more illness, disability, and dependency?

The benefits that seniors can gain from being physically active are well documented and extensive. As well as reducing the risk of chronic disease, being physically active can help seniors to strengthen bones and muscles, improve their ability to do daily activities, prevent falls, reduce the risk of depression, control weight, and increase life expectancy.

Women can increase bone density, men can improve their performance in leisure activities such as golf and tennis, and we all improve our sexual health (shhhh ... don't tell the 20-somethings we're still active; let it be a surprise.)

To combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle and the psychosocial issues that often accompany aging, fitness-based wellness programs developed for seniors are offered through certain health plans. Group exercise classes are perfect for older adults looking to improve their strength for daily activities.

Even better, seniors may already qualify for a free membership if their health plan includes Silver Sneakers or Silver and Fit.

Local gyms and the South Iredell Senior Center provide group classes for the Mooresville senior community. Certified personal trainers are skilled at guiding seniors through exercises devised to increase strength, balance, range of motion, endurance and physical skills required for daily living. At Golds Gym in Mooresville, music from the 1950s helps to keep everyone motivated.

If youre part of Americas older population, dont let your age dictate your health. Check out one of the numerous fitness classes that are available to you here in Mooresville.

Tonda Wynn is a Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Consultant at Golds Gym in Mooresville. Reach her at 704-787-3935 or ggtwynn@gmail.com. For more information about Silver Sneakers & Silver Fit, contact Terri Kindley, Certified Group Exercise Trainer at 704-408-6399 or ggtkindley@gmail.com.

Read the rest here:
You're only as old as you feel - Mooresville Tribune

By Scott Smith Times Recordssmith@swtimes.com

Retirement. It's now a never-a-dull-moment game for many individuals.

A variety of programs, activities and services are helping ensure senior citizens can stay active, happy and in-the-know on many subjects, said Deanna Rice, executive director for the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center and its eight partner facilities in Sebastian County. These individuals have "no time" for sitting around and feeling lonely because they're engaging in activities with fellow seniors and creating new friendships, she said.

"The activities mostly are the same at all the locations, because everyone enjoys doing the same activities," Rice said. "Senior citizens are here at eight of our locations during our hours, which are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; the exception is our 2700 Cavanaugh Roadlocation, which is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m."

Among the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center's activities to keep the minds and muscles of seniors in motion are Bingo games, bean-bag baseball tournaments, exercise programs, dances, road trips and more, she said. Dances that involve performances by bands often take place from 7-9 p.m. on Fridays, Rice said.

"We can range from 80 to 100 people," she said. "They really do dance."

Pool tables serve as a central location for socializing, Rice said.

"If you have a pool table, you have a whole room full of men," she said with a laugh. "And card games also are huge games like bridge and there's dominoes,too."

The centers also serve a monthly average of 29,000 meals to individuals who are 60 or older, both at the centers and via a home-delivery service, Rice said. These meals are "cooked daily and made from scratch," with meatloaf,mashed potatoes, soup, pinto beans, cabbage and turnip greens often comprising the menu, she said.

"We also take trips, with some of the biggest trips taking place during the holidays," Rice said. "They love to drive up to Fayetteville and do what we call the fall foliage drive, so they can see the season's changing colors."

Shorter trips are taken in vans, while larger trips for seniors utilize a charter bus, she said.

"If we go to Branson for three days and two nights, there's an actual cost, so we'll say that this trip package will include the shows and the dinners," Rice said. "We make it affordable for seniors, and they like it because they are with their peers, and they don't have to worry about driving.

"That's a big thing driving," she added. "Seniors don't like to drive after dark, so they like our trips. All they have to do is load the bus, and someone else does the work for them."

The centers also offer a chronic disease management program, a six-week program that teaches individuals with diabetes and/or chronic pain how to exercise and improve their quality of life, saidShannon Montez, an executive administrative assistant for the Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas.

"We have Tai Chi classes, and we also provide free blood pressure clinics throughout the year," said Montez, whose organization oversees the senior centers. "We do this at least once a month, and we usually have nurses and other people come in and speak on nutrition, mental health and subjects such as phone scams.

"People who aren't who they say they are will be calling seniors to get information from them," she added. "This program tells seniors what to look out for when it comes to this."

More than 900 area seniors spend their time as part of Westark's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which recruits individuals who are 55 and older to help in more than 60 local organizations, said Susan Reehl, executive program director for Westark RSVP.

"One of our arms to our outreach program is our free tax-assistance program, where we have volunteers trained as tax preparers," she said. "We did nearly 5,000 free tax returns last year, and those are done for people 60 and older, regardless of income, and (other people)."

The tax-assistance program is offered from 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays at Westark RSVP, 401 N. 13th St., Reehl said.

"We do walk-ins for this, and we're helping people who are doing prior year returns and those who have filed for extensions," she said.

Westark RSVP also offers a Medicare-assistance program, which includes a Medicare orientation session that explains the Medicare rules, time frame and choices, Reehl said.

"It's incredible the amount of people turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare in this community," she said. "I don't remember the exact number, but it's a huge number of people. It's definitely more people than we could talk to in one day.

"We help people during Medicare open enrollment; those plans are sold annually, with open enrollment being from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7," Rice added. "In Arkansas, there are 22 Medicare drug plans and 13 (other) plans, so if you are 85 years old and are on multiple medications, it's a real struggle to be able to pick those out. We can help people when they are looking for and choosing the most reasonable policy for them."

Now available at http://www.couponchief.com, the Retail Savings Guide for Baby Boomers provides details on numerous discounts and special offers for seniors. These discounts include mobile homeowner's insurance, RV insurance, automobile insurance, vision and hearing care, life insurance, hotel discounts, rental car discounts and cruise discounts, as well as discounts for food, wireless carriers, vehicles and various restaurants.

"For us, our primary focus is to combat isolation for seniors," Rice said. "If you get them out of their home, they're here. They're not isolated anymore, so their health is better, and they start becoming more involved.

"Then the seniors feel productive," she added. "A lot of them have families who are working, or they have lost their significant other. They volunteer, so for them, they aren't lonely. They are coming to a job every day."

Seniors who receive help from Westark RSVP also avoid feelings of loneliness, Reehl said.

"For one thing, it's their peers who are helping them," she said. "Our senior volunteers are so approachable. They are the same ages and have the same experiences as the seniors they are helping.

"Of course, no one wants to feel stupid when they make a choice that can have very expensive results," Reehl added. "For the people we help, it's a relief."

Montez agreed.

"The seniors love the meals, and they love the friendships," she said. "The programs are very good for socializing. You don't have to stay at home if you had a spouse pass away. You can go out and be with other people. You can make friends and do something new again, and it's great because your age doesn't matter."

Link:
Programs keeping seniors busy, active, healthy - Times Record

Starting a master's degree, managing social media for a fitness studio, preparing for a wedding, planning a honeymoon Kristen Cleasby didn't just pack this all into this summer. She is doing it all this month. As a teacher in Hartford for 11 years, she has learned to be efficient with her free summer time.

It was while using her summer time in 2014 that she met Aaron Granahan at the M.E.L.T. Fitness Studio in South Windsor. Kristen teaches fifth grade at the Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School in Hartford and runs an after-school program during the school year. She signed up for group exercise classes at M.E.L.T. in 2013 "because I needed to start taking fitness seriously," Kristen says.

"Most of my summers where spent playing baseball," Aaron says. A native of Thomaston, he played shortstop and second base at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts while studying Sport and Exercise Science. When he finished his college baseball career, he returned to Connecticut, became certified as a personal fitness trainer and helped launch the M.E.L.T. studio in South Windsor in 2010. M.E.L.T. stands for More Energy, Less Time, in part because of its 30-minute fitness classes.

Kristen, who grew up in South Windsor, went to high school with one of the directors of M.E.L.T. "The whole vibe is all about family. The trainers make you feel like you're part of the team. They know your name," Kristen says. In June 2014, she started working at the studio at night, providing the "team" welcome and signing clients up for classes or personal fitness training.

During the day, she was head teacher at the Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program, a summer-school program focused on math.

Aaron and Kristen laughed a lot when they worked evenings together, and after a client appreciation party at the end of July, they went out together.

Later that summer, Aaron took Kristen to see his hometown and she met his mother. They started dating but kept it quiet at work. "I was a little guarded. ... Part of me was not going to jump in" to a relationship, says Aaron, who had previously been married. But, "I knew there was something special about her."

Aaron's schedule is the opposite of Kristen's. He is awake at 4 a.m. to teach his 5:15, 7 and 8 a.m. classes. After a break of a few hours midday, he returns to teach four more classes at night and work with individual clients as their trainer. He also does his own cardio and weight-lifting workouts to stay in shape.

On Sundays, his day off, "I'm on the Tri-State Baseball League," which still uses wooden bats, Aaron says.

Over the next year, they found time to date and vacation in Jamaica together. "I wasn't serious about it until a year into dating," Aaron says. But last year he was totally committed to Kristen and put a down payment on an engagement ring. He picked it up in October and held onto it for weeks.

He went to Kristen's parents' home and spoke to them about his desire to marry her. "There were times I was tempted to give it to her," Aaron says, but he wanted to make his proposal "special."

Kristen wanted to celebrate her November birthday with her family and friends at the Muse Paintbar in West Hartford, and she picked out a sunset picture for her group to paint together with an instructor.

After they finished painting and were enjoying food and wine, Aaron handed Kristen a canvas wrapped in brown paper. When she opened the scroll, it said: "Kristen, will you marry me?" Aaron got down on one knee, said the same words and gave Kristen the ring. Shortly after, Kristen's best friend, Christian Kemp, who had flown in from California, arrived at the party.

Kristen planned their wedding for July 29. "I didn't want to wait" longer, and they wanted it to be close to the night of their first date in 2014. "It wasn't hard for me because I'm a teacher. I can execute fast," Kristen says. "We knew we wanted it to be romantic and on the water," and Kristen has been in so many weddings she knew where to look.

They will be married outdoors at the Glastonbury Boathouse overlooking the Connecticut River by Justice of the Peace Shelley Schulman. Schulman officiated at a wedding Kristen attended four years ago. "She's not like a regular justice of the peace. I wanted that personalization," Kristen says. She and Aaron are writing their own vows.

Kemp, who works in education and grew up with her identical twin in New Britain, will be Kristen's maid of honor. Aaron's best man, Rich Daddona, has been his friend since third grade.

Kristen started class last week in the University of Connecticut's Administrator Preparation Program PLUS (Preparing Leaders for Urban Schools). She earned her first master's degree in Reading and Languages at the University of Saint Joseph in 2012. She recently stopped working nights at the M.E.L.T. studio, but continues to manage its social media from home.

The bride and groom will take a breather the first week of August at Riviera Maya in Mexico, then head back to baseball and a busy time of the year at Aaron's fitness studio.

Kristen also has a taxing schedule teaching full time, working in after-school programs, taking classes for her degree and selling Rodan and Fields skin-care products.

"During the week it's tough for us," Kristen says, but "it makes us appreciate our time together." Kristen continues to exercise at M.E.L.T. several times a week with Aaron as her personal fitness trainer.

"He commits his blood, sweat and tears to his work. People at the gym love him because of the attention he gives them."

"We have a good mixture" of working together and finding separate time, Aaron says.

"She's my counterbalance. I run hot; she calms me down. Kristen is a very genuine person who truly cares about everything," Aaron says.

"It is what makes both of us work so well together," Kristen says. "We're both a healthy dose of what each other needs. He's very honest person. He gives me the truth no matter what.

"Any kind of down time we have is just for relaxing," she says. In the summer, that includes cooling off in the pool at Kristen's condo complex. "We go to movies, go out on date nights," and get together with their families. Planners that they are, they've already mapped out their vacation for 2018 a cruise with Kristen's family to the Caribbean.

For now, they are happily counting the days to their wedding.

See more here:
Love Story: Team Spirit Unites Two Hearts - Hartford Courant

At 61 years old, retirement hasnt even crossed Darlene Holmes mind yet.

The fitness instructor at the Garden City Recreation Commission, and grandmother of six and great-grandmother of one, knows retirement will come one day, but doesnt see it on the horizon anytime soon.

I just dont see it. I dont feel it either, Holmes said. People come in here and say they're retired, but theyre still working out.

When Holmes isnt personal training at Core Fitness, shes teaching her Fit after 50 class at the GCRC, which meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Its designed for people older than 50 with a wide range of fitness levels. It is versatile, with a variety of activities that include aerobics, strength training, yoga, dancing and more.

I modify the class to fit everybodys needs, Holmes said. We do therapeutic exercises of different elements because we have women that are each different. We have women that have canes, have hip and different joint problems and we have people that dont have problems. Some of them just want to stay mobile and motivated."

Holmes said if someone were to walk into the Fit after 50 class, they would see participants from age 50 on up to their 80s.

Theyll be surprised that these ladies do half the stuff that I teach them to do, she said. Some of them are even surprised at themselves for doing it because youre not aware of what you can actually do until you try it. Now that they got it, they have fun doing it, and I have fun putting it together."

Fit After 50 isnt a class where everyone is worried about their weight or wants to lose weight, Holmes said, but a class where a lot of women who are retired or just have the time get out and meet other women who are in the same situation.

Since Ive been doing this class, Ive made a lot of friends with these ladies. These ladies are so driven, Holmes said. I watch 50-plus (aged) women come in here every day, and everybodys trying to feel good, not to feel young, but to keep moving. You are your body and when your body is moving, you feel great about it.

Anna Voss, GCRC fitness director, said she thinks its important to promote health in the older age group, and the Fit After 50 class does just that.

It keeps them moving and allows them to get out and socialize, Voss said.

Holmes said she enjoys teaching the class because its not something the doctor ordered. It wasnt until she was 53 that she began her fitness journey. Before that, she was on a handful of medications for health issues, and now shes on none. Since then, shes also lost 130 pounds.

lll be 62 Im not going to say what I feel like but I feel good because I work out every day, Holmes said, adding that is why retirement isnt coming anytime soon for her.

Holmes said her three sons and grandchildren will question when she will stop her fitness routine, noting theyll say stuff like, Whens this going to stop?

They expect me to sit down and settle down and be that old grandma. I am in here, Holmes said as she pointed to her head. But physically, I feel great.

Delores Cruz, 80, is one of the oldest participants in the Fit after 50 class. She is also the first one to show up for each session she attends.

What I love about this class is the socializing part, Cruz said. An 80-year-old woman a lot of the time sits at home doing nothing. Now, Ive found out that I can do so many more things. Now, I feel like I have more strength in my body to do some of the things I used to do or even more. I can really keep up with theses young ladies.

There are some days Cruz doesnt feel like coming, but once she gets there and starts moving around, it makes her whole day, she said.

I love the class. All the ladies are so friendly, but most of all, Darlene is such an inspiration to me because she keeps us going, Cruz said.

Jackie Stoy, 59, another participant in the class, said she was just sitting at home doing nothing and gaining weight and decided she needed to do something about it. She joined the class almost a year ago.

Physically, I can move better than I have before. I had a lot of issues with getting around, and its helped me with that, Stoy said, adding that shes lost 30 pounds since joining the class.

Anna Velev, 79, joined because she knew she needed to stay active at her age, she said.

I just want to stay on my feet. I had a hip surgery that didnt work, and I was a two-mile-a-day walker. Now, I cant do that. I do this to keep the rest of my body working, she said. Its fun, Ive made new friends, and it gives me another interest to get out of my house because Im a widow. The younger ones can do a lot more than I can, but they dont make me feel old.

Those interested in the class can call the GCRC at (620) 276-1200 for more information.

Other programs

While the Fit after 50 class is specifically targeted for older participants, there are other fitness programs at the GCRC that seniors can participate in, according to GCRC fitness director Anna Voss.

Zumba is one of the classes that is popular for all ages, though there are several senior-aged participants in it, Voss said.

We open open our classes to anyone that is wanting to take them without an age cap on there, Voss said.

Those interested in signing up for any of the GCRC programs can contact the Rec at (620) 276-1200 or can stop at the facility at 310 N 6th St., or at Core Fitness at 941 Lareu St.

Like the GCRC, the Garden City Family YMCA offers various classes that seniors are welcomed to join, but one class that is more targeted toward seniors is an enhanced fitness class.

Its a class to help people with arthritis to help ease the pain of it through evidence-based research, said Steven Lynch, healthy living director at the YMCA. Its something we offer here at the YMCA and at the senior center.

The class meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. at the YMCA, and at 2 p.m. at the Senior Center of Finney County.

We also have water aerobics classes, which a lot of older people go to. Thats just much easier in their joints knees, ankles, everything. The water supports most of their weight, Lynch said.

At the senior center, there are also various fitness programs to keep visitors active, director Hillary Whitely said, adding that there are at two least exercise classes every Monday through Friday.

There are exercises where participants can sit down, but are still moving and being active, Whitely said.

More than just fitness

Beyond fitness, the senior center offers various activities throughout the week.

I think its really neat because when I first started, I didnt realize how many activities they had going on, Whiteley said. Theres always something going on here.

Everyday, there are bridge, pinochle, pitch, and Skipbo games. There is also a pool room, Whitelely said.

Every Wednesday night there is a dance with a live band or deejay at the senior center, which typically sees up to 50 participants.

Starting later this month, St. Catherine Hospital will offer a Lunch and Learn program at the senior center, where a speaker from the hospital will speak about a topic for 20 to 30 minutes. Following the speaker, lunch will be served.

Whiteley said she believes the senior center is a huge service to the community, and that a lot of people get the misconception that people come to the senior center to find something to do, when in reality, they go to the senior center because they know what they want to do.

One program that recently has been offered is Lee Richardson Zoos senior program. In partnership with the Finney County Senior Center, the program is free with no registration required, and meets at the zoo the first Wednesday of every month, according to zoo education specialist Emily Sexson.

The program includes a short educational presentation on different topics related to the zoo. After the lesson, there is a brief tour to see what was talked about in the classroom setting.

Its just an opportunity for seniors in the community to get together, come down to the zoo and get a little walking in, as well, Sexson said. Seniors make up a huge part of our community, and lot of people that come to the zoo are typically children or families with young children, and we want to remind our senior citizens that the zoo is for them, too."

Sexson added that attendance so far has varied, but those who have attended have been receptive to the program.

Everyone that has attended seems to be pretty happy about it, she said.

The next program session is scheduled for Aug. 2, with a Chow Time theme. Participants will learn about diets for animals at the zoo. Sexson said participants will learn what it takes to feed the animals, what they eat, who feeds them, along with a tour of the commissary area to see diets prepared.

No registration is necessary, and those interested in participating can meet in the Finnup Center lobby, 312 Finnup Drive, every first Wednesday of the month.

For more information on the program, call (620) 276-1250.

Whitely said she thinks it is important to keep senior citizens active, and added that senior citizens are an underserved population.

Theyre not in that stage in their life where they just sit at home and watch TV. They want to do things, she said. The more we can keep them active and doing things, the more their quality of life will improve.

Contact Josh Harbour at jharbour@gctelegram.com

Original post:
Plethora of activities offered for seniors in Garden City - The Garden City Telegram

WEISER Taking the City of Weisers meter reader position to the next level, namely, meter technician, has been the accomplishment of Natasha McDaniel, who has been a key figure in a minor revolution of sorts for the city organization.

Where it used to take two full-time employees to get the monthly readings from electric and water meters in the city, that duty nowadays falls to one person, McDaniel, and shes assuming considerably more responsibility for the equipment as well.

She not only gathers all the data in the field for generating the next wave of monthly utility customer bills, but also programs new meters and performs wiring for new services, and re-wiring of some existing services.

McDaniel, 37, a 1998 Weiser High School graduate, is a 10-year city employee who got her start as a temporary hire for the Parks Department. That was in the summer of 2007.

Early the following year she was back on the payroll, then as a permanent employee.

Initially she was assigned to the Vendome Events Center, where she helped maintain the facility and performed set-up for events, but in September of 2008 the city switched her job assignment to meter reader, the beginning of a lasting fit.

In 2008 the job was still in its classic, low-tech form, requiring the reader to walk the city streets from meter to meter, visually checking the face of each one for its numbers, and writing those down in a big notebook.

Change was on the horizon, though, and McDaniel would be a central figure in seeing it all through.

Three years ago, then-Electrical Department Supervisor Don Loos was instrumental in getting McDaniel enrolled in a meter technician apprenticeship program that had just been launched at Northwest Lineman College in Meridian. McDaniel said she was the first person to complete the three-year program.

As Weisers first-ever meter technician, McDaniel takes care of meter programming and certain other technical tasks the city had been paying out-of-town firms to perform on an as-needed basis.

McDaniel also has been carrying out the final three major stages of converting Weisers metering to all-digital/all-remotely readable. Ive just ordered our last set for small commercial, and Ive just finished my large commercial within the last six months, McDaniel said on Wednesday. The largest segment of the customer base, residential, was completed earlier.

What does it mean, in terms of efficiency, to be able to read meters remotely?

A route of five hundred meters, when I first started, would take me a full day, McDaniel says. Now, that same route of five hundred meters I can read in an hour.

To get the readings, she just drives her city truck to various locations, where she pulls those neighborhoods numbers in wirelessly while she remains seated behind the wheel of her parked vehicle, using a handheld device that she said looks like a huge walkie-talkie. She added, It took away my exercise program.

Wayne Wallace, who succeeded Loos as Electrical Department supervisor after the latter man retired, said McDaniels attainment of technician status is valuable to the department. She handles all the metering.

And I dont envy her job in any shape or form when it comes to turnoffs, Wallace added, referring to McDaniels role of disconnecting utility customers service whenever they dont pay their bills by the past-due deadline. She does a great job of dealing with customers.

McDaniel, who also puts in hours running any of the several desks in the customer service office of Weiser City Hall, doesnt have a hard time identifying what makes her feel good about the job adding that I think just being a part of the city and working with the public and for the public, she said.

Gaining tech certification for meters was a good career move that also benefited the city.

Basically the meters of the city are the cash registers of the city. If thats not done accurately and consistently,... it affects all the departments, McDaniel said.

On top of her full-time city job, McDaniel performs janitorial duties at the Weiser Police Department and at the Weiser Public Library.

She also leads a full family life, as she and her husband, Ron McDaniel, attend the numerous high school sporting activities in which their two youngest sons participate, and the family is also active with the Indianhead Bowhunters. Natasha and Ron have an older son who has already graduated high school and is currently in the Navy.

Natasha McDaniels stepfather is former Weiser Police Chief Greg Moon.

Go here to read the rest:
She's Weiser's go-to person for metering - Ontario Argus Observer

Call it a step in the right direction: More and more Americans are trying to walk their way to better health.

The number of adults who took up walking for exercise or as a way to get from place to place increased significantly between 2005 and 2015, federal health officials reported Thursday.

During that time, the percentage of women who walk increased from 57 percent to 65 percent. Among men, the percentage increased from 54 percent to 63 percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People who are physically active have a lower risk of many chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and depression and it supports the healthy aging process for older adults, said study lead author Emily Ussery, a CDC epidemiologist.

On the downside, although more people are walking, the increase among men has stalled a bit in recent years, Ussery said.

And about one-third of adults said they didnt walk for at least 10 minutes a day, she said. There is still some work to be done to increase walking.

Its not clear why more people are walking, although it could be that messages promoting the benefits of exercise are getting through, Ussery said.

Its an easy activity to do. It doesnt require a lot of special skills or equipment, she said.

Its also not known why more women than men have started walking. Maybe it appeals more to women than men, Ussery said.

Regardless, people should engage in moderate exercise for at least two and a half hours a week, and walking fits right in, she added.

Communities can help get people walking by making streets safer and promoting walking programs. People need access to convenient and safe places to walk, she said.

As with other matters of health, there are racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities that exist between the people most likely to start walking and those who dont, Ussery said.

Blacks and Hispanics walk less than whites, and less educated and poorer people tend to walk less than more educated and richer folks, she said.

The report was published June 30 in the CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Dr. David Katz is president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He said the CDC finding that walking rates have trended up over recent years suggests the message is getting out, but progress is slow, and disparities are large and persistent.

The people most in need of walking for health reasons are least likely to do it because of the usual social factors education, economics and environment, he said.

Affluent city-dwellers can rely on walking to get them many of the places they need to go. Not so for residents of many rural and suburban neighborhoods, said Katz, who also directs the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center .

There are some encouraging signs here, he added, but much work is clearly needed to create the level playing field of opportunity for health.

Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist and exercise physiologist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, said walking is a good way to start an exercise program it only takes a pair of shoes and the desire.

Walking is free, we already know how to do it and it can be done virtually anywhere, she said.

Heller said walking regularly has been associated with decreased belly fat and better management of weight, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. It also can lead to a healthier heart, muscles, bones and joints, improved sleep and mood. And it can cut the risk of some cancers, and boost creativity, brain power and immunity, she added.

Heller recommends making walking a regular part of your day. You must schedule time to be physically active every day, she said.

Make an appointment with yourself, set aside specific times and days for walking or other physical activity, she suggested.

There are many ways to get moving, including enlisting a partner, joining a walking group, going hiking, and taking a historical walking tour. There is no time like the present to get off the couch and out the door, Heller said.

Read the rest here:
More Americans Are Walking for Exercise - Arizona Daily Star

All too often, seniors trekking into the golden years begin wondering why they have more aches, pains, are always feeling tired, and also begin experiencing medical issues.

Some if not all aches, pains and constant tiredness can be attributed to one thing - inactivity. An idle mind and inactivity in ones life can lead to medical issues; seniors must grab the bull by the horn and keep active both physically and mentally!

It is conservatively estimated that by age 75, approximately one in three men and one in two women do not engage in physical activity.

The time has come for those inactive seniors to get up off the sofas and out of their recliner chairs, lace up their sneakers and get involved. There is life after raising a family and after retiring. Its not attempting to figure out the answer on a favorite TV game show, it is called putting together a simple exercise and/or activity plan in order to maintain good health.

Regular physical activity is good for everyones health. People of all ages and body types can be physically active and benefit from not just sitting around watching TV or taking long naps each day.

One of the easiest ways to get involved in physical activity is working around the yard or getting out of the Lazy Boy chair and starting a hobby that keeps their mind and body in good working order.

People dont have to go out and run a marathon to stay fit. Just walking 30 minutes a day will help get the blood flowing in that old ticker.

Regular exercise is an important part of preventing or lessening health issues and conditions. Some of the benefits of regular exercise include muscle strength, flexibility, cardiac fitness, reducing stress and anxiety, and it gives people a sense of well-being.

A viable solution to beginning an exercise plan is to take a leisurely walk. Talk with a relative or neighbor and set up a walking schedule. But the biggest factor people should consider is if they are actually healthy enough to undergo an exercise program. It doesnt have to be a long walk; just strolling around the block and having a stimulating conversation with a companion will help out a lot. And besides, seniors can catch up on all the things that are occurring around their neighborhood.

Seniors who have any concerns should consult with their medical professional or physician prior to starting their exercise regimen.

If a senior feels as if she or he doesnt want to trudge around the block or their physical condition precludes them from walking, they can visit one of the many centers and/or facilities available locally that are designed for elderly people (dont say anything Im 70).

Many of the senior centers have activities such as bingo, crafts, karaoke and dancing, and of course, there is stimulating conversation there in which people can share their experiences and thoughts.

One such center is the Kathryn Heidenreich Adult Center (KHAC) located at 1776 Airway Ave, Ste A, in Kingman. Visit KHAC or give them a call at 928-757-4525 to find out what schedule, events and programs they have for active seniors. (Note: Ill be putting together a series of articles in the near future detailing the various senior centers located in Mohave County and what services and events they have scheduled).

There are numerous gyms and fitness centers located in Mohave County that have programs for those seniors who want to work out. An example is the Kingman Regional Medical Center Del E Webb Wellness Center located at 1719 East Beverly Ave. The center has a wide variety of exercise equipment including free weights, a swimming pool and a trained staff to help assist individuals with their fitness needs and program.

Seniors should also eat healthier. A balanced nutritional program will help seniors feel better. They should not eat three large meals per day, but it is medically proven that it is better for people to have six smaller meals each day.

An example is between larger meals break out the celery, a piece of fruit or other nutritional items from the fridge and munch on them instead of waiting for the larger afternoon and dinner meals.

There is a wealth of information available at the touch of a fingertip on the internet about things seniors can do to remain active and on brochures at various medical facilities and senior centers.

Take time to do research on what is available for seniors in Mohave County.

Be active both physically and mentally.

Originally posted here:
Eating healthy, exercising can make a world of difference - Kdminer

Tough to stick with your fitness goals? Youre not alone but then again maybe you are and thats the problem.

Many people who work out on their own find working-out in the gym a chore at best or maybe worse. Most people dont enjoy chores so its no great surprise that all too soon they give up. For some theres a simple solution, and its fun.

Many years of research confirms that exercising in groups provides substantial benefits for many, rather than exercising alone. Here are some of the benefits:

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So when it comes to the best exercise program thats fast, fun and gets great results for those who dont want to exercise alone, small group exercise might just get you addicted to exercise, and keep you going.

Body Restoration Studio located in Berkeley Heights offers affordable Small Group Personal Training Sessions. Call: 908-464-4644 for more information. BodyRestoreNJ.com

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Doreen Puglisi. MS is an Exercise Physiologist and Owner ofBody Restorationan innovative Personal + Group Training wellness studio with a focus on restorative and integrated movement, mobility and pain-free living. We also have a special focus on medical fitness/exercise programs which are intended for those with chronic health conditions to those recovering from cancer and other types of surgeries. All fitness levels encouraged & welcomed. Please visit:www.bodyrestorenj.comfor more information. You can also reach us at 908-464-4644 or email:doreen@pinkribbonprogram.com.

Body Restoration is located at 10 Summit Ave. in Berkeley Heights.

The opinions expressed herein are the writer's alone, and do not reflect the opinions of TAPinto.net or anyone who works for TAPinto.net. TAPinto.net is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the writer.

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Tough to stick with your fitness goals? You're not alone but then again maybe you are and that's the problem. - TAPinto.net

Nemiah Rutledge

By Nemiah Rutledge

Special to the Recorder

People often jump into extreme workout regimens to get summer-body-ready for the beach. However, when we move past June, even the most well-intentioned exercisers sometimes let fitness fall to the wayside due to vacations, family holidays or poor weather conditions. In fact, 52 percent of people delay exercise due to summer weather conditions, according to the Journal of Sport and Health Science.

What many people dont realize is that summer is the perfect time to add exercise into their lives. Longer daylight hours, less rigid work schedules and fewer child care demands mean you have time to establish an exercise routine that fits your work-life balance and can keep you toned not only during the summer, but also throughout the year.

If youre ready to start your exercise routine, here are a few best practices:

Stay hydrated and cool. The summer heat and humidity cause the body to work harder, so the most important rule of exercising this summer is to stay hydrated. The benefits of exercise are outweighed by the potential negatives of dehydration or heat exhaustion. However, hot weather doesnt mean you cant exercise. Nearly every exercise you can do outside can also be done inside, whether in your house, a gym or even your workplace. If you exercise outside, do it in the early morning to avoid peak sun times.

Be consistent. The hardest part for many people trying to get fit isnt the exercise itself, but finding the time to exercise. Its crucial to make a workout schedule and stick to it, or you may continue pushing it off to go to the store, watch Netflix or work on a project. Set realistic goals for yourself; if youre short on time, you may want to focus on consistent exercise for 15 to 20 minutes each day. The morning is one of the best times for an exercise program, as you will wake up faster and burn more calories than at other times of the day.

Stay accountable with workout partners. One of the best ways to reach your fitness goals is by working out with friends or exercise buddies. Research from the University of Aberdeen found that people were more likely to be motivated to work out when they had a fitness partner. If you own a business, a slower summer work pace makes it the perfect time to introduce a corporate exercise program. Workplace training is a good bonding activity and can increase employees productivity.

Mix up your routine. Exercise can feel like a chore when you do the same routine every time. You should incorporate different types of fitness regiments, such as aerobic, strength, balance or flexibility training. Then, try different exercises within those categories. For example, if you like cardio, mix it up by doing Zumba one day, then kickboxing another. Not only will the variety hold your interest better, but the combination will help you realize several fitness goals simultaneously and ultimately help you change your body for the better faster.

By establishing a customized, regular workout routine for yourself this summer, you can look great at the beach while also working toward your long-term fitness and health goals.

Nemiah Rutledge is the founder and owner of Body Paradox, a Jacksonville-based fitness company that provides corporate and personal fitness training. For more information on his exercise programs and philosophy, visit BodyParadox.com.

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Summer is the season to kickstart your exercise routine - Ponte Vedra Recorder

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