Celebrate Longevity During Healthy Aging Month
September is Healthy Aging® Month, an annual observance month focused on the positive aspects of growing older and taking personal responsibility for one’s health – physically, socially, mentally and financially. The observance was created 15 years ago by Healthy Aging®, a national health initiative developed to help individuals think more positively about growing older. I believe that each and every day, no matter what our age, we should be focused on healthy aging and achieving productive longevity. There is no instantaneous way to live a longer more productive life, so the time to start thinking about your well-being is now. Ultimately, the key to happiness as aging progresses is to physically feel good. Remember, you do not have to surrender to old age. It’s possible to maintain your strength and flexibility as you grow older. “Getting old” in the sense of slowing down, becoming feeble and giving up being active is a decision that you make mentally. The physical changes and limitations that people experience as old age is just their bodies following the mental command and responding to the lack of use. All you really need is motivation and confidence to keep going. I have found the best way to stay productive as you age is through movement, diet and mindset. The more active you are as you get older, the more active you tend to stay. Staying active becomes a habit, and you can cultivate that habit to make activity a seamless and continuous part of your life. Simply going for a long walk or jog is a great start; however, in order to really see results, you need to incorporate all three main types of exercise into your routine: cardio, stretching and weight training. Maintaining an optimal healthy diet is vital for healthy aging. According to Dr. Lori Magoulas, a registered dietitian and medical nutrition therapist, “Nutrition can affect longevity because what we eat can have both direct and indirect effects on how the body functions. Through these effects, longevity can be altered.” During an interview that I had with Dr. Magoulas, which can be found in my book “The Real Fountain of Youth: Simple Lifestyle Changes for Productive Longevity” she further explains the benefits of proper nutrition and how it can protect the body as it ages. The better we eat, the better our body functions. There are five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy. ChooseMyPlate.gov illustrates specific foods that are in each food group and explains how much of each group should be consumed. You may find this to be a useful resource for maintaining an optimal healthy diet. In my opinion, your outlook on your health and longevity may possibly be the most important aspect of healthy aging. As I’ve said before, there is no instantaneous way to live a longer more productive life. There really is no medication, supplement or device out there that will deliver a lasting, permanent change. Over time, you will see results if you keep exercise and nutrition an important part of your life. Keep your mind focused on achieving productive longevity and eventually you will see that you probably feel better than you have in years. It will take work to become healthier and more active,...
read moreThe Real Fountain of Youth Available for Purchase
We all know there is no such thing as the rumored Fountain of Youth, and we can’t just sit back waiting for doctors and research scientists to find new drugs and therapies to stop the hands of time. After reading Personal Trainer Eraldo Maglara’s book The Real Fountain of Youth: Simple Lifestyle Changes for Productive Longevity, you will realize that aging doesn’t have to feel dreadful and it is possible to keep living life feeling lively and productive without any medications or therapies. The Real Fountain of Youth is a how-to book for transforming your life, to be healthier and more fit with an end goal of productive longevity. Eraldo gives you step-by-step instructions on how to create a healthier lifestyle so you can maintain your activity level and independence as you age. He interviews health professionals in the nutrition and chiropractic fields to bring you a complete well-rounded program which will give you optimal results. A few chapters in the book include, “The Big Three: Cardio, Stretching and Weight Training ” that explores the specific benefits of three categories of exercise; “Nutrition is Essential” featuring an interview with Dr. Lori Magoulas, a registered dietitian from Monmouth County, NJ; “Eraldo’s 8 Quick Changes To Improve Your Diet and Health ” suggestions such as eliminating all deep fried foods from your diet and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables; and “Quick Exercises When You’re Strapped for Time” exercises to strengthen your muscles when you’re on the go. Extended youth – longevity – is available to everyone; however, it doesn’t come easily. In order to feel your best throughout your whole life, you must work for it and keep motivated. Eraldo wrote The Real Fountain of Youth to educate to people of all ages about how to achieve productive longevity through exercise and nutrition. Productivity doesn’t just end after retirement, and rather than seeing the aging process as something dreadful, we should all enjoy the later years of our life. After all, it’s a time when we can truly enjoy each and every moment to the fullest without worrying about an abundance of responsibilities. The Real Fountain of Youth: Simple Lifestyle Changes for Productive Longevity is available for purchase on Amazon: BUY NOW! BUY...
read moreJersey Fit Health and Fitness Videos
The Jersey Fit health and fitness series of videos has launched on YouTube! Eraldo Maglara, NSCA certified personal trainer, shows you how to exercise and care for your body the right way as he demonstrates specific exercises to get you focused, strong and tone your body with fitness equipment to get you the best results. You can read about many of the exercises demonstrated in Eraldo’s book The Real Fountain of Youth: Simple Lifestyle Changes for Productive Longevity. Introduction to Jersey Fit Eraldo introduces and explains the Jersey Fit health and fitness video series. Jersey Fit! Squat Eraldo demonstrates the proper way to perform a squat. The squat is a great lower body exercise that works the glutes, quads and hamstrings. Strengthening these muscles over time can help protect your knees and improve your performance. Squats also add more functionality into your life because they promote mobility and balance. What’s great about Jersey Fit is that it allows you to perform quick and simple exercises right at home. Jersey Fit believes that by living a healthy, fit and balanced lifestyle you will feel and look your best. There’s always time to get in a workout or even just a few exercises. Make the most of your training time by focusing on your objectives. Jersey Fit will help you integrate fitness and wellness into your life. Stay tuned for more health and fitness videos! Visit the Jersey Fit website...
read moreExercise Helps Cancer Patients Deal with Side Effects of Treatment
A diagnosis of cancer is certainly a life-altering event. Dealing with cancer and the side effects from aggressive therapies used to treat it is never easy, but with a positive outlook and support from family and friends it becomes a little more bearable to cope with. It may come as a surprise to some, but another effective way to help deal with side effects is to exercise. In the past, people being treated for a chronic illness were often told to rest and reduce their physical activity; however, too much rest can lead to loss of body function, muscle weakness, and reduced range of motion. Exercising may be the last thing on the mind of someone who is dealing with cancer, but according to the Oncology Nursing Society, research has found that exercise has proven to be an effective management tool for dealing with side effects from cancer treatment. Side effects from cancer treatment include weakness, fatigue, nausea, pain and depression, often resulting in a decline in the quality of life for patients. Exercise can improve the quality of life for patients and also improve how well they function physically. As awareness advocate Melanie Bowen states in the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog post on exercises for cancer patients, staying active while going through treatment can be a tremendous challenge. I recommend patients have a health care provider guide them through an exercise program to meet their interests and needs. Melanie suggests a low-impact summer exercise program for cancer patients, which include the following fitness activities: Walking: Start with 10 minutes a day and work your way up from there. Walk outside to enjoy the fresh air and scenery. I recommend a walk along the beach. The ocean can give you a feeling of relaxation and tranquility. If you are not able to get to the beach, a stroll in the park is also a nice idea. Swimming: This is a great way to tone all your major muscle groups and strengthen your heart. Go swimming in an outdoor pool or join a health club. Dancing: Dancing is a great form of aerobic exercise. Melanie recommends line dancing, zumba or dancing in your living room. Lifting light weights: A personal trainer can work with you on how much weight you should be lifting, depending on you are capable of. Before you pick up any weights, seek advice from your health care provider. Yoga: This will get you stretching, moving and feeling good. I recommend looking for a beginner’s yoga class in your area. You can also do yoga right at home with an instructional video. The key is to start out slowly. You can build up your strength and endurance a little bit at a time. Doing too much too soon is never a good thing. Also, be sure to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water, especially if you are outside in the heat or doing an activity causing you to sweat. If you are in any severe pain while exercising, stop the activity and contact your health care provider...
read moreFather’s Day Gifts to Keep Dad Fit and Healthy
Before you run out and get dad the usual tie, socks, aftershave or cologne this Father’s Day, reconsider and get him a gift you know he’ll love that will also encourage a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity is good for dad at any age, so use this Father’s Day as an opportunity to get him motivated and moving. Whether he’s a health and fitness fanatic or he’s only just begun to make healthy lifestyle changes, you can’t go wrong with these Father’s Day gift ideas: Sports Equipment Some brand new sports equipment might be the ideal gift for an athletic dad. Whether he’s into golf, tennis, bowling, cycling, ping pong etc., get him something you know he’ll enjoy using. If he’s into running, hiking or walking, give him a pair of sneakers. I recommend the Nike Air Max Cross Trainers. Now that he’s outfitted to enjoy his favorite sport, spend some quality time with him by joining him in the activity. As a fit father myself, I guarantee he will truly appreciate it. Spa Package Years ago a trip to the spa was thought to be a gift just for mom, but times have changed. Treat your dad to a day of rest and relaxation. Not only will he enjoy it, but it will rejuvenate his body and ease the stress, he’s built up over the years. You may want to consider a gift card for a full body massage or even just a back massage. Maybe dad needs a foot massage, too. Reflexology sessions also help to stimulate circulation, untangle sports-tortured tendons and detox. Heart Rate Monitor If dad is into cardio, I guarantee he’ll appreciate a heart rate monitor. It can be used to follow cardiovascular ups and downs during either recreational or competitive activity. There are a variety of heart rate monitors available that track your progress, evaluate your workout routine, and count calories burned. Basic heart rate monitors are designed to help you stay in your optimal heart rate target zone for your entire workout. Restaurant Gift Card or Gift Basket Is dad a health-conscious foodie? Take him to a new restaurant where healthy options dominate the menu. For a more creative gift, make him a gift basket filled with his favorite healthy foods, such as fresh-baked goods, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and snacks such as nuts or granola bars. You can also purchase a premade gift basket from certain grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market and Wegmans. Pre-Paid 12 Session Package with a Personal Trainer If dad is looking to get in shape, but hasn’t made the commitment yet, a great gift to consider is a pre-paid 12 session package with a personal trainer. This will help him to start on the path health and fitness. At Fitness Training by Eraldo, we offer several training packages that might interest dad. No matter the gift you give Dad this Father’s Day, make sure you give him the gift of your time. There is no greater gift than the love of your child. My children are the inspiration for my training path as well as my daily goals, both professionally and personally. Enjoy the...
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