Fit For Life

Sunday, January 30, 2011

3 of 6 ways to Protect Yourself Against Alzheimer's and Dementia

This is the 3rd of 6 ways to protect yourself against Alzheimer's and dementia. Got this great article from Yahoo Health.

1. 1. Physical Activity.

2. 2. Weight Control

3. 3. Mental Challenges

No, it's not just about doing sudoku—though puzzles do fall into the category. The brain's ability to reorganize neural pathways with new information or experiences means it's regularly changing; we can even generate new brain cells. But you need to work it. The general guideline, says Neil Buckholtz, chief of the dementias of aging branch at the National Institute on Aging, is regularly engaging in "some kind of new learning that challenges you." No one knows exactly what works, though population research has shown that having more years of formal education seems to be protective. Folks with lots of schooling can still get Alzheimer's, but the disease may appear later. From that, some extrapolate that lifelong curiosity and learning may have benefits.

(stay tuned for the rest of the article....)
Yours in Health, Wellness, Beauty, and a fabulous smelling office or house,

Sharron C. Grzybowski

Saturday, January 29, 2011

2 of 6 ways to Protect Yourself Against Alzheimer's and Dementia

This is the 2nd of 6 ways to protect yourself against Alzheimer's and dementia. Got this great article from Yahoo Health.

1. 1.Physical Activity.

2. 2.Weight Control

The heavier a person is, the more likely he or she may be to develop Alzheimer's. Thompson published research that found that the brains of older individuals who were obese (with a body mass index over 30) had approximately 8 percent less brain volume than subjects of normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 25). When brain-volume loss reaches about 10 percent, Thompson says, symptoms like memory trouble or confusion appear. Earlier studies have suggested that people who are obese in midlife have a threefold increased risk of developing Alzheimer's, and those who are overweight (considered a BMI between 25 and 30) have a twofold increased risk. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that with added pounds, fat gets deposited in the brain and narrows blood vessels that deliver fuel, Thompson theorizes. Over the long term, brain cells die and vital connections and volume are lost.

(stay tuned for the rest of the article....)
Yours in Health, Wellness, Beauty, and a fabulous smelling office or house,

Sharron C. Grzybowski

Friday, January 28, 2011

1 of 6 ways to Protect Yourself Against Alzheimer's and Dementia

This is the 1st of 6 ways to protect yourself against Alzheimer's and dementia. Got this great article from Yahoo Health.

We all want to dodge the Alzheimer's bullet. And lucky us, Mother Nature has counterbalanced the power of our hard-wired genes by allowing multiple lifestyle choices to greatly influence our again. Read: Your destiny is not fated, you do have some control. Yes, genes are powerful forces, but they "are not even the dominant factor" for the vast majority of people, says Paul Thompson, professor of neurology at the University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine. Here are some actionable factors that can help your brain stay healthy over the long term.

1. 1-Physical Activity.

Research from the University of Illinois has suggested that regular aerobic activity—like running, walking, or bicycling, which require oxygen to produce energy—may do a better job of protecting brain function than nonaerobic activity, which does not recruit oxygen and uses short bursts of motion (golf, tennis, and lifting weights). Reaping the cognitive benefits of pumping oxygen- and sugar-rich blood to the brain won't require high intensity exercise, says William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer of the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association advises picking activities you like and doing them regularly for at least 30 minutes a day.

(stay tuned for the rest of the article....)
Yours in Health, Wellness, Beauty, and a fabulous smelling office or house,

Sharron C. Grzybowski

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Worst Sandwiches

Another great Yahoo article, from my guy that does the 'eat this and not that' stuff.
Seriously, sometimes you just don't realize how much crap they can pile on to a sandwich! Take the first restaurant named on the list - Panera. You can't help but get a 'healthy, good-for-you' feeling when you walk in the door. Right?! Not necessarily.
I don't want to point fingers at one place, without listing a couple of your other favorites that you'll see on the list - Red Robin, Blimpie, Quiznos, and the Cheesecake Factory 'wins' this particular round with a shrimp and bacon club at over 1800 calories!
Worst Sandwiches in America
Eating out doesn't always have to be bad! Ask for a nutritional information sheet!
Yours in Health, Wellness, Beauty, and the best smelling office/home around,

Sharron C. Grzybowski

Why you shouldn't beg your doctor for an antibiotic

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Why antibiotics aren't always the best option

My husband has always said that he hated how quick doctors are to prescribe antibiotics. It's been a pet peeve for years. Found this on Yahoo today:

Yours in Health, Wellness, Beauty, and a fabulous smelling home/office,

Sharron C. Grzybowski

My newest venture:

FindYourReason.Blogspot.com

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Walking Shoes - one size does NOT fit all!

Found this great article on MayoClinic.com. There are a lot of shoe options out there. Here's help picking out a great pair of Walking Shoes.

Yours in Health, Wellness, Beauty, and a fabulous smelling house/office,

Sharron C. Grzybowski

My newest venture:

Friday, January 14, 2011

two reminders for your NY resolution

Okay, so you're two weeks - or so - into your weight loss resolution. You've started your physical activity of choice for this endeavor and started scrutinizing the labels on the foods that you eat. What about your liquid options? Those sodas really add up during the day. How about your morning beverage Orange Juice? Coffee with cream??
Before we address beverages, first a reminder not to lose patience with your resolution. It took you a while to put on the weight, it will take you a while to take it off.
My second reminder is the calories you're drinking.... Keep an eye no the labels for your chosen beverages the next couple of days and I think you'll be surprised:
Orange Juice - 8oz of the original Simply Orange juice is 110 calories
Fat Free (Skim) Milk - 8oz = 91 calories
So, coffee's your morning beverage?
Black Coffee - 8oz = 2 to 5 calories
Fat Free (Skim) Milk - 1oz = 11 calories
2% Milk - 1oz = 15 calories
Coffee Mate's Liquid Hazelnut - 1 tblspn = 35 calories
And that's just breakfast!

Check out our website to learn about balancing your physical activity with the calories that you eat everyday. It's your life, only better!

The 15 Worst Health Diets and Myths

Sharron C. Grzybowski

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Dieting Myths

We've all heard something about a diet or food that ALMOST sounds like it could be true. Then you see that food item again and second guess your desire for it. Is red meat really bad for you? How about sugar vs high-fructose corn syrup?

Another great article I found on Yahoo, from that 'Eat this and not that' guy.

Yours in Health, Wellness, Beauty, and a fabulous smelling office/house,

Sharron C. Grzybowski

My newest venture:

7 Habits That Make You Fat

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Habits that make you fat

Found this on Yahoo Health.

Some great advice. Remember, baby steps. Don't try to go in to your new healthy or low-calorie lifestyle whole-hog!

Are you sitting down while you're reading this? WHY? You'd burn twice as many calories by simply standing up . . .
Yours in Health, Wellness, Beauty, and a fabulous smelling office/house,

Sharron C. Grzybowski

My newest venture: