You Are ALWAYS What YOu Eat

Don’t look now, but as the baby boomer gen goes through mid-life and beyond a new concern is well, growing, and that is obesity. Gone is the image of the elderly as frail and thin. Now it’s about being fat and overweight. Americans in their 60’s are 10lbs heavier than their counterparts just 10 years ago! A typical women in her 40’s now weighs 168lbs versus 143lbs in the 60’s. And if you are entering into this danger zone, be aware it’s not going to get any easier to keep that weight off. Blame slow metabolism, and a process known as “sarcopenia”, the body’s tendency to lose muscle mass. But there is hope! Notice I said body’s tendency, not a given! You can stoke your metabolism to a rate that is more consistent with a much younger persons’…..exercise and lift weights! Walk at a brisk pace. Oh, and of course, EAT HEALTHY! Also as we get older we need to pay attention to certain vitamins that we need more of, or our body’s just aren’t producing enough of; they are calcium, B12, and vitamin D. As I’ve said many times before, cut back on processed foods that contain fat and sugar. Eat more fruit (low glycemic of course) and vegetables. Make sure you are getting adequate amounts of protein. These “old age” diseases can be controlled or eliminated: Bone Loss; associated with old age can be not only terminated but reversed with weight lifting. Heart Disease; also can be controlled by eating omega3 fatty acids and eating less full fat dairy and yet again, exercise! Hypertension; can be controlled by eating fruits and leafy green veggies and most importantly focusing on your sodium intake (1500mgs a day) Diabetes; typeII diabetes can be prevented with a healthful diet, exercise, and weight management. Memory Loss; The Mediterranean diet, high in fish and olive oil, seems to lower the odds of developing cognitive problems Joint Disease; minimizing weight goes a long way to avoid this problem. Every extra pound you carry translates to 3 pounds of pressure on your knees. Think about that! Cancer; so much cancer would never occur if Americans ate correctly and weighed less. We can’t help growing older but we can grow older, better! Robert J. Caltabiano, IFBB Pro Roberts One on One Fitness Studio 17 Ravine Road Malvern, PA 19355 610.296.8505 www.robertsoneonone.com This is where fit happens