Didn't know where to put this, so decided to start a new topic here. Of course we are all young in body and mind :biggrin:, but one of these days ....
"Energetic exercise may dramatically lower dementia risk for older people
The Question: Being physically active has been linked to a litany of health benefits, often related to preventing heart problems. Might exercising regularly have a similar effect on the brain?
This Study: analyzed data on 876 older adults (average age, 78) who were participating in a long-term study on cardiovascular health. Periodic assessments included brain scans, a variety of standardized neurological and cognitive tests, and evaluations of physical activity, including time and energy expended on such activities as swimming, hiking, calisthenics and aerobics. People who regularly generated the greatest energy output regardless of the type of physical activity had larger brain size, or gray matter volume -- especially in areas that affect memory and cognition -- than those who were less active. The researchers estimated that this correlated to as much as a 50 percent reduction in risk for the dementia of Alzheimer's disease.
Who may be affected? Older adults. About 5.3 million Americans -- the vast majority of them older than 65 and two-thirds of them women -- have Alzheimer's disease. No cure has been found for the progressive brain disorder, which robs people of their memory and thinking abilities along with their ability to live independently. The brain shrinks dramatically in people with Alzheimer's, prompting research into whether maintaining brain size may help prevent development or progression of Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Caveats: Some of the data came from the participants' responses on questionnaires. Factors not accounted for also may have affected brain size.
...."
To learn more about Alzheimer's disease at nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
-- Linda Searing
www.washingtonpost.com
comment by libby: I happen to believe that there is more in our noggins than the physical brain; I think we also have a soul or subconscious mind that is not physical, so lots of exercise might not make us smarter -- just healthier -- so we maybe can LIVE until we die, with a modicum of dignity.
There's nothing at all wrong with exercise. The benefits are quite numerous.
Quote from: Locutus on May 01, 2016, 05:54:05 PM
There's nothing at all wrong with exercise. The benefits are quite numerous.
And very soon our employers will assign squadrons of physical terrorists to march you through a daily circuit training regimen in order to ensure you remain available to them until age 69 or 70; where the retirement goal line is going to. . . :mad:
(Sorry Libby. I took us off into the deep weeds right out of the gate. . . ) :-[
No, no, PH. Don't be sorry. I want comments. Other points of view. You, too, Locutus. I am one who needs exercise, both physically and emotionally. I have a hot temper and have learned from experience to get up and walk away before my mouth gets me in trouble. Example: One time I took something a doctor I worked for said as derogatory, and knew when I felt my temper rise that I had to get out of there. So I did. Walked out the door and down the street. After about 10 minutes of fast walking I had calmed down enough to remember that I'd left my purse in the office so would have to go back and get it. Luckily for me, as I turned back, a friend, a nurse, came running after me and said, "Dr. G. said he was sorry and to please come back." I did and he apologized and so did I.
For me it becomes an issue of time.
Between the daily commute and time actually spent at the salt mine, my typical workday is 12-16 hours long; averaging right at 14 hours. That leaves me about 2 hours to do chores, eat dinner, and come here to post to with my cyber-friends. (Sorry, here lately you folks have been getting the crappy end of the stick too).
Now, I know it's an excuse in the view of your typical fitness junkies. I already get up at 0400 every week day. So it becomes an issue of whether or not I should get up at 0300 in order to do a few laps around the neighborhood before the 3 S routine and commute to work. . . And in order to do that I will have to lose an hour of sleep, which is already hard fought for and not easily won at my age. (Insomnia your are a heartless and cruel mistress and I wish to be shed of you!)
I do what I can, when I can though. Example: I walk across our 3 block wide campus in order to speak to individuals, rather than call them on the phone of page them. I only use the electronics in emergency situations. My average daily walking distance hovers around 5 miles; but there are days when that is substantially less due to mandatory incarceration within meeting rooms for hours at times some days.
I also recently purchased a push mower, and am working my way toward mowing all of my properties manually instead of on a tractor. Again, there are times when life makes demands upon me that require I get this chore done in an expedient manner, so rather than trying to jog behind the mower in 90+ degree heat, I will be forced to ride the tractor sometimes. (Weekend excursions to the zoo, fishing trips, birthday parties, or mandatory family cook outs with my grandchildren are not optional).
Bottom line is this; if my employers would kindly stick to the 45 hour work week they expect at a minimum from me, I'd easily be able to make time to engage in some vigorous exercise every single day. . . But I don't see that happening anytime soon. :rolleyes: :mad:
I think the study may have some merit. But I think it's like anything. There are some people who live a healthy lifestyle (exercise, food, stress level, etc) that still end up with cancer or heart problems or strokes. There really isn't any guarantee; we try our best and hope for the best.
My own personal experience agrees with the study. My deceased ex mother-in-law never exercised. She was overweight, couldn't bend over to tie her shoes, became so out of shape and lazy that if something fell on the floor she had a long armed claw to reach things, and watched TV all day. She didn't eat right and ended up with cancer and dementia. This is how she spent the last 10 years of her life; the last 2 years bedridden. My deceased ex-father-in-law (they were divorced) watched the news, mowed, went for walks, read, and was sharp as a tack before he died. My grandparents were similar to my in-laws--she never exercised and ended bedridden with dementia while he was on the go at age 90. She lived until she was 92, but was bedridden for the last year and the years preceding that she only wanted to sit around and watch TV. He would putter around his mini-vineyard and make wine. He'd watch the news and loved to debate about any issue. Proof that exercise will prevent dementia and other health ails? No definite proof, only correlation. But I'm going to continue to exercise, read, think, engage my brain and hope I got my grandfather's genes! ;D
Quote from: Palehorse on May 01, 2016, 07:16:43 PM
I do what I can, when I can though. Example: I walk across our 3 block wide campus in order to speak to individuals, rather than call them on the phone of page them. I only use the electronics in emergency situations. My average daily walking distance hovers around 5 miles; but there are days when that is substantially less due to mandatory incarceration within meeting rooms for hours at times some days.
PH, I think it's great that you can get around 5 miles while you are at work. That will definitely help. The rage at the library for management staff is stand up desks. I read somewhere that sitting all day can shorten your life around 35% or something like that, and even standing is better for you. I'm a lowly administrative assistant, so I don't get one. ;) So I do like you do. Visit people at their offices when I need to (although some seem never to be there so I have no choice but to email) and take walking breaks when I have reports to do. We have a staff only stairwell that I'll go up and down 5-6 times, or I'll do a circuit around the first and second floors. I kept my phone on me (it keeps track of my steps) and one day I did about 2 1/2 miles which is pretty good since our library is on the small side. I am fortunate to work steady hours so I try to get out and walk about 4 miles at least 4 times a week. Although the weather's shitty right now so that doesn't look it will happen this week.
Quote from: AbbyTC on May 01, 2016, 07:36:10 PM
PH, I think it's great that you can get around 5 miles while you are at work. That will definitely help. The rage at the library for management staff is stand up desks. I read somewhere that sitting all day can shorten your life around 35% or something like that, and even standing is better for you. I'm a lowly administrative assistant, so I don't get one. ;) So I do like you do. Visit people at their offices when I need to (although some seem never to be there so I have no choice but to email) and take walking breaks when I have reports to do. We have a staff only stairwell that I'll go up and down 5-6 times, or I'll do a circuit around the first and second floors. I kept my phone on me (it keeps track of my steps) and one day I did about 2 1/2 miles which is pretty good since our library is on the small side. I am fortunate to work steady hours so I try to get out and walk about 4 miles at least 4 times a week. Although the weather's shitty right now so that doesn't look it will happen this week.
Thats great! Some of my staff members are retired military, and one of them is a professional body builder, self defense instructor in his own business, (Combative MMA Academy), and trains fighters. Of course, he works 8 hour days and no weekends so he has the time.
All we can do is what we can. :-\
I believe that a person has to want to exercise and eat foods in moderation. It isn't easy but I walk as much as possible.
Quote from: Purplelady1040 on May 02, 2016, 08:43:22 AM
I believe that a person has to want to exercise and eat foods in moderation. It isn't easy but I walk as much as possible.
I wonder if it is all that good. We had a member here on the Zone and she ran all over the place and ate all of the right food and she has disappeared. :confused: :confused: Has anyone heard from Sandy Eggo. :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
Quote from: The Troll on May 02, 2016, 04:25:39 PM
I wonder if it is all that good. We had a member here on the Zone and she ran all over the place and ate all of the right food and she has disappeared. :confused: :confused: Has anyone heard from Sandy Eggo. :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
I haven't heard from her. Hope she is okay. Yes, some people can eat all the right foods and still get sick. My late mom ate Fried eggs every other day and other foods that I am sure most doctors would shudder at people and she died of cancer. She didn't drink, smoke or do drugs and she still developed cancer. Same with my father.
Quote from: The Troll on May 02, 2016, 04:25:39 PM
I wonder if it is all that good. We had a member here on the Zone and she ran all over the place and ate all of the right food and she has disappeared. :confused: :confused: Has anyone heard from Sandy Eggo. :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
I sure do miss her. She was one of the originals way back when the Bluefield Daily Telegraph posting board joined Hey Martha.
Quote from: libby on May 02, 2016, 11:25:44 PM
I sure do miss her. She was one of the originals way back when the Bluefield Daily Telegraph posting board joined Hey Martha.
She's still around but busier than ever. . . I hear from her every now and again, and remind her that she has all but abandoned her cyber family here. . . :icon_twisted:
Quote from: Palehorse on May 03, 2016, 05:24:42 PM
She's still around but busier than ever. . . I hear from her every now and again, and remind her that she has all but abandoned her cyber family here. . . :icon_twisted:
Thank you!
Quote from: Palehorse on May 03, 2016, 05:24:42 PM
She's still around but busier than ever. . . I hear from her every now and again, and remind her that she has all but abandoned her cyber family here. . . :icon_twisted:
Thanks PH for the information on Sandy. Tell her she is missed.
Quote from: Palehorse on May 03, 2016, 05:24:42 PM
She's still around but busier than ever. . . I hear from her every now and again, and remind her that she has all but abandoned her cyber family here. . . :icon_twisted:
Yeah, I miss her too.......she was my all-time favorite lib....she could knock me around like nobody else, but still give me a hug and a kiss at the end of the day...
She isn't gone, she's just a left-coaster. You know, all that sunshine and warmth 365 days a year. They don't get shut inside by the weather like the rest of us. . .
I think she may have caught Gump-itus. . . (http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/hlovett_2008/60e24facdb2cac63ae1577db3d3e329f_zpspidek4kj.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/hlovett_2008/media/60e24facdb2cac63ae1577db3d3e329f_zpspidek4kj.jpg.html)
;D
Quote from: libby on May 02, 2016, 11:25:44 PM
I sure do miss her. She was one of the originals way back when the Bluefield Daily Telegraph posting board joined Hey Martha.
My dad lived to 92 , drove a car until he was 89. He didn't smoke, didn't drink and from all of his friends have said, he didn't chase women. :smile: But his heart wore out and he took the long trip from where no one returns. My man. :vday: :smitten:
Quote from: The Troll on May 05, 2016, 03:12:09 PM
My dad lived to 92 , drove a car until he was 89. He didn't smoke, didn't drink and from all of his friends have said, he didn't chase women. :smile: But his heart wore out and he took the long trip from where no one returns. My man. :vday: :smitten:
My dad was a coal miner, and he smoked and drank and cussed, but he was a good man who worked hard and fiercely protected his family. He died when he was 48 -- lung cancer. My mother, who was 5 years younger, died when she was 78. Never re-married, although she had at least 3 offers that I knew of. She never learned to drive, rode the bus to town, had friends and neighbors who looked out for her, drove her to church. She went out to dinner with some friends the night before she had a massive heart attack. One sister was with her -- the other 4 of us got there too late to say goodbye.
My late father started his career with Western Electric at a young age. He worked his way up through the ranks to Section Chief and then as the company began downsizing he was asked to occasionally act as a trouble shooter for the company. He was sent to locations all over the country for awhile, but once he went to New Orleans they began sending him, and only him to that location. They and a problem dad got on a plane and fixed it for them. We almost moved there when they eventually closed the Chicago plant when dad was 53. . . In fact he went down there for 3 months, flying home weekends; it was that close. . .
But dad decided the buyout was good enough for him after 30 years of service. They told him he was too young to retire, but he wouldn't have it any other way. Then he bought a small farm back in Kentucky, where he was born, and he and mom sold the house and off they went. 11 years later, on October 8, 2000 at 9:00 am, he got up to go into the kitchen. Likely for a can of beer. He never made it through the doorway and was dead before he hit the floor. Massive heart attack.
Mom had been taking a nap and the sound of him hitting the floor awakened her. She found him on the floor, eyes half open and his cigarette still smoking and clinched in his right hand.
Unexpected and devastating in ways that still echo within my life to this day.
Mom lingered for another 10 years, suffering a stroke within the 1st year of his passing. When she began coming out of it she thought Jimmy Carter was POTUS and my current wife was my first wife. And she had the personality of a great white shark. Alzheimer's slowly took her further away over the ensuing years, and she eventually fell into a coma and expired of congestive heart failure. (Complications of a life with diabetes)
My dad died at age 52 of lung cancer. He was a lifelong smoker. My mother had a massive heart attack six months after he died. She was 49. She had bypass surgery the next year and lived another 19 years. She was never able to go back to work but was always active and busy. She loved being around her grandchildren.
Quote from: Palehorse on May 05, 2016, 06:01:00 PM
My late father started his career with Western Electric at a young age. He worked his way up through the ranks to Section Chief and then as the company began downsizing he was asked to occasionally act as a trouble shooter for the company. He was sent to locations all over the country for awhile, but once he went to New Orleans they began sending him, and only him to that location. They and a problem dad got on a plane and fixed it for them. We almost moved there when they eventually closed the Chicago plant when dad was 53. . . In fact he went down there for 3 months, flying home weekends; it was that close. . .
But dad decided the buyout was good enough for him after 30 years of service. They told him he was too young to retire, but he wouldn't have it any other way. Then he bought a small farm back in Kentucky, where he was born, and he and mom sold the house and off they went. 11 years later, on October 8, 2000 at 9:00 am, he got up to go into the kitchen. Likely for a can of beer. He never made it through the doorway and was dead before he hit the floor. Massive heart attack.
Mom had been taking a nap and the sound of him hitting the floor awakened her. She found him on the floor, eyes half open and his cigarette still smoking and clinched in his right hand.
Unexpected and devastating in ways that still echo within my life to this day.
Mom lingered for another 10 years, suffering a stroke within the 1st year of his passing. When she began coming out of it she thought Jimmy Carter was POTUS and my current wife was my first wife. And she had the personality of a great white shark. Alzheimer's slowly took her further away over the ensuing years, and she eventually fell into a coma and expired of congestive heart failure. (Complications of a life with diabetes)
A great white shark? I have no idea of how you mother believed, but if she was like my mother. She didn't not believe in SPARE THE ROD,STICK, SWITCH, CLOTHES HANGER, EXTENTION CORD OR ANY THING ELSE SHE HAD IN HER HAND. :yes: :smile: :huh1:
My mother died at 61 of ovarian cancer, even though she had a total.hysterectomy when she was in her early 40's but we were not aware that the doctor did not take out everything. She felt something was wrong in her late 50's and was in remission for about a year before cancer came back. There are several things I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease. My mother was a great lady and didn't deserve this. She would discipline as we needed it and believe me, switch, spatula, hair brush, whatever was handy.
My stepmom is a super lady and has been a saving grace to all.of us in taking care of my father. All us siblings love her.
Yesterday's Washington Post had an article about an 80-year-old 6 foot 2 personal trainer "with the lean physique and toned muscles of a basketball pro..." He's a retired Army Colonel who has worked for 17 years as a personal fitness trainer at a fitness center not too far from where I live. The paper version shows pictures of him which bear out the description above; they say he's the oldest trainer there by about 3 decades.
I think I just might drive there and check him out. That fitness center is not all that far from where I live -- about a 20 minute drive across a county line heading south. I used to live there and worked out at the fitness center where he works.
Quote from: The Troll on May 08, 2016, 04:41:06 PM
A great white shark? I have no idea of how you mother believed, but if she was like my mother. She didn't not believe in SPARE THE ROD,STICK, SWITCH, CLOTHES HANGER, EXTENTION CORD OR ANY THING ELSE SHE HAD IN HER HAND. :yes: :smile: :huh1:
Sorry it took me so long to see this Troll. Our mothers were cut from the same cloth my friend. And my hide has born the tiger striping to prove it in my formative years. . . But guess what? I didn't do the crap that got me the beatings I so richly deserved again. (At least not if there was the slightest possibility mom would find out about it anyway).
Nope, my mother could never have been said to have spared the rod, switch, clothes hanger, extension cord, razor strop, shoe, or any other object within arms length when one of us were stepping out of line. . . And she was a master ninja with a shoe. She could make those damned things curve around the corners of walls and hit you square in the chops. I saw it many times. And felt it a few of them. :yes: :spooked:
Quote from: libby on April 21, 2017, 12:22:56 PM
Yesterday's Washington Post had an article about an 80-year-old 6 foot 2 personal trainer "with the lean physique and toned muscles of a basketball pro..." He's a retired Army Colonel who has worked for 17 years as a personal fitness trainer at a fitness center not too far from where I live. The paper version shows pictures of him which bear out the description above; they say he's the oldest trainer there by about 3 decades.
I think I just might drive there and check him out. That fitness center is not all that far from where I live -- about a 20 minute drive across a county line heading south. I used to live there and worked out at the fitness center where he works.
Great idea! Hope it works out for you.
I've found that even an initial consultation with individuals that are great at what they do, frequently serves as the spark to light the fire to improve ones self. I hope you find the inspiration you are seeking in your interactions with him! 8)
Quote from: Palehorse on April 22, 2017, 12:50:22 AM
Great idea! Hope it works out for you.
I've found that even an initial consultation with individuals that are great at what they do, frequently serves as the spark to light the fire to improve ones self. I hope you find the inspiration you are seeking in your interactions with him! 8)
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Right now I need some inspiration because I have been dealing with the consequences of a big mistake I made some time ago: I let a young extended family member (male) live with me for what was called at the time temporary. :icon_evil: (No good deed goes unpunished....)
Is the young male relative still there? ;D
Quote from: Palehorse on April 22, 2017, 12:47:57 AM
Sorry it took me so long to see this Troll. Our mothers were cut from the same cloth my friend. And my hide has born the tiger striping to prove it in my formative years. . . But guess what? I didn't do the crap that got me the beatings I so richly deserved again. (At least not if there was the slightest possibility mom would find out about it anyway).
Nope, my mother could never have been said to have spared the rod, switch, clothes hanger, extension cord, razor strop, shoe, or any other object within arms length when one of us were stepping out of line. . . And she was a master ninja with a shoe. She could make those damned things curve around the corners of walls and hit you square in the chops. I saw it many times. And felt it a few of them. :yes: :spooked:
I have talked to many people of our age. We were raised by depression babies. The didn't have much of any thing and they were brought up by parents who believed in corporal punishment. My mother who had two sister, talked about how my grandfather would slap the girls in the face and use the biggest stick to hit them with and she hated him for. What was one of her favorite thing to do. Why it was slap you across the face as hard as she could and she had made my ears ring more than once. Two thing I never did to my son was to slap him in the face or use my fist. About three times he got a soft white pine yard stick across the butt. Mom uses a hard wood yard stick and she used the edge. I asked her one day why she use the edge, she said she used it that way so she would break it. :haha: Mainly I just got loud and chewed ass and I think that hurt my boy more than if I had beat him. :yes: :biggrin:
Quote from: Locutus on April 24, 2017, 04:26:08 PM
Is the young male relative still there? ;D
Yes. He was on drugs -- bad stuff -- when they dropped him off while they were moving. He's one of the lucky ones, able to break the habit, with a lot of 'help' from me. I gave up a lot -- I'm a loner by nature and have a lot of interests that I had to more or less put aside. I think I could write a book on the subject. Maybe some day. Right now I imagine walking on a beach somewhere ....
Well that's a tremendous burden to bear, especially for a loner, but kudos to you for taking up the cause. I hope he gets out of your hair soon and you can return to normal life. :yes:
Quote from: Locutus on April 25, 2017, 09:34:58 AM
Well that's a tremendous burden to bear, especially for a loner, but kudos to you for taking up the cause. I hope he gets out of your hair soon and you can return to normal life. :yes:
Thank you. It's been a very emotional experience for me, for more than one reason. He was a little boy when my son died suddenly. I'm an optimist, so guess having him here, plus the support of one dear friend, helped me survive.
Quote from: Locutus on April 25, 2017, 09:34:58 AM
Well that's a tremendous burden to bear, especially for a loner, but kudos to you for taking up the cause. I hope he gets out of your hair soon and you can return to normal life. :yes:
... :yes: