Aerobic, Resistance Best Exercises For Elderly

Older, obese adults who do a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises have less insulin resistance -- a warning sign of type 2 diabetes -- and are better able to do simple tasks, researchers said on Monday.

The findings might be useful to help motivate elderly people, who often fear that exercise is bad for them, another expert said.

A team led by Lance Davidson of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and Columbia University in New York, studied 136 sedentary older adults with abdominal obesity, a build-up of fat around the waist that raises the risk of heart disease and other problems.

They were placed in one of four groups: A group that did resistance exercise three times a week, one that walked on a treadmill three times a week, one that did both types of exercise and one that did neither.

After six months, researchers found older adults who had done combined resistance and aerobic exercise had lower levels of insulin resistance, an age-related condition that often precedes diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

Participants in all of the exercise groups were better able to do simple tasks like standing up from a chair or walking in place, Davidson and colleagues wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine. But here too, the group that did a combination of exercises fared best.

Dr. William Hall, director of the Center for Healthy Aging at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York, said bias against older people may be keeping some seniors from exercise.

"You have to show seniors that they will feel better and do better -- that becomes an incredible motivator," he said.

3 Day Diet

There are many occasions that make women want to lose weight quickly. Maybe there is a wedding or a class reunion that is right around the corner. We want to look our best for such occasions, especially if we haven’t seen some of the party goers for a long time. One weight loss option is the 3 day diet. This plan promises quick weight loss in only three days.

Of course, quick weight loss is very appealing to many of us, but it is not recommended by most of our doctors. Many nutritionists argue that the 3 day diet only leads to temporary weight reduction. Most of us who follow the plan will only find the weight creeping back on in just a few weeks.

However, we must consider the purpose for the 3 day diet before abandoning the eating plan entirely. If the goal is to lose about ten pounds in three days for a specific occasion, then this plan is perfect for you. If you want permanent weight loss and an eating plan that you can follow for the rest of your life, then the 3 day diet is definitely not for you.

The plan is very restrictive and it requires a lot of will power. Anyone following the 3 day diet is urged to follow the plan for only three days. This is why the plan is best for anyone who wants to slim down quickly for a special occasion and not for someone looking for a long-term diet plan. People who follow the 3 day diet are instructed to go off of the diet for at least two days before starting the regimen over again.

Just about every woman has experienced the urge to drop one or two dress sizes before a special event. Maybe it is that little black dress that is hanging in the back of the closet that you haven’t been able to zip up for a few years. The 3 day diet can be a great way to get you back into that dress in just a few days.

Maybe you just need a kick start to your long term weight loss plan. Sometimes losing a lot of weight quickly can give a dieter the motivation required to get on a good diet and exercise plan. I have found that dropping significant weight in the beginning of a weight loss plan will insure that I am motivated to continue.

Even though the 3 day diet has many critics, remember to consider the purpose for the plan. This is not a long term diet and it definitely is not a way of life. However, if you are looking to drop a few pounds quickly or if you just need the motivation to get yourself into diet mode, consider the 3 day diet as a start.

Read also on: http://www.formerfatguy.com/weblog/2006/07/3-day-diet-is-it-right-for-you.asp

Asthma and Exercise

Everyone should engage in some sort of aerobic activity to keep their heart and lungs healthy, and muscles toned and strong. Even people with asthma benefit from regular exercise; it helps to increase lung capacity therefore allowing the lungs to function more efficiently. Many times the fear of an asthma attack keeps asthmatics from participating in activities that they enjoy. Asthma and exercise may seem like fire and water to some, but there are ways to make these two very compatible. Many professional athletes suffer from asthma and allergies, but they have found a way to manage their symptoms effectively so that they can perform at their fullest potential. There are many good asthma and allergy medications on the market today, some available over-the-counter and some by prescription only that can greatly reduce the onset of asthma symptoms during exercise.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), physical and emotional well-being can be improved through regular exercise, which can also help to manage asthma symptoms. Here are a few asthma and exercise facts that can help people get active and stay active by learning these simple interventions. Not all types of exercise will provoke asthma symptoms, and before beginning any type of exercise program, an asthma and allergy specialist or health care practitioner should be consulted. Asthma and exercise can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, a tight feeling in the chest, or coughing, all of which can develop into a full blown asthma attack if not treated immediately. By using a short or long acting bronchodilator prior to exercising, asthma symptoms can be controlled or even prevented completely. Other medications such as decongestants and antihistamines, either oral or inhaled, are also effective in controlling asthma and exercise.

Other important asthma and exercise facts include not exercising in cold or windy weather, or when pollen counts are high. These factors can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms, which can lead to a more severe attack. Asthma and exercise routines can be tailored to each individual’s specific needs, and some activities are better tolerated than others. For more information on asthma and exercise visit the Medem Medical Library at www.medem.com or a number of other online sources that have great suggestions on how to stay active and benefit from regular exercise while controlling asthma and allergy symptoms.