Supplements

If you eat the right foods as recommended by the food guide pyramid, why add supplements? You hear of people adding creatine or protein powders as part of the daily intake in addition to meals. Being in good physical condition, I'm often asked, "Dude, what are you taking or what do you eat?" My response is, "I eat right and I do not take supplements." Sure, years ago I used to dabble with supplements, but they did nothing for me. My theory is this:

Our creator gave us a finely tuned body, designed to process food we eat into fuel needed to function properly. Whatever the body does not require will be flushed as waste. We should, for the most part, trust our medical professionals telling us to adhere to the recommended food guide pyramid. Why? Medical research is put forth to its validity. Using unnecessary supplements may throw off the body's natural ability to process properly. Most supplements have not been proven to work as supplements manufacturer's claim, potentially causing our body to overwork in order to compensate for too much of a good thing.

Fitness enthusiast are well known for standing behind the use of creatine as a common supplement. Creatine is scientifically proven to enhance the performance of the skeletal muscles, though the amounts recommended by the companies who process the supplement form is not substantiated by research. Creatine is a derivative of meat. Not just the red kind. Any animal protein contains creatine, however some in larger quantities, like red meat. Consuming a balanced amount of animal proteins will supply the body with the adequate amount of creatine it requires. Unless you are vegan or a vegetarian, there's really no need for this particular supplement. If you do not eat animal proteins, are doing so by choice, yet you are an omnivore, your body is not designed to function properly without some form of animal protein derivative and you most likely require supplements.

Crotchety

One of the traits of getting older my least favorite is potentially becoming or being accused of becoming crotchety. Years ago I imagined what to look forward to in terms of growing older and jokingly telling friends, "The ability to sit in a rocking chair on a large porch, drink beer with my hound dog at my side, slingshot on hand targeting the little punks in the neighborhood." This partially was my true aspiration for retirement life... until recently.

While talking on phone with a friend I witnessed children climbing a fence in order to pick fruit from my neighbor's tree. I yelled at them for trespassing. My friend over-heard me yelling and accused me of being crotchety. Never hearing the word before, I knew immediately it was not a compliment and was quite miffed over him using such a word to describe me. I told him to eat shit. After finding word in the dictionary, by definition I was being crotchety to the children as well as with my response to my friend.

It's important for me to take steps to avoid exposing this trait in the future. It's my belief by not recognizing such traits now, I become oblivious to them in the future and will appear to be a mean old man. My goal is to blend with society for as long as possible.

My suggestion to avoid falling into the category of crotchety is to always keep an open mind. These children were from less fortunate upbringings and I should have assisted them in the event they might hurt themselves since it was easier for me to pick the fruit off the neighbors tree. My frame of mind then did not allow me to think these children might be hungry. Sadly my original actions may be embedded into these children's minds forever. They might even use the same tactic later in life because I taught them how.

Cardio

There are many ways to reach an adequate (aerobic) level to maintain healthy cardiovascular conditioning, and I choose to run. In my 20s, running was the only way to clear my mind of all thoughts allowing an end result of a more balanced way of processing my daily intake of information as well as conditioning my heart. In my 30s somehow I forgot this concept and felt if I looked healthy on the outside then it must be a reflection of my overall health, and running was no longer a priority it was years earlier. In my 40s the lack of cardiovascular exercise combined with years of bad habits inherited me a heart attack.

Finding an activity to get the blood moving and the heart pumping on a regular basis is one of the most beneficial things we can do for our health. The idea is not to over exert yourself but to try to keep an adequate and moderate type of energy level while performing this type of exercise. There are many ways we can achieve this aerobic level. Swimming, running,walking, hiking, running and even riding a bike are some great examples. The best way to gauge whether you are at an "adequate" level of activity is your ability to have a conversation while performing that activity. If you cannot, you are at a level called anaerobic. This is not a good level for the beginner or novice. As with any exercise, always consult with your physician about what kind of aerobic activity is right for you.

Smoking

Many of us in our 40s grew up before the risk factors of smoking were grilled into our heads through magazines, newspapers, or even television. I remember being in car with my parents while they puffed away with the windows closed and us kids sat in the back seat choking. We did not know the damage was already being done. We did know we hated it yet these were our parents and we just thought it was part of the parent thing to do. In fact, as we grew up, we felt more like an adult if we did smoke. Recently I joined a "Ban Smoking" group on a popular social networking site. One of my friends, a nurse, felt it necessary to tell me she was against this type of group because smokers keep her employed as a respiratory therapist. Evidently some of the taxes on cigarettes are used to fund clinics needed to treat diseases caused by smoking. I asked her if it would be better if I lived my life as unhealthy as possible in order to keep our medical professionals employed? Pretty strong argument for National Health Care don't you think?

Smoking causes heart disease, cancer, neurological complications, respiratory issues, forest fires, house fires, waist of our tax dollars, and death to name a few. Is that not enough to ban the filthy habit? Evidently not. Does the simple fact smokers are hurting others around them give them cause to at least consider quitting? If they are unselfish and compassionate, maybe.

I was a smoker for 25 years. I own up to being a selfish, stupid, and non-compassionate smoker. Ignorant to the fact whether or not spraying deodorant, chewing gum, or washing my hands after smoking, people could still smell it. Guess what? I had a heart attack, cancer, and still do not know what other damage will surprise me from my history of smoking. Am I bitter there are people who still smoke? You bet! But not because I want one, it's because they are not listening.

The Workout

For about 12 years I've been very religious about fitness. In the beginning my workouts were intense since my goal was to be bigger and stronger than the guy next to me at the gym. Normally this is good competitive nature. What was not normal, as a result of my not so well planned ambition, were injuries. Shortly after entering my 40s this desire to be big and strong seemed less appealing. Living a long and healthy life is not my main agenda and exercise is the part of the process.

A good routine is important in any exercise program. In order for us to actually see results we need to change up the order we workout our sets each month. "Sets" is a word to describe the number of times you do a particular exercise whether it be a machine, dumbbell or a floor exercise. Try breaking body down into components. Example: Day 1 - Back and shoulders; Day 2 - Legs; Day 3 - Chest; Day 4 - Arms. You might consider three sets of 10 -15 reps with a weight providing, not heavy, but adequate resistance. Abdominal, lower back and obliques may be worked with the same, adequate, resistance and doubling the number of reps with each gym visit. Note: Using heavy weights on the abdominal region will build the muscle and is counterproductive because it will increase the waistline. Always remember, if we are able to rise up from our beds each day, we already have abdominal muscles. However, if we want to see them, proper nutrition and a cardiovascular program must be included with each workout.

Sleep

Just in: USA TODAY 8-27-09

It seems like I rarely achieve a full nights sleep. They say 8 hours is adequate, yet I only get 6-7 of this peaceful experience. I do feel rested after my typical shorter than suggested amount, but I wish I could just roll over and sleep more. It amazes me when my significant other has the ability to doze until almost noon on occasion.

Eating well, exercising mind and body are key to a healthy life, yet nothing is more important than rest or even more to the point, sleep. The body does not repair or rejuvenate without going into a rem-cycle. A lot of medical professionals who prescribe sleep aids do not tell you some drugs block your body's ability to enter the rem-cycle. Most recently in our news we hear about Pop Superstar, Michael Jackson's battle with sleep deprivation. Though this is an extreme measure, it may bring to light the importance of getting proper rest without the assistance of medication. Eating well, and exercise will give way to a good nights sleep.

The Change of Life

When I was a kid, I remember my grandmother complaining about the temperature being too hot, when I was wearing a jacket. She would tell me it was all about the change in life. She said this happens to women as they get older and it was difficult at times for her to adjust to climate change. Additionally, I work as a flight attendant and I always notice when I work with more mature woman, the temperature on the plane is much colder.

Men and women together experience signs of aging. Our difference in physiology present us both with different types of physical changes. While men tend to slow down and notice their units become less reliable, woman have a process where their ability to be fertile stops. This is a condition called either peri menopause or menopause. Peri is the Latin/medical term for "around" or in the "vicinity" of the object or condition you attach it to and in this case, it's used to describe the beginning of menopause. These are phases in life where women have a tough time adjusting to climate, their moods, as well as physical change. Many women are assisted with these changes with medications or hormones prescribed by their doctors. This is a time in life where women need to be really in-tune with themselves and make the decisions which will project the outcome of the menopause phase. There are many conflicting studies regarding the use of hormones during this time in a woman's life.