The Fun Fit Blog

Exercise Versus Alzheimer's Disease

There's yet another good reason to be exercising!

A recent study investigated exercise and brain shrinkage in 64 subjects without dementia and 57 subjects with early Alzheimer's disease. Brain shrinkage was determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The researchers of this study concluded that increased cardiovascular exercise is associated with reduced brain shrinkage in Alzheimer's disease. Recent study results were published in Neurology.

So if you're looking for yet another reason to exercise, you have it. And if you are not too keen on the idea of your brain shrinking, then go and exercise! For all sorts of ideas on how to make fitness fun and part of your routine, read the The FunFit Blog Archives.

Have Fun, Be Fit!

"Functional Marc"

Benefits of Cardio For Your Entire Life

There is good reason to exercise as long as you can throughout your life.

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, examined cardio exercise, old age, and one's ability to be independent. I don't want to get too technical, but here are a few highlights from their results:

• "A regular programme of aerobic exercise can slow or reverse the functional deterioration, reducing the individual’s biological age by 10 or more years"
• "A regular exercise programme can slow or reverse the
  loss of aerobic fitness, reducing the individual’s biological age
  and prolonging independence."

So if I do cardio as long as I live, I can reverse the aging process and stay independent longer than anyone else from my generation. It sounds like a good deal to me!

Even if you love to exercise, don't forget that there are countless benefits to exercise. Never give up on your fitness goals. You deserve the best!

Have Fun Be Fit,
"Functional Marc"

The Biggest Loser Vote and the Catch

Only 1 week until the Biggest Loser Finale and America gets to vote for either Roger or Mark to stay in the game.

I don't know who to vote for. Both Roger and Mark deserve to be there at the end.

Click here to vote on the NBC site.

However, there are 2 catches with voting. The one catch mentioned in the show is that if you vote for Mark you might be giving Kelly and Ali a better chance to win.

But the other catch is how you vote. In order to vote, NBC wants the following information from you:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Phone Number
• Email
• ZIP Code
• Date of Birth
• Sex
• Cell Phone Number

This seems like a lot of personal information just to vote. But don't worry, according to NBC's privacy policy, "We also may send information or offers to selected groups of Site users on behalf of other businesses. When we do this, we do not give those businesses your name or address."

I enjoy watching The Biggest Loser, but I don't enjoy NBC's need for my personal information.

Who will you vote for and why? Leave me a comment.

Have Fun, Be Fit!
"Functional Marc"

How to Keep the Weight Off Long Term

The folks at the American Heart Association are always involved with research to keep us healthier. Results from a recent study indicate that continued personal contact with a counselor helps keep the weight off better than using an interactive web site to track exercise and calorie intake. In addition, the study results also indicated that working with a counselor works better than just trying to keep the weight off all by yourself.

The personal contact, which worked the best in this study, consisted of subjects talking with a personal counselor monthly (9 times by telephone and 3 times face-to-face each year).

For many, weight loss is not easy. If you’re having trouble keeping the weight off, look for outside support, such as a counselor. A little outside encouragement can go a long way with your health.

Have Fun! Be Fit!
“Functional Marc”

Bad Genes Versus Exercise And The Winner Is...

Some people figure they have bad genes, so why bother exercising? They may use their genes as an excuse not to exercise because their family has high cholesterol or their father died at an early age from a heart attack. But there is good news.

Researchers recently announced results of a "Live to 90" study. They found that genetics counts for 25% of one's lifespan variation. That means even if you have bad genes, 75% of what counts for your lifespan variation is what you have control over! Oh and no surprise, regular vigorous exercise is a substantial factor for living to 90.

Click here for the story.

When it comes to staying fit and regular exercise, don't let anything get in your way of staying motivated to take care of your health.

Have Fun, Be Fit!
"Functional Marc"

The Heart Truth

It's February and it's time for the Heart Truth.

Did you know that heart disease is the number 1 killer of American women?

Heart disease is a life long condition. Once you get it, you'll always have it and heart disease can lead to a heart attack.

There are many risk factors for heart disease. Some you can change, some you can't change.

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's web site contains tips for Heart Health. This site recommends several things you can do for your heart health, including 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every day.

You only have one heart, so take good care of it.

Have Fun, Be Fit!
"Functional Marc"

Slow Old Age Through Exercise

The Archives of Internal Medicine just published a study that provides more evidence that regular exercise slows the aging process.

The study used white blood cell DNA length as an indicator of human aging and compared physical activity among 2401 subjects.

The results:

• Increasing physical activity positively affected the age indicator
  

• "A sedentary lifestyle ... may accelerate the aging process."

Most of us would like to slow down the aging process. Until we come across the fountain of youth, exercise is our best bet.

Have Fun, Be Fit!
"Functional Marc"

Men Live Longer Through Daily Exercise - New AHA Study

More news to motivate us men to exercise....According to a recent research publication by the American Heart Association, daily exercise dramatically lowers men's death rates.

This was the largest study to assess a link between fitness and death rates in men. A total of 15,660 subject participated in this study.

Two quotes from the study findings:

• "Men who achieved 'very highly fit' levels had a 70 percent lower risk of death compared to those in the “low fit” category."
• “Our findings show that the risk of death is cut in half with an exercise capacity that can easily be achieved by a brisk walk of about 30 minutes per session 5-6 days per week”

Women were not included in this study. However, I'll go out on a limb here and say exercise is also beneficial for women.

There are so many good reasons to exercise. Stay motivated to exercise and you'll be rewarded in so many ways!

Have Fun, Be Fit!
"Functional Marc"

Your New Start on Fitness With AHA's Free Fitness Tracker

The American Heart Association is offering a free fitness tracker on the web called MyStartOnline. It's powered by Fitbug.

MyStartOnline tracks your activity, energy balance, and nutrition.

The site is very simple to use. For activity, you can enter walking, running, cycling, swimming, weight training, and aerobic activity.  For your nutrition, you enter the number of servings from each of the food groups.

In addition, you'll find healthy recipes from The New American Heart Association Cookbook along with fitness related articles.

Registration takes only a few minutes. If you're looking for a free online fitness tracker, give MyStartOnline a try.

Have Fun, Be Fit!
"Functional Marc"

Drink Like You Are on the Biggest Loser

In the United States, a new season of The Biggest Loser has begun. Bob and Jillian are back, but the bottled water won't be returning.

This season, the show is encouraging people to use water bottles instead of bottled water.

You can get 32-ounce Nalgene "Filter for Good" water bottles just like they use on the show. The cost of the water bottle is $10 (US). Four dollars of the purchase go to Blue Planet Run Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising global awareness about the lack of safe drinking water. I also learned that 1.5 million barrels of oil are used to make the water bottles that Americans use and toss each year.

Click here to purchase the water bottle on the show.

Consider using a water bottle the next time you work out. Not only are water bottles cheaper than bottled water, water bottles are also better for the environment.

Have Fun, Be Fit!
"Functional Marc"