The future of our health

[chaz345]

Since this thread has kind of turned into a foodie discussion , I thought I would toss a question out there to broaden the discussion to include other aspects of healthy living.

What does everyone do for exercise?

2 hours of basketball once a week which I'm about to leave to go do now. Need to work in 20 to 30 minutes on the eliptical a couple of times a week too.

 

[FaithPrevails]

I am currently doing nothing for exercise - which is horrible, especially since I'm pregnant. I just don't have the energy by the time I get home and getting up any earlier than I do is simply out of the question.

I am hoping to start walking again in the evenings now that it's cooling off (85 instead of 95 lol).

After baby is born, I will have access to a pool and plan on swimming, biking, and walking. I like to do toning exercises in the pool, so that will help with strengthening, too.

 

[JaneFW]

I get up at 5am Mon-Fri to exercise. Saturday and Sunday, we get up early and on Saturday we walk, and Sunday we bike - both outdoors. This Saturday we walked for 4 miles but did not bike as my h's knee was hurting. The week before, we did a 14 mile bike ride. I'm so grateful that San Antonio created some awesome trails that run alongside (empty) creeks, because you would almost think you were somewhere really pretty, instead of San Antonio, at least for a while. When we go really early - just before daybreak - we see deer and rabbits and there are red cardinals all over the place. Really pretty. I like that kind of exercise!! It's still too hot to be out after 8am, unfortunately.

Mon-Fri, I am either on the treadmill, or using weights. We do have an elliptical machine, but it puts too much pressure on my knees, and so I have quit using it. We also have a Total Gym, and that is great fun. I always emphasize the importance of women doing some kind of either weights or calisthenics, because it strengthens the bones. Women are at risk as we get into our 40's and 50's of osteopenia and osteoporosis, and exercise along with calcium and vitamin D is essential to hold this off. This can be even more so if you have a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis. I was disagnosed with osteopenia in my mid-40's when I finally persuaded my doctor to send me for a DEXA scan. The scan is really easy and quick, and my doc had to stop telling me at that point that it was too early for me to have bone loss, because the scan made it clear that I was in fact in the early stages! Both my parents had osteoporosis, and my sis (older than me) had already lost 5% of her bone mass. Bone issues, bah.

My exercise is limited of course by my arthritis, which is hugely frustrating. I watch those runners flying by me on our walks, and I deeply envy them. I would love to be doing that. Oh well ...

 

[FaithPrevails]

My mom was recently dx'ed with osteopenia, so I know that is a concern for me down the road, as well.

I envy your ability to rise out of bed that early. I wish I could make myself be a morning person.

 

[chaz345]

I get up at 5am Mon-Fri to exercise. Saturday and Sunday, we get up early and on Saturday we walk, and Sunday we bike - both outdoors. This Saturday we walked for 4 miles but did not bike as my h's knee was hurting. The week before, we did a 14 mile bike ride. I'm so grateful that San Antonio created some awesome trails that run alongside (empty) creeks, because you would almost think you were somewhere really pretty, instead of San Antonio, at least for a while. When we go really early - just before daybreak - we see deer and rabbits and there are red cardinals all over the place. Really pretty. I like that kind of exercise!! It's still too hot to be out after 8am, unfortunately.

Mon-Fri, I am either on the treadmill, or using weights. We do have an elliptical machine, but it puts too much pressure on my knees, and so I have quit using it. We also have a Total Gym, and that is great fun. I always emphasize the importance of women doing some kind of either weights or calisthenics, because it strengthens the bones. Women are at risk as we get into our 40's and 50's of osteopenia and osteoporosis, and exercise along with calcium and vitamin D is essential to hold this off. This can be even more so if you have a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis. I was disagnosed with osteopenia in my mid-40's when I finally persuaded my doctor to send me for a DEXA scan. The scan is really easy and quick, and my doc had to stop telling me at that point that it was too early for me to have bone loss, because the scan made it clear that I was in fact in the early stages! Both my parents had osteoporosis, and my sis (older than me) had already lost 5% of her bone mass. Bone issues, bah.

My exercise is limited of course by my arthritis, which is hugely frustrating. I watch those runners flying by me on our walks, and I deeply envy them. I would love to be doing that. Oh well ...

If riding a bike irritates his knee but walking doesn't and he doesn't have any injury, it's likely that there is an issue with either his seat height or the angle of his foot if he's using any kind of shoe/pedal system that locks his feet in. I used to be a bike messenger, I raced (poorly) and I worked in a bike shop where we did specialized fittings. A seat height that's even a few millimeters too high or too low can cause knee issues. Another very common cause of knee discomfort in cyclists is trying to muscle too big a gear. Unless climbing a hill or going very fast, you really shouldn't be pushing all that hard on the pedals. And your pedals should be turning at about 120 rpm. Sounds fast but a person's walking stride is about 60 per minute and the distance your feet move on a bike is about half a stride.

 

[dallasapple]

Not to change the subject completely I just think this is "funny"..for those that were on here saying we "need to drink milk for the calcium"...

Dean Inudustries the largest producer of dairy in the U.S ..is you guessed it the manufacturers of Silk...one of if not the leading brand of Soy and Almond and Rice milk...and the FUNNY part is???..they "boast" their soy and their almond has "50% more calcium than milk"..

Dallas

 

[WalksWithChrist]

Not to change the subject completely I just think this is "funny"..for those that were on here saying we "need to drink milk for the calcium"...

Dean Inudustries the largest producer of dairy in the U.S ..is you guessed it the manufacturers of Silk...one of if not the leading brand of Soy and Almond and Rice milk...and the FUNNY part is???..they "boast" their soy and their almond has "50% more calcium than milk"..

Dallas

I was thinking about this the other day at the store. I figure they are hedging their bets!

 

[Everlasting33]

Today, I found out that Iceland has the lowest rates of depression in the world and they live without sun for half the year! And, the reason? They eat a lot of fish, low carb, diet! Here is another link about Omega 3 and depression:

"Depression is least common in countries where people eat the most fish, such as Japan, Iceland, and Korea, while countries with low fish consumption have the highest rates. They includes the U.S., Canada, and West Germany. People with depression often have low levels of EPA and DHA in their tissues compared with healthy people, but it is not clear what this means."

Omega-3 Fat Health Benefits on Mental Health : The Prevention of Depression, Bipolar Disorder & Other Conditions : Healthy Essential Fats

 

[WalksWithChrist]

Today, I found out that Iceland has the lowest rates of depression in the world and they live without sun for half the year! And, the reason? They eat a lot of fish, low carb, diet! Here is another link about Omega 3 and depression:

"Depression is least common in countries where people eat the most fish, such as Japan, Iceland, and Korea, while countries with low fish consumption have the highest rates. They includes the U.S., Canada, and West Germany. People with depression often have low levels of EPA and DHA in their tissues compared with healthy people, but it is not clear what this means."

Omega-3 Fat Health Benefits on Mental Health : The Prevention of Depression, Bipolar Disorder & Other Conditions : Healthy Essential Fats

I guess eating at Long John Silver's would cancel out these benefits!

 

[WalksWithChrist]

Interesting article on allergies! Sounds promising...but I'm always skeptical of stuff like this at first that talk about "cures."
Peanut allergy cure found? What study shows - HealthPop - CBS News

 

[ke1985]

Interesting video on the restriction of carbs:

Big Fat Lies with Gary Taubes, 02/06/08 Stevens Institute of Technology#

 

[ke1985]

Paleo is the way to go:
Paleo Myths with Robb Wolf - YouTube

 

[Sailor_A]

Today, I found out that Iceland has the lowest rates of depression in the world and they live without sun for half the year! And, the reason? They eat a lot of fish, low carb, diet! Here is another link about Omega 3 and depression:

"Depression is least common in countries where people eat the most fish, such as Japan, Iceland, and Korea, while countries with low fish consumption have the highest rates. They includes the U.S., Canada, and West Germany. People with depression often have low levels of EPA and DHA in their tissues compared with healthy people, but it is not clear what this means."

Omega-3 Fat Health Benefits on Mental Health : The Prevention of Depression, Bipolar Disorder & Other Conditions : Healthy Essential Fats

I thought Japan had a really high suicide rate though??

 

[Everlasting33]

I thought Japan had a really high suicide rate though??

I am glad you brought this up. Suicide rates are not solely correlated to depression and/or mental health issues. Japan, a shame society (Shame society - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), often correlates personal failure to inadequacy. Suicide is tolerated in Japan and it is often closely tied to shame (unemployment, personal mistakes, etc). Achievement, not the person, is valued in Japan. And, I can see why this causes much pressure on an individual's psyche.

It would seem that a lot of individuals in Japan kill themselves out of shaming the family name. Their thought processes, nurtured in childhood, paved the way toward an unfortunate fate.

Although, it is of the paleo theory, that more fat in one's diet can be correlated to greater mood stability. Japan's diet is relatively low in saturated fat (other countries of high saturated fat--italy--also have a long life span).

Religious countries are less likely to commit suicide, although rates of depression may be high.

Unfortunately, no stat is out of the clear and there will always be discrepancies.

 

[CarrieAnnC]

Thank you for making so much of interest. For people who became vegatarian, has this change been healthy change? My upbringing is mainly meat-eating but my preference is too eat little meat. Now my children all leave home, we eat mainly fish and vegetable, cheese and bread and fruit. I like to shop a little each day and eat fresh.

 

[Everlasting33]

Carrie,

If it were up to me, I'd eat bread all day long I love carbs, yet they definitely caused many problems (weight gain, acne, mood swings, sugar addiction).

Limiting grains/flour/wheat has been really beneficial to my health. I still eat fruit and yams and a balance of those foods is key.

 

[CarrieAnnC]

I do not suffer bad health from bread I am glad to say. I do not eat much meat because it is bad for the colon. Even at my age I eat bread each day (break my bread at breakfast) and all is good.

 

[Everlasting33]

Meat being bad for the colon is one of the myths, according to the paleo diet. Eating bread, alone, may not be bad for health. But, it depends on what kind it is and how often. However, I do have a gluten sensitivity and certain breads cause abdominal pain.

Nothing more tasty than soft bread and warm butter!

 

[dallasapple]

Meat being bad for the colon is one of the myths, according to the paleo diet. Eating bread, alone, may not be bad for health. But, it depends on what kind it is and how often. However, I do have a gluten sensitivity and certain breads cause abdominal pain.

Nothing more tasty than soft bread and warm butter!

I believe sprouted wheat is better for those sensitive to gluten.(plus its DELICIOUS)you probably already know that but thought I would share what I have "learned" lately.

Dallas

 

[CarrieAnnC]

Meat being bad for the colon is one of the myths, according to the paleo diet.

Maybe according to a diet guru, but I have suffered gastro issues past 10 years with of course aging body. After colonoscopy, gastroenterologist advises a limitation on meat, and greater ease has occurred. Everyone's body is different.

Eating bread, alone, may not be bad for health. But, it depends on what kind it is and how often. However, I do have a gluten sensitivity and certain breads cause abdominal pain.

Nothing more tasty than soft bread and warm butter!

I do not eat bread alone. I eat many things, with bread a small part. Moderation is a good word - dans la modération - in moderation.