You can still get plenty of intentional movement even when you can’t work out.

Heck, it’s even more important on those days.

If you think about how you can move more, even in little doses, throughout a typical day, it all adds up before you even realize it. Exercise is still important, but don’t overlook simply MOVING your body daily, no matter what.

Here are ten easy ways to move it (so you don’t lose it).

1. Stretch for a few minutes each morning.
2. Walk to the mailbox every day.
3. Park at the far end of lots, so you’ll have to walk farther to the building entrance.
4. Take the stairs instead of elevators or escalators.
5. Invite someone on a walk to catch up rather than meeting for lunch or coffee.
6. Stand up when making phone calls or checking emails.
7. Set a timer to get up and move around every 30 minutes.
8. Dance during every commercial break when you’re watching TV.
9. Wear a fitness tracker and set goals for steps, calories, or minutes spent in motion.
10. Walk to run errands or shop whenever possible.

What else can you think of?

Incorporate moves like this into your daily lifestyle – plus regular visits to exercise with us. Give our 21-Day Strength and Longevity Program a try, and you’ll be on your way to a fitter, healthier, and happier you.

Sheila Howard didn’t recognize herself in the mirror after she ballooned to more than 300 pounds in her late 40s.

“I looked foreign to myself. I said, ‘I know you’re in there. You’re trapped inside yourself, and we’re going to get you out,'” Sheila recalls at 57.

It took years, but she finally did, after two scary medical diagnoses, multiple surgeries – and completely changing her lifestyle to exercise and healthy eating.

Now, she’s below 180 pounds at 5 feet 6 inches tall. Her medical conditions are being treated. And she’s on a mission to help others persevere on their health and fitness journeys.

“Exercise has been a part of my life for a long time,” she says. “It’s like my second chance.”

A Long Road Begins

Initially, Sheila could not lose the weight she gained from her two pregnancies, despite dedicated workouts and eating right. Her weight reached over 300 pounds.

“I went from this small person to this bigger person in just a few years, and the weight continued to pile on unexplained,” she says. “I tried all the different programs; I had a personal trainer, diet pills, water pills – just anything I could think of that I could afford, I tried. I went to the gym. I did everything I was supposed to do, and none of it worked.”

Sheila was eventually diagnosed with hypothyroidism. It’s a common disorder caused when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone in the front lower part of the neck.

The thyroid controls your metabolism, and without enough thyroid hormone, your body’s process slows down, according to WebMD. You have less energy, and your metabolism becomes sluggish.

That diagnosis helped, but it was far from the end of Sheila’s journey. She was next diagnosed with leukemia. And she eventually underwent gastric bypass surgery, at her doctor’s insistence.

Didn’t Want the Easy Solution

She resisted it for a long time because she wanted to make lasting, overall lifestyle changes – not just get a quick, easy fix. But her usually placid doctor had a “come to Jesus” moment that brought Sheila to tears.

Since the surgery, she has kept the weight off through a dedicated workout routine of weightlifting, running, and – her favorite — hula-hooping. She has overhauled her diet, too.

“With the weight loss came my full lifestyle transformation,” she says. “I knew surgery wasn’t enough. I wanted to be fit, not just lose weight.”

She’s even written a book about her journey. The title? “Trapped Inside Me.”

That was true for a long time, but through medical help, healthy living, exercise, and determination, Sheila has ensured that it’s not true anymore.

We are here to help if you’re having similar issues with your weight, exercise, and diet. Of course, talk to your doctor if you have health concerns. And do as Sheila recommends: Keep looking until you find the solutions you need. If you want a solution that has helped many in Sheila’s situation, click the link to learn more about our 21-day Strength and Longevity program and see guaranteed results.

Tips to Maintain Wellness During This Strange Time

Fitness is so important after 50, especially now when we’ve all been spending more time at home. That’s why we’ve been doing everything we can to help you stay physically active during this time.

But it’s also helpful to remember the other elements of wellness, too. We might have to put a little more energy into maintaining our overall wellbeing nowadays. But trust us: There’s nothing more important.

Let’s review the main components of wellbeing. Then we’ll share some tips on what you can do for them.

What Is Wellness?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) writes “People often think about wellness in terms of physical health — nutrition, exercise, weight management, etc., but it is so much more. Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit.”

There are many definitions, all generally meaning the same thing. We like this from one from the University of California:

“Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth.”

Most experts list six to eight categories. Feel free to adapt the list as necessary but remember to keep it as broad and robust as your life. Here’s the breakdown provided by the International Council on Active Aging:

• Physical – Exercise and nutrition are essential to maintaining independence and health. Period.
• Emotional – “coping with challenges and behaving in trustworthy and respectful ways.”
• Intellectual/Cognitive – “engaging in creative pursuits and intellectually stimulating activities.”
• Professional/Vocational – using your “skills while providing personal satisfaction,” including as mentors, volunteers, caregivers, and more in retirement.
• Social – “interactions with family, friends, neighbors and chosen peer groups.”
• Spiritual – “living with a meaning and purpose in life, guided by personal values.”
• Environmental – practicing habits that promote a healthy environment; understanding how different environments affect you.

Some Simple Tips

1. Move More / Sit Less. Every little thing you can do adds up. So put on some fun music and dance… stand up and walk around during TV commercials… work in your garden put away the dishes, and fold the laundry. Go for a walk, jog, or bike ride outdoors.
2. Volunteer online or over the phone. Call local charitable organizations, community centers, and your religious leader to see how you can help.
3. Express yourself. Write in a journal, paint, play music, or sing. Talk about your feelings with family, friends, a therapist, or a spiritual leader. Don’t be shy about calling people. Everyone is stressed about this, not just you.
4. Limit the time you watch the news or look at social media. It’s responsible to stay informed, but once or twice a day should do it. More than that can lead to being overwhelmed.
5. Order jigsaw puzzles, T-shirts or coffee mugs with photos of your family or pets on them.
6. Meditate or pray each day. Schedule the time and treat it as an important appointment.
7. Keep a clean, orderly home.
8. Read books. Talk about them in an online book club or with family and friends.
9. Research for your next trip, or plan something to look forward to.
10. Try to be thankful, tolerant, and patient with yourself and others.

We’ll get through this. Remember to join our online workouts, and reach out to us at any time. We’re here for you now and in the future.

‘Active & Healthy’ Campaign Spotlights Minority Care Concerns

It’s no secret that some racial minorities have higher rates of heart disease, certain types of cancer, and other health problems.

Plus, minority communities are often under-represented in the health and medical fields. And cultural barriers present extra challenges to access and treatment.

So, April has been designated as Minority Health Month by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. This year’s theme is “Active & Healthy.”

The effort promotes physical, mental and emotional wellness for people in minority communities. It includes “creative ways” to reach out to “older adults,” as well.

“This year, we invite everyone to join #ActiveandHealthy, a national social media campaign that will focus on the steps the nation can take every day in and around the home to keep our minds and bodies active, consistent with the social distancing guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19,” the HHS website says. “Daily themes will highlight simple steps people can take to maintain and sustain an active and healthy lifestyle while reducing stress and anxiety.”

The “fact sheet for older adults” explains why physical activity is essential to aging well. It nods to functional fitness, less pain, better mood, and longer independence. And it includes helpful reminders about how much activity we need (even during a pandemic):

• At least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity to get your heart beating faster.
• At least two days a week of muscle-strengthening activities.

The website has resources about minority health issues, ideas for social media promotions, an interactive quiz, and downloadable graphics.

Share your experiences and enthusiasm on social media. See what others are posting with the #ActiveandHealthy hashtag. And do what you can to help everyone enjoy a healthy lifestyle, now and in the future.

Being above the age of 50 and wanting to live a healthier and more active lifestyle is something that a lot of people not only need to do but also want to do.  But this is not the only thing that motivates people and every person has their own unique goals and aspirations.

Being Functional Aging Specialists means that we help men and women, over 50, reach their goals and do it with ease at mind.  Helen Peters is one of our awesome clients who came to us with a specific goal in mind.

“I got started because this summer I’m going to be attending my 40^th high school reunion.  I met Lisa at Rotary and I made a commitment that she was the way to make this happen.”

In just six weeks, Helen lost 7.6% body fat and lost a total of 15.2lb of fat!  Not only was she losing body fat but also managed to put on 6lb of muscle.

“I just feel that I’m treating my body better.  I love the eating plan and eating healthy, just on the outside of the grocery store.  They say shop on the outside of the grocery store, and that’s what we did.

I’ve always tried to exercise and be healthy, but again, I think it was changing in that for the first time I saw results.” – Helen Peters

Watch this video and hear from Helen how YPB has been a life changing experience for her. https://bit.ly/2r0OTu4

Have Commitment?

One of the main reasons that Helen did so well was her commitment to our program and the fact she was at a point in her life where she was ready for a change.

At YPB, we help men/women, over 50, move better, feel better and age actively. We have the knowledge and experience to help you achieve your best possible health and quality of life. If you are ready to make a change, like Helen, give us a call today!