Millions of people don’t get enough sleep every night, even if they know how important it is to their physical and mental health.

And as we age, some people have extra trouble getting the right amount of rest (which varies for each individual, of course).

But here’s one thing everyone should know: Exercise will help you get more and better sleep. Studies show that regular, moderately intense exercise improves sleep length and quality. Whether it’s walking, running, weightlifting, yoga…

“Sleep quality and quantity are two important aspects of reducing stress, improving mood, and providing lots of energy,” the Functional Aging Institute says. “Lack of sleep and stress go hand in hand.”

The National Sleep Foundation adds, “Not only will getting your zzzs help you perform on a test, learn a new skill or help you stay on task, but it may also be a critical factor in your health, weight, and energy level.”

After 65, sleep issues can increase accidents, falls, cognitive decline, depression, and more.

Here are a few tips for restful nights.

• Don’t exercise too close to bedtime since it can stimulate your brain and raise your body temperature, changes that can keep you up.
• Maintain bedtime routines and schedules.
• Get some sunlight every day.
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and free of electronics.
• Avoid caffeine after noon and too much alcohol close to bedtime.
• Don’t drink much of anything as bedtime approaches; it could make you need to get out of bed.
• Talk to your doctor about chronic issues. You could have sleep apnea or another serious but treatable disorder.

When you’re not sleeping, train with us at Your Personal Best Training Studio, where our functional aging experts can assist you with your health and fitness goals. Try our 21-Day Strength and Longevity Program to restore your strength and improve your balance. Guaranteed results.

You don’t need a culinary diploma to achieve beautifully seared, restaurant-quality sea scallops on your own stovetop. A good, heavy skillet (not nonstick), a watchful eye, and a few simple tricks are really all you need to pull off this impressive-seeming feat. And these days, the individually flash-frozen scallops available in your supermarket freezer case can taste as tender and sweet as the ones fresh off the boat.

Scallops are a low-fat, nutrient-loaded source of protein that plays well with numerous flavor combos. This fast one-skillet meal, adapted from Alison Roman’s “Nothing Fancy,” is a keeper — full of tang, spice, and vitamin C. Canned white beans, tossed in the sizzling skillet for a few minutes before serving, supply a starchy component that melds deliciously with the other ingredients. You can easily reduce the number of scallops if you’re only cooking for two — but go ahead and use the whole can of beans. Any leftovers can be mixed with the other ingredients for a salad the next day. Serves 4. RECIPE HERE. – Susan Puckett

Ingredients

• 4 tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and thinly sliced
• 2 tangerines or small oranges, peeled, thinly sliced, and seeds removed
• 1 small jalapeño chile, thinly sliced (seeds removed for less heat)
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• 2 medium limes, 1 juiced (about 2 tablespoons), and 1 cut in wedges for serving
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 ½ pounds sea scallops, thawed according to package directions if frozen, tough side muscles removed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (15-ounce) can of cannellini or navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 teaspoons Aleppo-style pepper or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or less, to taste)
• Tender cilantro leaves and stems for garnish
• Corn tortillas or rice for serving, optional

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the tomatillos, tangerines, and chile. Shallot, lime juice, and 4 tablespoons of olive oil; season with ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste) and several grindings of black pepper and set aside.
2. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels and season them lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillets (not nonstick), heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the scallops in batches to avoid crowding the skillet, and press them lightly with a fish spatula for good contact with the skillet. Sear on both sides until deeply browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
4. Transfer the scallops to a large plate or serving platter. Without wiping out the skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, followed by the beans and the pepper flakes, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with lime wedges.
5. Cook, shaking the skillet occasionally until the beans have absorbed the seasoned juices in the pan, about 3 or 4 minutes.
6. Transfer the tomatillos and citrus to a large serving platter, top with the beans and scallops, and garnish with cilantro. Drizzle with a little more oil before serving. Serve with tortillas or rice if desired.

Susan Puckett is a cookbook author and former food editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow her at susanpuckett.com.

Sometimes when we’re stuck, it takes a loved one’s guidance to help us take the first step toward reaching a goal.

It can be that way with fitness over 50, whether the loved one is a spouse, friend – or even an adult child.

Fitness has a way of bringing people closer together.

Take Sandy Bauer, 77, who admits that, until recently, she never cared for exercise. She wanted to lose weight, gain confidence, and feel better about her appearance, but nothing motivated her.

“The worse I looked and felt, I just sat around feeling stuck,” she says. “I couldn’t get out of it.”

But now, Sandy can’t stand to miss a workout. She’s hooked – losing pounds and feeling better than ever.

The difference? She took the advice of her daughter, Kim Chiodo, 52, and started working out with Kim’s trainer at a gym.

“It’s taken me a lot to get started,” Sandy says. “But now that I’m doing it and feeling better, I really enjoy it. I like the way it’s helping me, so it makes me want to keep going.”

Working out with other people is an excellent route to fitness that millions of older people have found. As Sandy learned, the social interaction provided by exercise is one of its most essential elements for older people.

And exercising with family members is a great way to share common interests, encourage each other, and establish positive habits without feeling nervous about stepping into a gym or studio for the first time.

Sandy recently moved to Kim’s city, and that helped, Kim said.

“I knew her potential, but I could see her aging in a way that I knew she didn’t have to,” said Kim, 52. “She was exhausted, down, and frustrated by her limitations, and I knew she was capable of more.”

Sandy has been enjoying lifting weights for the first time in her life for more than four months now. And she has learned the vital importance of strength training for older people. It staves off muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, and improves bone density, balance, sleep, and mood.

Sandy arrives at the gym smiling, happy to talk with everyone she sees because she’s so excited.

“I feel proud that I have done this,” says Sandy, a former dental assistant.

But no one is prouder than her daughter, a speech pathologist.

“I’m so happy that she has this newfound confidence in doing something that she never really explored,” Kim says. “She’s happier. It keeps her mind engaged. It’s elevated her mood. She feels better about herself.

“It gives me goosebumps and peace and happiness. It’s been a bonding thing between the two of us.”

The admiration is mutual between mother and daughter.

“Every time Kim puts something on, she looks so beautiful,” Sandy says. “That’s what I’m striving for. She looks so good, she feels good, and she’s strong. She’s my idol. I hope I can continue as she does.”

Men and Women over 50, bring your parents and let us improve your quality of life by restoring your strength, improving your balance, & reducing your joint pain. Try our 21-Day Strength and Longevity Program  so you can enjoy your favorite activities with your parents for years to come.

We all know that most New Year’s Resolutions fail.

But do you know why?

Here’s one possible explanation. Most people set a massive goal for their resolution, and when they start trying to make that goal come true, they get frustrated by its overwhelming nature.

Does this sound familiar?

Did you ever resolve to, say…

• • • • • Lose a great deal of weight?
      • Or go to the gym six days a week for 90 minutes?
    • Or meditate for an hour every morning?

And then… quickly realized how challenging such huge tasks are and just gave up altogether?

If you have, then you’re not alone. If you haven’t, you’ve obviously never made a New Year’s Resolution!

Start Small

Try something different this January – or any time you want to build a new habit.

Start small. For example:

• If you want to lose a great deal of weight, then maybe start eating one healthy meal daily.
• If you want to exercise regularly, start with a 15-minute walk three days a week, add a few minutes a day the second week, and so on.
• If you want to establish a meditation practice, try to meditate for 1 minute each morning for a week. Seriously – set a timer! Add another minute each day during the second week, and so on.

Another brilliant tip, popularized by the best-selling book “Atomic Habits,” is to stack the new habit onto an existing one. For example, go for that morning walk immediately after you brush your teeth.

Try it. It works.

Build on each small success, getting stronger at each step. You wouldn’t expect to be fluent in a new language in your first class, would you? Of course not!

Most resolutions are about ABSTAINING from something – or punishing yourself for “bad” behavior. But this new approach is about setting realistic expectations for POSITIVE change.

Remember, it’s never too late for that.

We’re Here to Help

Regarding fitness, remember that you have succeeded at reaching countless goals in your life. You have a track record of success to draw on. It’s one of the great blessings of being a little bit older, isn’t it?

You’ve set big goals and reached them in the past. In your career, in raising your kids, in saving for retirement.

Getting in shape – or staying in shape – is no different.

We want to help you build exercise, and overall healthy living, into your daily routine. Consistency is key to getting good results and a long, strong life.

So is having plenty of support around you.

So is having people hold you accountable.

So is being gentle enough with yourself that you acknowledge your progress.

You get all that and more with our effective, safe and fun approach. Let’s start building your new habits today by trying our 21-Day Strength and Longevity Program. Our team of functional aging specialists will help you reach your New Year’s resolution.

Why be fit after 50? For millions of people worldwide, their No. 1 reason is their grandchildren.

Being an active grandparent requires physical ability – strength, endurance, and flexibility – that you can build in a gym or fitness studio.

When the grandchild is an infant, you want to get down on the floor and back up again. As the kids grow and get heavier, you’ll pick them up and carry them around. By the time they can run, they want Grandma and Grandpa to play outside.

Get them away from screens and engage in creative play that neither of you will think about as “exercise.”

Gain confidence with strong legs, back, core, glutes, and more. We’re here to help, so come tell us about your special little ones, and we’ll get you in shape for fun, healthy activities like…

• Visiting a playground to swing, climb and help them explore.
• Hiking in a neighborhood or out of town on a trail. Look for certain wildlife or birds. Play “I Spy with My Little Eye” or scavenger hunt games.
• Bicycling – As they keep growing, think of the special times you’ll have riding together.
• Snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling – Don’t let winter keep you inside. Bundle up, stay safe, and have fun.
• Skating – Roller-skating at a rink or on your sidewalk, plus ice skating in the winter.
• Working out – If you’ve walked them to, say, gymnastics practice, sneak in your own workout if possible.

Stay fit all year long with us. You can start now by trying our 21-Day Strength and Longevity Program, and you will be able to pick them up and carry them for years to come.

There’s bad news about new year’s resolutions, and then there’s good news.

First, the bad news: Most of them fail.

Now the good news: People over 50 have more life experience and tools to succeed at them. You’re more realistic, focused, and balanced.

As fitness experts, we know that plenty of people start each year wanting to get in shape. So, they join a gym or studio like ours, determined to stick with it, lose weight, eat better, etc.

That’s great. We want everyone to gain the benefits of exercise. But not as many incorporate fitness habits into their lifestyle for the long term.

We’re here to help. We look forward to answering any questions you have. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking on track.

1. Embrace Your Hard-Earned Wisdom. Nobody knows you better than you, especially at this point in life. You’ve set and reached many goals before. You know which kind of exercise you like, what time of day works for you, etc.
2. Forget Anyone’s Expectations. Along those lines, shake loose society’s standards about what your body is “supposed” to look like. If for no other reason, move your body because it makes you feel good. The rest will follow.
3. Focus on Movement, Not Weight. That number on the scale is not the most crucial factor.
4. Slow Your Roll. By now, you’ve probably learned the value of starting with one specific goal. It can be as simple as walking around the neighborhood three times a week or joining one of our sessions a certain number of times per week.
5. Revel in Your Freedom. People over 50 tend to have fewer children at home, so there’s less pressure to rush back to the daily grind after the holiday break. And retired people get even more freedom from the onslaught of job stress after the period of holiday bliss.
6. Remember What You Want – Specifically. Get specific. (“I want to play ball with Timmy this spring,”… “I want to feel stronger on the golf course,”… “I want to look good when I walk my granddaughter down the aisle.”). Remember this goal whenever you’re frustrated or need motivation.
7. Count Your Blessings. Exercise is a celebration of what we can do – not punishment for other actions. It’s a chance to show you want to be here and happy for as long as possible. Gratitude is a much better motivator than complaining or channel-surfing.
8. Grab a Buddy. Many people are more likely to succeed with someone than alone, whether with a friend, adult child, or spouse. Or come in and make new workout friends here. The social component is one of the countless blessings of being a member.
9. Avoid the Label. Don’t think of it as a “New Year’s Resolution.” That’s too much pressure! You’re moving that body every day, one day at a time.

Remember, we’re here for you! Let one of our functional aging experts help you reach your goals. You can start now by trying our 21-Day Strength and Longevity Program.

Inspired by creamy turkey and wild rice soup recipes, this vegetarian mushroom soup recipe is a whole lot lighter and gets a rich flavor boost from caramelized leeks. Serve with a green salad with sherry vinaigrette and crusty bread to sop up any bits left in the bowl –  from AARP.

A Healthy Recipe

Prep/Cook Time: 1:50 Hours, Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 cups sliced leeks (4-6 medium leeks)
• 1/2 cup dry sherry
• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups sliced celery
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 6 cups mushroom broth
• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup wild rice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons sour cream
• 6 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook, occasionally stirring, until starting to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking, often stirring, until the leeks are golden brown and very tender, 5 to 10 minutes more.
2. Add sherry and cook, often stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms and celery and cook, frequently stirring, until the mushroom liquid evaporates, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add broth, water, and rice; cover and bring to a simmer.
3. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, occasionally stirring, until the rice is tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Season with pepper and salt and serve each portion topped with 1 tablespoon each sour cream and almonds.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving: 309 calories; 13 g fat (3 g sat, 8 g mono); 6 mg cholesterol; 39 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 6 g total sugars; 9 g protein; 5 g fiber; 566 mg sodium; 749 mg potassium

Eating well & exercise, a healthy combination!

If you are looking for help in creating your own healthy habits, check out our 21-Day Longevity and Strength Program? We will help you extend the length and quality of your life by restoring your strength, improving your balance, and reducing your joint pain.

Join our 21-day longevity and strength program today! <<<

A dose of motivation will change your life almost overnight.

The best part of my job is seeing our clients who are over 50-year-old achieve amazing results. Whether they begin to move better, feel betters, get off their blood pressure meds, or improve their health in any way, the excitement is always contagious.

There isn’t a clear way to describe the euphoria that settles in once you’ve begun to realize your fitness goal. You have to experience it.

Though each successful client is unique with different goals, one element unites them.

They are all highly motivated.

You see, I am in a unique position. I know how to get you (or anyone else who walks through my door) into much better shape. I can coach you through a 50-pound weight loss. I can guide you to a healthier body. I can even train you into a toned master athlete.

But there is one catch.

You’ll need to be motivated.

See, saying that you want to get into better shape isn’t enough. You need motivation—and that’s just half of the equation. The other part (and the most important) is ACTION.

Nothing happens until you take action.

You can want it, think about it, mull it over, ponder it, plan it, and then re-plan it. But nothing happens until you take action.

While I may not know your story—it’s probably safe to assume that you are dissatisfied with the condition of your health and know that you can improve your fitness level. You want to look better, to have more energy, to experience fewer aches and pains, and to enjoy sweet satisfaction as you achieve your goals once and for all.

I know that all of my successful clients were once in your shoes. They wanted to change the way they were moving, feeling, and looking. They felt the urgency. And then they did what most fail to do. They took action, and they contacted my training studio.

But there is more to it than that. Our successful clients from the get-go committed to a program, put in the exercise, stuck to their diet, and met their goals. There’s nothing more gratifying than breathing and moving better and as a bonus,  getting back into those clothes that now sit in the back of your closet.

The men and women we reach out to who take massive action get massive rewards. And those that talk about getting in better shape will continue on an aging trajectory that is in rapid decline. I hate to put it that way, but it’s the truth.

So what do you want?

• To move better
• To feel younger
• To drop 20 pounds
• To look better in your clothes.
• To become healthier overall.

How bad do you want it? How much motivation do you have? Do you have enough motivation to take MASSIVE ACTION?

The rewards are great IF you do.

(Your first step is to call or email me now to get started.)

​If you’re not local, it’s ok; find a Certified Functional Aging Specialist near you ​

Big life changes often follow a moment of clarity that can be startling, liberating or even painful.

For Gina Gross, 59, her epiphany came while she and her husband were taking a tour of a gym in their new community.

Gross was a recently retired nurse and had become obese over the years, weighing 340 pounds at 5 feet 10 inches tall.

“That was a very tough day,” she recalls now, two years after the gym tour. “I felt like a failure. I’m too smart to have done this to myself, and I did it.”

Gina turned that heartache into determination. So far, she’s down about 100 pounds, and she’s determined to get below 200.

She says the demands of her ER job contributed to her weight gain. It then made her final working years even more difficult, particularly on her feet and knees. “Once you get to my size, with pain and arthritis, you don’t feel good working,” she says.

Now she has enrolled in a healthy eating course and stuck with her exercise routine. She even keeps building on it. She walks, takes water aerobics, and spends hours a day at the gym working out with weights. Her husband has joined her, and they’ve started hiking in the nearby hills.

“Now it’s a part of our lives,” she says. “I still have a long way to go, but I feel so good. I feel proud, and I feel like my whole life has changed.”

Wanting to drop a few pounds but not able to?

There are few things more frustrating than wanting to be slimmer and to tone your body, without any success.

Read the following 7 Reasons Your Weight Won’t Budge to discover what is standing in your way and how to quickly and easily begin your fat loss journey.

Reason #1: Your Mind

Your mind is your number one ally when it comes to achieving your goals. However, until your mind has been programmed for success, it will do more to derail your efforts than to help you.

• Take a few moments each day to visualize yourself at your ideal weight. Imagine how it feels to look the way you’ve always wanted.
• Protect your mind from any negative self talk. If a negative thought comes to mind, immediately reject it.
• You want to be thin and fit, and yet you think of yourself as out-of-shape and fat. Re-program your mind to think of yourself as fit and attractive, and you will be well on your way toward achieving your goal.
• Give up the belief that you can’t achieve the body you’ve always dreamed of. See it first in your mind, and then in the mirror.

Reason #2: Your Fear

Change makes most of us nervous – even if it is a change in the right direction. You may not be consciously aware of the fear you have of getting into shape. Until you conquer this fear, your weight loss efforts will be blocked by self-sabotage. Professional speaker and author, Anthony Robbins, has outlined three specific beliefs that you must have in order to conquer your fear and instantly create a lasting change.

• Believe that something MUST change. You can’t be wishy-washy about it. You can’t be considering it. You can’t even be pretty sure about it. You’ve got to be rock solid.
• Believe that YOU must change it. You can’t pass the buck of responsibility and expect to lose weight. It’s on your shoulders. Other people will prove to be great assets in your journey, but in the end you are the one who is going to make it happen. You have to want this weight loss enough to make it your personal mission.
• Believe you CAN change it. You may have failed in the past, but that doesn’t matter. When you put your mind to it, you’re able to do amazing things. Do you believe that you are capable of losing weight? Once you own the belief that you can, you’ll be unstoppable.

Reason #3: Your Excuses

Your excuses for being out-of-shape are getting old. An excuse takes less immediate effort than an action, but in the long run the action taker always has the advantage. Don’t allow excuses to ruin your life any longer.

• Don’t skip out on your responsibilities with excuses, instead expect more from yourself.
• Focus on the big reason why you are losing the weight. Make a list of the benefits you’ll enjoy once you achieve your goal and read them first thing each morning.
• Remember that you can only have two things in life: excuses or results. Which do you want?

Reason #4: Your Commitment

How many times have you tried to lose weight, only to give up a week or two later? We live in a commitment-phobic world, so it’s no wonder that you routinely abandon your goals. If you truly want to lose fat then your commitment to the process is a must.

• The margin between success and failure is bridged by your commitment. Don’t give up until your goal has been achieved.
• Treat exercise with the same importance as a work meeting, and you’ll never skip it at the last minute. Find three available 60-minute time slots in your schedule and mark them (in pen) on your calendar. Now stick to your schedule.
• If you don’t give up, then you’ll never fail.

Reason #5: Your Diet

If you consistently eat the wrong food, then your weight loss efforts will all be in vain. To put it bluntly, you need to stop eating junk. Processed foods, refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup do not belong in your diet if you want to be in great shape. Cut these items out of your diet and replace them with real whole foods like lean meats, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fruits.

• Don’t eat processed foods. Even though processed foods are accepted by our society, they contain tons of chemicals and empty calories that will make you sick and fat.
• Fat contains twice the caloric density of protein and carbohydrates, so make sure to limit the amount that you consume. Eat lots of lean proteins and wholesome carbohydrates from plants and whole grains.
• Vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts and seeds are filled with fiber and antioxidants which are vital for healthy weight loss. Snack on these instead of packaged treats.

Reason #6: Your Patience

It takes time to transform your body from fat to fit, even though you want it to happen overnight. Remind yourself that it took time to put the weight on, so it will take time to take the weight off. When you find your patience wavering, or when you encounter a frustrating plateau, do the following:

• Review your goal. Is it specific and measurable? Is it small and attainable, rather than monumental? Focus on your goal when the going gets tough.
• Make each workout a new experience. Challenge your body with different resistance, new exercises and a varied pace.
• Remember that anyone can have one great workout, but that won’t get you the body you want. The only way to achieve your goal is by consistently exercising and eating right, plain and simple.

Reason #7: Your Support

People who exercise alone are less challenged, less accountable and are more likely to fail. It makes sense. Who would rush to the gym if no one is was waiting for them? Who would push themselves if no one was paying attention? Exercising alone is a recipe for disaster.

• Find a workout partner who is in better shape than you, or better yet, work with me, your local fitness expert, to guarantee your results.
• I am passionate about seeing you achieve results—don’t waste your time, energy and effort on mistakes.
• When you start a program with me, you suddenly have the upper hand on weight loss. I’ll be in your corner, coaching you each step of the way, keeping you accountable to workouts and giving you that dose of encouragement when you need it most.