Prevention magazine's #1 anti-aging secret...

Reading a back issue of Prevention magazine, I noticed one common denominator as I read the different articles and exerpts on "staying young", "fight vs. aging", "beauty secrets", and of course, the "fountain of youth". The common thread?

ENGAGE IN REGULAR EXERCISE!!!

Also, follow a healthy diet if you want to live long, remain strong, maintain brain function, lose weight, AND reduce the risk of a fall. It's clear, no re-inventing the wheel...

The key to reducing the risk of disease and/or disability or learning to live with a chronic disease once it's been diagnosed is to follow a regular exercise program and eat sensibly. There is no magic pill. No excuses. No gimmicks.

But it's not rocket science either. Everything in moderation, including activity. People, I am an exercise extremist. I am addicted to sweat. I thrive when I exercise and I encourage others to give it a try. I want to share my years of education and experience with you by cutting to the chase and saving you the time.

Take 5 to Exercise. An actual, practical, factual approach to seated exercise routines. No experience required. Start seated and prepare to get more flexible, gain strength, practice better posture and maintain total body balance as you challenge your brain. It's educational.

It's entertaining,

It's edu-tain-ment.

Order yours today.

Warning: Prevention is cost effective and can be helpful to your health.

The Cost of Prevention....

   Retirement is a time of life that people embrace.  It is supposed to be the culmination of a lifetime of hardwork and sacrifice.    Unfortunately, in today's economy, retirement is plagued by fears of fixed income, increasing medical insurance, sinking IRAs and disappearing pension plans.  

My Take 5 to Exercise series is a sound investment in your health and long-term well-being.  A perfect gift for an older relative, an aging spouse, or a lonely neighbor, my 5-day series was developed to educate then demonstrate effective activities that reduce the risk of an accidental fall.

Fortunately, prevention is not only the best medicine but also your most cost effective investment in the long run.  My father always told me to look at the big picture and prevention is exactly that:  looking at the big picture of your health.  Regardless what age you begin, you can improve the quality of your life tomorrow by making healthier lifestyle choices today.  

Consistently engaging in a professionally designed and developed fall risk reduction exercise program is  the ticket to the quality of life your have worked so hard for and now deserve.

You will have peace of mind knowing that your loved one is safe because the routines are done while seated.  A new approach to seated exercise videos,  my Take 5 to Exercise series offers the viewer individualized sessions with their own personal fitness trainer:  ME, Kelly Jo Ward.

Give it a try.  Show a loved one how much you care.  Get them their own personal trainer... California based, former South Carolina resident, and Pennsylvania raised, Kelly Jo Ward!

Centenarians and Fall Prevention Exercise

Yes, yes, yes!!! I had my first centenarian in class this week! And he was a man!

I was late getting to class so when I got to the door, one of my newer students, Laura, said I had a surprise waiting for me. As I turned the corner, I saw that the room was full, there were new members, and 2 of the new faces were men!

Joe, 100 years old, (and obviously a MAN) came to class with his wife, Laura. Last week, she talked to me about his recent fall and I guess she decided to bring him with her! She's a real go-getter, a true survivor who is not afraid to push herself or her husband. And guess what? He did great. It was probably the first time in 100 years that he stretched his hamstrings but I have to say his form was perfect!

The other gentleman, Harold, was also with his wife, Marie. It was the first class for both of them and they did wonderfully. He stretched, struggled and smiled. I could see how good it felt for him to do the stretches. He was grinning as he checked his window and he was not afraid to challenge his balance.

Today was a fabulous day. The type of day that makes me smile from deep down within. To see the room filled with my regulars and the newcomers was such a wonderful feeling, I'm still smiling. The buzz around the facility is that my fall prevention exercises work, the seated exercise routines make you feel good and the instructor knows what she's doing.

Order my Take 5 to Exercise series today and find out what all the buzz is about.

Praising his precious name.

The Fall Prevention Lady

Brain Education for Successful Aging

Are you worried about losing your memory?
Are you concerned about losing your grip on reality?
Are you afraid what might happen if you do lose your memory?
Most adults are. In fact, over 80% of baby boomers are concerned about brain function, or losing brain capacity.
During the 6th annual ICAA conference last week in San Antonio, I had the opportunity to attend a cutting edge research seminar on Brain Education for Successful Aging hosted by Cal State Fullerton brain education expert, Dr. Jessie Jones and Master student, Nicole Dean.
Dr. Jones did a fabulous job of explaining what happens to our brain during the aging process and ways a person can optimize brain function while aging using the BEST training program.
My friends, the results are in: Physical activity is the best thing you can do to maintain your brain, the take home message was "What's good for your heart is good for you brain".

To improve function, tasks should be:

• Complex (aka, challenging)

• New

• Some type of aerobic movement that increases circulation

Studies indicate walking is one of the best exercises you can do because walking involves moving various parts of the body. By paying attention to what you're doing, you engage the thinking process which stimulates the brain.
During my fall risk reduction exercise classes, I challenge participants to practice the skill of walking in place. No big deal, right? Try it after years of using a walker or cane!
I challenge adults to lift the opposite arm and leg (the body's natural balance mechanism) and you should see the concentration level rise! Practice makes perfect and my class is a perfect example of that. The simple act of walking in place can benefit your brain, your balance, and your endurance. All in one activity!
Maintain your brain function and Take 5 to Exercise everyday!
The research is in. The follow along videos are out. Order your set today.
The Fall Risk Reduction Lady!

Cognitive function and prevention of falls

I was reading an evidence-based study today to familiarize myself with the entire "study" process since I will be conducting one with my Take 5 to Exercise program soon and I discovered an interesting link between cognitive function and fall risk.

Apparently, our cognitive 'executive function' or lack thereof is indicative of one's risk of a fall.  There are many tests to determine the state of one's of executive function, but there are two in particular that are predictive of falls.   If 'set shifting' which requires one to go back and forth between multiple tasks and 'response inhibition' which is the ability to suppress automatic reactions in favor of alternative, planned behaviors are low, a person has difficulty concentrating and thus increased risk of a fall.

In studying the home-based balance and strength retraining Otago Exercise Program, researchers discovered that an exercise program including balance and resistance training plus some walking reduced falls and improved executive function, particularly response inhibition.  This is the first study to indicate that an exercise program designed to reduce falls can also improve cognitive function.  Exercise is good for the brain and this proves it!

In Day 5 of my senior exercise video series, Take 5 for Maintenance, we do exercises that not only help maintain the shoulder and hip but also the brain!  I encourage viewers to imagine they are drawing a sword, opening the refrigerator door, do some Dorothy clicks....all from the comfort of your chair.  

Seated exercise routines don't have to be boring.  Engage your visual senses with the spectacular view behind me and my Take 5 ladies, establish that mind-to-muscle connection that stimulates growth, and flex those brain muscles as you imagine yourself doing fun things all while reducing your risk of a fall.  

Oh yeah, this is good.

The Fall Prevention Lady