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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
When most people begin their weight loss journey, they want to start with that stubborn belly fat. So, crunches – and lots of them – is the workout routine for you, right? Wrong! In fact, spot reduction in exercise simply doesn’t exist. Instead, trainers suggest these core-focused exercises that will help combat fat throughout your body resulting in less belly fat.
Burpees – this exercise works your core, chest, shoulders, lats, triceps, and quads. Great all-around exercise.
Mountain climbers – like burpees, this moving plank exercise works out a ton of different muscles.
Turkish Get-up – this 200-year-old exercise involves a kettle ball and is great for burning belly fat and conditioning your whole body.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
(Continued from part I…)
According to experts, the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is increasing age. Although age increases risk, dementia is not a normal part of aging.
There are more than 20 genes which affect a person’s risk of developing dementia. The gene APOE was the first known to increases a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and it is still the strongest risk gene known. There are also genes which directly cause dementia, but these deterministic genes are rare – they are estimated to account for less than 1% of dementia cases and cause young-onset forms in which symptoms usually develop before the age of 60.
Keeping active, eating well, and engaging in social activities all promote good brain health and may reduce your risk of developing dementia. Keeping your heart healthy, including by avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can lower your risk of dementia and other diseases too.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or for most other causes of dementia at present, the problems associated with dementia such as restlessness and depression can be treated. It may also be possible, especially in the early stages of dementia, to improve someone’s memory with medication.
It is also possible to help people with dementia in a variety of practical ways. These include ways of caring for people with dementia which build on the strengths and abilities of those affected. This ensures that people with dementia maintain a sense of well-being and individuality throughout their illness.
Although there is no known cure, there is always hope for a breakthrough. That's why it's so important to stay informed. World Alzheimer's Month is one big way to keep the conversation going.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
Every September, Alzheimer’s Awareness is celebrated worldwide, and World Alzheimer’s Day takes place every year on September 21.
Understanding Alzheimer’s is important because Alzheimer’s disease is the “most common form of dementia, affecting about 6 percent of people 65 and older.”
In this two-part article, we will talk about this disease in depth and give you some ways to get involved in this important awareness event.
First some facts and figures associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. Dementia is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain and impacting memory, thinking, behavior and emotion, like Alzheimer’s. Symptoms include loss of memory, difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing previously routine tasks, and personality and mood changes.
Important facts about Alzheimer’s are:
- It's a killer
About one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia — more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
- Deaths are increasing
Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer's disease have increased by more than 120 percent.
- Alzheimer's will affect more and more Americans
If current projections are accurate, by the year 2050, the number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer's disease will reach nearly 14 million.
- Women are most likely to be affected
Statistics show that about two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's disease are women.
- Hispanics are more susceptible
Statistics also show that Hispanics are about one-and-a-half times as likely to have Alzheimer's disease (or other dementias) as older, white, non-Hispanics.
(Continued in part II…)
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
It’s the start of a new month and that means a new monthly challenge. Because we love alliteration, how about the Squat’n September Challenge?
This 30-day challenge will have you squatting your way through the month of September.
Day 1: 50 squats
Day 2: 55 squats
Day 3: 60 squats
Day 4: REST
Day 5: 70 squats
Day 6: 75 squats
Day 7: 80 squats
Day 8: REST
Day 9: 100 squats
Day 10: 105 squats
Day 11: 110 squats
Day 12: REST
Day 13: 130 squats
Day 14: 135 squats
Day 15: 140 squats
Day 16: REST
Day 17: 150 squats
Day 18: 155 squats
Day 19: 160 squats
Day 20: REST
Day 21: 180 squats
Day 22: 185 squats
Day 23: 190 squats
Day 24: REST
Day 25: 220 squats
Day 26: 225 squats
Day 27: 230 squats
Day 28: REST
Day 29: 240 squats
Day 30: 250 squats
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
A recent study shows that magnesium deficiency has become rampant lately – almost 80% of Americans do not get enough of this precious mineral.
Experts say that magnesium is just as important as calcium and iron because it improves muscle functioning, supports the immune system, and plays a major role in heart health.
To increase your magnesium intake try adding these foods to your diet:
- Boiled spinach
- Pumpkin seeds
- Nuts like cashews, almonds, and peanuts
- Black beans and peas
- Fish
- Prunes