The Only Diet Article You Will Ever Need To Read. We Swear! [Sponsored]

LEAVE A COMMENT 2015 January 14

What’s a woman to do?

Let’s say we’ve been eating horribly for quite a while and decide we’d better shape up, or we may not be around to enjoy everything we’ve worked so hard to attain all these years. We either run out and buy a gym membership, dash to the basement to use the treadmill that’s been gathering dust for over three years, or scour the internet to find a treadmill that’s been gathering dust in some other woman’s basement.

And, of course, we go on a strict “diet,” which means we either: A) Cut back our food intake so we’re eating practically nothing all day; B) Start the newest, greatest diet known to womankind, that every morning talk show has been touting.

If we actually have the discipline to keep exercising and eating like a bird, or sticking to the diet-of-the-moment, we probably will, indeed, shape up. We’ve done it so many times before, it’s a pretty safe bet we’ll be able to pull it off again. But will we be able to maintain a healthy weight this time? It’s another pretty safe bet we won’t. And so the next vicious cycle begins.

(more…)

OMG, I’m Exercising Again! [Sponsored]

LEAVE A COMMENT 2014 December 10

I am spectacularly out of shape.

Ever since I decided to work from my apartment, almost three years ago, I’ve become a slave to the computer and sometimes don’t get outside until I walk the dog, around 6:30 PM.

I know I’ve got to do exercises to keep my bones, muscles and heart strong, and eat foods that provide the proper protein, vitamins and minerals, but the treadmill bores me to tears and it’s not always easy for me to get the proper nutrition during a busy day. I started to get the nutrition part under control when I heard about Ensure’s new line of Active High Protein nutrition shakes that can provide the right balance of nutrients and protein, and with great flavor. Ensure,has been addressing adult nutrition needs for over four decades, so I trust it.

But the exercise—that’s a different story. If my life was in jeopardy, I couldn’t jog my way to safety. I haven’t consistently done any exercises for my muscles and bones since I stopped yoga four years ago.

Woe is me, I thought. I’m going to wind up a shuffling old lady if I don’t get off my duff and do something.

Then an email popped up that got my attention, from Vann Duke, a trainer in L.A., who calls his business Second Half Fitness & Wellness because his clients are 50+. He wanted to advertise on FabOverFifty. Hmmm, I said to myself, as I sent back a reply: “Lets talk.” Talk we did, on Skype, and I immediately liked Vann’s style, philosophy and approach. “A woman [or man, of course] over 50 needs to embrace the idea that she has a whole second life to live,” he told me. “Look at your body, look at your lifestyle, and figure out what’s important to you, now, to operate in your life. What physical capabilities do you need to get to where you want to go?”

(more…)

from →  , ,

What Do You Know About Yourself?

LEAVE A COMMENT 2014 September 24

Carolyn Hidalgo, one of the most passionate women we know, is a self-relationship coach who dreams how wonderful the world would be if we could all live “judgement free.” We’d love for you to answer Carolyn’s questions (anonymously, of course) to help her see what matters most to us.

(more…)

A Must-See If You Despise Exercise

LEAVE A COMMENT 2014 June 12

I hate exercise. I really hate exercise.

Yeah, yeah I know how important exercising is for us, especially as we age, but it’s just not my thing. I walk the dog every day (actually, I stroll with the dog), but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count. I don’t drink alcohol (not even an occasional glass of wine), don’t smoke and I eat pretty well, but I’m also sure those wonderful habits aren’t a wash for the absence of aerobic and “weight-bearing” physical activity.

I usually make my way to the other side of the room when I sense an exercise evangelist approaching me. Not so with delightful Deb Horn, the first fitness professional I’ve ever encountered who has figured out exactly how to motivate women like me. And that’s a big deal. Although it’s doubtful I’m going to become an exercise fanatic anytime soon, I’ve actually started to follow Deb’s sensible program.

Deb and I made a two-minute video so I could share my experience with any of my FOFriends who would rather take a physics class than even attempt to do a pushup. If you’re one of them, do yourself a favor and watch.

xoxo

This post is sponsored by Estroven. Thanks for supporting FabOverFifty!

Start Eating Like A Woman

LEAVE A COMMENT 2014 March 27

David, the man with whom I live, eats some type of pastry every single day, acting as if it’s the last day he’ll ever be able to consume cake again. He doesn’t gain an ounce. If I ate pastries every single day, I would look like the Goodyear blimp after about a month. No joke. I would.

If this scenario rings a bell, it should. We can eat exactly the same foods as our male friends and lovers (at exactly the same times), and exercise precisely the same way as they do, but our bodies, and our minds, will react quite differently.

I am sick and tired of reading about new diets that promise to change everything, from the size and shape of our bodies to the length of our lives to the level of our happiness. If I see Dr. Oz one more time on my Facebook newsfeed, hawking yet another revolutionary diet or supplement, I will scream. Most of it is pure baloney. You know it. I know it. Even Dr. Oz knows it, I suspect.

So, what’s a woman to do?

Here’s what: Order a new book, immediately, called Eat Like A Woman (and never diet again), by health advocate, Staness Jonekos, and women’s health expert, Dr. Marjorie Jenkins.

Eat Like A Woman (and never diet again) is based on scientific studies that confirm, at last, that what we eat and how we maintain our health and fitness should reflect our physiological, psychological and biochemical constitution, which is completely different from a man’s.

As the subtitle indicates, this is absolutely not a diet book. Like no other book that concerns eating, it teaches women what to eat, why we should eat it and when we should eat it!

(more…)

How Aussies Over 50 Get Physical

LEAVE A COMMENT 2014 February 6

Playing sports and getting outdoors is a lifestyle that comes with many benefits. Besides health gains, physical activity also offers emotional and social benefits, including stress reduction and improved confidence. Tennis made it on this list at number 6, so if you’re a fan, visit the Summer of Tennis hub to find out more about the health benefits of the sport and how you can get involved.

(more…)

Get Grounded

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 October 10

What on Earth is grounding?

When we walk barefoot, free electrons from the Earth’s surface are transferred into our body through thousands of nerves in our feet. The process, called grounding or earthing, reportedly provides health benefits, including anti-oxidization to improving chronic pain. Since most of us can’t go barefoot all the time, Get Grounded Footwear claims it’s created the next best thing, a line of tong-like sandals called Groundals. Made of 3rd Planet’s proprietary Terra-Technology® (a type of vinyl with a grounding additive), the sandals are contoured for comfort at our feet and provide traction on the soles. How do Groundals work? Justin Donoghue, COO, explains.

(more…)

from →  , ,

{Giveaway} Da Vinci Body Board

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 August 14

winit

fofFloery Mahoney, of Sante Fe, NM, is just a few years from turning FOF and says she’s in better shape than ever, thanks to an exercise tool she developed, called the Da Vinci Body Board (retail value: $495), named after Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” drawing. “I’ve always admired the way in which Da Vinci viewed the body as a work of art, focusing on its beauty and the symmetry in nature,” says Floery. FOF talked to Floery about what motivated her to create the product and how it works.

To win a Body Board, answer this question by commenting below: What exercises have you tried that haven’t worked?

How old are you?
I’m 47 and I try to maintain a body that is capable of performing like it did when I was in my thirties. I still want to hike mountains with my son, play tennis and wake up in the morning without body aches.

Why did you want to develop a fitness product?
I was a Pilates instructor years ago and I started the first Pilates studio in Vermont, so I have a good base knowledge in fitness. I was finding it harder and harder to stay in shape after hitting my mid-forties. I’ve always been a runner, but I noticed that I was losing muscle tone and strength. I’ve never really been a gym person so I started piecing together an in-home exercise regime, using fitness tubes tied to furniture legs all around the house.

What were you doing before?
You might say I’m a serial entrepreneur. I’ve owned a Pilates studio, two high-end restaurants, a clothing store, and most recently, two chocolate shops. I really enjoy the creative process involved with starting a business.

How and when did you get started with your current business?
I started working on the Body Board about three years ago. I’m a single mom and I was a chocolatier at the time. One day, I happened to use my ankle straps and my handle straps while doing some crunches; that was the “aha” moment! I realized that this “opposing tension” system made it impossible for my abs to ‘cheat.’ I started working on a prototype and then developed this full-body workout regime.

Where are you based?
We currently produce the Body Board in Fairfax, VT. I travel back and forth between Vermont and New Mexico.

What is a typical workday like for you?
There’s no real typical day for me right now. I do everything related to the business, as most start-up businesses require. I shoot and prepare video, work on website design, travel for demonstrations and fitness expos, train instructors. It’s really endless but never dull.

health2What is The Body Board and how does it work?
The Da Vinci Body Board is made of Baltic birch and isn’t an eyesore when it’s out, like most bulky piece of fitness equipment, yet it can be popped under the bed and out of the way. Stretch bands for the arms and legs, positioned at both ends of the board, are used simultaneously for strength training and cardio and work for any fitness level. They also can be used for rehab on certain injuries. Designed to build long, lean, muscles without tearing the muscle, the Body Board can be used daily, and requires about 15 to 20 minutes of your time. It also reaches the smaller muscles that support your joints, creating a body with a more complete and balanced muscle structure

The online or DVD instructional routines are fun and easy to follow. The “Opposing Tension” exercises, which allow you to work the upper and lower portions of your body at once, are unique and the system offers an endless variety of workout routines that deliver results in half the time of conventional fitness systems. The dancing routines that are used with the bands are a blast and help tone twice as fast as any other dance fitness routines.

Is The Body Board used with other exercise devices?
The Body Board can replace all other strength training and cardio exercise regimes. Since the exercise routine is so short, it gives you more time for to do “fun exercises,” like walking, tennis, golf, or hiking.

Why is The Body Board effective for FOFs?
As we age, it’s important to keep our muscles strong and supple. The Body Board supports bone strength and agility. Traditional weight training doesn’t reach the smaller muscles and tends to build bulky or sinewy muscles in women over forty. The Body Board is fun, fits into a busy schedule and will help keep your body strong, beautiful and injury free.

Why won’t this product end up in the garage after three workouts?
There are three things I focused on when designing the Body Board system to help keep it from gathering dust under the bed once purchased. First, I combined muscle groups and added cardio to create a short 20-minute workout. This makes it almost impossible to use the “no time” excuse. Second, I tried to make it fun and interesting. The different routines are designed to work slightly different muscle groups each day to keep your body guessing and your mind engaged. Third, the design facilitates a quick setup and easy storage, both of which facilitate regular use.

To win a Body Board, answer this question by commenting below: What exercises have you tried that haven’t worked?

P.S. Want a Body Board today? Click to learn more and receive $50 off, only for FOFs!

1 FOF will win. (See official rules, here.) Contest closes August 22, 2013 at midnight E.S.T. Contest limited to residents of the continental U.S.

from →  , ,