Today I am celebrating 
24 years since I had open heart surgery. Yes!
Walking is a really personal gift to me. What do I mean? After my surgery, I asked my Cardiologist, “what type of exercise can I do?” He recommended that I walk, which seemed easy enough to do.
However, the truth was, after the surgery I did not have the strength to walk 
across a street by myself. At that point, I promised myself and the forces that guide us that if given the future opportunity to walk, I would make sure to honor that ability.
Many years/steps later, I have tried to accomplish stepping to the tune of 10,000 steps a day, which turns out to be approximately 5 miles for most people (30 minutes of exercise).
Sooner or later in life, if you live long enough, there will be changes/challenges that you will need to confront and overcome.
With that said, , a visit where my chiropractor informed me that I should not try to accomplish this 10,000 steps as day task in one exercise routine because it is not helping the issues I have with my back. He suggested that I walk half as many steps in one session. I was truly concerned. How would I accomplish my 10,000 steps a day???
I was encouraged by a recent New York Times article by Gretchen Reynolds. Her research revealed there is no scientific evidence connected with the 10,000 steps a day standard. In fact, the 10,000 steps standard started in the 1960’s where a Japanese pedometer name translated as 10,000 steps. This coincidence established that guideline.
The good news is that a new study conducted by Dr. I-Min Lee, a professor of Medicine at Harvard University, which collected data tracking the steps of older women (median age 72), showed that reducing the walk to 4,500 steps a day gives women 40 percent more chance of longevity, than women taking 2,700 steps a day. Other key things to note are speed walking is not a requirement, strolling is OK. Only the number of steps per day was studied. Results showed that this regimen of 4,500 steps per day advanced the well-being for women in the study. Men were not included in this study.
With these findings, I was relieved to know that it is “moving” that is important. Steps are a pretty easy way to get that done. So, let’s keep “moving”, and do our best to appreciate the opportunity we have to walk. As you know, I consider it a privilege. Let’s get stepping!
Sources:
As senior citizens, I think that we are often looking for ways to enhance our well-being: 1) by changing what we eat; 2) trying to exercise; and, 3) get enough sleep. And, of course, getting our regular checkups with doctors. By taking as many of these steps as we can, we hope that it will lead us to long and healthful lives, right?
In a earlier post (
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to focus more attention on what type of groceries I am purchasing. In addition, I want the recipes I make to be creative, tasty and healthful. My grandmother cooked what could be called ‘soul food’, which was always delicious and she was healthy all her life. She lived to be 94 years old. My grandmother was not the only person I know of who lived a long life and ate things like collard greens, macaroni & cheese, biscuits. I also remember her having a garden, where she grew all kinds of vegetables and from which she used to cook her dinner. I actually don’t recall her using a lot of fertilizer on the vegetables she grew.
Are you aware of the benefits that senior citizens (referred to as elderly people) can receive by eating yogurt? Are you aware that not all yogurt give you the same benefits, and why you might choose one type versus another type?
Just when we thought we had the right information about taking aspirin, a new study comes out to create confusion. Even though I have had heart surgery, I must admit I do not take aspirin. As a matter of fact, I only took it immediately after my open heart surgery 23 years ago. My surgery was not because of a heart attack. I stopped taking aspirin because of an allergic reaction one time, and I never took it again. Now, it turns out that I am on the right side of what is healthy for my age. Below is a summary of my findings, which I hope helps clear up a few things for you. Please use the source links for more detailed information.
unless you have had a heart attack; have a stent; had a bypass surgery; suffer from angina, or had a stroke.
Have you ever heard that 
I realize that many of us are not revved up about getting to a 30 minute exercise class, or walking continuously for 30 minutes. In addition, many seniors do not have the extra income required to spend on a health club membership.
I know that we have covered this topic over, and over again. However, no matter where I search for information about senior citizen fitness, the list below is repeated. Below are just a few benefits :)…
As we age, memory loss is quite frustrating. For example, recalling names, details of incidents we just experienced, or giving directions to someone. In addition to remembering our next appointment without checking the calendar to make sure.
