Senior Fitness With Meredith

Staying active and exercising are well known pillars of maintaining health especially as you age. However, your eyesight rarely gets enough attention as also being a contributing factor to your overall health. Maintaining your vision at "age appropriate" levels is just as important to your health and wellness as physical exercise and diet. Moreover, there are things you can do to take care of your vision along the way which will help keep you independent and healthy long into your later years. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How our eyesight is key to our physical well being and independence especially as we grow older. 2). Why wearing the right glasses and keeping up with the maintenance on them is important to keeping you free of limitations (ie: walking, driving etc) 3). Some of the common reasons why taking care of our eyes gets put on the "back burner" more often than not which can lead to problems down the line. 4). How your diet has a direct correlation to your vision and eyesight health. 5). How smoking can effect you vision especially over a long period of time. /// We hope the tips in the episode are helpful to you especially if you are noticing issues with your eyesight or know that vision problems run in your family. There is no guarantee that your vision will be perfect as you get older but these tips will definitely help and give you the best chances of healthy eyesight for years to come. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.”-Deepak Chopra This quote reminds us that all possibilities are within. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking vitamins and supplements regularly is a great way to contribute to your health and wellness and many people rely on them to fulfill they're recommended daily allowances. The vitamin and wellness industry has been around for a long time to support these healthy habits but it has also grown significantly in the past decade due to things like advances in science and advertising on the internet and social media. However, all of this rapid growth doesn't necessarily mean it has been for the better. There are many new significant things we have to look out for as consumers to ensure we are buying and consuming the right products which can directly affect our health. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How the wellness space has grown to become one of the highest revenue generating industries of the modern age and the problems this can lead to as consumers. 2). Why we feel the need to take vitamins or supplements to help us feel better about our health and wellness and how the industry feeds on this. 3). Different suggestive advertising tactics that industries use on all media channels to convince us that we NEED to use or buy a certain wellness product. 4). Some of positive advances that the industry has achieved into making vitamins and supplements easier to purchase, manage and take and which are more effective than they used to be. 5). Some of the important aspects to look into and research when shopping for the right vitamins or supplements. /// We hope this episode has been helpful to you or someone you know who is having trouble navigating the expanding wellness industry when looking into finding the right vitamins or supplements. It can be easy to go down the wrong path and spend your money on a product that claims one thing but turns out to be falsely advertised. Your body, health and wellness are the most important assets you have and making sure you are consuming the right products for your health is key to living a long and healthy life. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”-Eleanor Roosevelt This quote reminds us that each new day brings new possibilities. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your hearing abilities are essential to maintaining everyday activities and independence. Years of hearing can take a serious toll on our ability to focus clearly especially as we age. Moreover, once we lose portions of our hearing, it does not return. Luckily there are a few easy tips you can follow that will increase the chances of hearing longevity especially in what seems like a noisy time in life. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How hearing loss affects people of all ages and not just older generations. 2). Some of the common ways your ears get damaged over the years from things like power tool noise, construction sites, airplanes etc. 3). The correlation between taking in loud noises constantly and your stress levels. 4). Some of the problems with new technologies like headphones and earbuds that can contribute to greater hearing loss if not used correctly. 5). Why getting your hearing checked regularly is a good idea as we age because slowly losing hearing over time is hard to self diagnose. /// We hope the tips in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may be struggling with hearing loss. This is a common problem especially as we grow older. Taking small but necessary steps to protect your hearing can go a long way and contribute to a healthier and more independent life. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.”- Norton Juster, ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ This quote reminds us that we need to believe in ourselves and all the possibilities in our lives. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exercising in a gym can have great benefits because of the vast choices of equipment that are offered. Treadmills, stair climbers, weights sets etc can be very expensive to purchase on your own and keep at your home. However, not knowing how to use these types of equipment correctly can lead to possible injury or long term aches and pains. Making sure you know how to properly use equipment found at a gym is key to staying injury free and healthy. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). What inspired us to dedicate a full episode to gym equipment safety and how important it is to become familiar with this type of equipment. 2). Some of the overlooking challenges that can come with using a common piece of equipment like the treadmill. 3). How your balance plays a big role when attempting to get on or off larger pieces of exercise equipment like the recumbent bike or stair climber. 4). Why it's important to make sure your resistance bands are always in good condition before exercising with them. 5). The importance of adjusting equipment to your body height and size before using and how not doing so can cause more harm then good. /// We hope the tips in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may need help with using equipment at the gym. Avoiding injury is one of the most important things to remember when exercising especially with equipment that can look confusing or intimidating. Making sure you go slow and take the time to learn how to use this equipment properly will keep you injury free and healthy for years to come. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“What's done is done. What's gone is gone. One of life's lessons is always moving on. It’s okay to look back to see how far you’ve come but keep moving forward.” - Roy T. Bennett This quote reminds us that we must always keep moving forward and looking to the future, not fixated on the past, only to learn from it. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experiencing a fall can be a traumatic event and can not only cause injury, but also have lasting mental and emotional effects. After a fall, it's easy to cause more harm to oneself if certain precautions are not taken. The usual first thought is to try and "spring back up" after falling but doing so could cause further set backs. Luckily, there are some things to keep in mind and practice in case you ever experience a fall which will help keep you safer and minimize injury. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). What inspired the discussion on this topic of what to do "after" a fall and why it's so important to older adults. 2). Why many falls go un-reported and how this is dangerous for those who do not get checked out by their doctor or PCP afterwards. 3). Why it's important to always have a way to contact someone if you experience a fall and no one is around to help you. 4). How falls can lead to further injury if not taken seriously or assessed properly. 5). Helpful ways to prevent future falls through checking your eyesight, regular exercise and more. /// We hope the tips we've shared in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who has experienced a fall. Making sure to take the necessary precautions after falling is important to minimizing further injury and contributes to a stronger confidence in knowing that you will be OK. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near.” - Margaret Thatcher This quote reminds us that hard work is what is needed to get what you want, and to get where you want to go! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspect of living a healthy life. We often forget to take hydration into consideration when moving throughout our busy day which can lead to feelings of "fogginess", mood swings or low on energy. What's worse is that we may not even think that lack of hydrating is the problem when these feelings occur. Luckily, there are a few easy things you can do to help stay hydrated without having to remember to drink fluids during your day. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). What percentage of Americans don't take in enough fluids during the day and who are essentially "dehydrated" which could lead to long term health issues. 2). How it's too easy to assume that you are drinking enough water during the day to feel "hydrated enough" and why this usually isn't the case. 3). Why keeping a regular water bottle or hydro flask with you during your day is a great way to remember to drink water regularly. 4). How using a timer app and scheduling your water breaks throughout the day is a great way to "remind" you and keep you on track with your water intake. 5). Why it can also a great idea to add flavoring to you water if you're not a fan of the taste as long as they are low in sugar or sodium which can work against your efforts. /// We hope the tips in this episode are helpful to you if you're having a hard time remembering to stay hydrated during the day. Living a busy life as we age can be a good thing but neglecting our daily nutritional needs can back fire if not taken seriously. Remember to practice the habit of taking in healthy fluids every day so you can continue to live your best life for years to come. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” - Sam Levenson This quote reminds us to remember that time is very precious, but we must not be controlled by a clock…keep going, keep living! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been getting many questions lately on the use of a weight vest as added resistance when going for walks or exercising. This made us think about putting together an episode discussing the pros and cons of this exercise apparatus. If you've never used a weight vest than our discussion could be interesting for you as well as anyone who has used one or is thinking about trying it. In This Episode You Will Learn 1). Our thoughts on why using a weighted vest during walking or exercising has become more popular recently with people of all ages. 2). Some of the different exercises that you can do with a weight vest in addition to walking. 3). How added weight on your body not only helps build muscle strength but bone strength as well. 4). Some of the important things to remember when wearing a weight vest that can help you avoid injury. 5). Why it's important to choose the right weight when wearing the vest so as to not exhaust or cause injury. /// We hope the tips in this podcast episode are helpful to you if you're thinking about trying a weight vest during your walks or regular exercises. Using a vest in the correct way can have additional benefits to your workouts but it can also increase chances of injury if not used properly, much like any other piece of exercise equipment. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Energy flows where the mind goes…” This quote reminds us that focusing your attention on something leads you to put more energy into it. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maintaining a healthy diet is a great way to keep your body and mind working in top shape no matter what life throws at you. However, doing so is usually easier said than done. Let's face it, we love the foods we love and sacrificing our favorite foods for somewhat "unappealing" options can be a big ask. Fortunately you don't have to give up the foods you love to maintain a healthy diet. There are many ways to incorporate healthy options into you weekly meals AND still enjoy your favorite foods. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How this article from the NCOA.org website inspired us to dive deeper into this topic especially for seniors. 2). How challenging it is for many adults to "change" or alter their eating habits in favor of more healthy choices. 3). How myplate.gov is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about healthy food combinations and portion sizes. 4). Why learning to read nutritional labels on products is important so you can be aware of what and how much you are consuming. 5). The importance of staying hydrated and why it should always be considered as a crucial part of any healthy diet. /// We hope the tips in this episode help inspire you to make healthy choices when it comes to planning your meals. As mentioned, this doesn't mean having to give up the foods you love either. Making smart choices and living your happy life is the key to well balanced diet and a longer future ahead. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.” —Stephen R. Covey This quote reminds us that we are in charge of what we do, being our motivator and actor upon those things! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living an active lifestyle can keep you on your feet for most of the day. Even everyday activities like going to the grocery store, gardening, or going for a walk all require much from your body and the best thing you can do to make sure your physical well being is being taken into consideration is to lace up your feet with safe and effective footwear. Not realizing how important this step is could lead to injury or long term chronic pain. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How your body changes as you age and what effects this has on your balance and overall agility. 2). How it can be very intimidating looking for the right shoe in a huge market that seems to be overwhelming with new shoe products everyday and how to block out the noise to help you find the right shoe for you. 3). Some of the things you should look for in a shoe when shopping and how to determine if it will be right for you. 4). Some of the reasons why we decide not to upgrade or buy new shoes when we should. 5). Why it's easy to take our feet for granted and how this can lead to health and physical issues later down the road. /// We hope our tips in this episode help you when it comes to choosing your next pair of shoes. It's very easy to overlook the importance of wearing proper footwear especially if you enjoy an active lifestyle. The correct choice of what you wear on your feet can help improve your activity levels and most importantly, keep you safe and independent for years to come. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try." - Rosa Parks This quote reminds us that we must try, and move forward, in order to create change. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sleep plays an important role in maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. It is crucial to recharging the systems throughout your body and mind to make sure you are performing at your best the next day. However, getting the right amount of sleep isn't always possible and life has many ways of challenging your sleeping habits which may not always be in your favor. Luckily there are some things you can do to give you better chances of a great night's sleep and we wanted to share these tips as written in this great article from our friends at SeniorResource.com In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). What inspired us to dedicate an episode to sharing these great tips on how to get better sleep and what is SeniorResource.com? 2). How focusing on reducing overall stress during your day greatly contributes to better sleep at night and some examples of the activities that help reduce stress. 3). The importance of focusing on a proper diet and how this can be a contributing factor to sleep performance. 4). The correlation between getting enough sun during the day and getting better rest when it's time to go to bed. 5). Why making sure your bedroom or sleeping area is dedicated to your sleep and why it's important to try and separate this living space from other activities. /// We hope this episode is helpful to you or someone you know who may be having trouble getting restful sleep at night. There are many contributors to bad sleep but there just as many things you can do to ensure you have a good night's rest. We also want to thank our friends at SeniorResource.com for their helpful article! Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” - Babe Ruth This quote reminds us to persevere and you will prosper! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.