Don't fool yourself exercise works.

HATE GOING TO THE GYM? Who doesn’t? It gets old pretty quick. There are soooo many benefits that you really have to stop and think about all of the great things exercise can do for you. As we grow older we need regular exercise the most to keep our bones and joints moving and to keep our minds alert.

Check out 20 health benefits that exercise can provide for you!
Exercise can…

•    Increase your level of muscular strength and endurance

•    Improve your looks physically.

•    Improve your body’s ability to use oxygen ( fitness)

•    Maintain your resting metabolic rate in order to prevent weight gain

•    Increase your stamina.

•    Provide protection against injury

•    Improve balance and coordination

•    Help you lose fat and extra weight.

•    Increase your level of muscular strength and endurance

•    Increase bone  density to prevent osteoporosis

•    Lower  heart rate and blood pressure

•    Lower Body Mass Index (BMI)

•    Reduce triglycerides,bad (LDL), raises good  (HDL)

•    Enhance sexual desire and performance

•    Reduce risk of heart disease and stroke

•    Reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer

•    Increase insulin sensitivity — prevents Type 2 diabetes

•    Reduce  anxiety and helps you manage stress

•    Improve the immune system function

•    Improve your self-esteem and  confidence

•    Help you sleep better and improve your mood. ( exercise relaxes you.)

www.ediets.com is where I found these 20 health benefits.

These are all wonderful thoughts to keep in mind when the urge to skip your routine is stronger than your will to exercise.

Chuck and I are striving for 10,000 steps a day (walking) on the days we do not go to the gym. On the days we go we walk to and from.  10,000 is about 5 miles a day.  More on walking next time I blog.

Take care and get out there and improve your health!!!

Chuckngayle

Older people are more likely to have additional health problems that are made worse by drinking alcohol. Did you know that drinking alcohol makes you more likely to develop osteoporosis? As we age the body takes longer to absorb calcium.  Alcohol interferes with this process, causing brittle bones and other calcium deficiencies. Calcium loss leads to low density bone mass and the bent, frail physique we often see in the elderly. Alcohol is dehydrating and toxic. It causes wrinkles and lines on the face and is damaging to the liver, bladder, kidneys, stomach, throat, mouth and brain. Alcohol affects virtually every organ in its path. It can cause stroke, high blood pressure, memory loss and mood disorders. For those of us who are serious about looking younger and aging well, it’s important to understand and be aware of the many ways in which alcohol accelerates the aging process.

Skin aging is a concern as we grow older even without the alcohol. Alcohol is  a major contributor to the aging effect on the skin. Alcohol causes the small blood vessels to widen, producing flushed, coarse skin, broken veins deep lines and wrinkles.  Smoking accelerates skin aging even more. Combine alcohol and smoking and the effect becomes far worse.

Alcohol is full of dead calories. We have all heard the term”beer belly”. That is where the fat is stored, in your belly. Consuming a lot of alcohol results in stored fat around the abdomen. One drink every evening adds 15 pounds of fat to your stomach in a year. YIKES!  Exercise is extremely important to keep this added fat at bay. Walking one mile will walk off the excess calories of one drink of alcohol. One can of beer, a single shot of liquor, or a small glass of wine or sherry equals one drink.

Women take much longer to process and eliminate alcohol than men. That is because alcohol is stored in fat and women have more fat than men.  The older we become, especially after the age of 40, the more fat we store. How well I have learned that fact.

Another danger is in prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal remedies. Not only  can they be dangerous but even deadly when mixed with alcohol. Always read the labels on all of your medicines. Many labels tell you, “Do not use with alcohol.” Taking aspirin and drinking alcohol can raise the chance of bleeding in your stomach.  Cold and allergy medicines when mixed with alcohol can cause drowsiness. Check your cough syrups, many already have alcohol in them. Drinking alcohol while taking some sleeping pills, pain pills, or anxiety or depression medicine can be very dangerous. Acetaminophen, found in many painkillers when mixed with alcohol can be damaging to your liver. Always check the warning labels on prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies and of course always check with your doctor.

You are considered an “at risk” drinker if you drink over 7 (for a woman) to 14 (for a man)  drinks per week. This amount of alcohol can result in adverse health and social consequences.

There are some good things about drinking alcohol if you drink in moderation. The French owe their increased resistance to heart disease largely due to wine consumption . Scientists have linked the protective effects of wine to an organic compound known as ‘resveratrol’ that’s found in red wine. British researchers found in a study of over 6,000 people over the age of 50, that alcohol can protect your brain, your mental health and your thinking abilities.
So go ahead and have a glass of wine. If you drink wisely the effects of alcohol on the body can be positive or at least not SO damaging. It could be good for your heart, your brain and your well being.  Keep in mind if you drink more than you should your looks and your health will suffer. Just don’t overdo it.

CHEERS!

Chuck and I have entered a contest to promote the new healthy energy drink from Monavie called EMV ( E to the power of Monavie).  The video is posted on  You Tube under the name:  EMV I Get A Kick Out Of You. You all know, of course, that Chuck is the talent, crooner, and comedienne of our twosome. I can only boast from behind the scenes. I worked on the lyrics, directed, produced the video and played at being camera girl. We had a lot of laughs and silly moments while we put it together. We think most of you will get a “Kick Out Of Viewing”our production.

We need everyone’s support with this in order to win. If you think we are deserving then please go in and hit us on You Tube. The more people that view it the more points we rack up. It is important that you actually go to the You Tube site to view the video or we will not get the credit. I have inserted the video into this blog, however, NO points will be given to us for viewing it here.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sz4JiVtDrI[/youtube]

If you want to learn more about EMV (E To The Power Of Monavie) and a great business opportunity you may contact Chuck and I at:  grammies1@cox.net or visit our website: www.theactiondrink.com/chuckngayle.

Thanks everyone for your support and please wish us luck!

Gayle Larson and Chuck Marone, Independent Distributors ID#1613472

How often have you felt like you need some energy? We could all use some extra energy through out the course of our busy day, especially in those afternoon hours after we have just eaten.  No matter what your age a bit of an energy boost can keep us going through all of the demanding tasks we face each day and get rid of the tiredness we might be feeling.  Energy is needed in order to get through the daily exercise we need, like taking a walk or going to the gym. It takes energy to solve a problem or finish a task. It is the enthusiasm or boost our bodies need to tough it out and get going! Does a lack of energy prevent you from accomplishing what you want or need to do? An increased level of energy can definitely contribute to a better quality of life. How do we get the energy we need?  It is vital that you exercise regularly and consume the right diet. Getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, losing those unwanted pounds, cutting out junk food and stopping the smoking will all help in boosting your energy levels.

You may even use a drink, usually with caffeine, such as coffee or an energy drink, to stimulate your metabolism or eat a candy bar for a sugar high. Both of these provide a quick fix but often bring you crashing down or leave you with the jitters or a headache or even nauseated.  There are tons of energy drinks on the market today that can provide that boost or high we are looking for.  Many are extremely powerful. The most obvious benefit of energy drinks is, of course,  the energy or power they provide. But are they all safe? Are they good for you?

Knowing what is in them and what you should be aware of before you purchase these drinks is very important to your health and well being.  Powerful does not always mean they are good for you. The power they provide may raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Caffeine is one of the most common ingredients found in most of these drinks. The caffeine in these drinks is usually much higher than what is found in coffee or colas and other soft drinks. Caffeine can keep you awake at night, cause indigestion, anxiety, agitation and irritability.  Sugar is also an ingredient that is common and loaded in most energy drinks. Sugar, as we know, is a quick source of energy. Too much sugar can cause you to be hyper or over active and can increase the possibility of dehydration. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic and promotes dehydration. Both sugar and caffeine can alter your mood as well as your performance.

Be sure to read the ingredients carefully on the energy drinks you purchase.  Look for healthy energy drinks that have no sugar added are not artificially colored or flavored and contain no caffeine. Be sure there are antioxidants included to promote health and well being and all natural ingredients. Stay Healthy Everyone!

ChucknGayle