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Senior-and-Trainer

Are You Asking the Right Questions of Your Geriatric Clients?

/10 January 2022/ All MFN blog/

In the world of medical and mainstream fitness, assessment methods and tools abound.  We like to pre-test and post-test and record our findings to show positive change toward the betterment of our clients’ general health.  But what about their well-being?  Are we asking them how they are really doing on that day and in general?  Should we probe further or would that be invasive and make our older client feel uncomfortable and possibly interrogated?  

Vegan burger

10 Tips for Starting a Plant-Based Diet in 2022

/7 January 2022/ All MFN blog/

Did you decide to start eating a plant-based diet in 2022? No matter your reason—health, the environment, or animals—you’re making an excellent choice.

But now you may be wondering: How do I get stated? The good news is that eating a plant-based diet is easier than ever, and I’ve got a few tips to help you get started.  

Veganize your favorite foods

Going plant-based doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite foods! Chances are, you’re already eating plenty of foods—like oatmeal, pancakes, burritos, chili, pizza, pasta, and even brownies—that are easily made plant-based by simply leaving out the meat and cheese and swapping dairy milk for plant milk. Prepared plant-based alternatives to burgers, chicken, sausage, cheese, eggs, etc., which you can find in many grocery stores, can also help ease your transition from animal products while you explore the wide world of plant-based meals.

Expand your palate

In addition to veganizing your favorite foods, make sure you have fun trying flavorful plant-based foods that may be new to you. There are countless plant-based cookbooks and online recipes to get you started. How about trying Thai Crunch Salad With Peanut Dressing, Farro with Miso Mushrooms, Kale, and Walnuts, or Lentil and Split Pea Soup with Fennel and Orange?

Stock up

Now it’s time to stock your shelves and refrigerator. Be sure to eliminate sources of temptation. It’s much easier to stay on track when you’re greeted by enticing healthful choices, rather than those you’re trying to leave behind. Use the recipes you’ve picked to make a grocery list of all the ingredients you’ll need. You might even find that you’ll save some money when you check out. Recent research shows that a vegan diet can reduce food costs by up to one third.

Dine out

Finding plant-based options while dining out is easier than ever. Happy Cow is an app and website that lists restaurants around the world with vegan options. You can also explore cuisines from around the world—like Chinese, Ethiopian, Indian, Japanese, Latin American, and Middle Eastern—many of which feature plant-based foods as staples. But if you end up at a restaurant that doesn’t appear to have a plant-based option on the menu, politely explain that you don’t eat meat, dairy products, or eggs, and ask the server if it’s possible to modify a menu item or for the chef to make something. They’re often glad to, depending on the ingredients they have. 

Take B12

Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans provides all the essential nutrients your body needs. It’s also important to include a reliable source of vitamin B12 in your diet. You can easily meet your B12 needs with a daily supplement or fortified foods, such as vitamin B12-fortified breakfast cereals, plant milks, and nutritional yeast.

Talk to your doctor

At your next appointment, let your doctor know that you’re following a plant-based diet. If you’ve made improvements in your health, your doctor may be keen to hear what you’re doing! 

Get support

Dietary changes are more effective when you have consistent support or even a friend making the same changes along with you. Try reaching out to friends and family, meetup groups, social media groups, mentors or allies, or co-workers. 

Stay inspired

Keep learning about the benefits of a vegan diet with books, documentaries, and podcasts. I’ll share a few of my favorites. Book: The Vegan Starter Kit. Documentaries: Forks Over Knives, What the Health, and They’re Trying to Kill Us. Podcasts: Rich Roll and The Exam Room.

Take a class

The Physicians Committee has a wide range of classes. If fact, we’re launching One Healthy World on Jan. 13. The free program—taught in English, French, Spanish, and Mandarin—will revolutionize your health in six sessions, all free and on demand. We also offer in-person and virtual Food for Life classes around the world.

Download an app

The 21-Day Vegan Kickstart, developed by doctors, dietitians, chefs, and experts in vegan cuisine, features meal plans, recipes, and advice from nutrition experts.

Join Dr. Cullimore for his free webinar on this topic, Veganism 101: How to Eat a Plant Based Diet

Josh Cullimore, MD, MPH is director of preventive medicine for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting preventive medicine, especially better nutrition, and higher standards in research.

 

smiley-face

Balance Distorted Thinking – How to Say No to Negativity

/5 January 2022/ All MFN blog/

Start with these methods to boost your mood naturally and defeat negative thinking.

Some days I feel more anxious than others. Feelings alter the way we think, and thoughts can turn negative feelings like depression, anxiety or anger into a positive experience just as easily if we practice self-help exercises (psychological not physical, in this case) to dissolve the issues. Usually there is a trigger that sets things reeling. Certain exercises can facilitate a shift from negative thinking or illogical thoughts to a happier, more balanced feeling.

Realize that life throws us curve balls just to keep us grounded (pardon the pun). Staying positive is not realistic or easy. For every negative emotion (for instance, sadness over the loss of a loved one or friend), there’s both a healthy and a negative version. Here are some useful tips that can make a difference.

Have a Laugh

Fun is cheap. If you have forgotten how to have fun, don’t wait for the next wedding or family reunion to laugh it up. Research shows that having fun and laughter decreases levels of the damaging stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine. It also helps to laugh because it supports our immune system and protects us from illness. One minute of laughter boosts your immune system for over 24 hours. I am sure my last cold was short-lived because I made it a point, even when I felt terrible, to watch a funny movie or read an entertaining book. Turn off the news at dinner time or before you go to sleep.

Call a Friend

When feeling down, reach out to friends who don’t allow you to dwell on your pain, but also don’t ignore it. Stay away from the “Debbie Downers.” “If we surround ourselves with people who are joyous, hopeful, or make us laugh and live in the moment, that makes us feel much better.” – Helen Grusd, Ph.D, clinical psychologist

Say Thanks

You probably have a lot to be thankful for, despite bouts of pain or an injury that may have slowed you down. Focus on gratitude. Perhaps make a list you read out loud to yourself (it helps to hear yourself say the words) every day, and eventually you can memorize it, as it becomes a part of your consciousness and diverts any negative feelings that keep you stuck.

Do Something – Anything

  • Go out and shop for your favorite bath scent and take the best bubble bath since you were five years old.
  • Start a journal. When you see the words pop from the page it creates a different reality.
  • Agree when people might ask you to join them in an activity. Say yes to more things instead of no. Saying no will isolate you more in life.
  • Play more, be child-like and I can guarantee the benefits will pay off.
  • Don’t cook tonight, have your dinner delivered. Why? Because YOU deserve it!

Get Lost in a Song

It’s hard for negative thoughts to occupy the same space in your brain if you’re listening to happy music. A recent study found listening to upbeat music improves moods short term and boosted overall happiness over a two-week period. It can also reduce your level of pain. You’ll find yourself sitting less as you tap your toes to the rhythm of the song. Then, stand up and dance as if no one is looking.

Mood busters only work, like exercise for our body, if you practice regularly and before your mood sinks too low.

Go Outside

Those who enjoy spending time outdoors are more likely to like themselves. Be a nature lover. Taking a walk or hike, in addition to relieving depression, it helps distract from negative energy you might be carrying. If you would rather be outside and just pull weeds or plant a new exotic plant, that will work too. It also keeps fitness buffs energized.

Reprinted with permission from Lori Michiel. Originally published on Lori’s Fitness Blog For Active Adults and Seniors.

Lori Michiel, NASM, has been assisting seniors in their homes since 2006 with customized exercise programs including those designed to address Parkinson’s, metabolic disorders, arthritis and diabetes. These adaptive programs are specifically designed to improve balance, circulation, flexibility, mobility and promote independence. Lori Michiel Fitness has over 40 certified trainers who are matched with clients in Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange Counties. Connect with Lori at www.LoriMichielFitness.com.

male-trainer-female-client-gym

Fitness Has Become a Luxury Item. It Doesn’t Have To Be…

/4 January 2022/ All MFN blog/

Something strange is happening to the fitness industry. Or maybe it already happened – years ago – and I’m only just noticing now (having no social media presence can be a mixed blessing). There’s a shift in how fitness is being packaged and sold, a shift that emphasizes an almost slave-like devotion to the self. During my lifetime the act of “working out” was usually presented as democratic in nature, a basic right accessible to all. Now, it’s being rebranded as a sort of mandatory luxury item for this generation of digital nomads.

Hell, even the language has changed. Health is “wellness”; exercising is “training”; getting a massage is “self-care.” Forgive me for coming off as a younger Andy Rooney, but back in my day you’d hit the gym a few times a week, either before or after work, and that was that. Maybe you’d play some ball with buddies on the weekend, maybe run an easy 5K Sunday morning. Food mattered, but it wasn’t something to stress over.

Today the expectation is to be up at 4 a.m. for morning meditation and journaling while riding out the final wave of your 12-hour daily fast. Breakfast – and every morsel that passes your lips thereafter – is posted on Instagram for the approval of the oh-so legitimate dietitians, trainers and food scientists who lurk in the comments section. Your workout is no longer just that, it’s an “experience” to be shared with your tribe/team/pod, one that we must pause and express gratitude for whenever possible (quick, grab your journal!).

By now you’re likely wondering what my point is. Hasn’t the pursuit of physical perfection and ultimate longevity always been just a tad self-indulgent? And what’s wrong with indulging the self anyway? My point – and my problem – is that entry into this cult of wellness comes at a ridiculous cost, in both the literal and metaphorical sense of the word. Forget for a moment the time commitment required; society is being duped into believing you need a Fitbit, compression shorts and a $200 pair of lifting shoes to get in shape, when a notebook, sweatpants and Chuck Taylors will do just fine.

Of course, there’s always been a market that caters to the well-heeled. Peloton presents the most extreme example of this absurdity. Have you seen how much those bikes cost? And then there’s the monthly membership to boot. You could fly first-class to France and tour the countryside on your own damn bike for the same price. The same goes for Equinox – not a gym, but a “temple of well-being” that charges its parishioners thousands of dollars for the privilege of spilling sweat inside its walls.

Pay attention to the way these products are being positioned. Peloton ads feature every day, average folks pedaling away on $3,000 machines in their unspectacular homes. Lululemon ads feature every day, average folks running and bending and lifting in outfits that cost more than most people make in a day. The message is clear, yet entirely incongruent with reality. At least Equinox has the decency to showcase their upper crust offerings in the proper context; in keeping with the tradition of aspirational luxury brands, their ads make no sense at all.

Getting in shape doesn’t require a payment plan or a line of credit. I’ve spent time in posh gyms and I’ve spent time in musty warehouses and I can assure you there is next to no correlation between high fees and quality of service. In Toronto, Hone Fitness offers memberships for as low as $30 a month and you can bring a friend whenever you want. The YMCA has 120 fitness centers across Canada with fully-equipped weight rooms and loads of fitness classes; their membership subsidy program ensures everyone, regardless of income, can cycle their stress away. You may not be able to bathe yourself in eucalyptus-infused steam showers afterwards, but really who needs that anyway?

Paul Landini is a personal trainer, health educator and fitness columnist with The Globe & Mail. He specializes in making fitness fun and accessible to all, regardless of their age, gender or abilities. Paul has been a long-time advocate for plant-based nutrition and loves nothing more than dispelling the many myths surrounding vegan and vegetarian diets.

pregnancy-heart

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

/30 December 2021/ All MFN blog/

Prenatal Massage, Easing the Changes

What better way to show you are dedicated to giving this new life every advantage in the world than to arrange for a pregnancy massage from a specially certified therapist. Each session is designed to focus on the special needs of a mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes of the child-bearing year, which includes pregnancy, birth, and post-delivery. Massage provides a nurturing touch, which in turn, nurtures the life of your unborn child.

A woman’s body changes a great deal over nine months. Her weight increases, her breasts change, her blood pressure elevates, organs are compressed and pushed up, and the muscles in her abdomen become stretched and strained. Massage can help relieve pressure and tensions created by these changes.

Benefits of a Pregnancy Massage Include:

  • An opportunity for much-needed rest and relaxation
  • Balances hormones (relieving moodiness and nausea)
  • Increases fetal circulation
  • Reduces swelling
  • Relieves back and neck pain
  • Improves skin tone elasticity
  • Deepens maternal bonding
  • Enhances body awareness (making delivery easier)

Benefits of Massage After Birth

  • Post-delivery/Postpartum massage addresses the mother’s stress of carrying and caring for a newborn, speeds recovery and relieves sore muscles.
  • The childbearing year includes not only the three trimesters of pregnancy, but also during labor, and three months after delivery.
  • After delivery, a new mother must gradually regain her postural strength and pre-pregnancy state of of fitness. Your therapist will give you stretches and exercise you can do at home to help your body get back to normal.

How is Pregnancy Massage Special?

The mother-to-be is always carefully supported in several positions. When lying face-up, she is supported with the back lifted, to provide comfort and maximum circulation to the legs and the fetus. While in a side-lying position, special pregnancy pillows support the stomach, which allows the therapists to massage the back and hips. The belly is NEVER compressed by lying face down, nor is the belly left hanging through a hole in the massage table. These methods are less than ideal for the mother’s body and for fetal circulation.

Pregnancy massage addresses the profound changes a woman’s body experiences during the entire childbearing year. During the first months, massage can help her body balance changing hormones, which often cause morning sickness. During the Second Trimester, pregnancy massage addresses the upper and lower back pain that develops from the weight of the new baby. At the end of pregnancy, massage can relieve swollen feet and hands, numbness, hip, low back and sciatic pain. Pregnancy massage is also intended for the three months after the delivery to help the new mother regain abdominal strength, reduce soreness and relax muscle tension, and to offer a brief respite from the new duties of motherhood and caring for an infant

If you are in a “High Risk Maternity” category, or having any complications, you may still be able to have a massage, but you should definitely get medical clearance first. You should also call your therapist before your appointment to make sure they have a good understanding of what it takes to keep you safe and comfortable. Most Certified or Licensed massage therapists get instruction on working with Pregnant Mothers as part of their entry level massage education. However, there are additional classes available, and each therapist has varying levels of awareness and experience. We recommend finding a therapist that has an additional certification in Pregnancy or Prenatal Massage. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the therapist qualifications, and what they’re going to do during the massage. While you’re receiving massage, continue to ask questions as they come up. If at any time during the massage it feels worse than a “hurts good” sensation, then it’s too much, and you should speak up. Your therapist should never encourage you to suffer through anything you don’t like during a session.

Kathy Flippin has been a Sports Massage Therapist since 1997 is the owner of Dynamic Touch Massage. Kathy’s passion is to offer excellent therapeutic massage, and educate her clients on how they can take the best care possible of themselves. Her clients include everyone from professional athletes to active grandmothers.

 

References

  1. Field, T. (1999). Pregnant Women Benefit From Massage Therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mar;20(1):31-8.
  2. Field, T. (2004). Massage Therapy Effects on Depressed Pregnant Women. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jun;25(2):115-22.
Mirabai New Year Article

Health Coaching: A New Way To Keep Those New Year’s Resolutions

/29 December 2021/ All MFN blog/

So you go to your annual check-up and your doc says “whoops your blood pressure is up and you’re 15 pounds heavier than last year. I’ll give you some meds, but you’ll have to lose weight and get into shape, OK?

You say OK, you walk out and then what?

Join a gym, hire a personal trainer, go on a diet, take a walk? You might do one or several of these because, after all, it’s a new year and a new you.

Right? Right, and you try something. But how long is it till you throw up your hands and say, “ugh, I got started and now I’m off the track just like last year.”

What went wrong? Maybe nothing, except you might not have been psychologically ready to take those steps.

For any change there is a process. One of the models that are used is the transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM) developed by James O. Prochaska , Ph.D

There are 5 stages:

Precontemplation – going along not aware of a need for, or not wanting a change.

Contemplation – recognizing a need to do something to improve your situation and considering making some sort of change.

Preparation – doing some research, making small changes, or at least thinking about what you’re going to do to help yourself.

Action – Actively making lifestyle changes,

Maintenance – Having made changes, keeping the healthy lifestyle going.

All too often we jump from contemplation to action without being ready for the change. It can feel like getting off a plane in Antarctica wearing shorts and a T-shirt. You wanted to be there but you weren’t ready for what that change would be like, and what you’d need to do to stay there comfortably.

But there is help, a new kind of help.

The health and fitness industry is rising to the challenge of our increased involvement with our own health care.

Many of us still think of fitness professionals as muscle heads with great bodies and not much else. Those types will always exist, but more educational opportunities including degrees and certifications are spawning a new breed of health & fitness professional, one that’s part of the health as well as the fitness industry.

Enter the Health & Wellness Coach

Not to be confused with a personal trainer, the Health & Wellness Coach is a consultant who helps you go, through, preparation, to action and on to maintenance. The coach helps you determine your health and wellness goals and needs. Once you have a path to your goals the coach continues to work with you to help you find the behavior modifications, activities, facilities and allied health professionals (MDs, Ph.Ds, Nurse Practitioners RDs, PTs, Personal Trainers, Exercise Instructors, etc.) to support your healthy lifestyle. You can do this on your own, but having someone with health industry knowledge who has your back, who is nonjudgmental, who just wants to help you focus and succeed can make all the difference.

Mirabai Holland MFA, EP-C, CHC is one of the foremost authorities is the health and fitness industry. Her customer top rated exercise videos for Age-Onset health issues like Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Diabetes & more are available at www.mirabaiholland.com. Mirabai also offers one-on-on Health Coaching on Skype or Phone. Contact her at askmirabai@movingfree.com.

man holding woman hand

How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Hip Replacement?

/20 December 2021/ All MFN blog/

In the U.S., approximately 300,000 people undergo a total hip replacement every year, according to Harvard Health Publishing. If you’re preparing to have this common operation, you probably have some questions about the recovery process.

The good news is that you should be able to walk within just a couple of days after the surgery. That said, it usually takes around 10-12 weeks of physical therapy before you’ll be fully ready to resume your usual daily routines.

Conditions that May Require a Hip Replacement

The hip is the body’s largest joint, and it goes through natural wear-and-tear over the years. As the joint degrades, it may become necessary to replace damaged sections with artificial parts called prostheses that are typically made from metal, ceramic, or hard plastic.

Arthritis associated with aging is the most common reason why people get hip replacements. While living well with arthritis is possible in some cases, sometimes surgical intervention becomes necessary.

In addition to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis is another condition that may lead to hip joint damage. Patients who suffer from osteonecrosis don’t receive enough blood flow to the hip joint’s ball segment which leads to bone damage.

Symptoms that May Necessitate a Hip Replacement

As people age, it’s normal to experience aches and pains. If the pain becomes too intense and/or persistent regardless of pain medications, it may be necessary to get a hip replacement. You may also need a hip replacement if you’re struggling to walk even with the aid of a walker or cane, if you aren’t able to climb stairs, or if the pain makes it difficult to sleep.

The Road to Recovery

Everyone recovers in their own time, so you may heal faster or slower than other patients. According to WebMD, here’s what a typical recovery from hip replacement surgery looks like:

Days 1-2: In some cases, you may be able to start some light physical therapy the same day as the surgery. If you’re not ready the same day, you’ll start the following day. At this time, you’ll probably be on IV pain medications and following a liquid diet.

Days 3-4: After a few days, you should be able to walk carefully with the aid of a walker or crutches. You should be able to take pain pills instead of IV pain medications and eat solid foods.

Days 4-5: Depending on how you’re feeling and performing, you may be able to move from the hospital to your preferred place of recovery. While some patients may be able to go home at this time, others may need to stay at a rehab center for ongoing therapy.

Days 5+: After five days or so, you will need to keep performing physical therapy exercises and care for the point of incision. If you’re staying at a rehab center, they will handle everything. If you’re recovering at home, you may want to have a private duty nurse visit to ensure proper care.

Days 10-14: By the two-week mark, you should be able to stop taking pain medications. You may need to have your stitches removed if they’re not the type of stitches that dissolve on their own. You should be able to bathe or shower around this time (talk to your doctor first).

Weeks 3-6: After approximately three weeks, you should be able to handle light activities, although there may be a bit of residual soreness, especially during the evenings. You should be able to drive again after six weeks.

Weeks 10-12: By this time, you should feel fairly normal. While there may be a small amount of pain or swelling, you should be able to resume regular pre-surgery activities. You may still need to have follow-up visits with your doctor for around one year after the surgery.

How to Prepare

If you’re considering a hip replacement, the first step is to see an orthopedic surgeon who will examine you and inquire about your medical history and any medications you might be taking. The surgeon may recommend x-rays, blood tests, and an MRI.

If the surgeon determines that a hip replacement is the correct course of action, medical professionals will guide you on the next steps you’ll need to take.

Planning Your Recovery

At this time, it’s important that you prepare for your post-op recovery. If you plan on recovering at home, it’s essential that you make your house habitable. For example, you won’t be able to climb stairs while recovering, so you will need to make appropriate accommodations.

Working with an educated fitness professional after your hip replacement may also help accelerate your recovery after surgery. While it may seem counterintuitive to use your hip after surgery, post-joint replacement exercise can actually aid postoperative recovery by rebuilding the strength of tendons, muscles, and ligaments around your hip joint. By working with a physical therapy or fitness professional, you also help:

  • Reduce the risk of clotting after surgery.
  • Reduce swelling and fluid build-up around the surgical site.
  • Accelerate the time it takes for you to get back to normal activities.
  • Build strength and restore normal movement.

Because recovering from a hip replacement usually requires professional assistance, many patients also choose to book a stay at a dedicated treatment facility for the first 48-hours to week after their procedure. This allows them to recover surrounded by healthcare professionals who can keep them comfortable while also providing patient-specific guidance.

You Deserve to Feel Your Best

It’s no secret that surgery can be stressful, but staying at the right recovery center can go a long way in making this journey a positive experience in the long run. The key is to plan your recovery in advance so you can focus on healing when the time comes.

A hip replacement is a positive step towards a happier and healthier life. While the prospect of surgery can be daunting, try to remember that the procedure is extremely common. You deserve to feel your best, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with your doctor if you feel like a hip replacement could be the right decision.

Isabella Koretz, Founder & CEO of Pearl Recovery Retreat and Ciel Spa, has been an entrepreneur and businesswoman for over a decade. Her experience in the healthcare industry is vast and she understands both the medical professional and patient side of the industry. While her professional endeavors are extensive, she is most proud of her role as a loving wife and a mother of two beautiful children.

References:

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