aD-
STAYIN
U
IG
Keeping Your Body Active
T
here is no doubt that Americans
are living longer. Since the
early 1900s, life expectancy has
increased from 48 to 80 years for women
and from 46 to 75 for men. It is predicted
by the year 2050 that the number of
Americans reaching the age of 100 will
quadruple.
Now, these are some very scary, but
exciting facts. The big question really is
how do we stay young as our chronologi-
cal age increases. There are multiple fac-
tors to slowing down Father Time. Not
only does staying young have a physical
component, but a very psychological one
as well.
Let's talk about some of the physiologi-
cal factors first. Staying in good physical
shape is key to retaining youth because
exercise is not only good for the body, but
for the mind as well.
The human body is the only machine
that wears out if it is not used. By the
age of 30, you've reached your peak bone
mass. At that point, most of our
bodies are still building bone;
however, we are breaking bone
mass down faster than the body
can replenish it. Like muscles,
bones get stronger when we use
them. Through weight training,
aerobic exercise and even walk-
ing, our bones respond to the
stress we put on them by get-
ting harder instead of brittle.
Literally, we can remain
young at heart by simply
increasing our aerobic activity
and making some simple life-
style changes.
We already know that 30 minutes of
aerobic activity at least four days a week
greatly reduces risk of heart disease.
That, combined with a low-fat diet high
in complex carbohydrates and at least
five servings of fruits and vegetables, will
minimize the risk even more.
Fortunately, we can have a youth-
ful attitude at any age if we
choose. When you look at a
glass that may be filled only
half way with liquid, what do
you see? In your mind's eye, is
it half full or half empty? Just
the way we view simple situ-
ations can age us or keep us
youthful.
• Learning how to enjoy the
simple things in life such as
reading a good book, being
with family or going for a walk.
• Surrounding yourself with
cheerful and happy people. I
personally like to choose people that are
positive and that challenge me in a healthy
way.
• Starting each day with a positive affir-
mation such as,"Today is going to be a
great day!"
• The greatest thing if life is to keep your
mind young. You can do this by continuing
to learn. Just like our bodies, our minds
will deteriorate if not used.
• Realizing that we are in charge of our
own happiness. Sometimes, we think that
something like a larger home, a new job
or an article of clothing will bring us joy.
• There is no major secret to happiness
— it starts in your head!
• There are so many other mental
aspects to staying young that are impor-
tant, but the last one I will mention and
probably one of the most important is
keeping stress levels to a minimum.
Visualize all the aspects that I have
mentioned. Vision is not so much of what
you think, but how you view it. Exercise
your body, eat a healthy diet and make
some small shifts in your mind.
Remember: Only what the mind con-
ceives will the body achieve.
Jill Sherman-Marx of Farmington Hills trains
at the West Bloomfield JCC, the Sports Club of
West Bloomfield and other locations. Contact
her at (248) 819-4622 or Ainjill@aol.com .
DuMouchelle Art Galleries has been providing
appraisal and auction services to the Detroit area
since 1927. The Jewish News continues to reach
multiple generations of our customers and helps
us to discover many new ones! So whether our
clients are just a town away or have relocated to
a new sunny spot, the Jewish News keeps them
in touch with what's new on our block!
I get
— Robert DuMouchelle
DuMouchelle Art Galleries, Detroit
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IEWISH NEWS
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February 5 2009