Fitness and Wellness IQ: Test Yourself By Mirabai Holland © 2012

Test your fitness and wellness I.Q. today. It can greatly increase your longevity. If you haven’t been physically active or done regular exercise for a while, it may be hard to know what to do.
Fitness And Wellness Self-Quiz
(answers at end)

1. What is the number one killer disease of women?
a. Osteoporosis
b. Breast Cancer
c. Heart Disease
d. Diabetes

2. What does osteopenia mean?
a. Low muscle mass
b. Low bone mass
c. Another word for osteoporosis
d. Strong bones

3. What is the normal % of body fat?
a. 15-20%
b. 22-30%
c. 25-35%
d. 30-35%

4. Which one of the following blood pressure readings is considered a risk factor for heart disease?
a. 110/70
b. 115/80
c. 120/80
d. 140/90

5.What helps to pick up metabolism?
a. Lean muscle mass
b. 1000 calorie a day diet
c. Sleeping 8 hours a night
d. Meditation

6. How much body fat does the average 65 year old woman have?
a. 30%
b. 37%
c. 43%
d. 50%

7. What is sarcopenia?
a. high muscle mass
b. low bone mass
c. high bone mass
d. low muscle mass

8. What is interval training best for:
a. Picking up the metabolic rate
b. Adding variety to your routine
c. Making it easy to get a drink of water
d. Both a & b

9. An optimal program for older people would include activities to improve:
a. strength, flexibility and coordination
b. eyesight
c. digestion
d. jogging

10. What body shape is the one that puts you at less risk for both heart disease and breast cancer?
a. apple
b. pear
c. banana
d. pineapple

11. To be at less risk for heart disease your total cholesterol should be:
a. Above 200
b. Below 200
c. Between 200-220
d. Between 220-225
12. Which is the “good” cholesterol
a. HDL
b. LDL
c. NDL
d. Margarine

13. How much exercise should you do?
a. At least 3-4 times a week, 30 minutes at 60-90% max heart rate.
b. At least twice a week, 60 minutes at 70-90% max heart rate
c. At least once a week, 60 minutes at 80-85% max heart rate
d. At least twice a week, 30 minutes at 70-90% max heart rate

14. What is the equation of finding your target heart rate?
a. 220-age x %
b. 200-age x %
c. 220 x age – %
d. 200 x age – %

15. What does aerobic exercise do?
a. Helps to stimulate metabolism and reduce LDL
b. Helps to develop stronger abdominals and back muscles
c. Helps to build a stronger heart muscle
d. a & c

16. What are the risk factors for heart disease that you can control:
a. Family history, age, menopause
b. Inactivity, excessive alcohol, and high blood pressure
c. Smoking, high cholesterol and triglycerides
d. b & c

17. How often should you weight train?
a. Every day
b. 3 days in a row, 2 days rest
c. 2-3 times a week, alternating days
d. None of the above.

18. How often should you perform a Breast Self-Examination?
a. every other week
b. Once a month (if still menstruating best time a week after the start of your period)
c. Once every week
d. None of the above.
19. When should you start getting annual mammograms?
a. After age 40
b. After age 45
c. After age 50
d. After age 55

20. What are the best types of exercise if you have had breast cancer?
a. Light strengthening and stretching exercises.
b. Walking and swimming.
c. High intensity strength training
d. a & b

21. 44 million Americans at risk for Osteoporosis; what % are women?
a. 60%
b. 70%
c. 80%
d. 90%

22. By the time women are 70 they can lose up to
a.15% bone mass
b. 20% bone mass
c. 30 % bone mass
d. 45% bone mass

23. As a woman goes through menopause what is the main factor that causes bone loss?
a. loss of estrogen
b. fatigue
c. hot flashes
d. lightheadedness

24.What are the 3 areas at most risk for osteoporotic fracture?
a. Spine, neck, foot
b. Hip, shoulder, foot
c. Spine, hip, wrist
d. None of the above.

25. What type of exercise is not particularly effective for loading your bones
a. Weight training
b. Walking
c. Swimming
d. Jogging
ANSWERS: 1. c, 2. b, 3. b, 4. d, 5. a, 6. c, 7. d, 8. d, 9. a, 10. a,11. b, 12. a, 13. a, 14. a, 15. d, 16. d, 17. c, 18. b, 19. a, 20. d, 21. c, 22. c, 23. a, 24. c, 25. c

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Keep That Fitness Resolution With My Mini Time Saver Workouts by Mirabai Holland ©2012

The number one New Year’s Resolution is “Get fit and lose weight”. The number one reason for not keeping that resolution is “I don’t have time.” You’re not lying to yourself.

Schedules are tight in the morning but you can get a good workout in only ten minutes a day. What maximizes time and works really well is using an exercise routine that splits the body into major muscle groups, exercises one or two muscle groups per day. What really condenses time is doing each exercise slowly about 8 seconds per movement. For instance 8 counts on the lift and 8 counts on the lowering phase of each movement. You need to use enough weight so you can barely perform the last rep. This gives the muscle group enough of a workout to only be done once a week. Can use own body weight, hand weights, ankle weights, cans, or resistance bands.

Monday: Chest and Back:

Chest Press: Chest, Shoulders

Lie on back with knees bent and feet on the floor. With a weight in each hand, at chest push arms straight up toward ceiling, without locking the elbows. 8-15 reps.

One Arm Dumbbell Row: Upper and Middle Back

Stand with left foot forward, right foot back, knees bent as though walking. With weight in right hand, bend forward, hinging from your hips, back flat, supported by your left hand on left thigh. Let your right arm with weight hang down toward the floor. In one smooth motion, keeping abs pulled in, bring the weight up to your hip. 8-15 reps. Repeat with other arm.

Tuesday:  Outer & Inner Thighs

Outer Thigh Leg Lift: Lie on your side, bottom arm extended for support, bottom leg bent, top leg straight. Lift top leg to hip level with foot flexed hold 1-2 seconds and slowly lower. 8-15 reps. Flip on to your other side and repeat.

Inner Thigh Leg Lift:  Lying on your side, bottom arm extended. Cross top leg over and place foot on floor forming a triangle over the bottom straight leg. Lift bottom leg up to hip height if possible. 8-15 reps. Flip on to your other side and repeat.

Wednesday: Arms

Biceps curls: Stand with legs hip width apart, slightly bending knees, a weight in each hand.  Hands with palms facing away from your body curl both arms towards your shoulders and return back to starting position. 8-15 reps.

Triceps: Stand with legs hip width apart, slightly bending knees, a weight in each hand. Bend elbows with palms facing in and extend arms in back of you. 8-15 reps

Thursday Legs & buttocks:

Front Leg Lift: Using a chair or wall for support, stand tall, shoulders square over your hips, with weight on one leg, abdominals contracted. While exhaling, slowly lift other leg straight out not higher than your hip. Hold 2 seconds and lower. Repeat using other leg. (Ankle weights optional.)

Back Leg Lift/Buttocks: Use the same starting position as front thigh lift. While exhaling lift leg straight outbehind you to about knee height without bending forward. Bend heel to the buttocks while foot is flexed and then extend leg and lift as you tighten your buttock. Repeat with other leg. (Ankle weights are optional.)

Friday: Abs

Modified Bicycle Crunch: Abs and Obliques

Lie on you back knees bent, feet on the floor, hands behind your head, elbow pointing outward. In one motion, bring your torso up, elbow pointed toward ceiling. At the same time bring your right leg up to meet it, until your left elbow is about 8 inches from your right knee. Return to starting position: then bring right elbow toward left knee.

Also, before you even get out of bed, there are stretches you can do. Also in the shower or bath a good place to stretch because the warm water helps to warm muscles allowing them to stretch easier. 10-20 reps.

For aerobics-research says you can break it up into 3 ten-minute periods throughout the day and still get the same benefits.

30 minutes a day can reduce you risk for heart attack by 50%. (National Institutes of Health)

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Invest in Your Fitness Without Breaking The Bank by Mirabai Holland, MFA 2012

Often the first thing to go in tough times is money spent on fitness.

Here are a few ways to keep your exercise resolution without having to ask for a government bailout.

The outdoors belong to everyone. So, getting your daily dose of aerobic exercise in the form of a ½ hour plus brisk walk is a solid zero dollars option. Walking to your favorite music ads Rocky-like inspiration.

  • Walking to work
  • Walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator
  • Walking your dog
  • Walking in place while you watch your favorite television show

These all count too. You don’t have to do a ½ hour all at once.

Every exercise minute counts.

Get a pedometer, (you can get one for under 10 bucks) and count your steps throughout the day. It’s a great incentive to keep walking, and those steps really add up.

On the days when the weather doesn’t cooperate, there are exercise DVDs. Not free, but affordable, I suggest you get at least one DVD for each of the major components of fitness, aerobic/cardio, strength training, and stretching/flexibility. There are literally thousands to choose from and you can buy conveniently online.

Make sure your instructor is certified by a nationally recognized certifying body like ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), ACE (American Council on Exercise), or AFAA, (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America)

Try to find an instructor that shares your approach to fitness.

Many websites offer free clips so you can get an idea of what you’re getting before you buy.

Often the best deals are 3 or 4 packs. So shop around.

Local health clubs and community centers are offering great specials these days. Check out monthly, seasonal and yearly memberships.

Or, you might want to sign up for a class or two a week.

If nothing else, exercise will lift your spirits in between looking at your finances.

Besides, your body is a good investment. It will pay you back in quality of life.

 

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Fashion Flash October 15, 2012 by Mirabai Holland MFA

Our Fashion Flash host this week is Deborah Chase, beauty and health expert, & author of 12 books. Her No-Nonsense Beauty Blog provides cutting edge info on the latest beauty  trends and products to help all of us women stay fabulous and well! Since October is Breast Cancer Month her timely post reminds you to avoid estrogen-based creams and what are safer, and effective alternatives.  This week many of our Fashion Flash posts deal with this crucial women’s health issue as well as bringing to you the best in beauty, fashion and fitness.

 

 

 

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