Prevent Defense, one that works

If you follow American football, field goals, extra points, punts and kickoffs are the only plays where the foot is used. The guys who do the kicks are often seen as somewhat of a non player in the game. Actually with soccer being the kicking game in football has improved. Back in the day when kickers came from the position players the kicking wasn't as good. Despite all the running, passing and catching many games are decided by the foot. In high school many of us practiced kicking from the side. It was easier, but the coach wanted a straight kicker. If you go back in time when the ball was rounder they use to drop the ball to the ground and kick it for a field goal. That it seems to me would be harder.
Sometime around the time of the AFL-NFL games in the 60's, they came up with the prevent defense. The only time it ever worked was on a hail Mary pass for the last ditch effort. Prevent defenses always seem to fail when trying to protect a lead. There were many comebacks because of a prevent defense. It may be because defenses quit doing what they are good at which is to be reactive and aggressive and they become what they are not good at which is allow plays to happen by being passive and run backwards. Advantage offence
In health if we allow a disease to happen than try to treat it, I is often a downhill battle. If we don't take care of ourselves, do things that give disease an in, and be passive about it we are in big trouble. But if we are willing to make changes in our diet and walk, see our doctor and make changes that may produce a better outcome against heart disease, cancer, diabetes.
In the news today is an article about statins and the desire to expand their use. The idea is to prevent a heart attack before it happens. President Bush had a stint put I to prevent a heart attack. He feels better. Losing weight, eating more fruits and vegetables, more omega-3s, better oils all have a health impact of improving our chances for a longer independent life. 30 minutes of walking has an immediate impact on our blood sugar. Seeing our doctors and getting early treatment when needed is better than waiting and living in fear it is too late. The old prevent defense in football didn't work, but a good prevent defense in health - good diet, exercise and medical support may win the day. Keep walking

California woman, 86, dies after marathon finish: 'What a way to go'

Joy Johnson now with the Lord

You can read the LA Times article about the 86 year old woman who died after finishing the New York Marathon. She refused to go to the hospital after a fall, the next day she had an exiting interview on the Today show, went back to her hotel. She told her friend she felt tired and went to sleep and never woke up.  Should she have gone to the hospital, yes but it was her choice and she went out running and finished the race.
She apparently went to 25 New York Marathons over the years and traveled to many more marathons. She trained and enjoyed the travel. After her husband's death it was run, run, run. Her daughter spoke of her as faith first then family and then run. her daughter said she went out like she wanted too.
Joy Johnson finished well, not just moving but running. Twenty six miles and like the Greek hero who started the Marathon thousands of years ago inspires us even in death To test the boundaries of life and live it. For her it was a life of faith. She encourages us to keep living and moving. Keep walking

Fat man looks at what is in the health news

fit people can form clots know the signs

A perfect day for me, browsing the net and having some interesting reads. Here are some of my finds:

There is nothing wrong with caring about your kids, it may lead to happiness Recently I read an article about those who care for their parents living longer than those who don't or those who don't have someone to look out for. Turns out caring for its own sake is healthy for us.- http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/why-helicopter-moms-might-get-the-last-laugh-204223686.html
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/31/are-caregivers-healthier/?_r=0

This article was all over the news which points out statins help the fight against prostate cancer -

http://news.health.com/2013/11/05/statin-use-linked-to-lower-prostate-cancer-death-risk/

Should I work out with a cold? Above the Neck OK, below the neck rest . I think if your body is talking to you, take it easy

http://www.fitsugar.com/Can-I-Work-Out-Cold-32309172

For those of you who are fitness buffs here is an article to be aware. Blood clots can actually form rather quickly, know the signs

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/outrun-danger-why-fit-women-blood-clots-170300249.html

 

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis aerobics can ease pain and increase function. My arthritis I know is different but both aorobis and strength training work.

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/features/areobic-exercises-for-ra?src=RSS_PUBLIC

If you have a health concern keep in mind the net can be helpful. Keep walking

 

 

 

 

Walk tall, watch all, with thanks

The Spirited Walker, Caroline Scott Kortge wrote a good blog on falls and walking.With my CP I have always battled falls for my one foot which will occasionally drop and catch a side walk crack or root on the trail.This time of the year roots are under a layer of leaves to be discovered by all of us. As we age falling comes to all of us. So her advise touches both our walks.
She titles her blog Walk Tall, Walk All she means,

• Walk Tall - "Walking Tall" emerged as a mindfulness affirmation for me in response to a recent Wall Street Journal article about research on fall prevention."From Athletes to the Elderly: The Science of Trips and Falls,"identified poor posture, not equilibrium, as a primary contributor to many falls. The forward lean we often associate with aging is just as likely to show up  for walkers who let their gaze drop down to their feet, or find shoulders hunching forward on an uphill slog. The lean makes it more difficult to regain balance if one slips or trips, researchers observed. Upright posture aids not only breathing but also stability.
• Watching all - Carol had a fall in June where she broke her arm. She was encouraged to explore the process of being mindful with Ellen Langer, a Harvard University research psychologist who defines mindfulness not as meditation but rather as active involvement with the world. Langer presents mindfulness as a process of constantly looking for what is new, what is changing in the world around us. Langer explains “Paying Attention.”  Paying attention captures a moment, freezes time, she explains. It asks us to stop the action of life. Awareness of change is something different she insists. 

Together Carol shares, "Walking tall" and "watching all" are mental prods--reminders to myself to stay present, aware of surroundings and my body as I walk. Without these reminders, it takes no time at all for my thoughts to travel far and wide, leaving me mindless on the trail." http://thespiritedwalker.blogspot.com/
In walking we are tempted to look down and lean forward. This actually makes us more prone to fall. It is better to look up and be aware of our surroundings and mindfully walk though them. For me to mindful to walk a good walking form and see ahead the problems of roots or what may be hidden. There are walks I can let my mind go and there are walks where I have to be aware. When I sight see it is better for me to stop and take in a view and when I am walking to be more focused on the trail. 

In the Psalms we read, 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path."  Psalm 17:5 "My steps are on Your paths; my feet have not slipped." When I was in Israel many times I was up some hill or mountain and you had to pay attention to the path. I have been on trails in the night with a flashlight and you had to focus on the narrow trail. At such times I have learned to be mindful and alert. At such times I am thankful and aware of God's care. As we get older and walk, let's walk tall, watching all and in everything give thanks. Keep walking

Ready for day two of the stair workout

walking to Retirement with Scott, fascinating picture

My stair workout was good enough to take a day off between workouts. There was some muscles I over worked. Sore I stretched and rode my bike for 20 minutes. Today I feel pretty good so tomorrow I will give it a go. I am not running up the stairs but walking for a minute then I go to the next move for a minute. Tomorrow I will do some moves for 20 reps then move to the next move. I think I will add some band moves and walking and running as well. Breathing will be my pace and I will walk to control that. I should be able to work in 6 flights of stairs in the 30 minutes all n pace with the Clancy Brothers.
In two days I plan to do a boxing aerobic routine with weights and total gym mixed with walking and running. Mixing up the workouts should keep this ole body moving.
The trees were brilliant this week but the rains have brought a lot of leaves down. November is a good month to walk. Cool temperatures can be handled with comfortable layer clothing. After about five minutes the body warms up. Walking in the mid day see best for the wind, but watching the sun start to go down has great sky views.  Keep walking 

Fit and fat? It is possible to out live your skiny friends

Fitness magazine reported that one can be fat and healthy. If you are fit and have good health numbers like blood pressure, good cholesterol, good blood sugar you can actually be OK.
"Recent research suggests that being overweight or even obese may not, in and of itself, be the health threat we think it is. A 2012 study from the National Cancer Institute found that moderately obese people actually lived about 3.1 years longer than normal-weight women and men. Another study, published in the European Heart Journal, showed that when obese people are metabolically healthy -- which means their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other indicators fall within a healthy range -- they are at no greater risk of dying from heart disease or cancer than those who are of normal weight."  

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/fat-fit-185800781.html

The article cites our bias against heavier female Olympian athletes as an example society frowns on heavy people in general. I have read articles that if you are moving and doing aerobic and strength training and stretching you may be better off overweight than those who are skinny and sedimentary.
Now myself I am a work in progress. I have borderline high blood pressure that I have to control with medicine. When I am doing physical things my body has improved. I believe weight becomes more of an issue as we age. But it is also true it is not the only factor to health.
Let's say you like me are over weight. Are you healthy? Great, keep up the good work. Walking, healthy eating, seeing your doctor, and things you are doing are working for you. But if you are like me, lets work at it. Get a pedometer and find ways to walk 7,000 to 10,000 steps. Make time to do a 20-30 minute walk most days. Trade bad fat for good fat and work to be more moderate. Sleep is huge.
If you are sedimentary take heart, you can make changes good for you. Check with your doctor and find out how you can get started. From me you will always be encouraged to keep walking.

Reminder about improving the curve for the years we have

A friend of mine from work Kim, has recently run in a race where she did pretty good. What is really cool is the progress she has made since she started.

The road to fitness and health is what really helps us. It is more than losing 10 lbs. then stop. It is about the habits we form and our experiences along the way. It is about we take charge of the decisions we need to make and get the needed support. If we add a few years and round off the curve we will have a better quality of life and shorter time of decline at the end of our lives.
Read Dr. Ken Cooper for the numbers of how the curve works. I believe it is true that we can do the right things and still experience a bad outcome. I know I have felt better walking and changing diet and still I have had problems with insomnia and post traumatic stress. Others have battled heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Walking and lifestyle changes help our battle. For many others the changes have help prevent these diseases and have given us more time. Taking on the battle is better than ignoring it or living in fear of it.
Take in a deep breathe and enjoy the view. Go for a walk, enjoy an apple. "Today is the day the Lord has made,
rejoice!"
Well I am off for a walk in the woods. Keep walking