THE MIGHTY MYSTERY MUSCLE

 THE MIGHTY MYSTERY MUSCLE


AWAKEN THE INVISIBLE POWERHOUSE WITHIN YOU! 

 
FACT:  All human movement originates with an amazing muscle named the TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS. (TVA).

FACT:  Failure to activate and constantly use this muscle often results in back injury and pain, loss of balance and decreasing mobility.

FACT:  Using and strengthening this muscle can improve your performance in every move you make and every breath you take, since it plays a central role in the act of breathing.

FEEL, ACT AND LOOK MUCH YOUNGER!  

REDUCE UGLY, DANGEROUS BELLY FAT!

IMPROVE YOUR SPEED, POWER, BALANCE AND STAMINA IN YOUR FAVORITE SPORT OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY SUCH AS TENNIS AND GOLF.   

DEVELOP THE NUMBER ONE SAFEGUARD AGAINST TOPPLING OVER.  (Falling is the Number one reason for hospital admissions in the over 65 population.)

Greetings:

I am excited to share with you my recent discovery of a muscle deep within us that is UNKNOWN and UNDER UTILIZED BY OVER 99 PER CENT OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION. 

Although I had been trained and practiced as a certified fitness trainer for nearly two decades, I never knew the value and significance of this muscle until five years ago.

I had been suffering for over 6 months with the debilitating back and leg pain of sciatica, which did not subside with heavy doses of pharmaceutical ibuprofen and a spinal injection.  In desperation, I sought the services of a Physical Therapist who enlightened me about a muscle that would heal and prevent future back pain.

After strengthening my TVA, I haven't even felt a twinge of sciatica or any other back pain for the past five years now, and my balance and mobility has greatly improved as well. 

ALL MOVEMENT, AND THE STRENGTH OF MOVEMENT, BEGINS IN THE VICINITY OF THE NAVAL. 

By drawing the BELLY BUTTON in and up towards the spine, we are  engaging the innermost and mighty TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS, which is the ULTIMATE CORE within the core musculature.

This internal muscle wraps horizontally around the spine and the abdomen with attachments to the ribs, pelvis, hips, and the external abdominals.

Similar to a CORSET or a GIRDLE, the TVA is an inner muscular belt that protects the internal organs, supports the healthy alignment of the spine and radiates strength to everything you do from lifting and carrying a heavy sack of groceries to striking a tennis or golf ball.

Known as NATURE'S WEIGHT LIFTING BELT, the belt is tightened by PULLING the buckle, your BELLY BUTTON, in and up towards the spine, which STABILIZES and SUPPORTS the TORSO and the SPINE to prevent injury.  Activation of this muscle also neurologically provides additional power to flow to those muscles being used in any muscular activity.             

             

Weight lifters and furniture movers are often seen wearing weight lifting belts to protect their backs, which are just artificial substitutes for the REAL THING, our NATURAL BACK BRACE:  the TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS (TVA).

I have frequently demonstrated to fitness clients the recently discovered and developed strength of my TVA by HARMLESSLY straining with all my might to move or lift something impossible to budge.

Do Not try this at home unless you have a strong TVA

(Merrilee's brother, Tom Keller, is the proud owner of this very special Corvette, which I'll tell you about at the end of this post.) *

Unless you are aware of and intentionally use your TVA, it is probably weak and ineffective. 

EXPERIENCE YOUR TVA IN ACTION

There are several ways of engaging your TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS:

The first is to simply pull or draw your navel back and up towards the spine.

You might want to try a quick, fun experiment that should reveal the potential pillar strength of your TVA:

Liz Shields and Brendan Wilson

While facing a partner, ask that person to gently push against your extended hands for 2 separate times.  Both times, remain totally relaxed and do not anticipate or consciously resist the pushes.  The second time, tighten just your TVA by drawing your navel back and up towards your spine.

Mer and Ray

You will likely experience an increase in stability just by tightening that single muscle.

A second way to activate your TVA is to breathe in deeply through the nose, expanding the abdomen and then expel all the air through pursed lips to bring the naval as close as possible to the spine.

This maximum inhalation and expulsion of air is a single repetition of  ABDOMINAL VACUUM TRAINING, a TVA specific exercise that can be practiced while standing, sitting and lying down.  A good time for this exercise is while riding in a plane, train or automobile.

This kind of deep breathing also enhances the delivery of oxygen and the exiting of carbon dioxide throughout the body and is a beginning step in relaxation and meditation.

(Recently, I survived a couple of hours of torture in a dentist's chair with deep breathing, which reduced my awareness of pain as I simultaneously exercised and strengthened my TVA.)

An interesting way of experiencing your TVA is to ask a friend, not an enemy, to initiate a punch to your stomach, or you can do it to yourself, but stop short of contact, of course.   Your instinctive response is ABDOMINAL BRACING, which protectively tightens all your abdominal muscles, especially the TVA.

Liz Shields almost hits Ray with her best punch!

Repeat the threatened punch for maximum TVA tightening and then relax the muscle about halfway, which is how it should remain throughout your daily activities.

Ray almost hits Ray with his best punch!

In the beginning,  TVA activation will be fatiguing because a lack of use has resulted in muscular atrophy and weakness.  Try testing your current strength and stamina by sitting tall in a chair for awhile with your navel drawn back and up towards the spine.  You will likely begin to tire within a few minutes.

Fortunately, the TVA is a slow twitch, endurance muscle that is designed for stamina and CAN BE TRAINED TO LAST ALL DAY LONG.


It should be activated when sitting and standing and especially when standing up from being seated.  It should be tightened where ever you go and whatever you do.  The only time for resting this muscle is when you're reclining or sleeping.


A conscious effort to draw in the navel for abdominal bracing should precede any physical exertion such as climbing up or descending stairs, reaching up and bending down, lifting and carrying groceries, vacuuming, moving furniture, sweeping, raking, etc.  Because all movement originates in the center of your body, this TVA tightening will ADD STRENGTH, STABILITY AND SAFETY to all your activities.

A tightened TVA radiates strength to the entire body and maximizes all muscular performance.  I have frequently asked my fitness clients to perform an exercise, such as a dumbbell curl for example, to the point of exhaustion and the inability to perform another proper repetition.   I would then instruct them to suck in their naval for that inner strength, and they would be surprised to find that they were able to execute additional repetitions.

Megan Bespolka demonstrates the bicep curl.

I would suggest experimenting with TVA activation as you walk and run and climb up and down stairs.  You will likely feel stronger and better balanced in all your movements.

I recently chatted with Tom Fish, (Tennis Professional and father of U.S. tennis great, Mardy Fish) about my discovery of the importance of the TVA in athletic performance.  A couple of days later, Tom reported that activating his TVA had noticeably strengthened his tennis strokes and golf swing.

Mer and Tom Fish

BURNING OFF BELLY FAT



Constant use of your TVA is also a key to losing that dangerous belly fat and the protruding stomach that is a common complaint of both men and women.

Many of my fitness clients have lamented about their large and pregnant looking stomachs, and I would respond by asking them to stand tall, sideways to a full length mirror, and to suck in their stomachs by pulling in their navels.  

Immediately, they were pleased to view themselves looking noticeably thinner.  I would then advise them to PRACTICE looking that way as they stand, sit and move about...and eventually they can actually look and BE that way!

Mer???  Is that you????

Although, excessive belly fat is heavily influenced by diet, you can begin to lose that ugly fat with constant use of your TVA.  

All muscle activity requires fuel, and as a slow twitch, endurance muscle, the TVA's preferred source of fuel to burn is FAT.  For a majority of our U.S. population, overflowing tummy tanks of fuel are conveniently available.

Personally, the past few years of constantly using my TVA has been key in reducing my waist from 34, which it has been since I was a teenager, to a current 32.


RENAISSANCE OF THE TVA

As children, we instinctively engaged our TVAs in our transition from crawling to moving in an upright position. Because of its invisibility, we never really noted its existence and appreciated its importance.     

As we transitioned into sedentary adulthood, the need for a strong and active TVA faded and the muscle essentially went into slumber under blankets of fat for a majority of Americans.

As we enter our Senior years, however, life comes full circle, and as our bodies stiffen and lose flexibility, our TVA's are again critically needed to combat gravity and keep us vertical.

DURING MY 60s, I had not yet learned about the identity and value of my TVA and I was tripping and falling a lot.  For example, while running along wooded trails, I would, way too many times, trip over a hidden rock or tree root and execute a flying face plant.

A face plant looks like this.

Having learned about the value of a strong TVA just prior to my 70th birthday, my rejuvenated muscle now snaps me upright and safe when I trip. 

NOW, IN MY 70s, I continue to run along wooded trails and still trip at times, but no longer crash into the earth.  Fear of falling is no longer a part of my reality as it was during my 60s.


CONCLUSIONS

During the past several years of seriously researching and learning a lot about about health and longevity, my discovery and subsequent utilization of the TVA has impacted me more than anything else I have learned.

It has been life changing; and I have taken a giant stride in my journey of GROWING YOUNG!  

I am definitely feeling more youthful than I have felt in over a decade...just by sucking in my gut.  

Next time, I will expand on the TVA and its central role in regaining our NATURAL PROPER POSTURE, which is essential to healthful longevity.

I will also present exercises that strengthen the TVA by using one of my favorite fitness toys.  (Can anyone guess which one???)

*As promised, here's the scoop on Tom Keller's Corvette Convertible:

Tom Keller

All Corvette photos taken by Philip Carnahan

Tom's Corvette is a special 60th Anniversary Edition Chevrolet Convertible called the "427", named after an iconic version possessing a 427 cubic inch V8 engine, which was the fastest Chevrolet Corvette Convertible ever made with a top speed of 205 mph.  Tom pleads the fifth when asked about how fast he has traveled in it.

                





"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease."   

              Thomas A. Edison
              US inventor (1847-1931)

"A body in motion stays in motion..."

               Isaac Newton

                                "The alternative is not enticing."

                                           Ray Williams   

Cell Phone Dangers

CELL PHONE DANGERS

Greetings:

In my previous post, I reported on the possible dangers of microwave ovens, and encouraged my readers to take a more serious look at their safety.  The jury may still be out, but I believe that there are enough cited examples to change my mind about using them.  Merrilee and I do not use microwave ovens now that we are aware of the potential health risks.

But let's face it--microwaves are a relatively easy thing to give up...Cell phones, however, are a different story.  Like most cell phone users, I have developed a deep dependency upon my mobile phone.  In fact, I adore my cell phone.  It's painful to imagine life without it.

Billions of people throughout the world obviously share my affection for cell phones.  Within three decades, wireless phones have revolutionized global communication.  The International Telecommunications Union estimates users at 5 billion worldwide.  One researcher described the cell phones' mushrooming popularity as the largest human experiment ever without informed consent.

In the early 1980s, cell phone technology was a present from the U.S. Defense department to free enterprise, gift wrapped in a government regulation loophole that allowed public sales without any testing for health and environmental hazards.

The long range effects of using a cell phone are unknown since it is a relatively new phenomenon, and the unbelievably prosperous and powerful telecom industry has been successful in suppressing and discrediting reports of potential harm.

Studies have been surfacing, however, that show an increase in brain cancer on the side of the head where the phone is usually held.  There has also been an unusual increase in cancer of the paratid gland, a salivary gland in the cheek, and an increase in acoustic neuroma, a tumor of the acoustic nerve, all occurring on the side of the head where the phone is habitually held. 

This is Mer's brain on radiation...

Over-radiated.

On May 31, 2011, the World Health Organization, in response to research showing that cell phone usage increases the risk of brain cancer, classified cell phone radiation as a Class 2B carcinogen in the same category as DDT, exhaust fumes, lead and chloroform. 

Cell phones carried habitually on the hip have resulted in a weakening of the bones of the hip joint, where 80 per cent of red blood cells are manufactured.  Also, cell phones carried in front pockets have impacted testosterone production in males. 

The iPhone warns (in small print) "not to carry in your pocket". The Android phone advises its owner to "keep it 2.54 centimeters from a pregnant abdomen or abdomen of a teenager". 

If you need to carry a phone close to your body, it is best to turn it OFF.  If your phone is ON to notify you of a call, radiation will intermittently surge for a signal, and the further its distance from a signal, the greater the radiation.

Because of their thinner skulls and skin, parents are advised to keep cell phones away from children unless they are completely turned OFF.  Studies by Professor Lennart Hardel of Orebro University in Sweden showed that those who began using cell phones heavily as teenagers were 4 to 5 times more likely to experience brain cancer as young adults.

An interesting and illuminating example of cell phone radiation involved a young woman with no predisposing risk of cancer, who was diagnosed with multi focal breast cancer.  This woman  habitually carried her cell phone in her bra, and the location and shape of her cancer identically matched that of her cell phone.

To Cell Phone...with Love

My conclusion is to continue my love relationship with my cell phone, but I'll certainly refrain from any prolonged physical intimacy with it.  I avoid carrying and using it close to my head and body and primarily use the speaker phone or a blue tooth listening headset while communicating.

Bluetooth Options

Oh!  By the way:  This report on the possible dangers of cell phones describes just the tip of an iceberg regarding the possible perils of the increasing radiation that surrounds us. 

With the exploding popularity of cell phones and internet connected pads and tablets, new radiation emitting towers and antennas are rapidly being constructed and installed almost everywhere, including most workplaces and many homes, including ours, with WiFi.

  

This growing constant exposure to increasing radiation is being linked to a myriad of major health concerns, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Autism.  I suspect that I will be returning to this subject later with new developments.

(ChiefSources:cancer.gov/risk/cellphones;marioninstitute.org/blog/2013/10/cellphones; mercola.com/cellphoneradiation;          thewesterneditionnewsheadlinescellphonedangers;.             drbenkim.com/cell-phone-danger).

                     

...Stay tuned for our next post, which will reveal a mystery muscle unknown to over 99 per cent of the population.  Knowledge and use of this muscle is guaranteed to dramatically improve the quality of your life...

  





The great microwave oven debate

THE GREAT MICROWAVE OVEN DEBATE

Welcome to the great debate about the safety of using microwave ovens.

In our first post, we previewed an article about the dangers of microwave ovens.  Colin Bowness, a tennis buddy of mine, immediately telephoned me to say that my allegation that microwave ovens are dangerous was "complete rubbish."  I responded that I would publish his rebuttal, and he immediately mailed me a letter, which will follow my article.

THE DANGERS OF MICROWAVE OVENS

I hate to tell you this, but MICROWAVE OVENS MAY PRESENT SIGNIFICANT DANGERS TO YOUR HEALTH.

The problem is that the microwaves emitted by microwave ovens bombard the water molecules within and around food at the speed and intensity of 1 to 100 billion times per second.  This creates incendiary heat that either destroys or transforms the molecules of food into strange radiolytic compounds which are not found in nature and can be carcinogenic.  (Globalhealingcenter.com).

Microwaves are a potent combination of electrical and magnetic waves of energy resulting in two types: IONIZED AND NON IONIZED.

IONIZED microwaves are used in nuclear power plants and for X rays.  Although the diagnostic and treatment benefits of X-rays are greater than the dangers, excessive exposure has been found to alter the body's DNA and cause cancer.

It's best to limit X-rays to:  only if strongly recommended by your physician.

(WebMD.com)

NON IONIZED microwaves are used in microwave ovens and do not appear to alter DNA, but can cause severe burning.   The FDA has instituted strong regulations about preventing leakage and warns humans, especially pregnant women and children with their thinner skins, to avoid standing close to an operating microwave oven.  Microwaves can penetrate walls, so adjoining rooms are susceptible.  Eyes are especially vulnerable to microwave damage and the development of cataracts. (fda.gov/radiation).

Microwave oven cooking was developed by the Nazis during World War II as a quick and efficient way of preparing hot food for the troops scheduled to invade Russia during their freezing Winter.

Following Germany's defeat, both the United States and the Soviet Union took some ovens home to evaluate. 

Testing by Russian scientists revealed that exposure to microwaves was highly dangerous; and that microwave cooking either destroyed or transformed into carcinogens 60 per cent to 90 percent of the nutrients in nearly all the foods tested.

The scientists concluded that microwave ovens were highly hazardous to the health of Russia's citizens and MICROWAVE OVENS WERE BANNED IN THE SOVIET UNION.

Russia issued an international warning about the biological and environmental dangers of microwave ovens.  The U.S. ignored its Cold War adversary and capitalized upon the speed and convenience of microwave cooking by creating a gigantic and prosperous microwave oven and food industry with over 90 per cent of U.S.homes currently possessing one or more microwave ovens.

Although the manufacturers and other proponents of microwave ovens claim that microwaving food is totally safe and does not adversely affect the nutrients in food, they fail to present any empirical research to validate their statements.

In fact, there is a glaring lack of significant scientific proof that microwave cooking is either safe or harmful.  Although the FDA has cautioned the public about leakage and potential burns, it has not recognized that microwave oven cooking might alter the nutrients of food.

However, there has been numerous studies and reports about the dangers of microwave cooking beginning with the previously mentioned Russian research and their national ban of microwave ovens.

One of the earliest, and perhaps the most revealing, study was conducted by a Swiss food scientist, Dr. Hans Hertel, who sequestered himself with a small group for eight weeks in a hotel environment and conducted frequent blood tests as they consumed both microwaved and conventionally cooked food.

After eating microwaved food, the blood tests of all participants consistently showed degenerative changes in blood chemistry as if the body was under attack from invading toxins.  There was an abrupt decrease in white blood cells, which provide immunity by destroying toxins; and a reduction in red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body.  There were also adverse changes in cholesterol levels and an obvious decrease in hemoglobin suggestive of anemia. (GlobalHealing.com)

When Dr. Hertel began to publically report his findings, the influential Swiss Trade Organization, the Swiss Association of Dealers for Electroapparatuses for Households, influenced the Court to issue a Gag Order with fines and imprisonment if he voiced or published his findings.  The Gag Order prevailed for six years.

There has been numerous additional reports of adverse indications of microwave oven dangers including:

• Pediatricians warn mothers not to heat breast milk or formula in microwave ovens because of the danger of scalding heat and the destruction of nutrients. (Pediatrics, vol.89#4 April 92).
• Dr Lita Lee of Hawaii reported that microwaving baby formulas changed certain amino acids into toxins dangerous to the nervous system and kidneys. ("Lancet" Dec. 9, 1989)
• Hospitals never heat blood in microwave ovens following the death of a woman who received a blood transfusion of microwaved blood in Oklahoma in 1991. (GlobalHealingCenter.com).
• A study (reported in "The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, November 2003) showed that broccoli "zapped" in a microwave oven with a little water lost up to 97 per cent of its healthful antioxidants. (Mercola.com).

I recollect the many times I have re-heated a cup of coffee in a microwave oven, and although I appreciated the renewed warmth, the taste was always changed and not as good.  I now realize that the life essential properties of water by itself could possibly be destroyed or changed by a violent encounter with microwaves,which reverses water molecules' polarity at rate of 1 to 100 billion times per second.   

This realization is supported with the following photos of the results of a high school science fair experiment:  Identical plants were watered with filtered water, but one plant received water that had been boiled on a conventional stove, while the other plant was watered with water boiled in a microwave oven.
(wwwglobalhealing/ca/the-danger-of-microwave)

Because of a lack of solid empirical evidence, the jury is still out about the safety of cooking and eating microwaved food.  However, I tend to believe that "smoke" suggests the existence of some "fire", and my research revealed a lot of smoke about the dangers of microwave cooking.  

As an elderly individual obsessed with living healthfully for as long as possible, my decision is to stay clear of the microwave oven.  





If my conclusions are disturbing because microwave cooking is just so damned quick and convenient, and you really don't want to give it up, I invite you to read the following letter from Colin Bowness of Weston, MA.

Dear Ray

          I thought your blogspot was great until I got to section#4 with your diatribe against microwave ovens.  I don't know where you got this information from, but I think it has to be someone trying to discredit the greatest advance in cooking method of the twentieth century.

        As a physicist, let me explain the mechanism of microwave heating.  Water is a polar molecule meaning that it will align itself with any external electric field.  At microwave frequencies this means the molecule is constantly moving to align with the rapidly changing field in the microwave oven.  In doing so it bumps into surrounding molecules causing the evolution of heat.  Conventional heating causes all molecules to move around faster while microwave heating mainly acts on water molecules (and other polar materials such as some fats to a lesser degree). 

       I cannot imagine who came up with the myth that hydrolytic compounds can be produced in a microwave oven since they are only produced when there is enough energy to break the water molecule apart.  This can be done but it requires the power of a machine such as a high energy linear accelerator and certainly does not happen in an oven. 

       Regarding the nutritional effects of microwave heating let me quote Wikipedia:  "Several studies have shown that if properly used, microwave cooking does not affect the nutrient content of foods to a larger extent than conventional heating, and that there is a tendency towards greater retention of many micro nutrients with microwaving, probably due the reduced preparation time.  Lassen, Anne; Ovesen, Lars (1 January 1995). "Nutritional effects of microwave cooking".  Nutrition & Food Science. 

        Over a billion microwave ovens are in use worldwide, with over 100 million in the U.S. where they are in over 90% of households (and in almost all dorm rooms!).   Numerous studies on both humans and animals have shown no connection whatsoever between microwave radiation and cancer.

        I have been involved with microwave engineering since the late 1940's and a user of microwave ovens since their induction.  We owned a prototype of the first home unit, the Raytheon RadarRange, developed by the division of Raytheon where I worked after coming over from England to develop microwave devices for use in their radar systems.  At that time, the 1960s, my wife was often warned by well meaning lady friends, of the radiation danger that microwave ovens posed, however she knew I would never give her anything that posed the slightest danger.  Since then microwave cooking/heating has replaced most stovetop and oven use in our house (and we own five microwave ovens between two houses!).  Not only are they incredibly reliable but have become so inexpensive that it's often cheaper to buy a new oven than repair an old one.  Just this past week my wife and I were laughing about our meal because the soup, the entrée and the dessert had all been defrosted/heated by microwaves while a conventional oven was only used to heat the serving plates.

        If the microwave oven had been developed before the conventional oven, it is interesting to speculate whether building codes would have allowed the installation of an oven with a metal cabinet that reaches temperatures capable of igniting wood and inflicting serious burns.

        The microwave oven is by far the best way to reheat or to defrost food apart from its being the most efficient way to heat liquids or cook using electricity.  Its safety has been proved beyond doubt and it is safer than the use of either gas or conventional electrical heating.  In a recent US survey 75% rated the microwave very difficult/nearly impossible to do without.  The only item rated higher in this survey was the automobile!

        Ray, if you don't have one, get a microwave oven--Merrilee will be forever grateful!

        Enjoyed the tennis and it was great to see you both again, stay well 

                                                              (signed)  Colin


Obviously, absolute proof is lacking one way or the other-- there needs to be more empirical studies--so you will just have to make up your own mind...
   

Stay Tuned for our next post about "CELL PHONE DANGERS."

In the end, only three things matter:  how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.

Buddha 

                                                                      





Post #3: Some Things to Think About

FEEDBACK

"This blog is amazing, and SO inspiring.  I appreciate the positive attitude you take, encouraging everyone at all ages to just start now.  Your life is such a testament to your beliefs, which is by far the best way to lead.  You are a rockstar yourself.

I think it would be great to include some daily anecdotes or schedules from your own life, to show how you incorporate exercise on a daily basis.  I think many think that it is a chore that takes away from other parts of life. You two, however, blend it so fluidly and happily into your routines and relationship.  Maybe with each post you could give an example of something fun to do that IS exercise also.  So when we all say, "What should we do this Saturday?", we have your voice in our heads.

Again, bravo.  This blog is great.  Can't wait for the microwave debate!  I don't own one, and people think I'm crazy."

                                             Kelsey, South Africa

Thank you, Kelsey, for your words of praise and support for our blog.  We're looking forward to reading your novel when you finish it.  Your suggestion that we share how we incorporate exercise into our daily lives is right on and on our horizon.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The most frequent explanation or excuse for not exercising is "I just don't have enough TIME".

I'm always tempted to respond by saying, "Oh, do you have enough TIME to underachieve, to be sick and depressed, and to be spending a lot of time in doctors' offices, hospitals, and nursing homes, and to be prematurely ending your TIME on earth?

There is absolutely no escaping the reality that EXERCISE enhances health and performance, prolongs longevity and prevents or heals diseases ranging from A to Z in the medical encyclopedia.

However, we are also well aware that the excuse of "not having the time to exercise" originates in the reality of the American way of life in which work and home and family responsibilities demand nearly all of awake hours.

So, as we blog along, we will respond to Kelsey's suggestion and present strategies on how to incorporate exercise into busy schedules.  So, stay tuned.

SOME MORE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

It's estimated that if Americans ate 2 cups of fruit and 2 and a half cups of vegetables every day, we could save 17 billion dollars in medical costs, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.  ("Mens Health" December 2013).

This may be a crappy thing to contemplate, but according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, if Americans substituted just one roll of 100% recycled toilet paper for one day, we could save 423,900 trees.  In a year, we could save 154,723,500 trees.  ("Mens Health" December 2013).

  

And don't worry:  The "Great Microwave Oven Debate" is still coming...

                                                         "Move. As far as you can, as much

                                                         as you can.  Across the ocean, 

                                                         or simply across the river.  Walk

                                                         in someone else's shoes or at

                                                         least eat their food.  Open your mind,

                                                         get up off the couch, move."

                                                                                          Anthony Bourdain

The Bank of Life

Greetings.

The responses to our first post were overwhelmingly encouraging:

“Good for you two.  This blog screams of Ray and Merrilee and is joyful, hopeful and inspiring.  Not sure I agree with everything you proclaim but since aging research is such a dynamic field, I won’t debate.   Good luck!”

Theresa Levinson, nurse at Weston (MA) Council on Aging.

Thank you, Theresa, for your continuing

support.  You were the major catalyst causing the success of our Functional Fitness classes.

And your suggestion to write a blog was visionary in retrospect.    However, please feel free to debate.  It’s one of the best ways for all of us to learn and progress.  In fact, one of my next Posts will feature a fascinating debate about the use of microwave ovens.

 

“Dear Ray:  I thought your blog spot was great until I got to section #4 with your diatribe against microwave ovens.  I don’t know where you got this information from, but I think it must have been someone trying to discredit the greatest advance in cooking method of the twentieth century.   As a physicist, let me explain the mechanism of microwave heating……” 

Colin Bowness,  Weston, MA.

Dear Colin:  Thank you for your well written, informative and persuasive letter of endorsement of microwave cooking in response to my “diatribe against the microwave oven”.  Your entire letter will be printed at the same time of my posted “diatribe” (I love that word).

   

THE “BANK OF LIFE”

We live our lives as if we possess an almost infinite number of Days On Deposit in the Bank of Life.  In reality, our days are numbered.

Using U.S. Average Life Expectancy statistics of 75.6 years for men and 80.8 years for women,  we discover that we are born with somewhere in the range of 28  to 30 thousand days on deposit in the Bank of Life. 

According to these statistics, at the age of 72, I have about a thousand days left to live.  (Don’t tell Merrilee!)

Hopefully, it is a fluid account…and hopefully my healthy lifestyle has been depositing additional time to my Bank of Life account.

 INVESTMENT ALERT 

THE TIME IS NOW

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE

TO BEGIN INVESTING

IN THE BANK OF LIFE

During every day of your life, you either deposit or withdraw additional minutes, hours and days in your account in the Bank of Life.

RECOMMENDED DAILY DEPOSITS INCLUDE:

Virginia Mannick, in her 80's, doing her daily stretches.

•     EXERCISE that includes strengthening and stretching muscles and aerobic exercise of the critical cardio-respiratory systems. 
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•         Eating essentially a Mediterranean Diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes (beans), nuts, seeds, olives, olive oil and fish.



Chef Charlie's Vegan Delight at DeAngelos By the Sea, Melbourne Beach, Florida

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•        Sleeping for a minimum of 7 hours every 24. 
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•        Avoiding or effectively managing stress.                                                             
•        Pursuing goals and dreams.
•         Involvement in positive relationships with family and/or friends.                                                                                                                                        

COSTLY DAILY WITHDAWALS INCLUDE:

•         Cigarette smoking.
•                                                     
•         Living an essentially sedentary life style devoid of regular exercise.
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•         Consuming a Western diet of mostly animal meats and products, manufactured (processed) food stuffs, refined grains and an abundance of sugary foods and beverages.
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•         Sleeping less than 6 hours or more than 9.                                                                 
•         Experiencing stress due to worry, fear and regrets.
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•         Social isolation…   “One” ( is the loneliest  number)  by Harry Nilsson.

When your DEPOSITS are greater than your WITHDRAWALS, you are rewarded with the following DIVIDENDS:

•         Additional minutes, hours, days, months  and/or  years in your Bank of Life account.
•         Increased immunity to illness and disease.
•         Weight loss.
•         Better mental acuity.
•         More productivity.
•         More energy, enthusiasm and desire for adventure and joyful experiences.

It’s a typical tragedy in our society for people to spend the majority of their lives pursuing money to enjoy when they retire, only to discover that they no longer possess the health and mobility to actualize their plans and dreams.   They had not paid much attention to Deposits and had overdrawn from the Bank of Life.

For life ultimately boils down to the functioning of our body and brain.  Our existence becomes limited to our physical and mental abilities to go places and do things.  There’s no amount of financial wealth that can buy health and longevity.  And there are no transfers of dollars to days in the Bank of Life, except to maybe purchase a new heart or some other failing body part.

It is never too early or too late to take control of your Bank of Life and make deposits for investment in a long and healthy life.

LONGEVITY ALL-STARS:  SIR MICK JAGGER

Los Angeles, May 2013.  Photos of Mick by Chuck Keller

“Time is On My Side” by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones is a fitting description of his life as he currently leads the Rolling Stones on their 50th anniversary tour.  Although some call them “the Strolling Bones”, Mick and the other Rolling Stones continue to perform at a level equivalent to or greater than their earlier concerts.  During the several hours of a performance, Sir Michael Phillip “Mick” Jagger, who turned 70 this year, continues to run, jump, and contort in continuous dance while maintaining the breath to belt out his lyrics.   It’s estimated that he travels about 12 miles during a performance.   He prepares for tours with daily 8 mile runs.

In 1981, over 30 years ago, I attended a Rolling Stones concert in Tempe, Arizona and then again a few years ago in Ft. Lauderdale, and there was no noticeable change in Mick’s appearance and performance as if he had never aged in the past thirty years.  

Research revealed that a nutritionally focused DIET and EXERCISE are priorities in his life.  The son of a physical education teacher, fitness has been a major part of his life.  The ageless Mick runs, swims, bikes, kick- boxes, weight trains, takes Pilates and ballet lessons and benefits from the training of an Olympic trainer… Wow!

And he still finds the time and energy to continue his legacy into his 70s as one of the greatest Rock & Rollers of all time.   Long live Sir Mick Jagger and long live Rock & Roll!

Stay tuned for the great microwave oven debate coming up in our next post…

                              “If you can’t fly, then run,

                               If you can’t run, then walk,

                               If you can’t walk, then crawl,

                               But whatever you do,

                   You have to keep  moving

forward.”

                                  

Martin Luther King Jr.

 

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