Your Metabolism, Why is it Getting Slower

A question  I always run up aganist when I am seeing patients is why am I getting heavier? Most people I see feel this is just the way it is as you age and as I have mentioned on several of my blog posts is this is not the way it has to be.

One reason we put on the extra pounds as we age is we are still eating an enormous amount of calories but not expending them as we did when we were younger.
Can we be honest here, I thought so, the western diet for the most part is awful. Full of fat and calorie dense and most of us choose a poor choice of foods to begin with to consume.
You also do not have the same muscle mass as you did twenty years ago. Fat or adipose tissue is dormant. it does not use energy. On the other hand muscle is living breathing active tissue and burns calories to survive. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn. So as you can see the more muscle you build as you age the faster you keep your metabolism running.

Why in the world we as individuals do not build more muscle as we age is beyond me. You want to stay strong hit the iron, lift weight. You want to stay lean, hit the iron lift weight. You want to have stronger bones that will help you prevent further injury as you age, hit the iron, lift weight.

You also of course experience a slow down of growth hormone production among many other physiological changes that take place.

Staying off the prescription bandwagon also will keep your metabolism from going into a grinding to a halt.

My prescription for you is invest in some barbells and dumbbells, build some muscle and then watch he weight melt off your bones. The new weight you obtain will be muscle not fat.

Oh by the way, you will want to look into getting a new wardrobe as well once you have that new muscle on you. With muscle your bodyweight may not change much but, your appearance will.

Getting fit and strong for the 21st century is where its at fellow boomer.


Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
Punta Gorda, Florida.
http://www.richardhaynes.com/
"When You Are Tough On Yourself Then The World Becomes Easy"--Zig Ziglar

Knee Replacement and Squatting

As I have written in the past, I had my right knee replaced in September of 1999 in Tampa, Florida. The surgery was done at the hospital I worked for at the time, University Community Hospital.

I am now in the beginning stages of entering my first natural bodybuilding contest in July of 2010. I will be 53 at that time. I  train with a knee replaced and and a ruptured right bicep tendon in the shoulder.

I do squat inside a smith machine which does the balancing work for me and will stay light with the weight never going over 150 pounds.

As most of you know that have had a knee replaced if your orthopedic surgeon catches wind of this they have a fit.

I have squatted for 10 years now without difficulty. I also have strengthened the muscles surrounding the knee the hamstrings and calf and soleus. Having sufficient strength built in around the knee in my estimation is the determing factor on the success rate of the knee.

I have seen a number of knee replacements  fail due to poor supporting structures and overall lack of muscle integrity around the knee plain and simple.

For us babyboomers or adults over 50 that are still in the iron game having to be told " don't do that" does not cut it with us.

The stories of fear and doubt are pitiful and I will not be a part of that program any longer.

Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
Punta Gorda, Florida.
http://www.richardhaynes.com/
" The First and Best Victory is to Conquer Self"---Plato

Develop Both Your Physical and Mental Image

In our quest in this country to look for the quick fix, born are areas like liposuction and plastic surgery.

It is futile to change our outer apperance if we have not changed our inner beings, in other words how we think.

Our minds, the software we have been given at birth will determine how our outer world manifests itself.

All the plastic surgery or liposcution in the world will not change this. Our self esteem and self worth needs more work to develop itself other then quick fixes.

Superficial changes will not cut it.

When deciding to make that change in life physical exercises is just one part of the puzzle. Include a change in mind, how we think then will determine our success not only in our physical presence and abilities as we age but,  how we as people can become more self reliant and less reliant on the TV and other gossip machines that tend to wear down the population and give up hope.


Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
Punta Gorda, Florida.
http://www.richardhaynes.com/
http://www.rhaynes.blogspot.com/
The First and Best Victory is to Conquer Self---Plato

Polypharmacy, Killing You at Your Expense

I have just finished seeing a patient that without a doubt was being over loaded on medications to the point they have been become toxic to his system. The gradual decline in his physical and mental abilities was taking place on  a daily basis.

It was later found that in fact this individual was given more medication then his body was meant to handle and was falling multiple times each day.

In America we are being used and made to be drug dependent society. After all, that is where the money is right? Yet people continue to buy into this mentality that they have to have it to survive. Hogwash!

You can't watch a news broadcast on TV without having drug commericals beating you over the head. It's shameful.

Take the simple prescription of exercising and eating right. Push yourself both mentally and physically.
Save yourself a lot of anguish right now.

Put your money into a sound exercise and nutritonal educational program.

Remember " pay me now or pay me later'  always comes to pass.

Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
Punta Gorda, Florida.
http://www.richardhaynes.com/
http://www.rhaynes.blogspot.com/
The first and best victory is to conquer self--Plato

Creating You Inc.

I just returned from the 2009 National Student Conclave in Miami it was an excellent program and well organized.
I had the privilege to speak to a group of Physical Therapist Assistants on "The 10 Steps To Being a Great PTA"

I the biggest impression I wanted to leave on them was the fact they have been given the talent and the skill to work in society to not only help heal the physical wounds but, to also heal mental wounds as well that have been brought on by injury or illness.

The key for all of them to remember is that the work they do is a direct reflection on each one of them.
Give it your best with each patient you see, your name will be carved into the work you do.

You will only get one crack at this career, in fact we need to approach everything we do as individuals as if this is the superbowl of life. Our lives each day can be and should be approached as if this is the final game, the championship of life.

Working in the medical field is something not everyone can do, cherish and respect he position you are about to enter. Put your personal stamp on your work!

Being good is not good enough anymore, Being great is were you want to be

Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
Punta Gorda, Florida.
http://www.richardhaynes.com/

" The First and Best Victory is to Conquer Self"---Plato

In-Home Strength Training and Conditioning

I have added in-home strength and conditioning training for older adults at Total Joint Fitness here in the Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte Florida areas.

Working in the home now for the last eight years in the local community as a Physical Therapist Assistant, has lead me to believe that more people need the training that will help them achieve more more of an independent lifestyle as we age.

If you live in the Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Florida area and want more information on how to increase your strength and maintain an independent lifestyle or, have the ability to work longer past retirement then contact me and lets find out what we can do together to advance your chances to live a life with some dignity as you age.

Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
Punta Gorda, Florida.
http://www.richardhaynes.com/
http://www.rhyanes.blogspot.com/
The first and best victory is to conquer self- Plato

The 10 Steps To Being a Great PTA

I just finished my presentation in Miami at the National Student Conclave on The 10 Steps To Being a  Great PTA.

This post is somewhat different from my others as I generally discuss the importance of exercise and nutrition for older adults who have gone through orthopedic surgery or who are preparing too.

I enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the students and future therapist's who will be working the the physical therapy field as each one of them will hold the keys to the future of many of their patients they treat.

The point during the presentation was  that they want to be more then just good at what they do, they want to be great!

I discussed the following 10 steps with them

1. Passion
2. Belief in Yourself/ Self Confidence
3. Leadership/Teamwork
4. Being a Good Communicator
5. Good Time Management Skills
6. Likeability/Personality
7. Continue Learning
8. Exceed Expectations
9. Be Empathetic
10. Get Involved

 
Becoming great at what they do is more then knowing their anatomy or muscle insertions and origins, it is about being a teacher, motivator and getting people to understand that they are capable of anything if they work hard enough.
Good Luck to all the students I had the privilege to speak too this past weekend.

Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
Punta Gorda, Florida.
http://www.richardhaynes.com/
http://www.rhaynes.blogspot.com/
The First and Best Victory is to Conquer Self--Plato