America has a consumption problem. We eat too much, drink too much, and we don't get enough exercise. I'll focus on the consumption problem, as that is the primary culprit in our obesity epidemic. The average height for a man in the US is 5'9" The average weight for a man in the US is [...]
How can we measure optimal fitness for men over fifty? I think we can use a number of different markers to produce an overall picture of a healthy and functional man over fifty. And, men who are able to achieve this level of health and fitness as they get older will likely be able to [...]
A few weeks back it was revealed that President Trump is dealing with a condition in his legs known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). When I learned about what it is, I wasn't surprised that it is an ailment the President is dealing with. Chronic Venous Insufficiency is a condition that arises from damaged veins [...]
Metabolic syndrome is a primary driver of poor health throughout the developed world. Metabolic syndrome is defined as a group of health conditions that raise the risk of developing serious illness, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, liver and kidney disease, and diabetes. These health conditions can include significant belly fat, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, [...]
Frailty Sarcopenia is the scourge of aging. It is the process of losing muscle mass and strength that begins some time around the age of 40. Sarcopenia can greatly impact your quality of life by reducing your ability to perform normal tasks such as carrying groceries and climbing stairs. If left unchecked, it [...]
If you are like me and prefer training at home rather than going to a gym, you'll need proper equipment. It's time to turn your basement or garage into your own gym. Below I discuss the equipment I have in my own very humble garage gym and some other recommendations. Before I get to that, [...]
I recently read that through the use of accelerometry analysis, it was estimated that less than 10% of the US population meets the 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week prescription recommended by the CDC. Some argue that the 10% figure is overly pessimistic, as there is another estimate as high as 47%. [...]
In a previous post, I discussed the Sick Aging Phenotype. The Sick Aging Phenotype is a person who is beset by a whole host of maladies, not the least of which is Metabolic Syndrome. So what is the best way to turn around the Sick Aging Phenotype, or better yet, avoid it altogether? Exercise. Exercise [...]
Phat Phil The discussion that follows is derived from my personal fitness bible, The Barbell Prescription, written by Dr. Jonathon Sullivan and Andy Baker. Sullivan runs a business known as Greysteel and he specializes in strength training for middle aged folks and the elderly. Andy Baker is a well known strength trainer. Be [...]
Regular meditation practice has been associated with a number of benefits backed by clinical research. I’ll dive into the primary benefits here and encourage you to conduct further research if you still have doubts. Stress Reduction The primary benefit derived from meditation is that it can help reduce stress. Stress reduction is critical to overall [...]