Joan’s Boomer Blog

I recently took a 6 week fitness and nutrition class called Mind Body Blast and really enjoyed it. To sum it up, it’s an engaging online class with Luci Gabel, a national exercise physiologist and wellness consultant. It’s like having your own nutrition consultant and fitness trainer on-the-go. Mind Body Blast is a small step approach, where you tackle one change to your diet and exercise program each week, working until you’ve built a healthy living change that will lasts.

Mind Body Blast is not a specific diet (no fads), it’s a program that simply hones in on healthy habit changes for lasting results. Luci guides you through the course through a series of tools: podcast videos, MP3 recordings, homework, tip sheets, and a community forum to share your progress, struggles, and successes to get support from your classmates. But most of all, you get to work with Luci one-on-one via emails and phone calls to meet your health, fitness and nutrition goals.

I lost eight pounds and an inch each from my waist and hips over the course of the six weeks. I have read a lot on health and nutrition and thoroughly endorse Luci’s methods, which can help you to become healthier in the long run. You don’t just lose weight and then gain it back like you do on many “diets,” you actually acquire the tools to continue living a healthier life long after the class is over.

Luci Gabel is offering a special discount on Mind Body Blast exclusively to my readers. The class is normally $169 for 6 weeks, for Luci is offering a promotional rate of $109 if you mention this discount code, “boomerblog2012″ when you sign up here: Mind Body Blast. The next class starts January 16th, perfect timing for those New Year’s resolutions.

If you are thinking about signing up, or would like to learn more about the class, you can use Luci’s contact form and mention the same code and she can give you a free 15 minute phone call to evaluate your goals, describe the class, and see if it sounds like a good match for you. Don’t worry, there’s no strong, pushy sales tactics here. Luci is just a nice person who’s offering a phone call to our readers to chat. Sometimes it’s helpful to hear a reassuring voice at the other end of the line who wants to help you to be your best self for 2012!

Would you like to be healthier and more physically fit in just six weeks time? I’m excited to participate in an upcoming health and fitness program called Luci Gabel’s Mind Body Blast, which begins September 26. I researched the program and I like Luci’s wellness approach. As a health and fitness coach and consultant, her program reflects a strong body, mind and spirit connection, which I believe is important to success.

I’ve always believed it’s important to make small, healthy changes over time, until they become a new habit. That way you can really stick to them in the long run as opposed to “going on a diet” or trying an unrealistic workout program, only to lose your incentive a week or two down the road. A six week program, with lots of information and support, is a good way to launch lifelong wellness changes in your life, to decrease stress, increase energy, lose some weight and tone some muscles.

The idea of making healthy changes in your life is to realize that in the process you’re giving up your old unhealthy ways and embracing something new, different and better. In the end you’ll likely lose weight, feel more energetic and be much healthier.

Luci Gabel, the creator and facilitator of The Mind Body Blast has an extensive nutritional background as well as an impressive assortment of fitness certifications, a master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Maryland (UMD) and a master’s in business management from John Hopkins’ University. All of this points to the fact that her health and fitness program is based on sound research and not fad diets or workouts.

The Mind Body Blast six week health and fitness program includes:

• Luci as your personal health and fitness coach. Ask questions, get advice and stay motivated. The program includes seven conference calls of about 30 minutes each to keep you in contact with Luci.
• There will be seven information-filled podcasts. Watch these anytime they fit into your personal schedule and keep them to watch again once class is over.
• Six exercise videos show you how to get the most benefit from your workouts in the least amount of time. A sample video on a total body workout on Luci’s website looks like fun.
• The program provides supplemental reading to to re-enforce the healthy new habits you’ll learn about during conference calls.
• For the entirety of the six week program you have access to a private, members-only forum. Discuss your challenges, share tips and advice and stay motivated with other members of the program.Having others to share with is an important aspect of success for many people and you will find it here.

The full price of Luci’s six week e-course is $169 but she’s offered a special discount to readers of my blog. Just put mbbearly into the code box, and you can purchase the class for $135 instead of $169 up through September 24.

Luci Gabels’ has an extensive list of health and fitness articles on her website, plus the free 20 minute workout video with a total body workout you can do pretty much anywhere. You can also sign up for 6 weeks of mind/body fitness tips delivered right to your email.

This six week health and fitness program with Luci Gabel begins September 26 and ends November 7. I hope some of my readers will share in the program with me.

If you’ve always wanted your own personal health and fitness coach, now is the time to get more information on the Mind Body Blast with Luci Gabel.

Hearing loss comes on gradually and by our boomer years we already have tinnitus or some degree of hearing loss. Purchasing a hearing aid can be expensive and confusing - but does it have to be? Patrick Freuler, founder of Audicus.com, has provided me with this informative article on hearing aids and how you can save money when purchasing them.

Hearing is fundamental to our ability to perceive and connect with the world. Unfortunately, a lifetime of exposure to myriads of sounds - from soft to loud - can ultimately cause our ears to deteriorate. Mild to moderate hearing loss is part of the natural aging process and can be particularly dreadful; it increasingly isolates from one’s social sphere, affecting one’s self esteem and often creating frustration and even depression.

Hearing loss cannot be cured, but only be assisted with a hearing aid. However if you’ve ever been through the process of getting a hearing aid, you probably must have scratched your head when peeking at the bill. A pair of hearing aids cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000, with virtually no coverage from insurance schemes. In the US, there are 35Mn people suffering from hearing loss, however only 25% use hearing aids and price is often quoted as one of the main barriers to adoption.

The high price, however, is not due to the technological complexity of modern hearing aids, but almost entirely to the mark-ups imposed by manufacturers and retailers. The cost to produce a state of the art hearing aid is less than $150 - most of the components are commoditized and the manufacturing is done in the Far East – however it is sold for up to 25 times more. So isn’t it surprising that an iPhone, which is substantially more complex, costs five times less than a hearing aid?

As of this week though, a New York based startup, Audicus Hearing Aids (www.audicus.com), aims to address this entrenched market by launching a disruptive retail model for hearing aids. Audicus saves users up to 80% on high quality hearing aids, by making the retail process far more efficient, simple and transparent.

Similar to eyeglasses or contact lenses that can now be bought over the Internet, Audicus sells its devices directly to the consumer through its online platform. Users can browse through a range of hearing products, submit a prescription (so the devices can be custom-programmed) and receive the devices directly by mail. Audicus has a 45 day “100% happiness or full money back” guarantee, thus providing a risk-free environment for users to try a new device.

Audicus’ founder Patrick Freuler, thinks that consumers deserve more choice than the limited alternatives of traditional hearing aid clinics and dispenser chains. And choice will come: pharmacies and mass retailers like Costco have recently made some inroads into the space. The internet has been slower in developing its channel in a credible fashion: Freuler warns of poorly designed websites with no “money-back trial period” or no manufacturer warranty on their products and recommends users to carefully study the product offer details, as well as other user reviews.

User feedback is at the core of Audicus’ mission: its user reviews have so far been extremely positive, which Freuler attributes to its product quality, specialist support, customization (e.g. when custom-programming a hearing aid) and an overall credible experience. “Credibility and choice go a long way”, says Freuler, “and the hearing industry has been owing it to consumers for a long time.”

For more information go to www.audicus.com

Joan’s Boomer Blog receives no compensation for the sale of Audicus hearing aids.

I’ve been doing water aerobics for about 3 years at my local YMCA and water workout equipment, like the products made by Aquajogger, have become very popular as people discover the benefits of exercising in the pool. In doing water aerobics, you get a good aerobic workout for your heart and lungs but the exercise is non-weight bearing and so very easy on your joints. Using water resistance gear like the Aquajogger buoyancy belt or the DeltaBells, which are like foam dumb bells, help you burn more calories, build more muscle and increase the benefits of the time you spend in the pool.

My water aerobics class at the Y covers all age groups, from an 84-year-old woman to kids working out with mom or grandma for the summer vacation. Both men and women love water aerobics, especially when it’s hot outside.

Water offers 12 times the resistance of air so just exercising in the water offers a great workout. The health benefits of water aerobics include:

• Helping you to lose weight and tone up muscles
• Improving balance and flexibility
• Improving core strength which also helps balance and posture, plus gives you a flatter stomach!
• Helping ease arthritis and joint pain-important for us boomers
• Keeping your heart and lungs in top shape
• Helping you train for sports or maintain fitness
• Helping to slow the effects of aging through balanced exercise

Water aerobics is especially beneficial for those suffering from health issues like arthritis, fibromyalgia or MS. In fact, there is a special class at our Y for those with physical problems. Water aerobics is also a great exercise for pregnant women (but check with your doctor first).

I recently started using the Aquajogger Buoyancy Belt because it helped to support my lower back and abdominal muscles and offered increased resistance for my hour workout. I also used the DeltaBells, which are great for working on that flab under the arms, and the AquaRunners, which fit on your feet like water shoes. With the AquaRunners, you can jog in the water and increase your cardiovascular benefits, plus it really works the leg muscles.

All of the Aquajogger equipment was made of extremely comfortable and durable foam and the cost is very reasonable. A workout DVD and a workout guide book came with the set of equipment and described exercises to do.

Most of the exercises are easy, like the cross country skiing in the water, running, twisting from side to side for the waist, and doing jumping jacks, but the resistance offered by the water and the Aquajogger gear made for a terrific workout.

Water aerobics is a great exercise if you’re a baby boomer and looking for something that tones, trims and helps your joints at the same time. Once you hit midlife, usually jogging on dry land is out because of knee and hip issues (who wants a knee replacement by age 50?). The benefits of water aerobics pretty much cover all the workout bases for boomers and seniors without being hard on your body at the same time.

If you’d like more information on the Aquajogger products, visit their website at www.Aquajogger.com

IonLoop Counters Effects of Positive Ions + Contest Giveaway

The IonLoop, with its negative ion and magnetic technology, is becoming popular everyone from athletes, who compete under the energy draining UV rays of the sun and want to boost their energy, to office

IonLoop

workers and others who work under florescent lights, sit in front of a computer or talk on a cell phone during the course of a day. Anyone who is constantly exposed to fatigue producing positive ions may benefit from this new technology.

I’ve been wearing an IonLoop bracelet for about a week and I can tell you, it’s attractive and comfortable enough to be worn all the time. Scroll down to find out about an opportunity to win an IonLoop bracelet to try for yourself.

There has been quite a bit in the news lately about the possible harmful effects on our bodies of positive ions absorbed through daily use of computer terminals, florescent lighting, modern building materials, forced air ventilation systems and machinery of all sorts. Many believe, and scientific studies are beginning to support, the idea that these positive ions in our environment contribute to fatigue, depression, irritability, headaches and stress.

So how do we counter the effects of modern life and positive ions? With negative ions. These odorless, tasteless and invisible molecules are thought to produce biochemical reactions when they reach our bloodstreams which increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.

Where do Negative Ions come from?

The air around waterfalls, beaches, forests and mountains are loaded with billions of naturally occurring negative ions, which counterbalance the positive ions and no doubt contributes to their tranquil atmosphere. If you aren’t lucky enough to live near a waterfall or a mountain, the Adidas IonLoop delivers all the extraordinary benefits that natural Ions and Magnets have to offer in an attractive, easy to wear bracelet.

The IonLoop’s silicone band contains a natural negative ion-producing mineral, Tourmaline, which is compounded with other natural elements and magnetic technology which allow helpful ions to be absorbed into the body. Magnetic energy is thought to contribute to the health and regeneration of our body’s cells.

Whether or not you believe in the effects of positive ions on the body, emerging science suggests that it may be wise to protect ourselves from the possible harmful effects of modern life and the IonLoop offers a convenient, attractive way to do that.

My Boomer Blog is doing a contest to give away an IonLoop bracelet so you can judge it’s effects yourself. Simply put a comment in the comment section here by February 28, then visit Facebook to “friend”  http://www.facebook.com/IonLoop, adding that you would read about the Ion Loop giveaway on Tips for Boomer Years. A winner will be chosen at random and the winner’s IonLoop bracelet will arrive in the mail.

Also visit http://www.twitter.com/IonLoop and their official website at IonLoop.com

I’ve been busy traveling for most of December or busy with the holidays, so I haven’t given an update on my

Natural Neuropathy Treatment

trip to the neurologist for test results. I had some blood tests for possible causes of the small fiber neuropathy I’m experiencing.

Nothing can wreck havoc on retirement like developing health issues as we get older. Actually, those issues have probably been developing for many years, but they can grow debilitating in our senior years.

Thousands of people suffer from some form of neuropathy, which causes tingling, pins and needles and numbness, mainly in the hands and feet. It can be caused from a medical condition, such as diabetes or a thyroid problem, vitamin deficiencies and other reasons. Small fiber neuropathy can cause the tingling sensation throughout the body. For some forms of neuropathy there is no obvious cause.

Treatment depends on the cause, if it can be determined. If not, a neurologist will prescribe various drugs which work on the nervous system to dull the symptoms (and they dull some of the rest of you too!) but don’t really treat the cause.

As it turns out, all the tests I took (and have ever taken for neuropathy) were totally normal so I was back to square one as to cause and treatment. As always, my neurologist couldn’t offer me any real advice, except that at some point, if I wanted to try drugs, he could prescribe some. Having spent some time looking up possible side effects to those drugs, though, I think I’d have to be pretty bad off to actually subject my body to that.

As readers know, I believe in researching our own health issues so we know the latest on alternative treatments and remedies which might be helpful. I decided to try something called Nerve Support Formula for Relief of Peripheral, Diabetic & Poly Neuropathy Nerve Pain, which is a natural remedy.

I did my own test for the effectiveness of Nerve Support on my neuropathy symptoms. I took one bottle per the directions for 30 days and my tingling did seem to be better. I decided to stop taking it to see what happened and the tingling got worse in a few days. I decided to order another bottle and start taking it again and, after a couple days, the symptoms diminished again.

You’re supposed to start by taking four capsules per day and over time, when your symptoms lessen, you can decrease the dosage to maintain the improvement.

If you suffer from neuropathy, it’s important to see your doctor to find out if they can determine a treatable cause. In many cases, though, even if you do know the cause and are treating it, the neuropathy symptoms remain.

The information on this product says it can help many people, no matter what the cause of their neuropathy. It did work for me and I think it would be worth it for anyone with neuropathy to try before taking medications which only handle symptoms and don’t really treat the cause.

Ordering through Amazon, you can also get free shipping.

If you have asthma, Chronic bronchitis or emphysema, or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) it’s very important to work with your doctor to manage your treatment. However, practicing yoga breathing techniques can improve the condition of your lungs and the quality of your life, no matter what your age, and you don’t have to do yoga to benefit from these exercises.

Deep breathing has benefits for everyone, not just those who suffer from lung conditions. Most of us breath shallowly and one of the best relaxation techniques you can do is to take several deep, slow breaths.In fact, deep breathing can even help speed up your metabolism and help you lose weight.

I’ve been doing yoga consistently for about 3 years and slow, deep breathing, done in conjunction with flowing body movements has made my lungs and joints feel 100% better than they used to. About three months ago, I started studying tai chi which also emphasizes deep breathing which corresponds to body movements. Having become more conscious of my breath, I find that I’m breathing deeper much more often throughout my day.

Both yoga and tai chi are so relaxing that I’m sorry I didn’t take them up many years ago!

If you don’t want to take a yoga class, or don’t have time, here are some helpful tools to teach you yoga deep breathing techniques. It won’t take long to improve your lung health, and feel more relaxed and energized.

Breathe - Guided Yoga and Breathing Exercises To Relax and Revive Rodney Yee is a favorite of mine and I have several of his Yoga Cds. His voice is relaxing and he takes you through various breathing exercises for health and relaxation. This one also includes some simple relaxation yoga poses.

Functional Fitness for COPD and Asthma - an on demand rental from Amazon which you can use for 7 days for just $1.99. If you decide you like the exercises in the video, you can also purchase it. These exercises require no special equipment and can help reduce the symptoms of asthma and COPD, plus there is some explanation of these conditions.

Yoga Breathing - Guided Meditations for Beginners. Don’t be put off by the word meditation in the title. Meditation focuses on breath and breath is what you need to improve if you have COPD or Emphysema. This is an MP3 download and you can listen to samples and then download the entire MP3 for $4.95 or individual breathing meditations for 99 cents each.

Here’s one I just started using on the basis of a recommendation in Yoga Journal: The Practice of Pranayama: An In-Depth Guide to the Yoga of Breath. I have been looking for a guide that would help me learn the art of yogic breathing and this 7 CD set is a complete program. If you have any type of lung or breathing problems, you don’t have to do yoga to benefit from this practice.

Pranayama is a Sanskrit word with two parts. Prana, meaning life force or breath, and yama, meaning to suspend or to control. Pranayama is control of breath and this 8 hour, 155 track CD breathing program, Richard Rosen says, (from Yoga Journal) will help “your breath will smooth and lengthen, your mind will become calm and clear….and you will gradually fine-tune the dial of your consciousness.”

Read more about the benefits of deep breathing and some simple breathing exercises.

Natural Remedies for COPD, Emphysema and Asthma

Read more about COPD on WebMd

The holidays are around the corner and coming up with a gift idea for someone who uses a walker or is confined to a wheel chair can be challenging. Giving the gift of health is especially important in these circumstances so here are a few ideas:

• Clip-on Cup Holder for Walkers, Wheelchairs Drinking lots of water is very important for health and with this clip on cup holder, someone confined to a wheelchair or using a walker will always have water handy.

• Walker Basket with Beverage Holder Tray - Walker Accessory This handy basket clips onto the front of the walker to keep water bottles, magazines, medications, just about anything, always within easy reach.

• Walker or Wheelchair Insulated Cup Holder Another cup holder, but insulated to keep drinks hot or cold.

• Carry-All Walker Pouch - Navy Carryall that attaches to the front of the walker in various colors.

• Lotions and bath salts to soothe tired muscles.

• Bain D’esprit - Vanilla Almond Spa Bath and Body Gift Set Relaxing bath and skin products - all put together in a beautiful basket.

• Sloping Orthopedic Seat Cushion - Medium Firm - Arthritis Product for comfort when sitting for long hours.

• A massager for sore, tired muscles.

• Case Logic Lap Organizer for Wheelchair to keep many items within easy reach.

These are just a few healthy gift ideas for someone using a walker or confined to a wheelchair.

Here are more healthy gift ideas suitable for anyone on your list.

Here are some terrific healthy gift ideas from Dr. Andrew Weil.

Want to go organic but don’t like the high prices? You can get organic food coupons for many of your favorite products to help save you money. If you know where to look, you can find coupons for organic milk and yogurt, organic meat, organic baby foods and more.

Organic food coupons.com offers links to printable coupons for everything from organic dairy products to organic pet food. The website also has a handy listing of local supermarkets so you can browse their ads for organic foods. Chose an item, like organic free range eggs, and get a list of website to find coupons.

MyGroceryDeals.com is another site where you can find organic food coupons and it also compares in store sales at supermarkets in your zip code. If you search for “organic food” and then go to “category,” it gives you choices such as bakery, fruits and veggies and juices. You can also clip and print coupons on this site.

Another way to find organic food coupons is to visit the site of the company which sells organic foods and see if they have printable coupons. For instance, Laura’s Lean Meat offers a $1 off coupon for organic meat and Stoney Field where you can get coupons for their organic yogurt, milk and ice cream.

Organic Valley organic milk also offers coupons on their website for their organic milk, half and half, cottage cheese, butter and more. Print them out and take them to the store with you to save big on these organic products.

Most of these sites require registration, but it’s free. You can sign up for newsletters and email info too if you’d like and many of the articles are very informative.

Coupons.com sometimes lists coupons for organic foods too. Print out several if it’s a product you like. Recently, they had a $1 coupon for Muir Glen organic tomato paste. Since one can costs $1.79, I got more than 50% off the can.

Compare prices on your favorite organic products at The Find.com. I just recently discovered this fantastic, money saving website. You can put in any search term you want, for instance Organic foods which found 8,651 stores with 242,098 organic food offerings. You can compare prices, whether or not coupons are offered, or if the item is on sale or has free shipping.

The Find also offers lots of money saving articles on many different topics as well.

Other places to save on organic foods without a coupon:

Costco - Costco is carrying a wider variety of organic products these days. Be sure to break down the price per unit to see if you’re really saving money, however. Just because it’s at Costco, doesn’t necessarily make it cheaper. If you can’t use a huge bin or organic lettuce and throw 2/3 of it away, are you really saving money? On the other hand, if you can freeze or preserve the leftovers, and you can use it all in a green smoothie, for instance, you would save money on that tub of spinach.

Walmart too is starting to carry more organic options. However, be sure to check for freshness. I’ve seen organic grapes and other produce at Walmart for a good price but because not many people are buying them, half the bag is inedible.

Eating organic foods is better for your health and the environment at a whole and now you know it’s possible to get more of these nutritious foods into your diet and save money with organic food coupons.

As I find more websites offering Organic coupons, I’ll add those too so check back frequently. If you have a good source for organic food coupons or can thing of other great ways to save money and eat organic, please leave a comment and we’ll check it out.

ZenniOptical is now the number one website online to order fashionable, budget friendly eyeglasses. Prescription eyeglasses are necessary for eye health, but ZenniOptical knows that eyeglasses are also a fashion statement. They provide a high quality product at affordable prices. Did you know that despite the fact that ZenniOptical is a bargain for eyeglass wearers, many opticians don’t want you to order your glasses online?

The reason opticians don’t like ZenniOptical is fairly obvious. They would rather you pay their higher prices, which does not benefit you.

How can an optician stop you from ordering bargain, quality eyeglasses online? They leave out one vital part of your prescription, the Pupillary Distance, or PD. The PD is the distance in millimeters, measured between the pupils of each eye, center to center. To get the proper prescription made for you, ZenniOptical needs that measurement. However, there is a growing trend among those providing your prescription to you not to provide it unless you ask specifically.

If you’re looking for fashionable, quality eyeglasses at bargain prices, try ZenniOpitical. It’s easy. Just put in the prescription and choose the features you want. You can get beautiful eyeglasses for as little at $29!

Read what other eyecare professionals are saying.