SUGAR, THE NEW HEALTH CHALLENGE
The days are getting longer and the temperature is getting warmer and for most of us, we’ll be glad to see winter go. No more need to bundle up. So, say goodbye to your overcoat; as the temperature eases you’ll be a lot happier when you’re not freezing. It’s easier to arise at 6:30 a.m. if it’s now light outside. As your clothes peel off you’re confronted with another challenge. How am I looking? Extra weight provides insulation in the winter but now that it’s getting warmer, not so much. Do you realize with every additional inch added to your waist, you’re putting ten pounds of additional stress on your knees? In addition you are adding another mile of circulation to your circulatory system, causing your heart more stress. The answer is to cut out the sugar and exercise your heart. Sugar is in everything. As you body breaks down, the food you eat it is transformed into sugar which your body uses for energy. The problem is when you eat too much sugar the body transforms it into fat. Too much fat leads to medical issues. You do not want to visit the most expensive hotel in the city, namely the hospital, and realize that all drugs are poisons which are sometimes necessary and life-saving but all have negative side effects.
to Peter Luger will not kill you, but if you’re watching what you’re eating you can immediately feel the difference.
Cut down on the carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, cake, cookies and pizza which is a challenge in New York Bread City, and reduce your pure sugar intake, realizing that each gram of sugar listed on the food labels is equal to one teaspoon of sugar, so a soft drink or Starbucks’s coffee with additional syrup is a killer. Too much alcohol is a no-no especially beer which is maltose, the most absorbable carbohydrate available. When you’re younger you can get away with challenging your body, but after 50 you need to take care. Unfortunately, you cannot directly work out your heart. The only way to accomplish this is by indirectly increasing your heart muscle with aerobic exercises where you increase your heart rate and thereby build up your heart muscle. Life is not fair and your ancestors are always there even if they’re six feet down. You can’t change your genes so you have to live with what you’ve been given, but you can influence your genetic makeup by watching what you eat and being active. Here in the Big Apple you have a plus. In New York everyone is walking, unlike LA where no one does. You have free stair masters throughout the city. If you take the subway you’re walking down and up in most cases. Walking is one of the best exercises available and does not put undue strain on your joints. To get your heart rate up you can do power walks where you walk a little faster. How about bicycling in Central Park? Citi bikes are available everywhere so you don’t even have to buy one. The challenge is to get into the park without coming into contact with motor vehicles and/or pedestrians. I myself do not bike but swim three times a week. Swimming is one of the best exercises since it’s aerobic and easy on your joints. However, you have to commit and go to the pool and its a little harder in winter. Yes, it’s indoors, but still. Don’t forget to include a little resistance training twice a week with weights. As you age your muscle mass begins to decrease, so you need to do your part. Not heavy weights but some weight. Going to the gym is annoying and the best part for me is leaving, but over time it does have a positive effect and the endorphin spike after exercising gives positive reinforcement. Finally don’t forget your inner self. Reading or solving crossword puzzles or learning a new language helps to expand and challenge your brain. You need to be doing something to continually challenge your mind. Watching television or your smartphone is not helping. You’re not challenging your mind, just becoming comatose. Nobody wants to become old without cognition. So spring into Spring, and for your tooth exercises just come on down. We’ll clean them and check em’ out so you’ll have a happy and healthy mouth. You and your teeth will be glad you did.
Food portions have gotten a lot bigger and without some form of exercise the more you eat the more you gain. The key to eating is to watch what you eat and to eat slowly. Why do people like to eat? Well. Without food you won’t be around for long and when you’re eating you metabolism slows down. You’re breathing slower so for most you feel better. Occasional splurges are good but not if it’s the norm.
Levin cookies – one bite is all you need, not the whole cookie and certainly not a box of four. Pastrami and French fries at Katz’ once a year along with a yearly trip
2 www.reitdds.com
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