Total Body Wellness

With the recent news about the “swine flu” everyone seems to be a bit worried. Remember that we are always exposed to viruses all day long, but some people seem more susceptible to catching colds or the flu. A strong immune system can combat these viruses.
The following factors have all been associated with impaired immune function and increased risk of catching colds: old age, cigarette smoking, stress, poor nutrition, fatigue, lack of sleep and over-training.

More and more research is finding a link between moderate, regular exercise and a strong immune system.

Early studies reported that recreational exercisers reported fewer colds once they began running. Moderate exercise has been linked to a positive immune system response and a temporary boost in the production of macrophages, the cells that attack bacteria. It is believed that regular, consistent exercise can lead to substantial benefits in immune system health over the long-term.
Recently studies have shown that there are physiological changes in the immune system as a response to exercise. During moderate exercise immune cells circulate through the body more quickly and are better able to kill bacteria and viruses.
After exercise ends, the immune system generally returns to normal within a few hours, but consistent, regular exercise seems to make these changes a bit more long-lasting.

There is one caveat however, too much exercise can be harmful to your Immune System so don’t overdo it!

some information taken from Can Too Much Exercise Make You Sick?
By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com

Filed by Jeanette at 4:20 pm under Lifestyle
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This year the biggest loser winner was a 48 year old women. She lost over 50% of her body weight. It was fantastic but throughout the competition everyone could not stop talking about how amazing it was that she was able to do this at 48 years old. In fact during the finale last night the host must have stated this poor womens age over a dozen times. What was worse was that the gal who won kept on saying, “you are never too old to reach your dreams!” Old? 48 is old?

Today on the MSN home page there was a video about some “feud” between Valerie Bertinelli and Marie Osmond who have both lost a lot of weight on diets with separate companies. Valerie Bertinelli posed on the cover of People magazine last month some time in a bikini. She looked terrific! Guess what? She is 48 years old.
In the video, there is a clip of Marie Osmond saying, “If it makes Valerie feel good to do it fine, but personally I don’t want to see a 48 year old women in a bikini on the cover of a magazine.” Why Not? She looked great!
However, the video continues on with Valerie Bertinellie saying, “I just wanted to show people that you are never too old to do something like that.”
So I ask you again, since when did 48 become old.
Maybe it is because I am 48 or maybe it is because I have a number of clients who are 48 plus and everyone of them looks great and far from old. As a matter of fact, they are all pretty hot!

What ever the reason, I am not very happy that at 48, we are supposed to consider ourselves “old” according to the media and some people. You are only as old as you feel and if I am supposed to be “old” then I guess I did not get the memo.

Filed by Jeanette at 4:19 pm under Pilates
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