Embrace Yourself: August 2008

Laugh out loud for good

As this blog is all about health and fitness, laughing does help to produce endorphins; one of the crucial elements to sustain the well-being of our health physically and mentally.

This video contains the message of being healthy and fit. It's a Thai Health Commercial and certainly will make you laugh your heart out!

Had a good laugh?
Spread it to your friends and family.

Thank you for your time.

Keep fit at 100

In my previous post, it was mentioned that high-intensity exercise such as running at the early stages of our life can extend our lifespan. However when we reach a certain age, we could not run as much as we used to. Does that mean that all we have done in the past 50 years is a waste?

No, less vigorous exercise should be continued as it is also a key to longevity!

I would like to share an inspiring article from BBC Health.

Exercise classes keep Flo fit at 100
By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC News

Flo Harmsworth is a good example of the old adage, "It's never too late to get fit."

At the age of 90 her doctor prescribed exercise classes to help combat the painful effects of peripheral vascular disease - narrowing of the arteries.

Her legs were aching and, despite having a very active life, she was starting to find it too painful to walk.

Now a decade later the centenarian is still taking part in the Royal Free Hospital weekly classes and loving them.

'Always active'

Daughter Eve Murfin feels the classes have been a key factor in her mother reaching her century.

"It has helped her longevity. Everyone is amazed by the fact that she got to 100 and that she was in an exercise class.

"She was always very active. She has always done plenty of walking and she reckons this has kept her fit.

Thank you for reading.

Picture Courtesy of BBC.

Great deals with running

The National Health Interview Survey 2006's report stated that out of 220,267 samples, 61.9 percents of them fell into the category of NEVER take part in vigorous physical exercise activities per week.

This survey was conducted by United States Department of Health and Human Service with the sample of age ranging 18 years old and above.

Only a small percentage of people had 5 or more times of vigorous exercise per week, which took up only 11 percents.

Running is the most simple and easy type of high-intensity physical exercise. The recent discovery by the researchers was, running can reduce chances of disability and pose an advantage on lifespan.
Apart from this, running can be viewed as a slender version of Santa Clause who comes with a lot of gifts!

Gift #1
Weight loss
Ladies cheers! Want to get rid of unpleasant sight of the bulges above your belt? Or rather tame some flabs around your tummy, arms and thigh? Start running. Approximately 60% of runners started running to shed off excess weights.
TIPS: Morning run has an advantage as stored fats from the previous day will be dissolved and turned into muscles.

Gift #2
War with aging
"Grow old gracefully." That's what everybody is saying. Minus some nip and tuck, get some real work here. This applies for both gender, running prevents muscle and bone loss. Solely depends on drinking high-calcium milk does not help to prevent osteoporosis. Of course, calcium build up strong bones but this comes in pairs. Running heighten your bone density. Higher bone density equals to stronger bone.

On top of that, it was proven that running promote human growth hormone. Apart from the well-brushed make-up, have you ever wondered why some natural look celebrities look fantastic? Envy Jennifer Garner and Kate Beckinsale? They are one of the hundreds great looking celebrities with the renown personal trainer, Valerie Waters! The main point is, they run a lot.

Gift #3
Go away disease
The doctors' prescription for early stages of osteoporosis, diabetes and hypertension is running.
Amazingly, running strengthened the heart and lungs. Eventually, it reduces the risk of heart attack and improve breathing difficulties. Since young, my doctor has been pushing me to run with care as it helps to build stronger lungs muscles. Unfortunately, I was adamant until I finally accepted the fact that running does not trigger asthma attack! What a waste. Running in general helps to maintain good health with higher good cholesterol, which aids in lowering the risk of having blood clots.

Gift #4
Stress relief
Stress is an inevitable psychological burden for most of us. At most the time, sleeping only temporary numbing the stress you have. In a long run, stress will accumulate and cause a major headaches or worse, migraine. Your brain has more than enough guests to entertain, let's not piling up the guests list.

When you take some time out to run, you take some time for yourself. Time apart from routines helps you to clear your mind and find a way-out or solutions to your problems. I too, run to get rid of stress! After a 20 minutes run, I always felt lighter and happier.
In addition, it is proven that running releases endorphins which will brighten up your mood. Endorphins is the key to euphoria! Basically, endorphins is used to treat depression and many kinds of psychological addictions.

Are the gifts satisfying to get you run?

Thank you for reading.

Picture courtesy of Getty Images.

"Run" for your life

On August 19 2008, an India national man, Habib Mian went to meet his creator. It made a news as he had lived for 130 years. See the article.

How long will we live? This question crossed my mind quite often. Looking at the age of deceased in the newspaper obituary section, 80 to 90 years old are the common figures. Yet, those are the Silent Generation where the ozone was still perfect; no holes and patches, the soil was still rich and the water was still clean and clear.

Fast forward to the next generation, the Baby Boomers who are our parents (considering that we are Generation Y) born right after the end of World War II. As a kid, I used to listened to my parents' childhood stories. Their childhood days and teenage lives were filled with outdoor activities. Basically, nothing like us with hours of sitting in front of television and computers.

Considering the less healthy lifestyle and diet we, the Generation X, Y and Z have, how long will we live? Does this matter to you?

Thanks to a group of researchers who are doctors as well, Eliza Chakravarty , Helen Hubert, Vijaya Lingala and James Fries, we the human race have a way to extend our lifespan. Of course, you reap what you sow. It is not about buying a bottle of supplements or injections. It is all about running!

The above mentioned group of researchers took 21 years long to complete the study. It was reported by the Archives of Internal Medicine that running can increase the lifespan as well as reduce the chances of disability.

Running is categorised as a type of vigorous exercise. One might doubts on one capability in running. Thinking of hard-core, speedy, time-oriented marathon? Need not to, according to Dr. George Sheehan, a best-selling author from the 1970's running boom, anyone can be a runner as long as you are motivated to run regardless of your speed.

There are 4 types of running:

Treadmill Running

The name speaks for itself. Treadmill is invented for convenience, you can run whenever you want despite the bad weather or inappropriate timing. Most gym goers fell into this category.

Trail Running

You run along the trails. The benefit of trail running is, you will be motivated by the change of environment. Neither typical park with circling paths nor static views from your treadmill. You will be in touch with the nature, natural environment and fresh air to breath. Personally, I've been to Gasing Hill in PJ area and I would like to take my next trip to Bukit Cahaya in Shah Alam and FRIM in Kepong.

Racing

If you have been running for a quite a while. Try racing with your group of friends as the thrill of competition can push you forward. Perhaps, increasing your speed?

Casual Running

Casual means no pressure and no rules. You can do it anywhere at any speed that suits your body. You can run along the promenade, beaches, condominium compound or park.

Do you run?
Want to live longer?
Why not tick running as one of your routine?

Weak is the antonym of Strong

One of my friends used to tease me, "Unlike us, this girl is one healthy person." I would roll my eyes over and stare at her blankly while she continued to give out details of my routine and food intake. The only thing she did not realise is, my medical report scores a 'C'!

I do not take carbonated drinks except 100 PLUS.

From the statement above, I must have given out an impression of stick-thin girl who is thinking about how much calories I would have consumed for one tin of coke right? Well, I'm not. Basically, I'm banned from taking carbonated drinks due to Asthma.

After 15 years of intense medication, my condition has improved. Recalling those days could give some laughters. Do not get me wrong, it is not fun when you could feel the oxygen travel through the thicken bronchiole ( airway in lung), which reluctantly allow it to pass through and it hurts for every inhale. I was so near to stepping into the red-light zone, which was Bronchitis! As a result, I grew up with getting fond of really warm drinks day by day. Yes, I only take iced drinks once in a blue moon. As iced drinks are like icicles jabbing right into my lung.

Laughters filled the air when my mother commented, " In old times, people believed that swallowing a newborn door mouse is an elixir for asthma."

Due to my health state, I grew up with the do's and don'ts in my daily routine. I wanted to be stronger and happier. Eventually, I become a health-watcher myself. Having asthma is not the only reason that made me who I am today. I will disclose them when it is necessary as I would share my experiences and lessons on health through this blog.

Thank you for reading.

To understand Bronchitis

Embrace Yourself

Laugh out loud for good

Keep fit at 100

Great deals with running

"Run" for your life

Weak is the antonym of Strong