Exercise & Fitness Archive

Schedule shifts can hurt your health. The New Year is a great time to hit the reset button.

Throughout most of human history, the pattern of daily life was regular. Dreary for many, but regular. In recent centuries, "modern" life has introduced many irregularities, including changing work schedules. Advances in information technology mean that many of us are always connected — and that we spend time connecting at all hours. And the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced whole new irregularities into daily life.

One thing is certain: "When your schedule changes, you can lose the regular self-care routines that kept you active, eating right, and managing stress — things we need to control weight and inflammation and fight disease," says Dr. Monique Tello, a primary care physician and healthy lifestyle specialist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Make this year's batch of New Year's resolutions stick by taking a new approach.

It's a new year, and you've got a resolution in mind. Whether it's aiming for a healthier diet, improving your stress management, or finally committing to that daily workout, achieving your goal probably won't be easy. Resolutions made on New Year's Day are often in the trash bin by Valentine's Day. But this year can be different if you learn how to COACH yourself to success.

Dr. Beth Frates, an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, designed a strategy she calls COACH to move you toward your goals. It's a process that can help sidestep pitfalls that may have derailed you in the past.

Make sure it's tailored to your needs and has the elements that are essential for health and safety.

You've resolved to exercise more, and you're looking for an online exercise video that will help you achieve your fitness goals. That's a great start, but there's more to choosing an exercise video than simply finding workouts that appeal to you. "Online exercise videos aren't regulated. And trying to keep up with a workout that isn't designed for older adults could lead to injury," says Dr. Edward Phillips, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School and Whole Health medical director at VA Boston Healthcare System.

Where to start

YouTube is a rich resource for effective exercise videos. You can find workouts designed for older adults from hospitals, government health agencies, academic centers (including Harvard Medical School), personal trainers, and senior centers. However, YouTube also contains scores of workout videos that could be risky for older adults. So it takes work to find a workout tailored to your needs.

People looking for new ways to strengthen their core can try walk-and-carry exercises, also known as "loaded carries," where they hold weights like dumbbells or kettlebells while walking. This type of movement teaches how to brace the core, which engages much of the entire core musculature, including your shoulders, back, and hips.

Most people know exercise is good for their health, but only about half of Americans meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. Making exercising more fun helps keep people interested, and research has demonstrated that there is a relationship between using activity apps and increased engagement in exercise.

Often, feeling stiff and a little achy when you wake or during the day is related to periods of inactivity, perhaps while sleeping or parked in front of a computer. To counteract this, plan frequent movement breaks and try these stretches focusing on stiff or achy areas.

Research we're watching

American adults are gaining weight, according to data from the CDC. Twelve U.S. states now have obesity rates of 35% or higher, compared with just six states in 2017 and nine states in 2018. Experts say the trend is particularly concerning because adults with obesity are more prone to severe outcomes from COVID-19.

According to the CDC report, racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by obesity. Prevalence rates nationwide were

News briefs

Need a little inspiration? The next time you take a walk outside, note things that spark a sense of wonder or awe. That's what some older adults tried for a small study published online Sept. 21, 2020, by the journal Emotion. Of the 50 people who took part, half went for weekly 15-minute walks outdoors (alone) for eight weeks, and snapped "selfies" along the way. The other half took the same walks and selfies, but visited a new place each time. They were asked, especially, to note things that inspired a sense of awe — like tree colors or leaves underfoot softened by rain. Participants also answered surveys about the emotions they felt on walk and non-walk days. After analyzing responses and photos, scientists found that people who people took the "awe walks" reported less distress and increasing awe, joy, compassion, and gratitude, compared with people on the regular walks. Awe walkers also smiled more and made themselves smaller in their photos, focusing more on landscapes — a sign of a greater appreciation of the world around them. Try it yourself: On your next walk, imagine you're seeing things for the first time. What will inspire you? Perhaps a path lined with trees, the shore of a lake, or an up-close look at skyscrapers. Jot down your observations, and see if you feel a sense of wonder and joy. Happy trails!

Image: © Igor Alecsander/Getty Images

The condition is an all-too-real problem for men, and one of the more difficult to treat.

After age 50, men often have periods of discomfort "down there." It could be a cramping, aching, or throbbing pain in and around your pelvis and genitals. You also may have issues in the bedroom and bathroom. While the problems are real, the cause is often difficult to pinpoint.

It's called chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) — also known as chronic prostatitis — and it's one of the most puzzling and difficult-to-manage conditions for older men.

You can get a good workout anyway.

The winter months present numerous challenges to maintaining your fitness in a typical year. This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be harder than ever to get to the gym or your usual exercise class.

What can you do to keep your body in motion and not lose ground as the weather turns colder? The answer, luckily, is plenty, says Dr. Beth Frates, an assistant professor physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. There are many effective workouts that don't require a large space, a gym, expensive equipment, or even a live instructor.