The weather in south Texas changed. Thunderstorms and heavy rains rolled through. Wherever I’ve traveled in the U.S. folks like to say, “hang around, the weather will change.” That’s also true of us and those we know. We never know from one minute to the next what will trigger a laugh, angry outburst, tears, or sense of profound happiness. It’s best to cut each other some slack, our emotional weather changes and changes frequently.
Month: August 2022
Today’s Health Tip ~ Are You Getting Enough Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective nutrients, experts say. Though it may not be the cure for the common cold, the benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling. The tolerable upper intake level (or the maximum amount you can take in a day that likely won’t cause harm) is 2000 mg a day for adults. . . .Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. It’s involved in many body functions, including formation of collagen, absorption of iron, the proper functioning of the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants that can protect against damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals, as well as toxic chemicals and pollutants like cigarette smoke. Free radicals can build up and contribute to the development of health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.
Today’s Inspiration ~ Follow Your Dreams
Life is a journey. How we travel is really up to us. We can just flow with the tide or follow our own dreams.
Today’s Power Thought ~ Take the Risk
Do you dare risk to see how far you can go? Unless you take the risk, you’ll never know how far you could take the journey.
Something to Think About
Do you believe good things are coming your way? If not, why not? You deserve the best life can offer you. You may not get what you want, but with a grateful and open heart you’ll get everything you need. You were born to dance and sing and enjoy life and its blessings.
Today’s Good Word ~ Shake it Off
We all get hurt. We all get betrayed somewhere along the line. We all stumble and fall. What choice do we have but to shake it off, rise, and get going again. There’s no benefit in RSVPing to a pity party. Few people will attend and those that do will only take you further down the dark tunnel. Shake it off, rise, and get going again. Life will grab hold of you. You will feel the healing powers of life seeping into your body and mind. Life will once again be good.
A Better Life ~ Sing On
I was walking into the grocery this morning. A fellow coming out was singing. I said, “Sing on and have a great day.” We began chatting. He told me about losing a 15 year old son. He wanted to sing to lift peoples’ spirits. It was his way of healing. Everyone has a unique journey. Some folks may have been annoyed by his singing. If they knew his story, they would join me in saying, “Sing on.”
Today’s Smile
Joe: “I wasn’t planning to go for a run today, but I did.”
Pete: “Why the change of heart?”
Joe: “The cops came out of nowhere.”
Today’s Poem ~ Just Be Glad
Just Be Glad
James Whitcomb Riley
O heart of mine, we shouldn’t
Worry so!
What we’ve missed of calm we couldn’t
Have, you know!
What we’ve met of stormy pain,
And of sorrow’s driving rain,
We can better meet again,
If it blow!
We have erred in that dark hour
We have known,
When our tears fell with the shower,
All alone!—
Were not shine and shower blent
As the gracious Master meant?—
Let us temper our content
With His own.
For, we know, not every morrow
Can be sad;
So, forgetting all the sorrow
We have had,
Let us fold away our fears,
And put by our foolish tears,
And through all the coming years
Just be glad.
Today’s Health Tip ~ Preventing Muscle Loss as You Age
Maintaining Muscle Mass as You Age
Therefore, the best means to build muscle mass, no matter your age, is progressive resistance training (PRT), says Dr. Storer. With PRT, you gradually amp up your workout volume—weight, reps, and sets—as your strength and endurance improve. This constant challenging builds muscle and keeps you away from plateaus where you stop making gains. (See “Working on a PRT program.”) In fact, a recent meta-analysis published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise reviewed 49 studies of men ages 50 to 83 who did PRT and found that subjects averaged a 2.4-pound increase in lean body mass.
The power of protein
Your diet also plays a role in building muscle mass. Protein is the king of muscle food. The body breaks it down into amino acids, which it uses to build muscle. However, older men often experience a phenomenon called anabolic resistance, which lowers their bodies’ ability to break down and synthesize protein. Therefore, as with PRT, if you are older, you need more. A recent study in the journal Nutrients suggests a daily intake of 1 to 1.3 grams (g) of protein per kilogram of body weight for older adults who do resistance training. For example, a 175-pound man would need about 79 g to 103 g a day. If possible, divide your protein equally among your daily meals to maximize muscle protein synthesis.
