A common myth about aging says that after 50, people (especially women) face a dreary life of loneliness, physical difficulty, and despair. But the opposite is true for millions, who are finding that the “grandma years” are turning out to be the best time of their lives. Adults 65 to 79 say this is their
Befitting for a theatrical performer, Dan Grady’s fitness journey can be told in three acts. Act I: A talented youth trains for years among ballet’s elite, then begins decades-long career dancing on Broadway. Act 2: After his dancing career ends, he grows frustrated with his body’s limitations and realizes change is essential in his attitude
Our bodies keep changing as we age, and we need to pay attention to what we eat in new ways. For example, after age 50 or so, people need to eat a little more protein than before. Yet this is also the time of life when many are less likely than ever to get enough.
Was it Freud who said we can’t get through the day without telling ourselves seven little lies? Or was it a magazine quiz we read in the dentist’s office? Doesn’t matter! The point is: We all love to tell ourselves “harmless” fibs to avoid doing something we know we “should” do. It’s easier than confronting
When Glenna Brown’s husband became ill, she found that regular exercise at a nearby studio helped her deal with the stress and remain strong enough to be a good caregiver. When he died, Glenna (above, left) found more: a loving support group that helped her through her loss, and a new friend who was going
We often underestimate how much our friendship means to others, a new study says. So, we’re shy to reach out to old friends, afraid it will be awkward or unappreciated. The research says: Reach out! You’ll be glad you did. “People are fundamentally social beings and enjoy connecting with others,” wrote Peggy Liu, the study’s
Like most women of her generation, Margaret Cone, now 79, never saw much reason to lift weights. She had always been pretty active and tried to stay in decent shape. Her family had a strong health history. But about 10 years ago, Margaret noticed she had gained weight from the long hours she was putting
It used to be conventional wisdom that everybody wanted to retire to Florida or another sunny spot, find a comfortable place to sit and… wait for life to wind down. Today’s active agers aren’t settling for that. Sure, some people want a slow pace and lots of sunshine. But we’re also looking at other criteria
Oh, yeah! Let’s bust another myth about fitness over 50, thanks to a global study that found that “time-rich” Baby Boomers exercise more than Gen-Z. Data revealed that people 57 to 70 exercised an average of 215 minutes per week. That’s way more than Generation Z, which includes young adults 18-24. The Global State of Mind
Don Phillips won a slew of medals at the recent National Senior Games. But the real value of his healthy lifestyle is far more ordinary. It’s also what so many people want as they get older: Functional fitness. Don, a 91-year-old retired veterinarian, recently drove 250 miles to a school reunion. He putzes around