Silver Sneakers Fitness Program

The importance of physical activity for older adults is being studied more frequently, with many conclusions showing that the more active older adults are, the more likely they are able to prevent the onset of diseases. Exercise has proven beneficial in preventing heart disease and to control other conditions such as arthritis and diabetes.

In order for older adults to maintain a healthy lifestyle and help them get the exercise they need, there's a fun solution older adults are raving about in Utah, called the Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program. SilverSneakers is the nation's leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults, and is available at no additional cost to eligible Medicare members. In Utah, this program is offered to eligible members of Humana and SecureHorizons by UnitedHealthcare.

This unique program allows older adults to take charge of their health and maintain an active, independent lifestyle. "The long-term health benefits of regular exercise for older adults are compelling," says Steve Lindstrom, Healthways senior vice president of Active Living. "In addition to helping seniors stay physically healthy, SilverSneakers also offers a great way for them to socialize, meet new friends and have fun."

Every enrolled member of SilverSneakers receives a membership at any participating fitness center, where members can take advantage of conditioning classes, exercise equipment, pool, sauna and other amenities. At each fitness center, there is a specially trained senior advisor to introduce the member to the program and acquaint the member with the site.

Every site offers customized SilverSneakers classes which allow the member to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. Additionally, health education seminars and other events that promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are available.

"It's those important extras such as social events, health education seminars and health screening for such conditions as high blood pressure, cholesterol and flu shot availability that play such an important role in the overall success of the program," said Mr. Lindstrom. Members also have the opportunity to take advantage of the national reciprocity feature of the program, which allows access to any of the certified 2,600 plus participating locations across the nation while traveling.

SilverSneakers was designed specifically to encourage Medicareeligible individuals to increase their levels of physical activity and motivate them to continue to be active. As of September 2007, the SilverSneakers program is offered in 49 states at no additional cost to more than 3 million Medicareeligible individuals through its national network

How They Contribute to Weight Gain and Poor Health

There is no quick fix for fat loss, optimal health, and longevity. But, the good news is that there is a way, and I can help you down that path.   I am not interested in attacking any particular product or program by name. However, I do want to expose the truth about the $58 billion Diet Industry (and rising). Many of the programs and products marketed today are basically gimmicks full of false promises, magic potions, and misleading propaganda. Most of these counter-productive systems result in yo-yo dieting and can be quite dangerous. My hope is that the next time another quick-fix diet system (or product) surfaces, you will know better than to believe the hype, or at least that you'll think twice before you waste your time, money, health, and sanity. In fact, no sensible diet program will ever compromise your physical or mental health for the sake of looking good!   

Commonly used formulas for fat-loss diets:  

Liquid Diets

• Most are low-calorie diets
• Less than 1000 daily calories translates to starvation
• Do you plan on living only on liquids for the rest of your life?

 Low-Calorie Diets

• Any diet of less than 1000 daily calories will slow your metabolism and put you at a nutritional risk that could lead to health problems
• Reduced energy levels
• Decrease in water weight, not necessarily fat

 High-protein, Low-carbohydrate, High-fat Diets

• Too much protein can put undue stress on your kidneys and other internal organs which could lead to health problems
• High amounts of calories from protein, if not used for their intended purpose, can convert to body fat
• Fat burns in the flame of a carbohydrate-thus you need carbohydrates to help metabolize fat
• Carbohydrates are needed for energy and exercise
• Carbohydrates are necessary for brain function-without them you will inhibit your ability to concentrate, calculate, and coordinate, and your memory and moods will be affected
• High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets can put you into a state of ketosis, which is not healthy and can lead to loss of lean body mass
• Carbohydrates provide fiber, whereas fats and animal protein contain no fiber
• Low-carbohydrate diets often result in water loss, not fat loss
• High-fat intake converts easily to body fat and is unhealthy

 Low-Protein, High-Carbohydrate, No-Fat Diets

• Protein is necessary for every cell in the body so a lack of protein can cause deficiencies and health problems
• Protein is needed for muscle growth, maintenance, and repair
• Excess carbohydrates can convert to body fat
• High carbohydrates can cause bloat and puffiness
• It is impossible to avoid dietary fats-fat is found in many foods naturally
• Some fat is necessary for health and vitality-too little fat can cause a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids

 One Meal per Day Diet

• Eating smaller meals throughout the day is important for utilizing calories more efficiently and creating a constant energy level; both are important in the overall fat-loss and better health equation
• Eating one meal (or two) per day does not generate a steady blood glucose level
• Eating one meal per day promotes over-eating especially if that one meal is eaten at night-starving all day causes you to eat everything in sight
• Eating one meal per day promotes bad food choices because excessive hunger will cause you to be less selective with your food choices

 One Type of Food Diet

• Too much of one type of food causes nutritional imbalances and deficiencies which can lead to health issues both short- and long-term
• All-fruit diets result in water-weight loss, not fat loss
• This type of diet can eventually lead to muscle loss, which is directly linked to your metabolism. Since more lean-body mass means a more active metabolic rate, you will lose fat more quickly by maintaining and/or increasing your LBM.

 Processed, Packaged, and Man-Made Food Diet

• Nutritional value is reduced or eliminated when foods are altered from their natural state
• When you cut calories, you lose weight. However, if you only eat packaged, processed, and man-made foods, your weight-loss potential will be limited by food quality, and your health may be compromised
• Our bodies cannot properly metabolize most additives and preservatives
• Our goal is to lose fat, gain health, function and feel better, and live longer. Consuming unnatural foods is detrimental to this goal.

Diet Supplements, Diet Pills, Potions, and Products

In this age of quick fixes, many women try to become healthier and leaner through massive intake of supplements and so-called "fat burners" (via drinks, bars, and pills), but there is no magic pill, drink, or bar that will ensure good health, weight loss, or a long life. Keep in mind; the consumption of supplements in excess can cause health issues.   The use of diet pills may help you lose weight initially, but once you get off them the weight will return and you will end up heavier than before. Also, diet pills have short-term side effects and may lead to medical problems. As far as magic potions and products like creams and gadgets-they don't work!  

One Part of the Equation Diet

• Diet programs that tell you to JUST eat less, or eat better, or eat low glycemic foods, or eat only raw foods, or eat six meals per day, or just cut the sugar, or just exercise, etc. may be good ideas and very helpful to your goals of fat loss and better health- but they don't give you the complete dieting picture.
• Providing only part of the diet equation is like presenting a puzzle with some of the pieces missing-will you ever complete the entire picture? NO!

This is the bottom line on restrictive and unbalanced dieting, aka quick-fix diets.

#1 - Poor Health

Since most quick-fix diets restrict calories or do not allocate the proper nutrient ratio (protein, carbohydrates, and fat), and even completely eliminate important vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they put you at a nutritional risk. This sets the stage for a number of health problems during your diet, in the immediate future, and further down the line.

#2 - Dehydration

Some quick-fix diets promote low-carbohydrate intake. However, most of the weight lost in this manner consists only of glycogen and water. Since the human body is over 60% water, this kind of diet may lead to dehydration. Dehydration can cause fatigue, crankiness, stiff joints, headaches, nausea, aches, electrolyte imbalances, and much more. Severe dehydration can cause seizures, coma, or even death. The other problem with water-weight loss is that women are deceived into believing that they're losing fat. In reality, once carbohydrate intake resumes (even the good carbs) and the water weight is restored, women mistakenly believe they've regained all the "fat" they had lost on their diet programs.

#3 - LBM Reduction

Reduction in muscle mass is a common result of any type of low-calorie, low- carbohydrate, or starvation program. In fact, as muscle mass is lost, metabolism slows. A daily intake of less than 1000 calories is considered starvation, and the human body will automatically try to salvage body fat just for survival.

#4 - Decrease in Energy

When calories are restricted, especially carbohydrates, the body's main source of energy is limited. This energy is needed for the body and the brain to function properly. Otherwise, you'll begin to feel tired, cranky, and mentally slow. You also will not have the energy you need to be active and exercise. Calories do so much for your body-they provide energy, life, vitality, and so much more-why would you give that up?

#5 - Body Fat increases

• Any type of restrictive or unbalanced diet is a recipe for failure. The hype behind quick-fix diets is often unsubstantiated-they are based on gimmicks and full of false promises.
• Since most quick-fix diet programs offer ways to lose weight fast with no regard for health and safety, the results will always be questionable.
• After trying a quick-fix diet program, any attempt to resume normal, proper eating patterns often causes us to regain more weight than we lost.
• Regaining weight creates desperation, which often causes us to seek another quick fix. This process eventually leads to chronic yo-yo dieting, which is a vicious, unhealthy, frustrating, expensive, and dangerous cycle.