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Dear
Athena: I have read about those anti-cellulite creams. I wonder, do they work,
or is that just wishing thinking? T.S.
Dear T.S.: A good time to ask
that question. With bathing suits and shorts being worn, many want to improve
the appearance of their legs by reducing the bumpy look of cellulite.
There
are certain anti-cellulite creams that contain ingredients called xanthines. These
ingredients, when injected into the area of cellulite, can improve the look of
it.
Dr. Steve Victor from the Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC says applying
creams containing these ingredients, may, in theory, work. But no studies have
proved this, and some experts question whether the ingredients in the creams can
penetrate the skin.
Perhaps a smarter way is to lose excess weight by cutting
back on calories and exercising problematic areas with strength training, or specific
exercises. Look for a person who specializes in this area.
Dear Athena:
I often wonder why people have so much trouble keeping off the weight they lose?
A.F.
Dear A.F.: Remember, we are creatures of habit. We often go back
to the habit we wish would go away, but nature takes over and habits become rigid.
This
is simple, if we would accept the fact, boredom is the animal we need to control.
Yes,
we can go on a diet, lose the weight we want, but let the pesky little creature
within get moving, and, before you know it, the weight begins to pile on.
Well,
then, how do some people manage to lose weight and remain slender?
Changes
are the answer.
Ask any weight-loss expert, or any doctor and they will
tell you, putting a person on a diet who is determined to lose weight, will work.
Habits
are the problem.
Going out to eat with friends, stopping for a bite before
going to work, missing breakfast beckons a hearty lunch; these are normal actions
that tend to add pounds.
We are told physical action/activity is needed
for a person to enjoy a comfortable weight loss. How many of us are geared to
change our routine to fit in a new activity? Honestly, not very many.
So,
what is the answer?
A very successful person who helped many lose weight
- and keep it off, many years ago, knew about the internal workings of a human
being. When a person has a strong desire to lose weight - for whatever reason,
and keep it off, had a good reason for wanting this for themselves.
When
they find such a person, coupled with determination, support from another source
- plus, making a change for life, you have success in losing weight.
Join
Athena on "High Noon with Athena" on WXBR AM 1460 radio, on Fridays,
from 11 an - 1 pm. Athena will discuss how we can develop a peaceful mind and
body - at any age. Or, write her, P.O. Box 218, Holbrook, MA 02343, or e-mail
AthenaPark@aol.com | | | Dear
Athena: Do you mind if I ask how you manage to stay in shape? I hadn't seen you
in years, then we went to Christo's for dinner last week, and there you were,
looking just as you have for a long time! Give us your secret, please! G.R.
Dear
G.R.: Thank you, and it certainly is not a secret.
Don't forget, I started
exercising, and eating right several decades ago, when I did 15 mins. of exercises
on TV before chatting with guests on my talk show. Thank goodness, I have not
dropped my habits, over the years.
I believe that may be the secret - if there
is any to be revealed.
This applies to anyone. Look back through the years
and glance over the various changes that occurred in a person's life. The most
valuable, and most telling is the way we eat and the way we exercise the body
through the years.
We automatically age as we slow down the exercise factor.
This does not mean going to the gym, or even working out on a weekly schedule.
I am speaking about moving about - in a person's house.
Think about the
energy each one of us puts into an eight hour day. This would be a good plan to
check on a person's output of energy and if they are really giving their body
a fairly good workout.
My good friend, Gerry Gottschalk goes on his daily
walk, everyday - rain, or shine. Then, if it is impossible, he walks up and down
the stairs (a number of times equals a good workout, and do not know how many
Gerry does) to get his workout time. He never fails to exercise - daily.
In
spite of his ups/downs healthwise, Gerry manages to get around nicely, I might
add. This is a habit he insists on, and he knows what happens when a person stops.
This
is the kind of dedication a person needs, if they want to be healthy, strong and
feel good.
Maybe, that is something I also have, keeping myself energized,
pushing my physical levels up and feeling all the better for it.
Giving
in to a laid-back life, without any effort, gets us "a body out of shape".
As
for me, walking is my daily menu. I feel the difference in a couple of days when
I skip this important 20 - 40 minutes.
Our eating pattern is the beginning,
then stretching, doing sit-ups, or just moving the body freely - daily is a must.
Does
it take discipline?
There comes a time when a person needs to decide, what
foods are for you, and what foods to avoid. The FDA watches over the industry,
but are these foods accepted by each person's body?
Simple becomes best.
We are putting more demands on our body, when coupled with emotional issues as
we get older. Boredom can do a number on us, and we need to fix that first.
Less
is more, when it is plain and simple - remember that.
Join Athena on "High
Noon with Athena" on WXBR AM 1460 radio, on Fridays, from 11 am - 1 pm. Athena
will discuss how we can develop a peaceful mind and body - at any age. Or, write
her, P.O. Box 218, Holbrook, MA 02343, or by e-mail
AthenaPark@aol.com | | | Dear
Athena: Why don't low-calorie diets work over a longer period of time? At first,
a person loses weight, then it slows down and seems to get stuck. Thank you. B.G.
Dear
B.G.: Our bodies were developed to protect us against starvation, after a certain
length of time.
Long ago, they were given genetic protection, during flood
shortages and their bodies developed a survival mechanism.
The metabolism
slows down and burns less energy. The hypothalamus of the brain creates a lower
set point - thereby, keeps the body afloat.
When we cut back on our food
intake, the brain thinks the body is starving. In order to preserve life, it slows
the metabolism. Soon, the pounds stop coming off.
The way to reduce weight
is to change the nutritional composition of what you eat. You need to cut back
on total calories - that is the first step. The next step, is reducing the total
calories you are getting from fat.
A person can reduce the amount of fat
in your food, and replacing it with safe, low-calorie, nutrient-rich plant foods.
In
fact, you will be able to eat more food and feel more satisfied while consuming
fewer calories and fats.
Plant foods give your stomach plenty of bulk to
break down and are high in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, carbohydrates,
and protein for energy and muscle-building.
This allows your body to burn
off its excess stored fat.
One of the marvelous foods goes back quite a
long time.
"An apple a day, keeps the doctor away." They also seem
to help melt the fat, as well. Apples elevate your blood glucose (sugar) levels
in a safe, gentle manner and keep them up longer than most foods. The practical
effect of this is to leave you feeling satisfied longer. Researchers feel this
is key to helping a person.
"They are also one of the richest sources
of soluble fiber you can find. This type of fiber prevents hunger pangs by guarding
against dangerous swings or drops in your blood sugar level," says a spokesperson
from the University of Kentucky's School of Medicine.
An average apple
provides only 81 calories and has no sodium, saturated fat or cholesterol. You
also get added health benefits of lowering the level of cholesterol already in
your blood as well as lowering your blood pressure.
Join Athena on "High
Noon with Athena" on WXBR AM 1460 radio on Fridays, 11 am - 1 pm. Athena
will discuss how we can develop a peaceful mind and body - at any age. Or, write
her, P.O. Box 218, Holbrook, MA 02343, or by e-mail AthenaPark@aol.com | | | Dear
Athena: Just why do diets fail? Can you tell me, please? Thanks, G.E.
Dear
G.E.: A good question. Why do so many diets fail for so many people, when experts
put them together?
The answer is simple. People are creatures of habit,
so they go on a diet for a set time, then return to their usual eating habits
and the weight begins to pile on - again.
If only a person can get it in
their head that what we eat is important, but how much is even more important.
Being
creatures of habit, we tend to be drawn to the foods that mean something to us.
Call them, "Comfort Foods". Take them away, and a person feels lost,
disjointed, not-feeling-so-good, or whatever phrase spells out the unpleasant
feeling that prevails.
You tell yourself, "This is for a short time,
soon, I will be able to dig into my old favorites, just be patient."
And
the diet goes on, working well, dropping the pounds, and looking thinner than
before. This pleases you, but you are aching to tackle the food that is sitting,
waiting to be enjoyed with gusto!
Finally, the scales are jumping with
joy! Pounds have come off - good.
The next chapter is well-known to most of
us.
"I think I will scoop out a couple tablespoons of ice cream, I
won't overdue it, just a taste." That is how it begins. Do I have to tell
you the rest? I don't think so. The natural flow of mind and body does it's job
well.
The urge to please our inner demands and wants, takes over, no matter
how intelligent or clever we think we are. Instincts work in a clever way for
most of us. Each one has our own code. Yes, we are all different - but, we are
all the same, in this area.
When a person becomes honest about the purpose
of losing weight, and looks at the reasons, or the orders given by a doctor, we
follow suit.
Nobody said we are stupid. Take a look around. Intelligent, clever,
smart people go on diets - and fail. Do you know why?
Think about it a
minute.
Inside, every single body out there, contains a package that is
unique, different - yet, contains the same workings as nearly all others. These
complex, different, and perplexing emotions are programmed to give the owner peace,
comfort and enjoyment while beating a path down the road of life.
It is
aware of what is needed, and does the best it can. But, it will fight the issue,
as habits are difficult to change, or eliminate. So, the struggle can be small,
medium or impossible.
Now, that you have digested what I have explained,
can you see where the problem is?
Join Athena on "High Noon with Athena"
on WXBR 1460 radio on Fridays, 11 am - 1 pm. Athena will discuss how we can develop
a peaceful mind and body - at any age. Or, write her, P.O. Box 218, Holbrook,
MA 02343, or by e-mail AthenaPark@aol.com | | | Dear
Athena: A couple of my friends, we are all the same age, 70 - 73, are trying to
get me to exercise with them on a regular basis. Isn't this too late for me? A.S.
Dear
A.S.: No matter how hard we try, we can't hold off the aging process. But, there
are some interesting positive points to mention when a study was done.
Dr.
Jerome Fleg, a cardiologist at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in
Maryland and researchers were disappointed that regular exercise did not make
a difference in the rate of decline in the elders.
However, they found
their exercise capacity was higher than expected, than those who did not exercise,
at all.
The aerobic capacity was measured about every four years for a
median of 7.9 years.
During the 20s and 30s, the volunteer's aerobic capacity
declined at a rate of 3 percent to 6 percent per decade. Those in their 70s and
beyond faced a decline of more than 20 percent per decade, the researchers found.
Of
the participants, those who exercised more strenuously, had a higher aerobic capacity
than those who didn't.
There were those who could not muster enough energy
to make their bed from stripping the sheets to finishing with the covers.
They
also discovered, that people who exercised throughout their lives seemed to do
better physically at handling the daily needs of their lives as they got older.
Those
who participated were required to walk on a treadmill, making it difficult to
make comparisons with less fit people in declining health.
A good lesson
can be learned from these experiments, it is a call to all of us to use our bodies
- as early in life as we can.
Today, the old-fashioned recess in schools,
is not like the old days. Once, we were expected to perform physically, making
us aware of our capabilities. There were the active kids who relished the opportunity
to show their ability and strength, even in grade school.
I mention this,
as quite a few grandparents are involved in raising their grandkids. Our involvement
and interest can muster up the energy in a child to become interested in sports,
good health and excel in various fields.
Once again, the computers have
become second-nature, and I am afraid that the next generation will learn to communicate
with their fingers - not with their total personality. What a shame!
Here
again, involvement in a child's personality can become just what is needed. Do
a mix with paper work, and actual speaking while expressing vocally their ideas
and methods of achieving a result. Practice makes perfect.
Join Athena
on "High Noon with Athena" on WXBR 1460 radio on Fridays from 11 am
- 1 pm. Athena will discuss how we can develop a peaceful mind and body - at any
age. Or, write her, P.O. Box 218, Holbrook, MA 02343, or by e-mail AthenaPark@aol.com | | | Dear
Athena: What is the average collection of makeup items in a woman's bathroom?
Does this apply to women over 60 years of age? Thanks, Debbie
Dear
Debbie: Every woman, no matter what age she is, has her own "bag of goodies"
she can rely on. Some choose just basic items and remain true to form. Others,
experiment while young and continue this habit. They have come to depend on a
certain company and on certain colors.
First, the basic skin coloring sets
the stage. The rest flows into the finished product, or the final touches.
This
is a basic list of items used in an average cleansing/preparation/application
routine.
. Cleanser to remove eye makeup.
. Cleanser to remove facial makeup.
.
Cleanser to wash and clean face.
. A masque to use 2/3 times a week.
. Skin
Freshener
. Moisturizer for day.
. Night Creme.
. Foundation, choice
is personal.
. 2 powder blushes, one light, one dark.
. 1 basic beige eye
shadow, 1 grey/brown eye shadow.
. 1 grey eyebrow pencil.
. 1 black Mascara.
.
3 different shades of lipstick.
. 1 eyebrow brush.
. 1 eyelash curler (optional).
.
3 different eyeliners. If your eyes are blue, choose grey, black or navy blue.
If your eyes are brown, or hazel, choose light and dark brown, or black. The darker
shades are good for special events or evening, which are more intense.
. Cotton
pads/balls in container for removing makeup.
For your body:
. A loofah
mitt for a smooth, lovely skin.
. A pumice stone will help smooth rough knees,
elbows and feet.
. If you have hair removed professionally, fine - or, select
items for removing hair from legs made especially for women.
Special items
from health food store:
. Avocado oil, an excellent skin moisturizer.
.
Wheat germ oil, rich in skin-nourishing vitamin E.
. Oatmeal, wonderful for
facials.
. Almond meal, great in the shower, as a scrub.
. Herbal teas,
soothing as a finishing touch on facials.
. Spring water used as a final rinse
on face/neck.
. If you manage your own hair, a good conditioner while soaking
in tub works wonders, then rinsed well while showering.
Join Athena on
"High Noon with Athena" on WXBR AM 1460 radio, on Fridays, from 11 am
- 1 pm. Athena will discuss how we can develop a peaceful mind and body - at any
age. Or, write her, P.O. Box 218, Holbrook, MA 02343, or by e-mail AthenaPark@aol.com | | |
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