Even if they've never exercised, the middle-aged and older can still benefit by beginning now. Experts say sedentary people will actually fare better in percentage gains relative to active people, since they're starting from zero. "It doesn't matter how old you are," says Colin Milner, founder and CEO of the International Council on Active Aging in Vancouver, British Columbia. "It's never too late to start exercising." Here is a link that might be useful: Exercise Is Healthy, but Does It Make You Live Longer?

About a month or so ago, I came home from work to be pounced on my 14-y-o DD (8th grade) who said, "Mom, can we NEVER borrow money to buy a TV or anything?" I'm thinking, WHAT? They'd done an exercise in math class in which this guy goes to buy a big-screen TV for $1,400. The store talks him into buying it on credit, in order to get a $50 discount, and he pays the minimum, nothing more, for 5 years. When he's done, he has paid something like $3,000 for the TV (I don't remember all the numbers, but it was really dramatic). It made a HUGE impact on her; she still brings it up now and then. So we talked a bit about borrowing money, and when to do it, and how to pay it off, etc. *** They also taught them about compounding interest, but I think they used a way-dramatic and unrealistic interest rate (like, 12% or something). But it got her thinking. ***** And when he was about 4, my son told me "When I grow up, I'm afraid I'm going to have to sleep on the street." Again, WHAT?! (how many times don't kids make you say that!) "You told me that you and daddy have to pay money to live in our apartment" (we own our apt, but we'd recently explained maintenance and mortgages to them) "And I don't have any money." So I had to explain a JOB to him. AND I told him that, should he lose his job, or have trouble getting his first job, that he could probably live with me & dad for a little while, and maybe he could stay with another family member, but just for a little while. (trying to strike a balance between making a 4-y-o feel safe, and setting the stage for him to think other people have to take care of him)

My BF was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer 3 1/2 yrs ago and after chemo, radiation, loss of part of his tongue, jaw replacement and throat replacement with muscle from his arm was told he would have to live with a PEG tube for the rest of his life. He refused and learned to down Ensure, aspirating a little each time but swallowing tests show it is not detrimental as he has learned to drink over a sink and he coughs out the last little bit. He has not been able to gain weight beyond 140 lbs (he looks like a stick man) even downing 16 bottles of Ensure a day and eventually adding whey protein powder until I met him. He likes to race in Enduro motorcycle competitions so is high energy. I am an RN and can't stand to see people using Ensure as a meal replacement, it is only meant to be a supplement and other than the vitamins and protein only contains oil and sugar with milk solids. I figured if he could down anything I could get him back to consuming vitamins, fat, etc. through natural foods and put some weight on him. The sugar in the Ensure has also taken a toll on what was beautiful white teeth. He had purchased a Vitamix 5200 (pricey but worth it) to mix another powdered sweet drink he found (can't remember the name) to put weight on. The vitamix will actually dessimate anything you place in it and is so fast it will heat the food so hot that you can't drink it. I have learned to blend the weirdest foods together to get the high calories and the only problem I've had is with the broths/juices/milk you have to add to get it to the very liquid consistency will sometimes dilute the flavors. I literally blend anything I eat for him and he is eating better than ever. I now taste everything (sometimes it sounds like it would be gross) and have been astounded at how flavorful meals can be. He has gained 10 lbs over the last 2 months since I add cheese, butter, use whole milk, and for shakes blend high fat nuts like Macadamia and coconut (he loves) and add to them. I have noticed that chicken and dumplings is his favorite because the base of the soup is all I need to use to thin it so it is full flavor. Also for some reason the italian dishes like spaghetti, lasagna, etc. even when thinned severely with beef broth keep the original taste. White sauces are best thinned with chicken broth and milk (both) and sweet and sour chicken is best thinned with apple juice. He is Jewish so when we made potato latke's I put the apple sauce and sour cream in and thinned with apple juice and milk and it tasted almost just like mine in a liquid version. One potato latke thinned equalled 64 ounces so thank goodness he can drink alot! Next time I may add a few potato flakes for extra calories. He has started blending sushi and thins with seafood broth found only at Central Market here. I've done steak with potato including sour cream, butter, bacon bits and thinned one time with milk and another with beef broth and added beef gravy...he loved it! Most of our "soups" come out restaurant quality:-)My next jump is to make steak with Au Jus and Demi Glace to try to get the flavor to come out better. I encourage you all not to be afraid to try different things together and remember that on a liquid diet you need to increase your calories significantly. His Oncologist said he can't believe I've been able to put weight on him but he's defied all of them from the start:-)

There are multiple side effects on every medication. Quite apparent they are not considering the risks. Statins can and do damage the liver BUT they also kill the muscle cells. I was on Lipitor as I have the inherited type of cholesterol problems. Sharp pains and muscle spasms. I told my doctor and he just laughed telling me it was just age. It progressively worsened to where It was getting difficult to walk very far. I told him again and he gave me the same answer of age. It got to the point of practically dragging my one foot as it was hard to raise my legs to walk. He told me the same thing and I argued with him and summarized for him how I had deteriorated in my ability to walk. Same answer, age. Sorry 3 strikes and you're out. He could take his sorry ___ and take a flying leap at a rolling donut. Changed doctors and was referred to a neuologist. Had a whole list of tests and MRI. The Lipitor was killing my muscle cells. Takes about a year to rebuild all the damage done. My new doctor put me on Tricor which is not a statin. After a little over a year, the blood tests show the same problem. My cholesterol can go whacko but I will not take a cholesterol reducing drug. To put children in harms way with medication is not a responsible decision. Pills do not cure everything and everything can't be fixed. All these studies to determine what causes what and the proposed solution is not always the answer. I think it is frightening what the medical field wants to do to us sometimes. These children are growing and their bodies ever changing. Test results will vary from one day to the next. Really sad that those who we respect and expect to help us keep our children well, come to such assinine conclusions. Lynn