Good habits can lead to a more active life

‘INSTEAD OF “simply s seeking to:

add years to your life, you should be working now (o add life to your years. ‘

By Nick Gallo. Contributing Writer

_v Seniors who have followed the tenets of successful aging lead more -aciive, fulfilling lives. Scientists are

“YOU? LL ENJOY:

> Gourmet Dining ;

> Dazzling Entertainment

> Gala Captain's Party

~ Midnight Chocolate Buffet

> Casino”. > Duty-free Shopping

@ Holland America Line

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BCAA Travel IED

CALL TODAY!

- 268-5650 908 Park Royal South

West Vancouver

sPrices are per persan based on double occupancy in CON tunds. Price is nol combinable with any olher BCAA discounts. Subject to availabifity at the time of booking.

. discovering that the simplest of

strategies often garner the greatest

_ benefits.

These days, emphasis on living longer. The quest for longevity makes front- page headlines regularly.

. But researchers who study the aging process ask, “What's the ben- efit of a longer life span if you're too sick and frail to enjoy those

there's a lot of,

hy

gilded decades?

These experts would rather see folks seeking ways to extend their health spans, those active, I-feel- great years, °

Dull as they sound, the keys to successful aging are ample exercise, good nutrition and healthy lifestyle habit. These things will slow the aging process better than any longevity drug.

"Tendonitis doesn’t have to stop your tennis or golf game. “aiRcasT pneumatic armband ..

5

@ supports | inflamed tendons ‘@ less constriction .

-@ olfective.with 86% of patients

dy.

It’s not too late for people past age 65 to gain benefit from preven-

tive-health measures, An older per-.

son who stops smoking returns to an average risk of heart attack after only two years.

More than a decade ago a researcher on aging studied physi- cul declines associated with normal aging — losses of bone mass, mus- cle strength, organ reserve — and compared them to symptoms expe- rienced by astronauts after long periods of inactivily.

They were virtually the same.

Coining the term “the disuse syndrome,” he showed that many of the physical problems common

among the elderly stemmed from:

inactivity, not advancing years. One in three people who is over

_age 75 ‘and lives independently has

trouble climbing, 10 steps; almost one-fourth can’t lift 10 pounds: :

Such frailty increases the risk of falls, leading to hip fractures.”

Experts hope that weight training and exercise programs soon can be

preblem of frailty among the elder-

ble. It lowers blood pressure, boosts

keeps bones strong. »

As a result, active people have a. _ lower risk of heart disease,’ stroke,

adult diabetes and osteoporosis. . Best of all, it’s never : too late to

Exercise also strengthens. the’“'n heart, and lungs, and keeps: joints,“ ligaments and tendons more. flexi-« “on, estrogen therapy need 1,500 mg: -HDL-cholestero! (the “good”. cho- lesterol), aids in weight control, and

start.

With aging, there is less and less room for high-calorie, low-nutrient junk foods. Sixteen percent of peo-

‘ple over 65 who live alone have a |, -

nutritionally poor diet, according, to. a recent study. e Generally, nutrient requirements.

Stay the same over the course of a’ *» lifetime. The federal government’s. .:-’

dietary guidelines apply to the old and the young: Eat 2 well-balanced, «

low-fat, low-cholesterol diet’ high i in.

complex carbohydrates. . Such a diet wiil provide you with plenty of fibre, keeping your, digestive system tiptop, and reduc- ing symptoms of diverticular dis-’ ease, constipation and hemorrhoids.’ . Fibre also: may lower~ your: chances of colon cancer. and heart, disease. Fouds have different kinds

“of fibre, so eat‘a variety, of whole-:

grain. breads and cereals, dry: beans and peas, vegetables and fruits.

' Don’t ignore calcium. Calcium deficient diets aré linked to osteo- -..

’ porosis and can tead to bone frac used to counter the widespread... :

“Women past menopause and not’

daily. The:average woman ‘con-

“ sumes about 500 mg daily, ‘so ‘most. - people need ‘additional servings of- e calcium-rich foods i in their diets,

You" may., want’ to check wit

You'd love: to > take a a cruise ¢ but you. don’ t think you u have the: cime or ‘the money fora a long, exotic sojourn. Well, why not a mini-cruise? BCAA i is testing the waters this fal with: a three-night San Juan Islands/Insid

Passage cruise

avs eter

The Auto Club has chartered the luxurious SS Rotterdam, named ‘ship of the Year” by Ocean Cruise News.

fish & chips down by the waterfront. Later in the dey you'll cruise the scenic ‘San Juan Islands where’ the: “are easy to spot. Then it’s on to Seymour Narrows to the tip of Vancouver Island where you're sure to spot | more | whales, As you glide closer to shore you ‘ll be sure to-see‘ other. marine life, such’ as seals, s sea lions’ & otters.

» thousands of birds ‘that live here permanently or are just passing 3 through. » i *“This is.a very uniqué opportunity for’ B.C. residents,” says Helen. Pinkham, BCAAS i aia Cruse ” Programs. “And September is an ideal time for such a cruise. Also,” continues Pinkham, “we're sure:to get our. usual wonderful Indian summer, so the weather will be perfect, and with such a short sailing, there's no airport « hassle. And, best of : all, it’s our own ‘ship for the weekend so we can plan whatever we want.” ; 3 As you can tell BCAA had fun planning this one. There’s a special gala caprain’s dinner, which is is semi-,' formal (the rest of the cruise will be casual), a chocolate dessert buffet, lots of gambling,. afternoon tee, a. served daily, karaoke, duty-free shopping and a farewell cocktail patty. ae Cruising is always associated with gourmet dining and the SS. Rotterdam is no exception. Lavish buffets a are °. the norm, incorporating specialized menus such as kosher, vegetarian, diabetic, low ‘salt: and spa ‘cuisine. .. There's also a taco and pasta bar at the Lido Grill, plus complimentary hors-d’oeuvres during, the pre-dinner |

seating at breakfast and lunch. ; . Check out the ship's daily activity sheet for aerobic classes, line dancing, skeet shooting, tennis or - massage

cocktail hour. You can concoct your own treat at the complimentary ice cream bar. The ship also offers open,

therapy. Or simply ‘sun bathing on the teak decks, you'll love a day at sea on the SS Rotterdam. Don’t miss our Late Night Chocolate Buffet Extravaganza! Dress is casual .. oo

Sunday, September 18th — Arrive Vancouver 8 a. m.

. $0 kick up your heels! >

As we return home today, bask in the enjoyment of having just spent one of the most wonderful weekends

of your life!

For more detuils on this and other exciting cruises, call your local BCAA Travel Centre and book now!