Prevention June 2024

GET OUT YOUR PENCIL! REFLECT ON THE QUESTIONS BELOW TO TAP INTO YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT AGING: When YOUR BIRTHDAY rolls around, do you feel excitement or a pang of dread? Think about the LIFE ERA you’re in now; what’s one thing you love about it? What FUTURE CHANGES or MILESTONES are you looking forward to?…

◻ SHOW HIM SOME LOVE. Men’s Health Month in June is the perfect time to bring up this stat: Over half of U.S. men don’t get regular health screenings. Urge your husband, uncles, brothers, and friends to schedule appointments they put off like an annual physical, a colonoscopy (starting at 45), and a cholesterol test. ◻ VISIT A FARMERS ’ MARKET. Embrace the summertime bounty! In-season fruits and vegetables are at peak flavor and nutrition, so grab local favorites as well as unfamiliar ones you haven’t tried before—after all, there’s no such thing as too much variety when it comes to eating healthfully! ◻ SWAP OUT SWEETENED DRINKS. Per new research, downing two liters or more of sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages per week is associated with increased risk of…

1 How many grams of sugar are in a teaspoon? A 4  B 6 C 10 2 Which is considered an added sugar? A Cane sugar B Honey C Corn syrup D All of the above 3 Which sugar is found mainly in fruit? A Sucrose B Glucose C Fructose D Lactose 4 Fruit juice is healthier than soda. A True B False 5 Too much sugar will give you diabetes. A True B False ANSWERS 1 THERE ARE 4 G IN A TEASPOON OF THE SWEET STUFF, and knowing this is good for more than showing off your nutrition knowledge. Experts say to aim for no more than 6 tsp of sugar a day—so now that you know there are 4 g per teaspoon, being sure your daily intake doesn’t add up to more than about 24 g is simple math. If you currently consume…

◼ Summer is here! Prep for your favorite seasonal activities with these exercise-stretch combos from Teddy Savage, national lead trainer at Planet Fitness. Head to planetfitness.com or search online for step-by-steps. SWIMMING EXERCISE: Unilateral Lat Pulldown ◻ “We need strong lateral and deltoid muscles to help us swim because we’re pulling the water back and behind us to propel ourselves forward,” Savage explains. Follow the instructions for using the lat pulldown machine at the gym to activate and strengthen those muscles. The bird dog move is a good at-home alternative. STRETCH: Thread the Needle ◻ “This stretch is a perfect pairing because it targets your shoulders, neck, and back while increasing mobility in the spine and improving circulation through your body—all helpful for preventing injury or pain,” says Savage. BIKING…

ANSWERS ▸ CANTALOUPE (90.2% water) inches out honeydew (89.8%), but both boost hydration on hot summer days. The melons contain electrolytes, which help balance fluid levels and prevent dehydration-related muscle cramps. ▸ ZUCCHINI wins, but you may be surprised to find out that eggplant isn’t far behind. Though summer squash clocks in at nearly 95% water, eggplant is an impressive 93% water. These two, like all produce, are most hydrating when raw, as some water is lost during cooking, but they’ll up hydration either way! ▸ GRAPE TOMATOES are tiny and hydrating at almost 93% water. Ground-cherries (orangish fruits in papery husks) are similar in size but lower in water, at 85%. Both are great for hiking your fluid intake—they’re excellent in salads and salsas. ▸ GREEN BEANS top okra by a fraction…

Check me off when you’ve tried the move! ◼ Booty exercises like the standing kickback do more than change how your body looks. Strong glutes support mobility and help protect you from pain and injury—all of which will allow you to get out on your daily walk and keep up the rest of your active lifestyle. 1 Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Clasp your hands in front of your chest or brace them against a wall for balance. 2 Slowly raise one leg and drive it back and up behind you, contracting your glute muscles at the top. Slowly lower the leg back to the ground. 3 That’s one rep. Do 10 to 15 reps with one leg, then switch sides and repeat with the opposite leg.…