Looking to make a life-changing New Year’s Resolution? Here’s a goal we as seniors should all attempt to keep – to strive for maximum health as we age. In this two-part series, we will explore two programs and research studies on weight loss/maintenance to gain and keep optimum health.
According to John Voelz, physical therapist and previous owner of Northwest Senior Health and Fitness of Huntley, “Obesity among seniors is a nationwide problem, as recently the National Center for Health Statistics reported the results of a two-year study that showed 39.7 percent of people 60 years old or older are obese.” This report listed seniors as having the largest obesity rate of all age groups, with 42.3 percent of senior women and 36.6 percent of senior men being found greatly overweight.
Voelz recently merged with internal medicine specialist Dr. Barbara Amsler and PhD nutritionist Dr. Karin Boode to form Healthy Habits Key to Wellness of Algonquin. Healthy Habits believes in a three-pronged plan to healthcare to assist seniors in weight-loss and maintenance. This program, funded through Medicare for those who qualify, uses the expertise of the physician, the nutritionist, and the exercise therapist.
“Data exists that if you adjust food intake and increase exercise [eat 250 calories less daily and burn 250 calories more daily to lose one pound weekly], it can make the difference on modern-day diseases such as [bad] cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s,” Amsler said.
“Concerning the latter disease, a recent study on balance showed that improved balance actually could improve a person’s memory.”
Healthy Habits stresses balance also for aiding in walking. Relaxation, sleep patterns, and mental activities are other components of the program.
Dr. Amsler said the oldest senior in the program is 84 years old, while the average age of her patients is 71.
“There is a place for medicine here, but by changing diet, you can lower the medicines used. There are no [diet] pills. It’s not about quick fixes. In the past, diet pills [and shots] mistakenly led to sometimes atrial fibrillation and metabolism problems. These [techniques we employ] are healthy choices – lifelong,” she said.
Another successful weight-loss/maintenance program, Weight Watchers, receives a strong testimonial from Kathy and Ken Dace of N. 28. Since May l of 2012, Kathy has lost 32 pounds, while Ken has lost 42 pounds. While Weight Watchers leaves it up to the individual to do the actual work of weight loss, as in our aforementioned program, the Daces have found that Weight Watchers engages also in a three-level approach for its clients. Weight Watchers does recommend a one to two pounds weekly weight loss, but the organization highly recommends doctor supervision for seniors who might often have medical problems.
It is the individual’s personal physician who sets the weight loss amounts and length of time that should be involved.
“Weight Watchers does ask us to maintain our reached goal for six weeks. They recommend good eating with replacement of some foods and change of bad habits stressed,” Kathy said.
She adds that this is in conjunction with exercise: “They tell us to keep moving; do what you are capable of.”
She said, “Because my husband and I are older and we want health to be around to see the many changes coming down the pike at us [in the future], I think we will always go to Weight Watchers meetings in the future. The group is so successful because they provide the attendees with support, accountability, change in bad eating habits, education in good ones, and constant awareness in what we eat.”
Part 2: Research answers to losing/maintaining healthy weight on your own
