Author: Irene Pastore

Hello! I am a Personal Trainer, Yoga and Pilates Instructor who specializes in fitness after 50. My service is Live Streaming. Connect with me from anywhere in the world. I look forward to helping you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Exercise Of The Month: November 2012

November 4, 2012

BARBELL BICEP CURL

START POSITION

TYPE: Standing Barbell Exercise

EQUIPMENT: Barbell, Plates, Non-Skid Rubber Mat

CAUTIONS

  • Wear sturdy athletic shoes, and standing on a non-skid rubber mat.
  • Use weight that you can handle.
  • Using too much weight may cause one or more of the following: loss of balance, dropping the weight by losing your grip, falling on your knees.

CORRECT FORM

  • Do not swing the bar as you lift it up.
  • On the downward move, release the barbell slowly with control.
  • Do not arch your back or neck.
  • Do not throw your head back, or round your shoulders forward.
  • The only thing moving is the barbell and your arms.

MUSCLES WORKED: Biceps

FINISH POSITION

How To Do The Standing Barbell Biceps Curl

  1. Stand with feet hip-width apart in the start position.
  2. Hold the weight in front of the thighs using an underhand grip (palms face up).
  3. Bend your elbows while slowly lifting the weight up towards your shoulders.
  4. Slowly lower the weight keeping a slight bend at the elbows as shown in the start position. Don’t lock the elbows.
  5. Perform 2 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions.

The exercise described in this post is informational, and not meant to replace the guidance of a personal trainer in a live setting.  Exercises performed incorrectly may result in injury.

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Copyright 2012 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Sugar Blues: Classic Hollywood Unmasks A Killer

November 3, 2012

Sugar Blues is a book written by William Dufty.  The book was released in 1975, and became a commercial success. The author argues that sugar is an unnatural, addictive drug that is harmful and damaging to human health.

Dufty was married to the late silent film star Gloria Swanson, a health crusading vegetarian and non-smoker.  She and Dufty went on tour promoting Sugar Blues during the late 70s. Continue reading “Sugar Blues: Classic Hollywood Unmasks A Killer”

Violent Behavior and Prescription Medication

October 27, 2012

Anti-depressant medications, like Prozac have been associated with increased risk for violent and/or homicidal behavior, according to a study published in the 2010 Public Library of Science Journal (PLOS).

Top 10 Medications That  May Cause Violent Behavior

  1. Vernicline (Chantix) an anti-smoking medication is 18 times more likely to be linked with violence compared to other drugs.
  2. Fluoxetine (Prozac) an antidepressant that is 10.9 times more likely to be linked with violence in cmparison with other medications.
  3. Paroxetine (Paxil) an SSRI antidepressant 10.3 times more likely to be linked to violence compared with other drugs.
  4. Amphetamines are 9/6 times more likely to be linked to violence.
  5. Mefoquine (Lariam) used to treat malaria, has been reported to induce bizarre behavior.  Lariam is 9.5 times more likely to be lined with violence than other medications.
  6. Atomoxetine (Strattera) used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is 9 times more likely to be linked with violence.
  7. Triazolam (Halcion) used to treat insomnia is 8.7 times more likely to be linked with violence than other drugs.
  8. Fluvoxamine (Luvox) an antidepressant that is 8.4 times more likely to be linked with violence than other medications.
  9. Venlafaxine (Effexor) is an antidepressant used to treat anxiety.  It is 8 times more likely to cause violent behavior than other medications.
  10. Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) is an antidepressant that is 7.9 times more likely to cause violence than other drugs.

Canadian Judge Sentences Teenager In Prozac Homicide Case. This story was published in the November 2011 Huffington Post, about the role of Prozac causing violent behavior.

Click the link to read more about Psychiatric Drug Facts, at Dr. Peter Breggin’s website.   An article by Dr. Joseph Mercola, about Prozac, antidepressants,  and their role in violent behavior.  Time Magazine, Top Ten Legal Drugs Linked To Violence.

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Copyright 2012 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Bosu Balance Trainer

October 25, 2012
BOSU BALANCE TRAINER

WHAT IS A BOSU BALANCE TRAINER?

The BOSU Balance Trainer is a versatile exerciser that looks like a stability ball cut in half. BOSU means “both sides up”, because it can be used on both sides.

With the dome side up, and flat side down, the BOSU remains stable.  Stepping onto to the dome, you can perform exercises on the unstable surface.  Turning the BOSU over, the platform becomes very unstable, for more advanced exercises. Continue reading “Bosu Balance Trainer”

Super Fit When You’re Super-Old

October 23, 2012

Johanna Quaas, 86 Year-Old Gymnast competes at Cottbus World Cup in Germany.

Gymnast Johanna Quaas has been active her entire life. She started competing at the age of 57, and has won 11 medals in senior gymnastics competitions.  There’s no secret here.  It’s just committment, dedication, and hard work.

Thankfully, Johanna Quaas defies the stereotype of what it’s like to be an 80 year-old woman.  She’s what’s possible if we stay active.

It’s safe to say that when asked, most people would like to  be in good shape as they age.  In June 2012, the Centers for Disease Control reported that more Americans are exercising, while obesity is rising.

Obesity interferes with normal range of motion, making exercise difficult. It also places more strain on the heart and lungs, causing them to work harder, than someone of normal weight.

Everyone should be concerned about aging.  Getting old doesn’t mean you’ll be on automatic deterioration mode. On the other hand, if you want to be dependent, frail, chronically ill, and medicated, when you get old, all you have to do is neglect your health.

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Copyright 2012 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Biking New York City and Beyond

October 20, 2012

BIKING BRIDGES, GETAWAYS, AND LAWS

Bicycle Commuter Brooklyn Bridge

Get onto a bike, and get out and ride. New York City is going bike-friendly. The Big Apple’s newest public transportation system, Citi Bike, is coming in March 2013.  Citi Bike won’t use any taxpayer money, and is expected to create income for the city.

Citi Bike will bring durable bicycles and docking stations to provide convenient and inexpensive mobility 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Resources for riders, safety tips, bicycle laws, helmets, are free, and found at nyc.gov.  Click the link for free bicycle maps, and Ride The City.  RTC gives you quick bike route information, and is similar to Hopstop. Continue reading “Biking New York City and Beyond”