BizStratBlog2

Longevity Calculator

According to my crystal ball, I should live to be 99 years old. Not bad, but I was aiming for 100. 

Well, actually, there's no crystal ball but it's true that many predictable lifestyle factors can calculate risk and reasonably project longevity. In this past Sunday's USA Weekend, the cover was full of people who had answered questions for the longevity calculator to figure their age. I decided to take the test.

After years in the fitness profession, I've seen various types of risk factor calculations and found this one very interesting with its compilation of questions and recommendations by Thomas Perls, MD, author of Living To 100, Lessons in Living to Your Maximum Potential at Any Age. The enlightening part is that many of us can improve our "score" and add years to our life with just a few minor behavior adjustments. 

According to the"personalized recommendations" that immediately followed my questionnaire, if I cut back on the daily caffeine and live closer to relatives (hmmm), I can add a few more months to my total. Thankfully, my score was good in the exercise and stress management categories. Not smoking and getting plenty of sleep also added at least a decade to my score.

Ready to calculate your own age?

If you're less than 50 years old, go to www.livingto100.com to take the assessment that considers your lifestyle, stress levels, general nutrition habits and family history to figure out how long you will live. If you happen to be over 50 years old, then you need to take the assessment at www.eons.com  The main goal is to maximize what you have, while you have it.  A good policy for all of us. So, maybe I will make it to 100 after all.

Under Pressure?

How's your pressure these days?  Not the kind at the office, but rather, inside...the pressure of force against your blood vessels walls known as blood pressure. Have you had it checked lately?

As a silent culprit linked to strokes and cardiac risk factors, high blood pressure needs to be controlled. And, the good news is that we can often influence it with our daily choices. In an effort to stay healthy, my husband and I recently purchased an automatic blood pressure monitor at a local pharmacy. It was a bit more expensive than the traditional aneroid monitor, but very simple for home use: just slip it on the arm, press the start button and watch it work! In less than one minute both blood pressure and pulse can be displayed in large, easy-to-read digital numbers. I'm proud to say my numbers are well below average, while my husband tends to hover around the so-called border of being high, unless he's paying close attention to his exercise and eating habits. We've recorded the numbers for a couple of weeks now and see some distinct improvements.

Keeping track of your blood pressure reading in a daily or weekly log can give your doctor additional data when it's time for your check up. The text-book normal is 120/80, while 140 /90 is considered borderline hypertension.  Here's a quick review of terms:

Systolic pressure is the highest pressure in an artery when your heart is pumping blood throughout the body. diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure in an artery when the heart is at rest. Hypertension is high blood pressure, while Hypotension is low blood pressure. Your actual blood pressure reading is made up of both the systolic and diastolic measures with the systolic reading first.

Naturally blood pressure goes up during exercise and other stress because the body needs that force or pressure to meet the demand. In a healthy response, the systolic (top number) increases, while the diastolic (lower number) stays relatively the same or goes down. The recovery heart rate and blood pressure immediately following a workout are indicators of fitness level and used in basic fitness testing. Exercise is good for improving your blood pressure and many times recommended by doctors along with nutritional adjustments, such as reduced sodium in the diet, and eliminating unhealthy habits such as tobacco in all forms. Medication is also an option for your physician to determine.

If you happen to find yourself under pressure, keep track of your numbers. And remember the steps you can take to improve your blood pressure: less salt, less caffeine, less alcohol and more exercise. Check with your doctor if you have any concerns and especially if your pressure is above 140 /90.  Breathe and try to relax as you go through your day. No need to be under pressure.

Deborah Mangiamele

Keeping Pace with Motivation

The steps I heard along the Erie Canal path were my own. Enjoying the cool morning air, I soon realized another set of feet were keeping cadence close behind. In an instant, I received a surge of energy, picking up the pace and began striding out in a smooth-and-relaxed way I hadn't felt in weeks. Finally feeling strong and confident, I knew a runner had emerged after being dormant for awhile.

Ah-yes...the power of motivation--running reminds me of its powerful force that drives personal and professional excellence. We need motivation to get any job done. Add adrenaline and competition to the equation and the critical elements are in place for being highly effective.

Employee motivation in the workplace is the key to performance improvement. Whether you're staying motivated at work or on the athletic field, it takes continuous focus and training for ongoing improvements--usually requiring a variety of methods and techniques for effectiveness. Motivation in business, just as in sports endeavors, needs the following elements to maintain momentum, according to author / consultant Nancy Wurtzel:

• Inspiration
• Setting goals
• Networking
• Rewards
• Exercise
• Organize
• Motivational speakers and authors

Each of these elements has application in work and sport. Both in fitness and in the business of life, motivation is the high octane fuel needed to keep pace with excellence.

Deborah Mangiamele

Corporate Wellness=(simply) Good Business

No question about it—healthy employees translate to a healthier bottom line. ROI of Wellness may be difficult to quantify, but the proof is in reduced health care premiums over the long haul. Big companies involved in the wellness quest believe that benefits go beyond dollars. Happy, stress-free, and energetic employees are simply good for business. While many major companies today provide employee wellness programs, few compare with the comprehensive health benefits provided by Johnson & Johnson, a leader in corporate health for its employees. J&J demonstrates throughout its 230 companies a strong commitment to employee well-being. Programs focus on education, self-care, behavioral changes, and disease prevention. J&J is a company that has been studied for years by outside organizations measuring cost savings and effectiveness.

The August issue of Business Strategies Magazine  focuses on health and wellness, a subject dear to my fitness career roots and one that inspired this post.

After more than 30 years, J&J remains the leader in corporate fitness and wellness programs for its employees, standing the test of time and showing big-dollar savings. Success with corporate wellness begins with company owners, CEOs and other leaders who embrace a healthy lifestyle and implement those avenues for its employees to participate. Why? With soaring healthcare costs that can’t be ignored, the pursuit of keeping employees healthy must be top priority. It’s simply good business.

Deborah Mangiamele