The Mediation and Negotiation Blog: Mediation and the Science of Decision Making Part VIII: Set Your Reference Points Before You Begin Negotiating
Here is an interesting blog on negotiation strategies. It stresses some of the same approaches I address in my Ebook, The Baby Boomer's Practical Guide to EveryDay Negotiations, available on Amazon, for Kindle. At $1.99, it is a.bargain that will save you many times that amount.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Are You Addicted to Exercise?
Are you addicted to exercise? Are you an exerciseaholic? Many boomers would probably answer yes to both these questions. Why is that? Oh sure, some boomers say that they exercise because it helps them keep those excess pounds off. Others say they exercise because they are convinced that if they do and eat a carton of Greek yogurt every day, they will live forever. The real answer may be that like cigarettes and sex, exercise is a source of pleasure that some boomers (and others, of course) keep coming back to for that so called "runner's high". And like any addiction, those addicted to exercise must up the ante by increasing the amount of exercise they perform.
In an interesting discussion in today's New York Times, several writers address the topic of exercise as an addiction. http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/06/24/addicted-to-endorphins?hp One of the writers points out that exercise can be a source of dopamine, a chemical in the brain, which provides that natural high. He acknowledges that it may well qualify as some form of addiction but that it is "well worth the risk." He urges everyone to get off the couch and exercise. I couldn't agree with him more. As the Matthew Wilder sang in his Eighties hit, "Break My Stride," "I've got to keep on moving".
In an interesting discussion in today's New York Times, several writers address the topic of exercise as an addiction. http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/06/24/addicted-to-endorphins?hp One of the writers points out that exercise can be a source of dopamine, a chemical in the brain, which provides that natural high. He acknowledges that it may well qualify as some form of addiction but that it is "well worth the risk." He urges everyone to get off the couch and exercise. I couldn't agree with him more. As the Matthew Wilder sang in his Eighties hit, "Break My Stride," "I've got to keep on moving".
Twinkies Are Back!
I don't know if you heard the good news yet---Twinkies are back!! Well, almost. We still have to wait three weeks for the return to store shelves everywhere of that iconic cream-filled, orange, sponge-cake dessert treat. It's manufacturer, Hostess Brands, which filed for bankruptcy protection several months ago, has announced it will resume sale of Twinkies on July 15.
What boomer hasn't enjoyed this treat? During four years of high school, my mother packed my lunch every day. Alongside the chipped ham sandwich from Isaly's and over ripe pear, was a Twinkie. I must confess that even though I had not had a Twinkie to eat in over twenty years, I was thrilled at the prospect of its return to its proper place in Seven Elevens throughout the country. With all the clamor these days about things "Made In America," nothing is more American than the Twinkie.
So America, "Cheer up," better days are ahead!
What boomer hasn't enjoyed this treat? During four years of high school, my mother packed my lunch every day. Alongside the chipped ham sandwich from Isaly's and over ripe pear, was a Twinkie. I must confess that even though I had not had a Twinkie to eat in over twenty years, I was thrilled at the prospect of its return to its proper place in Seven Elevens throughout the country. With all the clamor these days about things "Made In America," nothing is more American than the Twinkie.
So America, "Cheer up," better days are ahead!
Monday, June 24, 2013
What is the Least Amount of Exercise You Should Do?
What is the least amount of exercise you can do in order to obtain the maximum benefits. I have recently written several times about the apparent benefits of High Intensity Interval Training. http://notjustforboomers.blogspot.com/2013/04/high-intensity-interval-training.html. According to research cited in those posts, as little as three minutes or so a day for three days a week can have significant benefits for some individuals. Why then would anyone do any other type of exercise?
The answer to that question appears to be that because most of the studies on HIIT were relatively small and of brief duration, it is unknown how long those benefits will continue to accrue. Also, some of the studies supporting HIIT have found that it has little effect on the building of muscle and weight control.
In an article in today's New York Times, "The Rise of the Minimalist Workout, http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/the-rise-of-the-minimalist-workout/?hp&pagewanted=print, the author points out some of these caveats. In my mind, the ability to conclude a workout in a matter of minutes rather than hours, far out ways any questions about HIIT. I intend to keep to my program of three twenty second intervals on an exercise bike at full speed just three times a week. I feel better and it saves an enormous amount of time. What do you think?
The answer to that question appears to be that because most of the studies on HIIT were relatively small and of brief duration, it is unknown how long those benefits will continue to accrue. Also, some of the studies supporting HIIT have found that it has little effect on the building of muscle and weight control.
In an article in today's New York Times, "The Rise of the Minimalist Workout, http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/the-rise-of-the-minimalist-workout/?hp&pagewanted=print, the author points out some of these caveats. In my mind, the ability to conclude a workout in a matter of minutes rather than hours, far out ways any questions about HIIT. I intend to keep to my program of three twenty second intervals on an exercise bike at full speed just three times a week. I feel better and it saves an enormous amount of time. What do you think?
Friday, June 21, 2013
The 4 Minute Workout: High Intensity Training Really Works
I have written several times in this blog about the potential health benefits of High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT. That approach to fitness involves cycling or some other aerobic activity for a short period of time (as little as 30 seconds) followed by a rest period. This procedure is repeated three or four times, three times a week. It works as evidence has shown.
http://notjustforboomers.blogspot.com/2013/04/high-intensity-interval-training.html
There is a new twist on high intensity training that deserves a further look. We all complain that we never have enough time to exercise. We are too busy at work, at home and everywhere else to make it to the gym for an hour workout. Well, you may only need four minutes, three times a week to achieve similar results. And you can do it anywhere and no special equipment is required
As reported in the New York Times, "The 4 Minute Workout", researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology conducted a study to determine whether 4 minutes of aerobic exercise at 90% of maximum heart rate performed three times a week would have the same effects on maximal oxygen uptake, blood sugar and blood pressure as longer training sessions. After ten weeks, the researchers determined that the answer was a definite "yes."
For the full article, see http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/the-4-minute-workout/
http://notjustforboomers.blogspot.com/2013/04/high-intensity-interval-training.html
There is a new twist on high intensity training that deserves a further look. We all complain that we never have enough time to exercise. We are too busy at work, at home and everywhere else to make it to the gym for an hour workout. Well, you may only need four minutes, three times a week to achieve similar results. And you can do it anywhere and no special equipment is required
As reported in the New York Times, "The 4 Minute Workout", researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology conducted a study to determine whether 4 minutes of aerobic exercise at 90% of maximum heart rate performed three times a week would have the same effects on maximal oxygen uptake, blood sugar and blood pressure as longer training sessions. After ten weeks, the researchers determined that the answer was a definite "yes."
For the full article, see http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/the-4-minute-workout/
Believe It or Not: Boomers Are Retiring and Liking It
Contrary to many misconceptions, believe it or not, boomers are retiring----and once more, they are enjoying it.
There seems to be a belief that boomers are not going to retire, that they prefer working until they die. While that may be true for some boomers, there apparently are quite a few who are retiring as soon as they feel they can do so and still maintain a lifestyle similar to their pre-retirement lifestyle.
In an article on the Huffington Post50 website, entitled "Boomers---Will They Shun Retirement", the author, Sara Rix, discusses several studies that show that boomers are in fact retiring at or near the retirement age of 65 and are enjoying their retirement. One study shows that 7 of 10 retirees really like retirement and have adapted to it quite nicely.
If you are interested, the full article can be found at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-rix/retirement-work-longer_b_3442301.html
There seems to be a belief that boomers are not going to retire, that they prefer working until they die. While that may be true for some boomers, there apparently are quite a few who are retiring as soon as they feel they can do so and still maintain a lifestyle similar to their pre-retirement lifestyle.
In an article on the Huffington Post50 website, entitled "Boomers---Will They Shun Retirement", the author, Sara Rix, discusses several studies that show that boomers are in fact retiring at or near the retirement age of 65 and are enjoying their retirement. One study shows that 7 of 10 retirees really like retirement and have adapted to it quite nicely.
If you are interested, the full article can be found at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-rix/retirement-work-longer_b_3442301.html
Monday, June 10, 2013
Are Oversize Servings Killing Us?
When we go into a restaurant, we expect to get a lot for our money. Sometimes, though, we may be getting too much of a good thing, especially when those servings include red meat. Those oversize servings may just be the cause of heart attacks and other health-related issues. In other words, size does matter---and it could kill you.
We are all familiar with the rule of thumb that when we have red meat as part of a meal, the meat should be about the size of a deck of playing cards. That is about 3 ounces. You may be surprised to learn that the Outback 14 ounce rib eye steak you had the other night is the equivalent of 3 1/2 servings of red meat according to the Nutrition Action Healthletter for June 2013. And that Panera Smoked Ham and Swiss cheese sandwich you had for lunch today? It is the equivalent to 4 servings. Id.
Relying on information from Adam Bernstein, research director of the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute, the Nutrition Action Newsletter lists six reasons you should be eating less red meat rather than those oversize portions:
1. You are likely to live longer.
2. You will protect your heart.
3 You will cut your risk of cancer.
4. You may be able to avoid the risk of a stroke.
5 You may cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
6.You will protect the environment from methane and nitrous oxide.
I don't know about you, but to me these are pretty compelling reasons to cut back but not totally eliminate the amount of red meat we consume.
We are all familiar with the rule of thumb that when we have red meat as part of a meal, the meat should be about the size of a deck of playing cards. That is about 3 ounces. You may be surprised to learn that the Outback 14 ounce rib eye steak you had the other night is the equivalent of 3 1/2 servings of red meat according to the Nutrition Action Healthletter for June 2013. And that Panera Smoked Ham and Swiss cheese sandwich you had for lunch today? It is the equivalent to 4 servings. Id.
Relying on information from Adam Bernstein, research director of the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute, the Nutrition Action Newsletter lists six reasons you should be eating less red meat rather than those oversize portions:
1. You are likely to live longer.
2. You will protect your heart.
3 You will cut your risk of cancer.
4. You may be able to avoid the risk of a stroke.
5 You may cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
6.You will protect the environment from methane and nitrous oxide.
I don't know about you, but to me these are pretty compelling reasons to cut back but not totally eliminate the amount of red meat we consume.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)