Ancient History

In the spring of 1985, my daughter brought home a crossbreed puppy. All the puppy’s littermates had found homes, except one. The dog owner was on his way to the Humane Society with the puppy that went unchosen.

We named her Steve.

Almost immediately everyone loved her. However, as she matured we realized that she suffered pain in her hips. It turned out to be a severe case of hip dysplasia. One veterinarian said she would never be normal and to consider euthanasia. We said no.

We saw another doctor who explained an expensive surgical procedure requiring a veterinary orthopedic specialist. But he suggested, first, to reduce her weight by a few pounds and give an anti-inflammatory pill when soreness becomes apparent. “Then let’s see how it goes.”

Steve never required the surgery and lived just two month’s shy of 14 wonderful years. The two of us hiked and backpacked in the mountains of the western United States and a few in Canada.If she would stiffen up after too much activity — which rarely happened — I would give her the medication. And the next day she would be fine.

Lesson learned: Often just attaining and keeping normal bodyweight stops pain even when structural problems are the source. Carrying the extra weight puts unnecessary stress on joints as well as vital organs. With dogs or people, it’s the same either way.

Fitness and proper bodyweight will not cure all problems or illnesses. But it will cure some, and it will make almost all more tolerable.

My book, Living the Fitness Lifestyle hasn’t been in print for a few years now. Occasionally, people still ask about it.

I’m grateful for the interest.

Some time ago I adding much of the book’s contents to my website, and no one has to buy anything to see it. It’s free. A few of the additions include:

• Beginners’ Workouts, month 2
• Beginners’ Workouts, month 3
• A Basic Supersets Workout
• Workout A
• Build Big, Strong Arms
• Big Arms 2 (A Peary Rader Workout)
• Down the Rack

The beginners’ workouts (months 2 & 3) of course follow month 1, which has always been on the Senior Exercise Central website. The Basic Supersets Workout, Workout A, and the big arms workouts and Down the Rack should appeal particularly to younger seniors still in the hunt for more muscle mass, along with their basic fitness.

At my stage in life, the above workouts aren’t practical for a man in his late eighties. But they may be just the ticket for young seniors.

Please check them out.

Stay healthy. Stay fit.

Logan

Senior Exercise Central

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Sincerely,

Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com