In this episode, Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton share their impressions of a Tedx talk by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. In the talk, titled “The Midlife Muscle Crisis: why we’ve gotten obesity all wrong”, Dr. Lyon discusses the issue of being overfat v. under-muscled and the concept of muscle-centric medicine. She shares three strategies for maintaining the health of your muscle, including: resistance exercise three times a week, increasing the consumption of high-quality protein, and increasing the protein threshold in the first and last meals of the day. Indeed, “muscle is the organ of longevity.” Weight training and consuming high-quality protein can combat obesity and help us to… age well. Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

In the wake of the Thanksgiving holiday, many of us might be shocked to step on the scale. Weight is just a number, and we should not punish ourselves for holiday indulgences.In this episode, Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton discuss body mass index (BMI), healthy body weight (and a healthy perception of body weight), and strategies to manage weight fluctuations during the holidays.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Humor is a powerful tool that can help older adults navigate the challenges of aging, enhance their well-being, and continue to enjoy life to the fullest. It is an important aspect of overall health and happiness as we age. In this episode Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton explore the ways in which humor and laughter contribute to a healthy and fulfilling aging process. In addition, the hosts provide practical tips and advice on how to incorporate humor and laughter into our daily routines to… age well.For research on the health benefits of laughter see:Bains, G. S., & Berk, L. S. (1996). The effects of humor on secretory immunoglobulin a levels in intensive care patients. Psychosomatic Medicine, 58(4), 312-318.Bennett, M. P., & Lengacher, C. A. (2008). Humor and laughter may influence health: III. laughter and health outcomes. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 5(1), 37-40.Berk, L. S., Felten, D. L., & Tan, S. A. (2001). Modulation of neuroimmune parameters during the eustress of humor-associated mirthful laughter. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(2), 62-72.Dunbar, R. I. (2012). The social role of touch in humans and primates: Behavioural function and neurobiological mechanisms. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 34(2), 260-268.Falkenberg, I., Buchkremer, G., Bartels, M., Wild, B. (2011). Implementation of humor therapy in psychiatric hospitals - an appropriate strategy for elderly patients? European Psychiatry, 26(4), 261.Kim, S. H., Kim, H. J., Lee, S. K., & Kim, Y. J. (2017). Effect of laughter therapy on perceived stress and motivation of Korean college students. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 29(3), 556-558.Martin, R. A. (2002). Is laughter the best medicine? Humor, laughter, and physical health. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(6), 216-220.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

In this episode, Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton discuss the content of a pamphlet Corbin received from his work's human resources department that discusses exercise. The pamphlet gives some tips on what to do, but does it tell us any more than what most of us already know we should be doing? For many, it is not a matter of what to do. It is a matter of how, as well as access and opportunity.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

The title for this episode was inspired by a long-time friend of Dr. Armstrong and a listener of The Aging Well Podcast. In this episode, the hosts consider what is meant by "diet" and how much (in quality and quantity) one should be eating (particularly in Third and Fourth Age) to... age well.The topics discussed include: caloric balance, macro balance, fiber, protein needs, fats, fiber, and so much more.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Whole-fat dairy is bad for our health. Switch to skim milk or an alternative like almond milk. This is what we have been told for decades by nutritionists and doctors. A recent paper in the European Heart Journal, “Diet, cardiovascular disease, and mortalities in 80 countries”, however, suggests that whole-fat dairy might be a protective food. The authors, Andrew Mente et al., concluded that “a diet comprised of higher amounts of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, and whole-fat dairy is associated with lower [cardiovascular disease] and mortality in all world regions, especially in countries with lower income where consumption of these foods is low.” In this episode, we discuss dairy foods and the challenges seniors may face that can make it difficult for them to maintain a healthy diet for… aging well. See also:"PURE Healthy Diet Sees Advantage by Promoting Whole-Fat Dairy for Heart Health"Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

In this episode, Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton address the question of training frequency--specifically, the frequency of weight training sessions to... age well.It is often recommended to allow 2-3 days between training sessions, but it more better or worse? Is it safe or effective to do a full-body weight training workout every day? We discuss this and and article on the topic from livestrong.com.Another article worth reading is "Maximizing Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review of Advanced Resistance Training Techniques and Methods."Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton asked ChatGPT to "devise an exercise plan for a 60-year-old male in good health." In this episode, they share the results and their impressions. (Incidentally, the results were the same if one asks for a female.)The hosts refer to Episode 46: Yoga and the Brain-Body Connection w/ Will Thomas (Yoga House Miami) and to an article on "Bodybuilding's Most Controversial Exercise" (the pullover).Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

We can lose a significant amount of muscle mass as we age. This leads to a decline in physical activity and function that negatively impacts one's health. In this episode, Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton share their thoughts on "7 Simple Muscle-Building Habits" and how these practices can help us to... age well.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Setting goals is important for successful aging. In this episode, Corbin Bruton and Dr. Armstrong review/critique a Men's Journal article titled: "The 10 Most Important Fitness Goals" and add their own lists of ten important goals for...aging well.Refer back to previous episodes for refreshers on Coyte Cooper and iSMART goals and Carmine's Law.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Many of use AI to get information. The Aging Well Podcast will question ChatGPT from time to time. In this episode, Corbin and Dr. Armstrong ask the AI software: "What exercises should aging adults be doing to maintain bone and muscle mass, health, physical activity, and longevity?" The answer warrants some refinement and elaboration. Tune in  for a discussion on strength, training, weight-bearing activities, balance and stability exercises, flexibility and stretching, aerobic exercise, functional strength training, low-impact exercises, interval training, circuit training, mind-body practice, outdoor activities, and staying active throughout the day for... aging well.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

In this episode, Corbin and Dr. Armstrong discuss the five dimensions of wellness—what Dr. Armstrong refers to as “well-centered fitness.” The hosts discuss the importance of incorporating Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social wellness in our daily lives. “Fitness” refers to something that one improves over time and can be defined as a state of physical and mental well-being that allows an individual to perform daily activities with vigor and without undue fatigue. “Well-centered fitness” is discussed as a mindset and a continuous journey requiring regular physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, and a positive mindset to achieve and maintain optimal health and wellness and to… age well.In this episode, Dr. Armstrong refers to InSideOut Coaching by Joe Ehrmann. This is a book about “transformational” v. “transactional” coaching, but it is equally relevant for those of us who are “self-coaching” and seek to… age well.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Stoicism is a philosophical school of thought that originated in ancient Greece around the 3rd century BCE. It can offer a practical framework for living a virtuous and fulfilling life by emphasizing personal ethics, self-control, resilience, and acceptance of the natural order of things. At its core, stoicism teaches individuals to attain happiness and inner peace by focusing on what they can control while accepting what they cannot. It encourages the cultivation of virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance to guide their actions and responses to life's challenges.In this solo episode, Dr. Armstrong considers the philosophy of stoicism and its profound implications for successful aging, particularly during the post-retirement years. He shares the wisdom and resilience that stoicism offers to help us navigate the challenges and joys of growing older—as we seek to… age well. Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Sometimes, we need a little motivation to… age well. In this—our 100th—episode, Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton share their lists of “top 10 quotes for successful aging” and compare these with a list generated by AI (i.e., ChatGPT).If you have other favorite inspirational quotes that keep you on track to aging well, please share. We’d love to hear from our listeners. Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

In this episode, Dr Armstrong interviews Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner, a board-certified emergency medicine physician with over 25 years of clinical practice. Dr. Geoffrey is on the faculty of Howard University and a national healthcare leader who has authored several best-selling books and speaks nationally and internationally on a variety of healthcare matters. Having served as the chief of a level one trauma center in Washington DC, he is an expert on split-second decision-making.Dr. Geoffrey joins The Aging Well Podcast today to discuss, among a variety of enlightening topics including the role of diet and exercise, end  of life planning, the impact of split-second decisions, the importance of mindset, and, of course, …aging well.For more information about Dr. Geoffrey, he can be found on Facebook and Instagram. His books, Training Your Mind for Split-Second Decisions: How One ER Doctor Shares His Strategy That Teaches Great Leaders to Make Excellent Decisions,  Home Alive: 11 Must Rules for Surviving Encounters with the Police, and Don't Even Smile: The Other Side of Sexual Harassment can be found on Amazon and, if you ask, he will share an e-book for free!To learn more about Shield Vitamins, visit https://shieldvitamins.com/https://shieldvitamins.com/Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

This is the final segment of a three-part interview with Dr. Margaret Manoogian. Dr. Manoogian is a professor in the Gerontology: Aging & Older Adulthood department of the Behavior Sciences Division. Her teaching focuses on Intersectionality and Aging, Exploring Aging Pathways, Parent-Child Relationships across the Lifespan, Social Ties and Aging, Adult Development and Aging, Life Course Review, Lifespan Development, Death, Dying, and Bereavement, and other Professional Issues in Gerontology.In this episode, we discuss making meaning of our final chapters and take a deeper dive into how looking through the lens of intersectionality can help others… age well. Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

This is the second of a three-part interview with Dr. Margaret Manoogian. Dr. Manoogian is a professor in the Gerontology: Aging & Older Adulthood department of the Behavior Sciences Division. Her teaching focuses on Intersectionality and Aging, Exploring Aging Pathways, Parent-Child Relationships across the Lifespan, Social Ties and Aging, Adult Development and Aging, Life Course Review, Lifespan Development, Death, Dying, and Bereavement, and other Professional Issues in Gerontology.In this episode, we ask Dr. Manoogian about the role our community structure and policies has on overcoming the limitations that intergenerational transmission has on one’s ability to… age well. Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

This is the first of a three-part interview with Dr. Margaret Manoogian. Dr. Manoogian is a professor in the Gerontology: Aging & Older Adulthood department of the Behavior Sciences Division. Her teaching focuses on Intersectionality and Aging, Exploring Aging Pathways, Parent-Child Relationships across the Lifespan, Social Ties and Aging, Adult Development and Aging, Life Course Review, Lifespan Development, Death, Dying, and Bereavement, and other Professional Issues in Gerontology.In this episode, we learn about Dr. Manoogian, her history with Gerontology and passion for the study of intergenerational relationships, and the concept of intergenerational transmission among families (i.e., the transfer of individual abilities, traits, behaviors, and outcomes from parents to their children) and how it relates to… aging well.Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Third Age is considered an era for personal achievement and fulfillment after retirement. The choices made in the First and Second Ages can affect and prolong the Third Age and, hopefully, minimize the Fourth Age—the era of final dependence, decrepitude, and ultimately death. The habits that we form throughout life shape our Third and Fourth Ages.    "Seven Habits for Third Age (3rd Age) Elderly" include: keeping self-esteem, maintaining fitness, keeping busy, remaining connected, being happy and making others happy, fighting for rights, and planning for Fourth Age.This is Part 2 of a two-part look at the habit of planning for Fourth Age. In this episode, Dr. Armstrong discusses what one should consider in planning for Third and Fourth Age based on one’s specific circumstances, values, and goals and creating a comprehensive plan for… aging well. Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast

Third Age is considered an era for personal achievement and fulfillment after retirement. The choices made in the First and Second Ages can affect and prolong the Third Age and, hopefully, minimize the Fourth Age—the era of final dependence, decrepitude, and ultimately death. The habits that we form throughout life shape our Third and Fourth Ages.    "Seven Habits for Third Age (3rd Age) Elderly" include: keeping self-esteem, maintaining fitness, keeping busy, remaining connected, being happy and making others happy, fighting for rights, and planning for Fourth Age. This is Part 1 of a two-part look at the habit of planning for Fourth Age. In this episode, Dr. Armstrong discusses seven general considerations for planning for Third and Fourth Age.Listeners might also want to refer to our conversation with Dr. Armstrong’s financial planner in Episode 15: Aging Well with Todd Youngdahl. Support the showHave questions you want answered and topics you want discussed on "Aging Well"? Send us an email at agingwell.podcast@gmail.com or record your question for us to use in an upcoming episode:https://www.speakpipe.com/AgingWellPodcast