Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews

What Does Your Body Say About Your Health?

by Suzanne Andrews

Did you know your reflection is an echo of what your body is trying to tell you?  Find out what your body is saying to you now!

Belly Fat = increased risk of heart attack, diabetes and back pain.

So what do you do when you want to eat health sabotaging foods? Redirect yourself with a healthy distraction. Take 3 deep breaths, go for a walk, call a friend for moral support. The craving will pass and you'll feel so much better! 

Wide Hip Bones = normal part of aging.

Don't fret, it's not your imagination, your bones really do widen as you age. I gained 2 inches of width! What you should be concerned with is if you have excess fat over your hips as that can cause hip, back and knee pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, every pound of excess fat exerts four pounds of pressure on your knees which is another great reason to get the weight off if you're having knee pain.  You may even save yourself the cost, time and pain of knee replacement surgery! Not sure what exercises to do that are safe for arthritis and help you lose weight?  Check out Arthritis Walking Workout.

Arm Fat = risk of shoulder injuries.

Shoulder injuries are one of the most painful types of injuries. How do I know? I injured myself working working with a patient that required over 400 pounds of muscle power to save her from getting crushed. I had accident two when I saved a patient from a fall. I needed surgery on my shoulders. As bad as it was, the doctor said it could have been much worse. My arms were strong before the accident and I went from 0% function to  a full recovery with consistent therapy, determination and a mindset to work through the pain during therapy and just trudge through to regain full use of my shoulders. You need a well rounded arm workout to remain functional and strong -not to mention if you want to wear those sleeveless dresses!

Thanks for spending time with a very important person...YOU!

Love and healthiest blessings,
Suzanne Andrews
www.healthwiseexercise.com

Suzanne Andrews founded Functional Fitness in 2008, the most popular fitness series for boomers and seniors broadcasting on over 159 Public Television stations throughout the US and Canada. Read Suzanne’s inspiring comeback story of how she survived a near fatal accident, From Deaths Door to Producing a National Fitness Series. Feel free to send Suzanne a message here.

Is Political Correctness Causing Weight Gain?

by Suzanne Andrews

Is political correctness sabotaging your weight loss goals?  Let’s face it, having to watch every word we say is a huge stressor that can provoke your stress hormones into overdrive. When stress happens, so does cravings for comfort treats.  I call them “C-Foods” - cakes, cookies, chocolate, chips and creamy foods.

Just when I thought political correctness couldn’t go any further, I was hit with one of my videos being blocked because of political correctness.

That was enough to get me off the weight loss wagon and head straight for the chocolate. Then I thought better of it and went for a walk.  Instead of getting the “I shouldn’t have guilts,” I was actually proud of myself for resisting the urge to down a large Hershey’s chocolate bar. Especially since I tape my next Functional Fitness series in three months.

Obviously the person who blocked it had no idea the words, Urinary Incontinence is an actual medical diagnosis.  Many women are embarrassed enough about this problem, to say that helping women overcome this problem is offensive is ridiculous, don’t you think? 

I’m not just a rehab practitioner that teaches women how to naturally overcome urinary incontinence/overactive bladder and prolapse, I had this problem and find it offensive that someone took it upon himself to ban this video.  But that’s OK, I’m a big girl and I can take it!

Here’s the video that was banned. If you’re tired of political correctness, share it, post it and tweet it to your unpolitical correctness hearts content.

Suzanne Andrews founded Functional Fitness in 2008, the most popular fitness series for boomers and seniors broadcasting on over 159 Public Television stations throughout the US and Canada. Read Suzanne’s inspiring comeback story of how she survived a near fatal accident, From Deaths Door to Producing a National Fitness Series. Feel free to send Suzanne a message here.

What Body Part Does Weight Loss Begin With?

by Suzanne Andrews

When I tell people I lost 60 pounds, people often ask, "how did you do it?" Frankly, I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I just decided that I'd had enough joint pain, fatigue and excuses that stopped me from being healthy.

But it took me a while to arrive at that destination. My wake up call came when I saw myself on video taken from my sons birthday party. Until that time, I justified all the usual excuses: too tired, not enough time, exercise programs were just too expensive, etc.

But once I committed to exercising just 30 minutes a day, the fatigue was replaced by tons of energy. I decided to stop watching the morning news and work-out instead. By beginning with changing my mindset, I made time for my health and felt so much better not hearing about the bad events first thing in the morning.

As far as expense, I was spending more money on one meal out than I was on an exercise program. I learned that by adjusting your thinking, you can lose weight and feel great! I also learned to work smart and not hard. No insane high impact moves that could hurt your joints. That was the beginning of Functional Fitness. I had no idea that it was going to be a national fitness series on PBS, but I knew there must be other people like me who preferred low impact moves with a choice of fitness levels, an instructor that didn't scream and exercises that were proven safe for various health conditions.

It's amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it!

Suzanne Andrews founded Functional Fitness in 2008, the most popular fitness series for boomers and seniors broadcasting on over 159 Public Television stations throughout the US and Canada. Read Suzanne’s inspiring comeback story of how she survived a near fatal accident, From Deaths Door to Producing a National Fitness Series. Feel free to send Suzanne a message here.

Get Stronger Bones

by Suzanne Andrews

Most of us ladies are aware that getting extra calcium in our diet is a good preventive measure against osteoporosis. However, what you may not realize is how often you should take calcium and exactly what you need to take it with for absorption. 

Check out today's post with my special guest, Dr. Heather Metchick who explains some surprising facts about calcium followed by a preview of the newest Get Stronger Bones DVD to help you strengthen your bones with three fabulous osteoporosis safe workouts! 

Suzanne Andrews founded Functional Fitness in 2008, the most popular fitness series for boomers and seniors broadcasting on over 159 Public Television stations throughout the US and Canada. Read Suzanne’s inspiring comeback story of how she survived a near fatal accident, From Deaths Door to Producing a National Fitness Series. Feel free to send Suzanne a message here.

Suzanne Andrews FREE At Home Balance Test!

by Suzanne Andrews

We begin to lose our balance beginning from the age of 40. Here's a balance test for you to check how you're doing. If it's too easy, do the test with your eyes closed. If you try it with your eyes closed, make sure to have someone standby for safety!

Get 3 workouts for stronger bones and stronger balance in Suzanne Andrews: Get Stronger Bones DVD

Suzanne Andrews founded Functional Fitness in 2008, the most popular fitness series for boomers and seniors broadcasting on over 159 Public Television stations throughout the US and Canada. Read Suzanne’s inspiring comeback story of how she survived a near fatal accident, From Deaths Door to Producing a National Fitness Series. Feel free to send Suzanne a message here.

Why Being Thin Can Hurt You

by Suzanne Andrews

We all strive to be thin, unless it happens to your bones.  But when you have osteoporosis, how do you know what exercises are safe and what moves can fracture your spine?

All my life I’ve been concerned with my weight.  After seeing a video of myself at my son’s 2nd birthday, I was amazed how I let myself go.  A very pivotal moment for me:  I decided to get the weight off.  What I didn’t think about was my bones.  By skipping out on calcium enriched foods, I thought I was just skipping calories, but I was really cheating myself out of much needed calcium.

In my 30’s, bone density didn’t seem important, but that was far from the truth. Fast forward to now.  What I see as a medical professional is heart breaking and the catalyst that made me start my show, Functional Fitness on PBS TV.  So many women starve themselves to get thin and miss out on a vital component of exercise – bone building strength training to defeat osteoporosis.    Osteoporosis is known as the silent disease because you don’t know you have it until a bone breaks. What many women don’t realize is their bones are getting thinner as they deprive themselves of calcium rich foods and osteoporosis safe workouts.   Not a week goes by that I don’t meet a 50 something lady who fractured her hand, shoulder or hip. The recovery is excruciating and long.  They swear all kinds of unmentionables at me as I guide them through their exercises that are osteoporosis safe to make their bones strong. I’m not offended because I know at the end of the sessions, they’re happy to be going home strong and healthy.  That’s the lucky ones. 

Hip fractures are often fatal and occur in one out of three women. It just makes sense to help prevent a fracture from happening by increasing your bone density, improving your balance and strengthening your muscles with osteoporosis safe movements BEFORE it happens.  These are scientifically proven movements that are done with specific sequencing and pacing for best results.  So that’s why I designed my newest DVD, Get Stronger Bones with three osteoporosis safe workouts with three levels of fitness. You don’t even have to pay the $400.00 a month co-pay.  No excuses, because you can break more than a promise when you skip your promise to workout.

Start now and don’t look back, you’re not going that way! Questions while you’re doing the workout? 

Suzanne Andrews founded Functional Fitness in 2008, the most popular fitness series for boomers and seniors broadcasting on over 159 Public Television stations throughout the US and Canada. Read Suzanne’s inspiring comeback story of how she survived a near fatal accident, From Deaths Door to Producing a National Fitness Series. Feel free to send Suzanne a message here.

What’s it Like Behind the Scenes Filming a Fitness Show?

by Suzanne Andrews

As the executive producer of Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews®, a PBS TV series broadcast throughout the US and Canada, I don’t see places, I see locations.  I didn’t realize how evident this was until I was looking at a photo of my friend’s daughter and my eyes lit up.  The location was filled with an array of colorful wildflowers.  My friend and colleague, physical therapy practitioner and rehab director, Charlene (who guest-starred on the first series of Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews®) saw the gleam in my eye and said, “I know, it would make a great location.” 

And the weather is not merely a forecast.  When shooting at outdoor locations, our shoots live and die by the weather.  We love a cloudy day, but loathe the rain!  What people see as beautiful trees, we see objects that make shadows on our faces so bad the video won’t pass the labor intensive frame by frame inspection by the stations quality assurance engineer.  

There’s a lot of thought that goes into finding the perfect location.  If I’m going to speak on camera, the place must be very quiet.  If we’re filming at the beach and the waves are too loud, I have to do a voiceover in post-production which adds considerable time and expense. 

Some places are worth doing a voiceover as long as the location isn’t populated. When we filmed Arthritis Walking Workout at Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada, (most beautiful gardens in North America), we began filming at dawn before the place was open to the public.  Unbeknownst to us, there were gardeners in the background who decided to exercise along with us!  It took 40 hours of editing to make them disappear from the shot. 

We’ve filmed in the Texas country side, the beautiful mountains in Canada, and fabulous gardens throughout the US.  Our newest DVD, Suzanne Andrews Get Stronger Bones for Osteoporosis was inspired by the stunning settings of the Estate on the Halifax in Port Orange, Florida and the Waldorf Astoria in Boca Raton, Florida.  I love exercising outdoors- the scenery is so motivating. But during the cold winter months, you can’t always get outdoors and yet you can’t let your workout go by the wayside.  Your body needs to be healthy whether it’s cold, raining or snowing. The best gift of all is your health. By not waiting for tomorrow, you gift yourself with the present!

Sending you love and healthiest blessings this holiday season!

Suzanne Andrews is a licensed Occupational Therapy Clinician with 30 years exercise expertise. Airing to over 49 million on Public Television, Suzanne Andrews, a licensed Occupational Therapy Clinician, (they specialize in function) creates evidenced based fitness programs for specific health conditions. Originally created in 2008 with it’s first run on WDSC TV, Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews broadcasts on 113 Public Television stations.

Why the Numbers On Your Scale Aren’t the Most Important

by Suzanne Andrews

Does this sound familiar? You get on the scale and yikes!  The number displayed are 5 lbs heavier and all you did was go out for a few dinners last weekend.  How did that happen?  Rather than obsess over the numbers on your scale, think about the numbers of your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen.

First of all, let’s talk about your oxygen levels.  If you’ve seen my series on PBS, (Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews ®) you know one unique aspect all my workouts include are deep breathing exercises.  Some people mistakenly think that if they’re not doing high impact aerobics, they’re not getting a good workout.   Breathing exercises, often overlooked in most workouts are very important.  Why? 

Since oxygen provides fuel for your cells, oxygen helps your metabolism work properly. Oxygen also helps remove toxins from your body and feeds your muscles energy. You can measure your oxygen with a gadget called a pulse oximeter.  If it measures 90 or above during exercise, you’re doing good.  95 or above, you’re doing great!

Now for your blood pressure.  In a perfect world, your blood pressure would be 120/80 while you’re sitting down.  Make sure you’ve been sitting for 5 minutes before you take it. What does that top number mean?  This is when your heart is contracting.  The bottom number is when your heart is at rest.

If your numbers are higher, see your doctor to discuss what needs to be done. This number is a matter of life and death so don’t delay.

Now for your heart rate.  Check your heart rate at rest. If it’s 101 or higher, you have “tachycardia.” The average resting heart rate is between 60 – 100.  The closer you are to 60 beats a minute, the stronger your heart is. If your heart rate is closer to 100 beats per minute, check with your doctor to see what you can do.  Generally speaking, exercise and eating right go a long way in preventing lifestyle diseases.

And that, in my medical opinion, is more important than being a size 2 and worrying about reaching for an unrealistic weight the media portrays to be “ideal.” Being healthy is beautiful! 

Love and healthiest blessings,

Suzanne Andrews

 Suzanne Andrews is a licensed Occupational Therapy Clinician with 30 years exercise expertise. Airing to over 49 million on Public Television, Suzanne Andrews, a licensed Occupational Therapy Clinician, (they specialize in function) creates evidenced based fitness programs for specific health conditions. Originally created in 2008 with it’s first run on WDSC TV, Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews broadcasts on 113 Public Television stations.

5 Triggers that Cause Weight Gain

by Suzanne Andrews

I lost 60 pounds after giving birth and have been struggling to keep it off now that I’m in menopause, so I can relate with weight loss being a daunting challenge.  From yo-yo dieting to unrealistic goals and deprivation, people who struggle to lose weight often face an uphill battle. By identifying the triggers that lead to overeating and overcoming them, you will be well on your way to successful weight loss.

1. Stress

People have to deal with stressful situations every day. From hectic work schedules to strained family life and the pressures of the daily grind, stress can wear out even the strongest person. Some who struggle with weight loss use food as a way to ease the stresses in their life. This leads to weight gain, which leads to more stress, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. You can’t get away from stress, but you can learn how to react in stressful situations.

2. Culture

One of the main obstacles to people trying to lose weight is pressure from family. It can be very difficult to eat healthy meals when the family members are snacking on high fat and diet busting high calorie foods. In some cultures, it is a badge of honor to be overweight. Family gatherings such as holidays and celebrations may also lead to the pressure to overeat. Have an apple, soup (not creamy soup) or salad as an appetizer. This will help fill you up so you don’t eat too much.  

3. Time of Day

Does the clock dictate what goes on your plate? Many people eat not because they're hungry, but because they are accustomed to eating at a certain time every day. Others fail to listen to their body's cues and allow social pressures to dictate what they eat. Visualize yourself at your goal weight before ordering your food.

4.  Place

Studies have shown that where you eat has a huge bearing on how much we eat. When you sit down at a table to eat a meal you tend to eat less than if you're sitting on the couch. Eating while doing other tasks such as working at a desk can lead to overeating and weight gain. When eating a meal or a snack, focus on eating only. Attempting to multi-task while eating can cause you to lose track of the amount you're eating and take in too many excess calories.

5.  High Expectations

There is no pill or potion that can make you lose weight.  As a practitioner of Occupational Therapy, I cringe when I see those hyped up claims, “Lose 30 pounds in 30 Days!”  Be accountable and responsible for what you put in your body.  Combine that with exercise and the weight will come off.

Suzanne Andrews is a licensed Occupational Therapy Clinician with 30 years exercise expertise. Airing to over 49 million on Public Television, Suzanne Andrews, a licensed Occupational Therapy Clinician, (they specialize in function) creates evidenced based fitness programs for specific health conditions. Originally created in 2008 with it’s first run on WDSC TV, Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews broadcasts on 113 Public Television stations.

5 Types of Urinary Incontinence

by Suzanne Andrews

Did you Know There are 5 Types of Urinary Incontinence?

Find out Which One You Have to See if You Can Treat it At Home!

1. URGE INCONTINENCE: you have this if you have involuntary large leaks at unexpected times, including sleep. You also have a strong urgency to void. This can be treated naturally, providing you don’t have a neurological condition like dementia, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries.

2. STRESS INCONTINENCE: if you leak small amounts of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or jump you have stress incontinence. (Very treatable without drugs or surgery provided you don’t have a neurological condition as mentioned above). The most common causes are:

• Weak pelvic floor musculature.
• Pregnancy

3. MIXED INCONTINENCE: if you have a combination of urge and stress you have mixed incontinence. Most common causes are:

• Disuse atrophy of the uro-genital anatomy (weak pelvic floor muscles).
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Non specific engagement of muscle innervation. (Not doing specific exercises correctly for this area).

This is highly treatable without drugs or surgery.

4. OVERFLOW INCONTINENCE: Sudden leaking because of a full bladder. This happens without physical movement. Causes are:

• Fecal Impaction - dry stool that cannot pass out of the body. Caution: this can cause death so see your doctor immediately if you suspect this!

• Weak Detrusor Muscle: ( A muscle that forms the wall of the bladder). Highly treatable with 30 Day Bladder Fix. 

5. FUNCTIONAL INCONTINENCE: Leakage due to inability to reach a toilet because of physical disabilities and/or dementia and tramatic brain injuries. This type is not When a patient has functional incontinence, they are the ones who need adult diapers and pads. 

If you have one of the treatable types of Urinary Incontinence mentioned above, there is no reason you should be flushing your money down the toilet. The average person with Urinary Incontinence spends $4008.00 a year on pads, creams, laundry, soiled clothing, soap and doctor’s visits. Start saving money and preview what 30 Day Bladder Fix can do for you.

Suzanne Andrews is a licensed Occupational Therapy Clinician with 30 years exercise expertise. Airing to over 49 million on Public Television, Suzanne Andrews, a licensed Occupational Therapy Clinician, (they specialize in function) creates evidenced based fitness programs for specific health conditions. Originally created in 2008 with it’s first run on WDSC TV, Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews broadcasts on 113 Public Television stations.