30 Day Bladder Fix DVD Press Release

by Suzanne Andrews

PBS Suzanne Andrews 30 Day Bladder Fix Pelvic Floor Exercises Top Ten DVD on Collage Video

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.

I Don't Have Time

by Suzanne Andrews

 FREE 20 minute Walk Workout Video for Women Over 40 to Start Your New Year! 

You know what the most popular excuse is to NOT workout? “I don’t have the time.” 30 minutes of Functional Fitness will reduce your chance of getting heart disease, stroke by 40%.  Don't have 30 minutes, here's a free 20 minute workout designed to increase your energy so you can get through the day feeling fabulous!  Really out of shape?  Do the modified level.  No excuses! Why wait till January 1st?  Get started now and enjoy my New Year's gift to you - the gift of health. 

  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.

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.

Why Urinary Incontinence Kills: How to Protect Yourself

by Suzanne Andrews

(Part 4 of My Pelvic Floor Journey)

I remember the exact moment when I realized that I no longer had to worry about having those pesky embarrassing accidents…

“3,2,1,” cued the stage manager as she pointed at me to begin another episode of Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews® for Public Television. I was fearful of doing workouts that could cause leaks, but this workout was a gentle stretch so no worries – Until – “ACHEW!”  I sneezed and immediately thought, “Oh no, not now!’  As soon as that thought raced through my mind, I realized that I was dry!  Hallelujah! What a far cry from the first time that happened (that I shared in part two of My Pelvic Journey). My patients from age 30 to 90 were also reporting great progress every week. 

Doris, an articulate 50 year old lady originally came to me for treatment of a fractured wrist. Because the relationship between rehab therapist and patients is a close one, she eventually confided in me that she hurt her wrist from falling on urine.  She leaked, rushing to the bathroom, the floor got wet and boom - down she went and instinctively reached her hand forward to protect herself from the impact. So I immediately added treatment for urinary incontinence to her plan of care.

Fast forward to 30 days later…her sleep wasn’t interrupted by an urgent need to pee. 60 Days later, she could cough and sneeze pee free!  More importantly she was no longer at risk for a fall. Fall prevention is vital because according to Erika J. Mitchell, MD, and numerous studies, “Hip fractures kill,” the 30-day mortality rate after hip fracture is about 9 percent. It rises to 17 percent if the patient already has an acute medical problem. If a patient has heart failure while being treated for a hip fracture, the 30-day mortality increases to 65 percent. And if a patient has pneumonia after a hip fracture, the 30-day mortality increases to 43 percent.”  Because I’m a therapist, everything I teach is evidenced based which simply means research supports my claims.   According to Pub Med, “Urinary frequency, nocturia, and rushing to the bathroom to avoid urge incontinent episodes most likely increase the risk of falling, which then results in fractures. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of urge incontinence may decrease the risk of fracture.”

Doris’s plight is an all too common one and thankfully she survived.  My heart goes out to all women who suffer in silence so I’m breaking the silence by offering help with 30 Day Bladder Fix: a medically proven sequence of easy pelvic floor exercises to treat overactive bladder and urinary incontinence naturally.

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.

What Big Pharmaceuticals and Urologists Don’t Want You to Know

by Suzanne Andrews

My love of helping women reach their best health runs deep and is very personal. Few people know the journey I took to arrive at what I consider, my most private battle in my adult life - overcoming urinary incontinence without drugs or surgery.  How did I do it?

As I mentioned in part 1 and part 2 of My Pelvic Floor Journey blog, you know that pee problems plagued me since I gave birth. I thought that only happened to old people! It really affected my social life.

Let’s face it, going to the bathroom constantly and being afraid to laugh, cough or sneeze, isn’t fun.

Before I became a clinician that teaches other women to stop peeing when they cough, sneeze or jump and control their overactive bladders, I tried all kinds of crazy products.

I remember one product in particular that you were supposed to insert into your ladyparts and squeeze.  “OUCH” That contraption hurt!

And the “medicine”?  A study done at the University of Minnesota found that 50% of women stop taking urinary incontinence medicine within one year because of the side effects. The most common side effects are dry mouth, constipation, dry skin, dry eyes, and upset stomach. And older people who use incontinence medications with antihistamines are more likely to experience abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death. As if that’s not enough, the medicine only stops incontinence in 2 out of 10 women and because constipation – a side effect of the medicine- increases urinary incontinence – you may be worse off after taking the medicine.

And Surgery? My urologists nonchalantly suggested I go through with the vaginal mesh procedure like she was mentioning the weather.  The thought of allowing someone to cut my vagina – No way!  Besides the side effects from the surgery can be:

• Erosion or protrusion of the mesh from the soft tissues
• Pain, including pain with intercourse
• Infections in the area of the mesh
• Urinary tract problems
• Bleeding from the mesh site
• Damage to nearby organs

I’ve heard recent reports that these complications “only” happen in one out of thirty women.  Only? If you’re THE unlucky one out of thirty, that’s too high in my book.

My experience with urinary incontinence forced me to revisit overcoming expensive pads, bathroom mapping and did I mention the fear of smelling like a urinal? I learned that there is so much more to a successful program than just Kegels. Today, thanks to the complete pelvic floor program in 30 Day Bladder Fix ™, I and thousands of my patients all around the US, are pee accident free – without drugs or surgery! The drug companies won’t be happy and the urologists who perform costly surgeries won’t appreciate this simple cost effective program to cure urinary incontinence, but that’s OK.  I’m making it my mission to help all women who suffer in embarrassing silence because like I said, my love of helping women overcome urinary incontinence is very personal.

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.

Five Food Categories to Reduce Overactive Bladder

by 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.

My Pelvic Floor Journey: Overcoming Urinary Incontinence Naturally

by Suzanne Andrews

(Part 2)

Glassy eyed from five days of intensive pelvic floor anatomy and physiology, it’s time to take what we learned and put it into practice with fellow rehab therapists.

I sit on the chair with my heels and knees touching each other, “Ok now squeeze like you’re holding back pee,” my colleague says with a giggle. I try not to laugh because that will just make me pee. I never thought in a million years that laughing would mortify me. But peeing my pants at work in front of my physical and occupational therapy colleagues is not an option. I’m grateful that the exercises don’t require any jumping or the floodgates would really open. It wouldn’t be the first time I would be embarrassed from leaking.  The day I knew I needed help happened at the studio filming my PBS series, Functional Fitness with Suzanne Andrews®. 

“Lights, Camera’s, Action” barked the director over the Godspeaker, (that’s a speaker that comes from the control room).  After the warm up, I guided the Fat Burning Workout moves.  There it was - an uncontrollable leak coming out of my lady parts and there was nothing I could do about it. Oh how I wished I was doing the seated version!  Twenty people on set and five cameras on me – leaking!  Now I’m not an actor, but at that moment, I managed to somehow keep my composure and called for a break. Fortunately I had another identical pair of workout pants and we resumed taping. No one knew or they were just really diplomatic.

In hindsight, pee problems have plagued me since I gave birth. I thought that only happened to old people!  During the urinary incontinence courses, the professor told me that urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging.  So I really don’t have to live with this problem!  Don’t need surgery. Have you heard all those law suits about the mesh?  Don’t have to take pills that just make you constipated, give you headaches, upset stomach, dry mouth and eyes.  According to Web MD, “The researchers estimate that for every 1,000 women who were treated with the drugs, less than 200, or 20%, achieved continence on the medications. Most women stop taking the medicine because of the side effects.” That means the medicine doesn’t work in 8 out of 10 women. Besides after the pharmacology courses I took, I vowed not to take medicines unless it was absolutely necessary.

Back in class the professor instructed, “now I started you all with these because they are the exercises everyone has heard about for getting control of urine. They are called Kegels, but Kegels alone are not going to work.  You must do the other pelvic floor exercises too.  What, there’s more?

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.