Pamela Peeke ReviewPamela Peeke Review: Live Life Differently--Things Have Changed
"Never is it too late." Dr. Pamela Peeke
Whether down on the floor to demonstrate how muscles work to get us back up again or with her elbow perched like a bird on the edge of a podium that she never leans on or stands behind, Dr. Pamela Peake has the audience's rapt attention.
Three hundred seniors laughed heartily at her one liners and participated with soft shouts if she asked a question. She did everything we anticipated and in the process got the result she wanted--to change a life--to motivate us to be fit for life, and also the title of her new book "Fit for Life."
The first thing I did when I left after the presentation was over, was look at my bulging middle and resolved to change my bad habits and get fit. At the Active for Life Celebration where Pamela was the guest speaker, she talked about how to be fit for life. Pamela Peeke answered all my questions. Her talk began with asking the audience at what age people died at the turn of the century. The answer was in their 40's. Pamela was on her way to her point that today we live longer--today we have issues we never had before. One of them is how to stay fit for life. If you cannot go to hear her speak, you can purchase her new book "Fit to Live." Her other books include the New York Times best seller "Body for Life for Women," and "Fight Fat After Forty." Her new book, "Fit to Live," is turning into a Discovery Television series in 2008. Look for it as I intend to. I wouldn't miss it. 
Pamela made us laugh, entertained us, motivated us, and educated us in forty-five minutes that seemed more like five. Her refreshing naturalness was unique and inspired. Since people didn't live long enough a hundred years ago to worry about being fit for life, there were no issues on how to live longer. Now, relatively suddenly, we are faced with the issues of how to stay fit for another 40 to 50 years after we turn 50. Pamela says we need to realize that we are constantly inventing ways to not walk, to not do activities and we need to change this. We need to walk 10,000 steps a day (which equates to 4 miles) not the 2,000 to 3,000 ("one step over coma," says Pamela) that many of us do as we go from sitting all day at work to our car to our garage to home where we watch television for the evening. We are so technologically tuned in that we have reduced our activity and movement.
...anyone who says they don't have any aches and pains after age 50, is in denial." Dr. Pamela Peeke Pamela says our bodies were built for obsolescence at 50 years of age. We laughed when she said "anyone who says they don't have any pains after age 50, is in denial." And any aches and pains you have, get worse when you are under stress. This is due to what we have called neurogenesis. This describes our mental and physical transformation every time we take a step. Activity and mental keenness go together. Pamela recommended two books she likes: "Aging Gracefully," by Anne Snowden where centenarians are asked "What Is the secret to your success." We laughed when Pamela told the story of one of her favorite centenarians, a 98-year old nun who said her secret was "I am alert, and I am vertical." By the amount of laughter, I guess many could relate to that. The other book is "How to Live to be 100." How many centenarians do you think there are today. Pamela told us around 70,000 and that by 2050, there may be almost one million. Dr. Peeke says we are obsessed with how to live longer and we don't need to be. People living to 100 are stress shedders. "It is not the strongest or smartest who survive, it is those who can't adapt and adjust who don't survive." This is the mental part. The nutritional: Eat a variety of whole foods but in small portions every 4 hours or so up to 75-80. You can drink alcohol and coffee--just a little. (More laughter) Aerobics and Weight Lifting Your Body: When you are in your 20's 80/20 - aerobics to weight lifting ratio; in your 30's about the same ratio (parents lift their children so that helps), in your 40's the ratio is 70/30--it increases and you need to do more weight training, in fact, you have to or your body will be in trouble and in your 60's it becomes 60/40. This is because when you are in your seventh decade, you will lose some muscle and become "frail." Therefore, you need to increase muscle training as you age. When asked "What do you fear most," the audience shouted "falling." Pamela then went down to the floor to demonstrate how to get up after a fall and what muscles we use. This clearly showed that if we have no muscle, then we are in trouble. We need a strong body. Is all this too hard. No, says Pamela. "You can take 80 year olds and get body back in shape." It is easier, however, to keep it in shape as described. It is really simple things we can do even at home like leg extensions, pushing against the wall etc. Keep muscles pliable. You need flexibility, aerobics, balance, strength, and endurance. "This is nonnegotiable," according to Pamela. "After 50, you have to push the envelop." Simple things build a strong foundation. Also, inspire your grandkids when you take care of yourself.
..."Try to mess with our independence and we'll scratch your eyes out." On independence Pamela says most seniors believe "try to mess with our independence, we'll scratch your eyes out." In your 60's you have to pay more attention. Tell your Fitness instructor you want strength, flexibility and balance, in addition to aerobic training. and.."strong abs equal strong back. " Centenarians have: Flexible body, stronger body, and higher level of endurance. As you get older, the tendency is to have the body type called "skinny fat." You look skinny but you have high body fat. No muscle. Pay attention to muscle. "...refirement" There is no retirement--just "refirement." Pamela tells the story of a friend of hers still working at 95--we laughed again when she said she was on her fourteenth career--95 and still working. Ken Cooper, of The Cooper Institute, is one of Pamela's friends whose secrets to longevity are 4: 1) Faith -- a belief system 2) Family -- and it doesn't have to be blood (we laughed when Pamela said some of our family are "those losers.") 3) Friends -- and be wary of who you hang out with--are they going to say "let's have pizza" 4) Fitness in mind, body and spirit. Botton Line: We can no longer just live life. We have to be fit to live life for another 50 years. We didn't plan for living this long. We had no plan. Dr. Pamela Peeke gives us a plan. There was so much more. I highly recommend you look for Pamela Peeke's book, Discovery television show and radio show in Washington or catch one of her outstanding speaking engagements. See her website for more information at www.drpeake.com. Resources: www.drpeake.com ----------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Pamela Peeke was featured at the "Celebrating Six Years of Achievement: The Active for Life Center of the National Capital Region"
Active for Life--programs for increasing physical activity levels of persons 50 years and older. The audience was impressed with the many distinguished guests who attended the celebration of six years of helping seniors stay active for life. This organization is something you need to look into to improve your quality of life. They partner with many outstanding community organizations and leaders. Some of their guests were: Congressman Chris VanHollen
"we need to invest more time in preventative healthcare to keep ourselves healthier longer." "We need to change our lifestyles..too much time in front of television and computer. The Active for Life Program has proven successful and these are the kind of things we need to do. It requires motivation to get it done." David Gamsey, Executive Director, Jewish Council For Aging. Helps local seniors.
Stewart Rosenthal, Publisher, The Beacon Newspapers, respected newspaper for seniors.
Many of the guests stated that they saw that seniors who increased their activity also had a better and changed perception of themselves.
Community Leaders Leaving the Stage After Being Presented With Awards and Sharlene P. Hirsch, Ed.D., Founding Center Director presenting. ...there were many more outstanding community leaders and partners (over 40 partners)in the aging field from our county representing local hospitals, senior centers, senior communities and county government." Isn't it comforting to know so many people are working together to make life better for seniors. Go to their website for more information on their programs. Partners who support and/or have Active For Life Programs: Return from Pamela Peeke Review to 55 Living
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