Dr. George L. Dixon - "Talking Fitness"

"Body: A thing of shreds and patches, borrowed unequally fromgood and bad ancestors, and a misfit from the start". R.W. Emerson.

There are some simple ways to measure how your "shreds and patches" are doing.

First the CHAIR test. Sit in a kitchen chair with or without arms (try not to use them unless you just have to do so). Stand up and sit down TEN times, keeping track of the time taken with your watch or wall clock or with your spouse helping. See how long it takes you. Match up your time with the scale below. If you can’t match this right away, work slowly over time to get there.

AGE SECONDS

30 13

40 14

50 15.5

60 17

70 18.5

This is also an excellent exercise. Stand up and sit down three times every time you sit down. Try doing it 5-10 times twice a day. You will be amazed how your thigh muscles will complain and strengthen.

* * * * *

Next the STAIR or climbing test. The ideal is to be able to climb 10 steps up in 10 seconds. Again, there is a variation by age and health. Climb on up to see where you fit in.

AGE STEPS in 10 Seconds

50 10

60 8

70 7

80 6

See where you fit in for your age group. If you can’t match the suggested range right away, work up to it slowly and safely.

More help is available in "Exercise a la Carte", here, at your bookstore or call 800-624-4952.