AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2011 - 36

FLYWELL

BY DR. JONATHAN M. SACKIER

60 at 60

“Y

Thinning down and improving fitness strikes many with regularity; we embark on a poorly conceived regime, lose some weight, then lose the urge—adding the pounds once again. The cycle repeats itself in the aptly named “rhythm method of girth control.” How does one change this nonproductive and vicious cycle? Certainly telling a few of your friends helps—in Craig’s case about half a million of his closest friends now know. Additionally, there are a number of initial steps, literal and metaphorical. Literal first—get movdoctor, not for his aviation medical but a solid ing! One does not have to become an overnight 2,000-hour TBO. An executive, he travels extensively, Dr. Jonathan M. Sackier has Mr. Universe competitor (sigh of relief from Mr. working long hours. His family and friends care practiced about him, as do his colleagues, who want to ensure Fuller); rather, take some steps. If you have a dog, medicine in the he sticks around so he can do his job—which he take the lucky fella for a walk, then two walks per United States for does very well. The verdict? Heart, lungs, guts, joints, day. Use the stairs, not the elevator; walk to and the past 20 years. from lunch or to run errands, gradually increasneurons, and sprogulator all working well. Just one ing the distances. Certainly obtain your doctor’s issue—he is carrying unwanted belly ballast. And now the reveal: This executive is Craig Fuller, president approval before embarking on an exercise regime. With time, of AOPA. Several readers have written to me concerned for commence formal workouts, either at a health club or with a Craig because he has packed on a few since taking the leader- home-based program. If traveling, choose a hotel with a gym ship role. We talked about this issue, I tendered some advice, or pool—and use it! Again, try stretching your legs rather than and Craig committed to slimming down. So that a change driving—with gas at $4 a gallon, that should provide even more in appearance would inspire others to follow his lead, Craig encouragement. suggested we document his efforts. “I am about 60 pounds Other simple steps: Buy smaller plates to enable portion overweight and as I have just hit the magical birthday, why control, aiming to leave something on your plate at the end don’t we call this ‘60 at 60’—and I will change my life and hab- of the meal. Boy, your dog is going to be one happy camper— its to get into shape.” walks and snacks! Avoid the all-American habit of cutting We equate healthy behaviors with a longer lifespan, but everything into bite-sized chunks, discarding your knife and Prof. Michael Thorner, emeritus chair at the University of vacuuming all the food down; try slicing one chunk at a time, Virginia and a world-renowned endocrinologist, says it best: replace your eating irons, and chew thoroughly. This practice “We need to adjust our thinking and aim for healthspan, allows the food to stimulate your stomach’s satiety sensors, improving how long we have robust and functional life. Prob- telling you when you’ve had enough. Do not eat watching TV; lems such as chronic obesity erode our ability to enjoy the rather, sit with family and friends, taking time to enjoy converyears we have.” sation—a surefire way to eat less. Drink water before each meal With aging, muscles shrink about two percent each year and frequently during the day, thereby decreasing appetite. after 50, so staying active is harder, resulting in waistline padYou will notice that I have not identified any particular diet; ding. Extensive traveling disrupts routines and sleep patterns, the general principle is more important. Certainly, reducing making good eating habits harder to maintain, especially if carbohydrate intake is no bad thing; at a restaurant ask for the attending events where social customs often lead to excess. bread at the end of the meal rather than prior to food. You will “Over the past year I have traversed America discussing avia- eat less, if any. Eat more fruits and vegetables and start the day tion with our members, holding town hall meetings, lobbying with a high-fiber, low-fat breakfast. We will follow Craig’s progress in this column and, if you see Congress, interacting with the various bodies important to all who fly, and, of course, raising money him at an event, please provide your encouragement—but let me know if to fund the important work AOPA he is eating his bran, or biscuits and carries out,” Craig told me. “I was in a hotel room around 107 nights and gravy! Maybe some of you might follow attended 190 functions, not includour leader, aiming for a longer healthAOPA Aviation Summit ing ones in Washington, D.C., or near span—if so, good luck! Join Dr. Jonathan M. Sackier at AOPA AviaFrederick.” That’s a lot of $100 hamtion Summit September 22 through 24 in burgers, cooked breakfasts, canapés, Email the author at jonathan.sackier@ Hartford, Connecticut, for health-related and chicken dinners. aopa.org. discussions. www.aopa.org/summit 36 • JULY 2011

ou’re in excellent health, so shape up because you’re going to live a long time!” Baffling words, don’t you think? This 59-year-old pilot visits his

AOPA PILOT •

http://www.aopa.org/summit

AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2011