Vegas Voice November 2016

Charlie Christy - Executive Director
Being Thankful
Mary Richard
Health Fitness
Oh No - That Lump
Thankful, that’s our thought for November.
How can we not be thankful for our many
blessings? How can we not share them?
And “Thankful and Sharing” is what Ms
Senior Nevada
is doing again
this month. The
shows scheduled
at Assisted Living
Centers will
brighten the day
of hundreds of
residents as our
“gals” of the Ms
Senior Nevada
family continue to perform.
Please remember to vote for the candidates
that are pledged to solving (our) Nevada’s
Guardianship system. Your very life could depend
on it. And, don’t forget to thank Rana
and The Vegas Voice for all their attention to
this issue.
We’ve attached a photo of our Queen, Terri
MacTaggart, as she enjoyed the Fall Harvest
Parade in Pahrump. Terri is a delight and
enjoyed meeting many people of Nye County,
and some of their animals.
Terri is a “rescue mom” and is dedicated
to her pets, as
well as the many,
many people she
helps. It is only
fitting our camera
also captured
the float for Special
Olympics,
one of Terri major
efforts.
This seemingly
tireless lady also organized a team for
the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and raised many
dollars to support research and aid. And what
a crew she put together! It was a great day
and a cause we are proud to be supporting.
Are you sharing what you have this month?
It is more important than ever you support
your favorite charity as they help the less fortunate.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
OK, you’ve had a wonderful summer with
barbeques, visitors and partying! Suddenly a
“lump” appears at your middle!
Where did that bulge or those dreaded
“love handles” come
from? It’s time to work on
getting back into shape
before the holiday’s goodies,
food and drink creep
up on you!
Oh boy - Thanksgiving,
then the holidays season
and New Year’s! All within
a really shortened 6-week
time!
Oblique exercises play
an important role in core
strengthening. It is important
to move the spine in
all 7 directions, forward,
backwards, side bends to
the right and to the left,
twisting to the right and to
the left, and upside down.
Try this move to help
tone and strengthen your obliques. As defined
in the Webster’s dictionary: any of the
thin, flat muscles forming the middle and
outer layers of the lateral walls of the abdomen.
Play some fun music and move to the
beat!
OBLIQUE CRUNCH: Lie on your back,
bending your knees. Keep your shoulders flat
on the floor.
Exhale as you lift your shoulder blades off
the floor. Slowly rotate your legs to the left.
Even though your knees are turned to the
side, keep your upper body moving straight
up and slightly to the left side.
Place your right hand behind your head
and your left hand across your abdomen.
Hold at the top for one second and slowly
lower. Repeat 8-15 times
and switch sides.
Look up at the ceiling,
tighten your abs, and
exhale as you crunch
straight up. Try to maintain
tension in your
obliques as you lower
yourself back to the starting
position. Do this exercise
at least 3 times a week.
A variation for the
crunch is to bend knees,
place arms straight out to
side and move bent knees
side to side. Do this at an
even pace.
HULA HOOP
CRUNCH: Another “fun”
way of whittling your waist
is to use a hula hoop (yes,
you can get them in the kid’s toy department
or discount supersaver stores) and use the
hula hoop while watching television! I try to
do this at least 3-4 times a week.
I also wrote about using the hula hoop in
a previous article. Move at an even pace, so
as not to injure your spinal column.
Remember, in any exercise – especially
something that you are doing for the first
time, do it in moderation, then gradually increase
the intensity. Always check with your
doctor if there is any doubt for any exercises.
Positive attitude and good health
to all!
Mary Richard was crowned Ms. Senior Nevada 2006, was first runner-up for Ms.
Senior America 2006 and is a life-time dancer. She is one of the original columnists
for The Vegas Voice. She is now an aerobics instructor throughout Las Vegas/
Henderson. Mary can be reached at mary-vegasvoice@cox.net.
That’s Our Mary
Our Health Fitness columnist Mary Richard at the recent
2016 Annual Zumba Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Mary has been a licensed Zumba instructor since 2008.
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