Archives by: Michael Ungar
About the author
Our fitness columnist and blogger Michael Ungar is an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer and Functional Aging Specialist. As the owner and operator of At Home Senior Fitness (athomeseniorfitness.net) based in Beachwood, his clients range from their early 60s to their mid-90s. Michael got serious about fitness in his 40s and started competing in his 50s. As an ordained rabbi with a small congregation in Cleveland Heights, this blog explores topics of interest to older adults, particularly health and fitness. The Hebrew word "Kosher" means "fit." (Kosher food is literally fit to be eaten; the title of his blog pays tribute to his two careers.)
Michael Ungar Posts
When I was a kid doing exercises in gym class, one of the calisthenics that we always did was side bends—not as dramatic as the yoga pose above, but side bends nonetheless. I was not sure that they served any purpose. Now I know better, and once you know all about the Q-L, you'll want to start doing more side bends as you age. ...
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We are autonomous beings. We can choose to live in a healthy way--exercising, eating healthily, getting proper rest, etc.--or we can let unhealthy habits take over our lives. Our bodies provide us a certain amount of freedom, but we have a responsibility to our bodies as well. If we do not treat them right, they will rebel and we will suffer. ...
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Cuts in federal funding for medical research has become the result of an over-arching initiative to eliminate all Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs at institutions that receive funding for these studies. This is hampering research to prevent and treat Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia. Let your elected representatives know what you think. As we age, these matters will become more important. ...
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Dental health affects overall wellness. Make oral hygiene a regular habit—just like exercising—and you will find that improved oral health will lead to improved general health and fitness. On the flipside, exercising regularly can help ensure that your teeth and gums will be there for as long as you need them. ...
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Sometimes less is more, and sometimes more is more. When it comes to fitness, both can be true. Working out is great but so is rest; it's key to preventing overtraining injuries. ...
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What brings us the greatest success in life... physical strength or intellect? The truth is that, at different times, one or the other may be more critical to overcome an obstacle. The ability to pivot between the two is key. ...
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Winter in northern climes presents unique challenges to older adults. With the proper precautions—outside and inside—we can enjoy (or at least survive) what the season has to offer. ...
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Sometimes we assume that we must accept things as they are ("it is what it is"), when change is possible. At other times, we judge that situations can be changed when they cannot. This requires wisdom. All we can do is choose how to react when bad things happen. ...
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