KABOOMER: Movement as Good Medicine!

Many of us KABOOMERS remember Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In Show, which first aired in 1967.

Do you retain fond (?) memories of slapstick silliness such as this: “You bet your Sweet Bippy?” I do.

Originators of that oft-quoted phrase admit that “bippy” was a non-existent word at that time. They chose it, alluding to one’s derriere, to mess with television censors who had their hands full with characters like co-host Dick Martin, Ruth Buzzi, Judy Carne, Henry Gibson, Larry Hovis, Arte Johnson, Barbara Feldon, Jo Anne Worley and Goldie Hawn. Why this way-back nostalgia? Well, Two letters B and P why!

B and P for BLOOD PRESSURE.

I’ll bet my sweet and activated Bippy that you know that I don’t have the credence of esteemed medical professionals – as does the Mayo Clinic.

Let me plead, beg and implore anyone wishing to embark on a fitness routine to check with a Medical Doctor! IF you have measured BP of 160/110, it is best NOT to engage in vigorous physical activity until those systolic and diastolic readings drop and/or your MD gives you a green light. If you missed my sermon about PAR-Qs – click here to review your readiness for physical activity! Further, if you reach the sexy age of seventy (70) – you truly MUST see a Doctor before embarking on a physical regimen for stamininety.

When you get a green light, or occasionally as a reminder after a hiatus, or when reaching seventy candles:

• Ease into a progressive routine (it’s a journey)
• Listen to your body! Do not make one more repetition for the Gipper when you sense it is time to rest.
• Do NOT hold your breath in a heavy lift routine. That action further elevates bodily B P for the short term.
• Work out in public places or ask a buddy to spot you and use PROPER form.

Your Koach does know what causes and effects exist between one’s blood pressure and exercise. Episodic elevation of one’s blood pressure happens when a KABOOMER (or Boomer) lifts weights. Our NIH cites evidence for younger power lifters (which we are not) can climax their BP transients for heavy lifts of > 300 / 200 mmHg in concentric “up” phases of their weight lifts. These levels come down quickly and all’s well… Yet, that spike is intentionally HIGH B P – yes?

Are there pluses for stamininety? Wait, wait . . . You Bet your Sweet Bippy!

The Mayo Clinic published this assurance,

“Weightlifting can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. This increase can be dramatic, depending on how much weight you lift. But, weightlifting can also have long-term benefits to blood pressure that outweigh the risk of a temporary spike for most people.

Regular exercise, including moderate weightlifting, provides many health benefits…”

Other healthgrades medical professionals offer, “Even something as simple as blood pressure monitoring and screening bloodwork for diabetes makes a huge difference.”

Make a difference, KABOOMERS. Check your B-P regularly. Do what you can to lower it naturally! Remember that motion is medicine and resistance training is about the best thing one can do for overall health, once cleared!

Be well,
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