Step One to Keeping a Brain Healthy

"I used to think that the brain was the most wonderful organ in my body. Then I realized who was telling me this." - Emo Phillips Personally, I learned so much within the past week that I feel like my brain may start spilling out. It's a good feeling. Some people like a similar feeling when they've exercised hard; their muscles feel weak and shaky from the stress. Not me. But I get it, when it comes to exercising my brain. The problem is, in order to keep a healthy brain we must move our bodies. If you're concerned about Down syndrome and brain health for a person you love, step one: Move.

I know, right?!

In fact, The New York Times recently reported in How Inactivity Changes the Brain:

2014-03-25T23:04:15-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , , , , |6 Comments
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Exercise Plan – Part of being a Healthy Adult with Down Syndrome

Guest Post from Marcus' Coach, Brad Dienstbier.

You see, I have been working with Marcus for a while now and thought that this would be a good opportunity to share some tips on how other trainers can safely and effectively design exercise programs that encourage strength and fitness as part of being a healthy adult with Down syndrome.

People with DS can benefit from exercise like everybody else and struggle with typical conditions such as obesity and diabetes but they are also prone to some atypical conditions that must be considered when exercising.

2014-01-15T22:53:14-06:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , , , , |4 Comments
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Find a Fitness Facility That’s Up with Down Syndrome

Finding a good fitness facility is part 4 of our healthy adult with Down syndrome series.

In the fitness business we deal with many unique circumstances. In fact, I now realize that there are few people who don't require some sort of special consideration when designing their exercise programs.

So when my friend Mardra asked me to write a post on how to find a gym that is a good match for someone with Down syndrome, I jumped at the chance. Here are my tips to find the place with the right fit:

2013-06-21T13:34:41-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , , , , |5 Comments
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Marcus – the Bodysmith – and being a healthy adult with Down syndrome

Choosing where to work out and who to work out with is an important factor in anyone’s fitness success. Finding a trainer who is knowledgeable as well as making you comfortable isn’t as easy as pointing to the first website or billboard.

And HOLY COW, I don’t know about your neighborhood, but mine is packed with workout options.

I knew I wanted to write about the gym Marcus is a part of as I brainstormed ideas before the blog began. Then the subject came to the forefront when this headline appeared across my networks: Teen with Down syndrome turned away from gym.[1]

The story flashed me back to nearly 23 years ago when I called literally every daycare in the small college town we lived in to find a place for Marcus while I went to school. No one would accept him...

2013-07-22T13:59:18-05:00Categories: Grown Ups & Downs|Tags: , , , , , , , , |6 Comments
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