Feel Good: TriTone Fit Dances to a Different Beat

Plus: Think before you LaCroix

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TriTone Fit is a dance class that’s more like a workout class. Or a workout class that’s more like a dance class. Either way, you probably won’t really feel like you’re working out until you start to notice the results. Michelle Lee Price started the class from scratch. The Naples native has a lifetime of experience teaching and coaching cheerleading, gymnastics and Pure Barre. Recently, she wanted something that incorporated more of the dance she loved into a workout routine. TriTone Fit is now going steady at Naples Bay Club. It’s a mix of dance moves designed also to tone and tighten. “It’s classic dance moves,” she says. “But it’s taking it to a new level.” For more information, visit tritonefit.com.

How to become a super-ager

What’s the secret to staying mentally sharp well into your golden years? Researchers studying these so-called super-agers have started to figure out why some 80- and 90-year-olds remain high-functioning while others decline. Turns out, much of it is tied to the size of the brain, according to their work published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Everyone’s brain shrinks as they age. But the super-agers’ tend to shrink less. The reasons are varied. It may have to do with just luck of the draw at birth; it may have to do with stress in childhood, or nutrition levels as an infant. But all is not predetermined. Researchers recommend eating well, exercising and staying social to keep the brain sharp as it ages.

Behold the power of swearing

Next time you’re having trouble getting the pickle jar open, try unleashing a torrent of curse words. Actually, maybe make sure there aren’t any kids around first—then go for it. The British Psychology Society released two studies recently that showed that people who cursed before doing a grip test and high-intensity cycling actually performed better than those who didn’t swear. This is in line with previous studies that show people who curse are more tolerant of pain. A shouted string of profanity can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which gets the heart rate up. You now know your secret power—use it wisely.

Think before you LaCroix

Choosing a flavored water like LaCriox is far better than picking up Coke. Just keep this in mind: Beverages that are carbonated and flavored can damage your tooth enamel about as much as a can of soda, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Cut TV out of dinner to lose weight

Researchers at Ohio State University found a significant increase in obesity rates with people who watched TV while eating dinner. A possible cause: Focusing on your meal (and actually hearing yourself chew) makes you eat less.

Get fit—on a molecular level

Not all exercises are equal, especially when it comes to anti-aging benefits. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic tested out various workouts to see which one had the greatest impact on longevity. High Intensity Interval Training (alternating periods of high and low intensity during a workout) won out due to its impressive results at increasing the capacity of the mitochondria in the body. Declines in mitochondria function mean the risks are higher for things like arthritis, osteoporosis, hypertension and more. Bottom line: If your cells are happy, you’ll be happy, too.

Low-fat doesn’t mean high-nutrition

Those “low-fat” Oreos may sound like a good deal, but in the big picture, it’s probably not worth it. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that the labels marked “low-fat,” “low-sugar” or “low”-whatever were basically misleading. Sure, those cookies are low-cal compared to another cookie. But they’re also high in sugar, making any sort of attempt at a healthier image worthless. Researchers urged shoppers to look at the nutritional label to get a better sense of the healthfulness of the snack. Or, just grab a bag of baby carrots.

Tracking your steps to prevent disease

Fitbits have helped popularize the idea that tracking steps can be an indication of overall health. But overlooked when counting the steps, perhaps, is the quickness with which they’re taken. And that can have huge health benefits. Mount the WiGait in the home, and it tracks how fast you walk and the length of your pace. Recent research has shown that shorter or slower steps than usual may help indicate Alzheimer’s, stroke or heart disease and may warn of the likelihood of a fall. WiGait hasn’t been released yet, but it could usher in a new era of health-monitoring devices.