It’s Active Aging Week today through Sunday at The Stratford at FlatIrons, a new senior living community in Broomfield that invites people 50 and older to check it out. Free events include:
Today, 10-11:30 a.m. Active Minds presents Lifelong Learning and the Aging Brain. Learn how the brain ages and the link between “exercising your mind” and the lower risk of dementia/ Alzheimer’s disease.
Tuesday, 10-11 a.m. Help for Sun Damaged Skin. Learn skin- care habits and treatments that can help minimize or eliminate the signs of sun-damaged skin.
Wednesday, 10-11 a.m. The Mediterranean Diet, American Style. Learn how to fit the Mediterranean diet, associated with lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, heart disease, stroke and cancer healthful and disease-preventing diet into your life.
Thursday, 10-11 a.m. Advances in Treating Hearing Loss. Almost one-third of Americans over age 65 have hearing loss. Learn how new hearing-aid technology is improving the lives of those with hearing loss.
Friday, 1-2 p.m. Acupuncturist Joseph Ellerin addresses how health is maintained by a balanced flow of energy throughout our bodies. De-stressing uses ear acupuncture points to unleash endorphins, which help calm the sympathetic nervous system, relieving stress and cravings, and reducing chronic pain.
The Stratford at FlatIrons, 400 Summit Blvd., Broomfield, 303-466-2422;
Four big steps to weight loss
As this season’s “The Biggest Loser” steps onto the scales, Fitness Magazine talked to the show’s trainer Bob Harper and executive producer Mark Koops. Here are their four steps to losing:
Step 1: Bare It. “Contestants weigh in shirtless (the women in sports bras) to make them face how far they’ve fallen offtrack,” Koops says. (Psst — the giant scale is a prop.) Strip down and get on a scale once a week.
Step 2: Weigh your food, too. “We’ve seen contestants who are used to eating more than 10,000 calories when they first come to the ranch.” Koops says. The biggest culprit? Huge portions. Use a food scale until you can eyeball proper serving sizes.
Step 3: Shop like Bob. “Food doesn’t enter the house without being approved by Jillian and me,” Harper says. Clear your cupboards of stuff you can’t resist (for Bob, that’s cupcakes), and stock up on fruit, almond milk, brown rice, beans, oatmeal and high-fiber cereal.
Step 4: Try a trainer. Even just one or two sessions will jumpstart your workout motivation. But decide whether you need a Jillian or a Bob. “Jillian’s as tough as she looks, and she’s great at pushing people out of their comfort zones,” Koop says. “Bob has a more empathetic style.” Fitness Magazine
Bavarian Battle of the Bulge
With the Denver Beer Fest running through Sunday, the Great American Beer Festival starting Thursday, and Oktoberfest Denver Friday-Sunday, the town is awash in beer. Work off those brews and brats at the Das Hustlehoff, a 10K/5K run through River North and the Ballpark neighborhood 9 a.m. Sunday, ending at Oktoberfest, on Larimer Street between 20th and 22nd streets. Das Hustlehoff is the last local 10K race before the Denver Marathon, the perfect tune-up for serious athletes. Participants are encouraged to dress in German, “Knight Rider,” “Baywatch” or any David Hasselhoff-inspired costume. Cost is $35, which includes registration, a free Oktoberfest bier and a race T-shirt. Oktoberfest Denver, 303-685-8131;
