PERSONAL TRAINER

HEALTH

CHALLENGING MOVES:

. Keeping her hands slightly wider than her shoulders, NanGY Cole grasps bar with an overhand grip.

Sculpt, shape your back; help posture

BY NANCY COLE nancyfitnes$@aol.com

Have you ever "pushed" yourself to the limit?

If so, I bet it wasn't on the day you trained your back. Why?

Because most back exercises are "pulling" exercises, Think about it.

Rows, pull ups, pull downs, etc. all involve a pulling action.

Many of you sent me e-mails ask­ ing how to perform the inverted row, mentioned in a column I wrote on . body weight exercises. This "pulling" exercise is a great strengthener for tlie upper and middle back, rear del-

toids and biceps. Is it challenging? Definitely, but you won't need any boot straps to assist you here; just your body weight!.

It's generally performed using a Smith machine or on a rack support­ ing an Olympic bar. With the bar set around waist height,. position your­ self under the bar, as shown in the photo. Grasp the bar with an under­ hand or overhand grip with your hands slightly wider than your shoul­ ders. Walk your feet out until your body is completely extended with your heels against the floor. With your chest square with the bar, allow

DOCTOR G ON SEXUAL HEALTH

your body to hang with your arms extended. With your abs tight and your body straight, bend your elbows and pull your chest up to tbe bar, keeping your body aligned. Then, slowly lower and repeat for as many properly executed reps as you can perform. Beginners tip: Walk your feet in and bend your knees to modify this exercise.

Back exercises can do more for you than just sculpt and shape. They can correct imbalances, strengthen the muscles surrounding your spine, improve your posture, and help pro­ tect your shoulders from injury.

As we age, sexual function naturally decreases

Q: My husband is 51. He was always chasing me sexually, but now he is just as happy to watch TV. Is this normal? Could he

GITIELMAN someone else?

quickly. When a man begins to have sexual performance problems, the mind-set of the man and woman comes from two angles. Women typically wonder about three things: "Does he love me?", "Is he still attracted to me?", "Is he having an affair?:'. But actually he might be experiencing his own reaction to his body's inability to respond sexually

as it did when he was younger.

As men age, their ability to achieve and maintain a firm erection decreases with each decade. Studies show that by age 40, 90 percent of males have had at least one episode wnere rheIr erecrIon was nor goOd enough for penetration. By age 50, 50 percent have a mild form of erectile dysfunction or decreased libido. It's important to recognize that decreas­ ing sexual function is a natural part of aging. The timetable can shorten even more if the man has other medi­ cal problems. For example a man with diabetes has four times the risk of having erection problems as a inan without diabetes.

How we respond to sexual changes psychologically can be very

challenging. Unfortunately many men may deny or minimize the prob­ lem and avoid lovemaking. Some may go to bed earlier or later than their partner. Others may respond with a decrease in affection and romance to avola a pOSSible sexual encounter which could end in failure for them. Some men may even respond by becoming irritable and depressed.

See your doctor. There are many medications that could help your partner sexually and put your rela­ tionship back on the right track.

Dr. Marc Gittelman is a board cer­ tified urologist. The advice in this col­ umn is not a substitute for consulting a physician. Write to him at DrMarcGit telman@yahoo.com or c/o Health, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami FL 33132.

LET'S TALK

Post-partum depression calls for therapy, Rx

Q: It's been nine weeks since my son's birth. I'm very thrilled to be new mom, but my mind is also filled with fears and wor­ ries. I'm miserable and can't stand the fact that I am moody, irritable, scat­ tered and unable to relax. I'm ashamed to let those

closest to me know which feelings are consuming me. Help!

A: If you were telling someone this story during your first two weeks after giving birth, no one would think twice about you,r reactions, as fluctuating feel­ ings would be considered perfectly nor­ mal for a new mom. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 75 percent of new moms experience the "baby blues," a short phase that is more biological than psychological. As the hor­ mones start to return to pre-pregnancy level, the emotional highs and lows also begin to diminish. But, since your symp­ toms have not subsided, it's time to con­ tact your gynecologist and undergo a medical exam, as you may be experienc­ ing post-partum depression.

Post-partum depression is an illness that can be successfully treated with a combination of therapy and medication. The medication will stabilize hormonal functioning besides any other factors affecting your brain's chemistry. Adding therapy will help dissipate your anxious, self-defeating, and/or negative thoughts as this is what is fueling feelings of shame, guilt and unworthiness, as well as prompting you to isolate yourself. This condition is not related to your worth as a mother.

Call your physician and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Other­ wise. you are doing yourself and your newborn a disservice. You may not feel relief for a few weeks, but shortly thereaf­ ter, the medication will take hold and combined with therapy you should

notice an appreciable difference in your daily life.

READERS: This is my last column because I have decided to focus on writ­ ing therapeutic books for children and parents. I wish to thank all of you, espe­ CiallY [nose wno contacted me and allowed me to convey to a wider audi­ ence the importance of paying attention to your thoughts. feelings, and behaviors as a way to develop greater awareness and self-understanding. Your emotional life is very important and central to your well-being.

DR. ANDREA CORN

cornpsyd ,s.bellsouth.net

Sincerely, Dr. Andrea Corn Dr. Andrea Corn is a licensed psycholo­ gist in Ligflthouse Point.