Local chiropractor’s fitness book focuses on longevity

By Special

For the AJC

By Carly Felton

For the AJC

Reebok's advertising campaign tells us "Life is short. Play hard." But how hard is too hard? And why should we assume life is going to be short?

In Eric Plasker’s latest book, “The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout” (GPP Life, 16.95), the Marietta-based author, lecturer and chiropractor answers those questions and offers fitness tips to increase longevity.

A follow-up to his 2007 book “100 Year Lifestyle,” his new book revolves around the principle of what he calls ESS, which stands for endurance, strength and structure.

Q: Why did you write "The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout"?

A: The fitness plan of "The 100 Year Lifestyle" became the most talked about element of my first book, and people wanted to know more about how they could stay fit and healthy over the course of their lifetime. They got tired of the weight gain-weight loss roller coaster. "The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout" defines a balanced fitness program to get people in the best shape of their life and stay that way for a lifetime.

Q: What are the key points of the book?

A: The focus is to get your ESS in shape -- endurance, strength and structure -- because all three are important to good health, fitness and quality of life as you age. Many fitness plans just focus on one or two of these three elements. An example would be a runner with weak muscles [strength] and a deteriorated spine [structure] because he’s running himself into the ground or a bodybuilder who just focuses on building muscles but has no endurance and horrible, bent-over posture. This fitness plan teaches people how to create the balance necessary to being able to work out and stay fit for a lifetime.

Q: How have you incorporated these into your own life?

A: Seven years ago I was 40 pounds heavier than I am now. In my chiropractic practice I was teaching people to live healthy lives but I was not practicing what I was preaching. I had been on a weight loss-weight gain roller coaster and “dieted” ineffectively. When I decided to change my lifestyle and implement these principles, the weight came off naturally. I’ve kept it off, and I feel younger and happier than ever.

Q: In your book you talk about “Sitting for a Living.” How can readers achieve health and fitness goals if their work forces them to sit at a desk all day?

A: First, they should follow the 50-10 Rule. For every 50 minutes of sitting, they should spend 10 minutes standing and moving. If they are commuting with long drives, they should park far away from their office to force themselves to walk farther to and from their office. During their lunch break, they should make it a habit to walk for a minimum of 10 to 20 minutes every day. When they are on the phone, they should stand, even pace, as this will help them create movement. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports estimates the cost of excess sitting to be a $1 trillion over the next 10 years. These simple tips can save your health and save you some money, as well.

Q: How does stress affect longevity, and how can exercise alleviate these effects?

A: Stress shortens the telomeres, or caps on your genes. This ages you prematurely. Chronic stress puts a strain on your heart, digestive system and ability to absorb nutrients, which can also lead to premature aging, sickness and disease. Combat stress by increasing your circulation, burning off stress hormones and releasing stressful energy so your body can be in a state of balance and homeostasis. Rather than exercising just when you feel stressed, if you make exercise a part of your lifestyle, you will avoid the ups and downs that chronic stress can bring.