Damiani devotes segment of show to health

Published 9:54 pm Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Former Suffolk mayor Andy Damiani is still spry at age 92, and he has turned part of his public-access television show into a regular health segment to help others on the path to good health at any age.

“You don’t need an instructor or a health trainer,” he said. “You just need to make up your mind you want to do it.”

In recent episodes, Damiani has demonstrated his “10/20/20” workout plan, which includes 10 exercises executed 20 times within 20 minutes.

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“You don’t need any props,” he said of the simple exercises. “Anybody can take 15 to 20 minutes and do these exercises.”

The exercises involve sitting in a chair or holding onto the back of a chair and doing things like leg and arm raises — things anybody can do and that don’t even require special clothes.

“Just loosen your tie,” Damiani said. “All of these exercises are pretty basic.”

Damiani says he keeps healthy by doing the exercises, as well as by walking most everywhere he goes and taking the 27 steps to his apartment several times a day.

“I like to walk, and I know walking is good for you,” he said, recommending that others get healthy by walking. “If it’s a fairly decent day, don’t park in the closest place you can find. If you park a little farther away, it gives you a chance to walk.”

Damiani also stresses the importance of healthy eating. His breakfast, which he demonstrates on the show, includes bran flakes sweetened with honey, soy milk, applesauce, fruit, and maybe a slice of toast or cup of coffee, he said.

He also has had health experts on the show recently, including Dr. Nancy Welch of the Western Tidewater Health District, as well as a representative from the Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community.

Damiani’s show airs seven days a week on Charter channel 13 at 8 a.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.