Weight Management
Get Up And Get Moving
It is a well known fact that we all make the New Year's Resolution to start exercises and loose weight. If you are like most people that lasts until about February and then we are back to never exercising. Why not make 2009 the exception to this rule we have all made so normal. Get up and get moving this year. One of the most important things to remember is loosing weight and staying healthy is a lifestyle choice not a diet or a three month exercise plan. Here are some ideas you can do to get moving:Walking is one of the easiest and most beneficial exercises you can do. Did you know that every minute of walking can add an average of 1.5 to 2 minutes to your life? Just walking 23-30 minutes a day can improve you heart and lungs, burn fat, raise metabolism, slow aging, improve posture, just to name a few.
Go out and buy a yoga ball. Academy offers the best bang for your buck. You can use them for sit-ups. This offers better support for your back and helps you get better results. These can also be used for posture training. Try sitting on the ball for five minutes at a time with perfectly neutral posture while focusing on keeping your stomach tight as is you are ready to take a punch. This will not only help strengthen your back, but will also give you great abs. For more information on this and other exercises with the ball, ask about our rehab program.
Strength training is also an important key to health. Get a set of small hand weights about 2-5 pounds and use them for things like bicep curls and squats. Check out the book The Slow Burn Fitness Revolution for more ideas.
The most important thing you can do for your health is set an exercise plan and stick to it. You are worth it!
Obesity: A Growing Epidemic
With all the fast food choices we have so easily accessible and the processed foods on every shelf at the store, it is no surprise that obesity is a growing epidemic. 58 million Americans are currently overweight and 40 million are considered obese.Obesity is simply defined as excess body fat that can negatively affect your health. Your Body Mass Index or BMI is the number used to measure overall body fat. It is calculated by taking your weight divided by your height squared and multiplied by 703. (weight/(height)² x 703). Any BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, 18.5-24.9 is normal, 25.0-29.9 is overweight, and anything over 30 is obese.
Obesity is not something that should be taken lightly. It can lead to an array of health problems such as heart disease, type II diabetes, sleep apnea, cancer, osteoarthritis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, depression, and even death. Obesity is mostly caused by environmental stressors such as poor diet and lack of exercise, although some genetic factors, toxicity, hormone imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies can also play a role.
Obesity is a condition that can affect people of all ages. Over 9 million children ages 6- 19 are overweight or obese. This number has tripled since 1980. With growing numbers like this, it is time we do something to change. Exercise is imperative to staying healthy. Try to exercise 20-30 minutes 3-7 days a week. Get the family involved and go around the block. It is always easier to exercise with someone.
Stay away from processed sugars and foods as well as partially hydrogenated oils. Get
organic foods as much as possible and as always eat a variety of types and colors in
your fruits and veggies. Eating at home more often and preparing your own meals can
help cut back on the processed food that you will find in restaurants. Because our
food does not always come from the healthiest places, nutritional support is often
necessary to maintain optimum health.
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