Health for the Holidays

The holidays are here!  With all the shopping, food, parties, hustle and bustle, it’s easy to lose track of what’s important.  Remember, the holidays are for celebrating the joy of spiritual blessings.  This fact can be easily over-shadowed by the commercialism and consumerism of our society.  This year, honor yourself, family, and friends with the gift of self care. Read more

Slowing Down, Giving Thanks

With the holidays rapidly approaching, it is almost an automatic response to shift into high gear, adrenal glands in overdrive, overflowing “to do” lists, a constant inner voice shouting, “You’ll never be ready on time” or “You’ll never get everything done” – with the subtext stating, “and you’ll be a big disappointment to everyone if you don’t!” WHOA!  Read more

The X Y Z’s of Wellness

Last Fall we began to explore the ABC’s of wellness, so this Fall we will finish our look at wellness from M thru Z.

Move those Muscles!  Our bodies were made for movement.   So put your mind to the muscle and transform your exercise into a mindful activity.  Try moving meditation.  And music! Read more

Fighting Fads With Facts

Low Carb?  Low Fat?  Super Slow Training?  Interval Training?  Information Overload?  Still looking for the “secrets” to weight loss?  In an interview with Oprah, she asked actor Toby McGuyer about how he lost weight for his role in Seabiscuit, then bulked up for his role in Spider Man II.  “Two secrets”, he answered: “Diet and Exercise”.  Read more

LEARNING FROM REGULAR EXERCISERS

It’s midsummer, hot, humid, threatened by thunderstorms and hurricanes.  You are tired and sticky, a bit grumpy and the last thing you feel like doing is working out.  You’ve reached a choice point:  do you join the 50% of folks who start a program of physical activity and then quit, or stay with the other half who stick with it in spite of obstacles? Read more

Movement, Metabolism and More

In the heat of summer, it’s easy to make excuses not to exercise, not to cook, and to just give in to the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer”.  However, with a bit of creativity, you can beat the heat, combat metabolic  syndrome, and prevent cancer while enjoying yourself. Read more

Men’s Health

While many families are focusing on celebrating Father’s Day, we hope to use this traditional holiday not only to honor dads and the important roles they play, but to take a look at a variety of men’s health issues.

First of all, several sports figures have been in the news lately, not because of their athletic stats, but because of their  alleged involvement in steroid abuse.   Read more

National Mental Health Month

Get Moving to Improve Mood!

One of the questions I am asked most frequently is, “How have you been able to be such a consistent exerciser for so many years?”  My answer is, “I came to exercise for my body, but I stayed for my mind!”  What I discovered decades ago about the anti-depressant, anti-anxiety effects of regular exercise has now been documented by solid scientific research.  Exercise benefits are documented in three general categories:  physical; general emotional well-being and spirituality; mental and cognitive effects.  Read more

Walk Away the Winter Blues

Finally, spring has arrived, days are longer and warmer and it’s time to walk off the “winter wearies” and welcome a re-invigorated sense of well-being.  Opportunities for organized walks abound at this time of year through local charitable organizations:  The Heart Walk; the Susan B. Komen 3-Day Walk; and many, many more.  Check your local paper for details. Read more

National Nutrition Month

By now, you’ve already read about eating more fruits and veggies, avoiding processed foods, trans fats and saturated fats, and the benefits of moving your body more often.  No doubt you’ve also gotten the   news about the healing power of antioxidants and phytonutrients, the benefits of fiber, and the dangers of too many calories and too little nutrition, especially when combined with a sedentary yet stressful lifestyle.  Read more