Now they have thought of everything! Nintendo Wii is unveiling a new product designed for weight loss. If you aren’t sure of what a Wii is, then it is obvious you don’t have children or a game-station loving husband. Either way, a Wii is the latest craze in videogame land, which actually promotes users to get up and move. Not only does this game let you interactively bowl, play a tennis match and actually create your very own rock band, it has now come up with a way to get you to do - and yoga! The Wii Fit, which is a $90 console addition, dubbed the “Balance Board” not only adds these cardio and strength training, but also tracks a user’s weight and body mass index.
Watch out kids - Mom might be fighting you for time on the Wii! Take a sneak peek at the Wii Fit in action.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Nintendo, Cammie Dunaway has great things to say about the Wii Fit bringing families together to enforce a healthy lifestyle. Not taking away from traditional exercise, such as heading outside for a jog or walk, she says the Wii Fit will bring motivation to those trying to embody a healthy lifestyle.
Source: MSN.com
April 24th, 2008
Cheney
So here I am in Hilton Head, almost 700 miles from home, focusing on my new job and healthy life when I received news from my mother that she has breast cancer. This came as a shock, because my mother has instilled the importance of a healthy lifestyle in me and has always tried to follow one herself, so how could she possibly have breast cancer? I was devastated, far away from home and helpless. My mother was scared and confused, and though she was trying to be optimistic, we knew that this was only the beginning. Not knowing how to deal with trying to support my mom from far away I decided to do my research. The following are simple steps from Shape.com that will help fight breast cancer:
1. Pump Up Your Produce
Fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants that help protect against all forms of cancer. Plus, they’re low in calories, so loading up on them is an easy way to keep your weight in check. Studies have found that eating five servings of produce a day reduces the odds of a breast-cancer recurrence in women, especially when combined with daily exercise. Consuming more than that doesn’t seem to have any additional preventive effect, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Your best bet, says the American Cancer Society’s Marji McCullough, is to eat a wide variety of brightly colored produce. “That way you’re more likely to get all the phytochemicals that are important to cancer prevention.”
2. Cut the Fat
Studies on dietary fat have been conflicting and inconclusive, but most experts say it’s still wise to steer clear of saturated fat as much as possible.
3. Get Plenty of Calcium and Vitamin D
This spring, a 10-year Harvard study found that premenopausal women who got 1,366 milligrams of calcium and 548 IU of vitamin D daily slashed their breast-cancer risk by a third, and their odds of getting invasive breast cancer by up to 69 percent. “This is a promising area of research,” says McCullough, who recommends eating calcium-rich foods like low fat dairy products, canned salmon, almonds, fortified orange juice, and leafy greens, or taking a 1,000- to 1,200-milligram calcium supplement. Although milk contains vitamin D, most yogurt and cheese do not. To get enough, you probably need a multi-vitamin, or if you’re taking a calcium supplement, choose one that also contains 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D.
4. Sprinkle Flaxseed on Your Cereal
Flaxseed is a good source of lignans, compounds that may play a role in preventing estrogen-dependent cancers by inhibiting the development of tumors or slowing their rate of growth, according to McCullough. “Other sources of lignans include sunflower seeds, peanuts, cashews, rye bread, and strawberries.”
5. Keep Cookouts to a Minimum
A recent study from the University of North Carolina found that postmenopausal women who had consumed a lot of barbecued and smoked red meat or chicken over their lifetimes had a greater risk of developing breast cancer than those who ate less. “When you grill meat, the amino acids form compounds called heterocyclic amines, which are carcinogenic. They’re especially concentrated in charred meat,” says Rachel Zinaman, R.D., a nutritionist at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center’s Evelyn Lauder Breast Center. “Plus, when the fat drips on the heat source,” she adds, “it forms polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, another cancer-causing compound that binds to the meat.” If the barbecue grill is beckoning, protect yourself by marinating the meat first or cutting it into smaller chunks. These cook faster than larger pieces, which reduces the likelihood that carcinogenic chemicals will form.
6. Imbibe Intelligently
That means stopping after that first mojito. “More than one daily drink increases your odds of developing breast cancer by 20 percent or more,” says Zinaman. In a recent Norwegian study, those who had two or more drinks a day during the previous five years had an 82 percent greater chance of developing breast cancer than those who didn’t drink at all. “Alcohol may raise estrogen levels and interfere with the body’s ability to use folic acid, a B vitamin that’s been linked to cancer prevention,” she says.
7. Fill Up On Fiber
A diet that’s rich in fiber (30 or more grams a day) can halve the risk of breast cancer among premenopausal women, according to a new study from the University of Leeds in England. It makes sense, says Zinaman. “Fiber-rich foods contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that are thought to be protective.”
These methods of prevention may not ward off all cancers. There is always a risk of cancer in your genes, but they will definitely help a great deal. My mother told me that she feels much better knowing that she did what she could to prevent cancer. My mom is a very selfless person, like many of the guests I have spoken with here; she makes time for my family and the third grade class she teaches more than she does herself. She is now learning to focus on her health, fighting the cancer, and preventing more to come. She still follows her normal healthy diet, but has begun to incorporate more cancer fighting foods and fit in purposeful exercise. It’s horrible to think that it took something as big as cancer for her to realize that she needed to care for herself before others, but I am thankful that she is at least making progress. Everyday you have a choices to make in life, big or small, and though these seven tips are small changes to make in your life they could potentially turn things around.
It has been a month since my mom’s first surgery. Unfortunately there will be more to come, although she and the doctors are very optimistic and she is doing well!
March 19th, 2008
intern
Don’t forget to Spring Forward for Daylight Savings this weekend! As I cringe about the lost extra hour of sleep, I ultimately rejoice in the fact that now when I get out of work, I will get to enjoy the Spring weather and sunshine for a little while more. Because I am spoiled by warm weather and beautiful surroundings, I love to get my daily dose of heart pumping cardio outside immersed in the element. Whether it be a leisurely beach walk, a vigorous bridge run, or even a kayaking adventure, I enjoy spending my time outdoors. I am even thinking of investing in a pair of rollerblades - watch out now! With the gorgeous weather upon us, take time to spend outdoors. Finally a change of scenery and a chance to get away from the treadmill. For me - not only is it beneficial to my fitness - it is also helpful to my mental health! So this weekend, instead of complaining that I am getting cheated, you can catch me on the bike path!
March 5th, 2008
Cheney
This morning as I stood half-asleep in the Starbucks line (frosted pastries and goodies teasing me through the glass) promising myself that tomorrow I will wake up with enough time to sit down with my breakfast of Fiber One cereal and fruit, I debated which grande burst of caffeine I would order today. Even though I enjoy a tall cup of the house blend with non-fat milk and Splenda (which is a lowly 5 calories), I always run into the mind games of “well, I only come to Starbucks once a week, so maybe I should splurge”. This may seem like a valid reason, however, if you are like myself, this one treat of whipped cream topped chocolate mocha bliss usually turns into an excuse to blow eating healthy the rest of the day (and a reason to return the next morning). After my mocha-choco latte, I will have a soda for lunch, fruit smoothie for an afternoon snack, sweet tea during dinner and possibly a cocktail with friends after. All of these drinks from my day can add to over 1500 calories!! This is just short of my daily calorie intake - and I haven’t even accounted for my meals!
Needless to say, had I known that I didn’t even have to eat anything to reach my caloric intake for the day, I would have made a few smarter beverage choices. Best bet - water. Not only is water calorie free, it also aids in weight loss keeping you hydrated and satiated. So next time, instead of heading to the vending machine for a cherry soda, I will turn to the water fountain for a refreshing treat.
See how my drinks add up:
Breakfast - White Chocolate Mocha, 470 Calories
Lunch - Coca Cola, 140 Calories
Afternoon Snack - Smoothie King MangoFest fruit smoothie, 285 Calories
Dinner - Sweet Tea, 100 Calories
After Dinner Cocktail - Margarita, 740 Calories
February 21st, 2008
Cheney
Last night I decided to take the buddy approach to getting back into the swing of things after falling ‘off track’ from a less than healthy weekend trip to Daytona. When calling a third workout buddy, the response from whether they would join was “Well…I charged my ipod…that’s the first step”. What seems like a really lame excuse happens to play a big part in whether anyone will make that trip to the gym - you have 45 minutes of cardio which seems like 2 hours when you don’t have your favorite tunes to keep you going. I am guilty too; as I have often skipped workouts or at least cut them short just because I didn’t have my trusty ipod in tow.
However, as lame as the excuse might be, studies have shown that listening to music during exercise can improve results, both in terms of a motivator (to go faster and longer) and to add as a distraction from fatigue. The real question is are your playlists working for your workout? It is important to choose songs with the correct Beat Per Minute (BPM) for your choice of exercise. In an article from the New York Times, many specialists ranging from sport psychologists to music professors examine the perfect workout mix.
Many of our guests, myself included, are looking for that special song to get you moving and motivated. After time well spent in search for the perfect tunes, I have found a few really helpful websites that might just have what it takes to get you moving in the right direction!
Nike+ Sports Mixes on i-Tunes- Download playlists mixed especially for intervals, endurance and speed work - complete with cues and encouragement throughout!
Shape Magazine, Fitness Magazine and Self Magazine - Visit these magazine websites complete with celebrity playlists, 80’s mixes and more.
PowerMusic.com - These mixes give you the BPM - perfect for matching to your workout. Much of the fitness class music here at the Health Institute comes from this site.
So, with all of the new jams to be added to your mix, it’s doubtful you will ever have the “dead i-pod” excuse again!
February 20th, 2008
Cheney
In my time here at the Institute, I have come across many people complaining of experiencing soreness in their feet. Sometimes they simply attend Dr. Al’s shoe seminar on Monday morning, get a new pair of shoes, and kiss that pain goodbye. Others, on the other hand, may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. Basically, the band of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes becomes inflamed. Their pain usually occurs on the underside of the heel and is generally most intense with the first steps of the day. This condition has many different causes including obesity, inactivity, a lot of standing or walking on hard surfaces, tight calf muscles that could limit how far you can flex your ankles, or wearing shoes with little or no arch support.
Before you run off to the doctor or physical therapist, try these simple at home treatments:
*Rest the foot and avoid aggravating activities.
*Care should be taken to wear supportive, stable shoes. Those experiencing plantar fasciitis should avoid open-back shoes, sandals, and flip-flops.
*Ice the sore area for 20 minutes at a time, 3-4 times daily.
*Stretching regularly. Try these stretches:
1. Achilles & calf stretch- Place one foot forward and take a long, but comfortable step backward with the other foot. Heels should be flat on the floor, toes forward with a bend in BOTH knees. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times daily.
2. Calf stretch- Place the ball of your foot on the side of a wall and position your body over your ankle as best you can. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times daily.
3. Toe Extensions- While sitting, grasp your toes and gently pull them toward you until you feel a stretch in the arch of your foot. Stretch one foot at a time, holding for 20-30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times per day.
*Strengthen your arch muscles by placing a towel on the floor, grab the towel with your toes and pull it toward you. Repeat 2-3 times daily.
If your condition still does not improve in a couple of months, consult your physician.
February 15th, 2008
intern
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