Posts filed under 'Weight Loss'
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
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
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
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
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
February is American Heart Month, so it’s a great time to remember how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle. Heart disease is a major killer — each year approximately one million people in the US have a heart attack and nearly half are fatal. If you survive, a heart attack can shave 15 years off your life. Heart disease is sneaky as well. The majority of men and women who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms.
Fortunately (or unfortunately) heart disease is strongly influenced by lifestyle. In 2003, two large studies confirmed that modifiable risk factors such as cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, abdominal obesity, inactivity, low fruit and vegetable consumption, and excessive alcohol account for 90% of heart attack risk.
Follow the American Heart Association’s Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations to significantly lower your risk of having a heart attack:
- Balance caloric intake and physical activity to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight.
- Consume a diet rich in vegetables and fruits
- Choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods
- Limit your intake of saturated fat to <7%, trans fat to <1%, and cholesterol to <300mg per day by: Choosing lean meats and vegetable alternatives; Selecting fat free, 1% fat and low-fat dairy products; minimizing intake of partially hydrogenated fats
- Minimize your intake of beverages and foods with added sugars
- Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt
- If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation.
Bob Wright, MAT
Director of Lifestyle Education
February 13th, 2008
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