Elastic Bands are the Perfect Exercise Buddy Anytime

Recently, on a trip, I was introduced to elastic bands as a resistance exercise program you can perform while in any hotel room, lodge or even in the great outdoors.  Elastic bands are cheap, lightweight and can fit into any overnight bag or carryon luggage.   Arms, shoulders, waist, lower back and legs can be worked on while you watch tv or observe the ocean tide.  You'd be amazed at the quality and intensity of your workout with these simple tools.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Pick up a set or two of elastic bands.  All it takes is 20 to 30 minutes of your time.  Whether you're travelling or just don't want to trek over to the gym, elastic bands will give you a great workout.

Acupuncture Improves Muscle Strength

Well, here's something all my patients know and I'll share it with the rest of you today!  Yes, it's true...just a single acupuncture treatment can improve your muscle strength significantly!  German researchers have concluded that just one acupuncture treatment can increase isometric quadriceps strength (that's your quads).  These results are important not only for athletic performance, but for rehabilitation of muscles and neuromuscular function.
Courtesy:  Journal of Chinese Medicine, No. 94, Oct 2010 (Immediate effects of acupuncture on strength performance:  a randomized, controlled crossover trial.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010 May 25)

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you are training for that triathlon, marathon, 5k or just want to improve your weight training, make an appointment today for acupuncture.  You'd be amazed at the difference it will make for your overall performance!

Squat This, Squat That

For all you folks out there that have had or presently have knee issues...you too, can do squats.  It's all about HOW you squat.  The error people make when performing squats is that they put all the load and weight on the knees because of incorrect posture.  If you perform deep squats properly, you can actually IMPROVE and STABILIZE the knee joint.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Stick your toushie out as if you're getting on to the toilet, then squat down into a parallel position with the floor with your arms extended out in front of you for balance.  The load and weight is now on your glutes.  Slowly raise up into standing position.  Of course, if you have no articular cartilage or have tracking problems of the knees, aquatics is better for you.  Use common sense when working out, but this tip could bring you stronger, sexier legs and an iron butt to boot!

Do Your Head a Favor and Do Something Different

Yesterday, I was perousing the internet, searching for a MMA gym near to where I spend my weekends of late.  The winter is coming and the garden has been covered.  The farmer's market is closing in 2 weeks and that leaves me with some empty time on my hands.  Interestingly enough, I have a friend who moved about 30 minutes away from where I am most weekends and we used to train Muay Thai together; she also taught yoga at the dojo.  I've been in touch with her to visit her studio and maybe play around with some Muay Thai pads some Saturday.  Well, wouldn't you know it?  As I was close to giving up with my search for a Muay Thai class, a little gym 30 minutes away popped up on the screen, and guess who's teaching classes there?  Yup...you got it!  What a small world indeed!  I've connected with the owner and turns out he trained with the same guys I did and welcomed me down to the dojo with open arms.  I've had a smile on my face all afternoon because I know I'm going to have some fun there and what better way to get back into fine form than martial arts??!!!  Yippee, Zippee!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  I never thought it was worth a try to find a Muay Thai dojo near Sullivan County, NY.  But, I thought, "hey, what the heck?  Let me just try and see what's up there".  Not only did I find a gym, but I've found another group of people to welcome me and invite me into their lives to share our combined talents together.  So, before you 'poo-poo' something today, give a shot...you never know!  I gotta go...I'm off to dust off my shinguards and soak my mouthguard.

Have You Completed the Wellness Program Questionaire Yet?

Oh, it's Friday and time to plan some weekend fun.  Whatever you do this weekend, dress appropriately and remember that just because it's a bit cold out there, that doesn't mean you slack off on the water intake!  Did you know that many people become severely dehydrated during the colder months because they forget to drink water and replenish their electrolytes?

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  This is a great time to reassess your lifestyle habits and patterns. Complete the FREE Wellness Questionaire and you are entitled to a complementary initial Wellness Program consultation via telephone or email!  How easy can it get???
http://www.kmondesire.com/wellnessprogram.html
A Bon Chance to all those running in the NYC Marathon and Happy Weekend!