Be Guiltless About Your Workouts

So, now that you've been engaged in your exercise and wellness program and looking fabulous, have you noticed that some of your 'friends' are annoyed with your new lifestyle?  Do you often hear, 'why don't you skip the gym and come out drinking with us' or 'you're always on a diet or working out' or 'you're getting too skinny'?  Hmmm....sounds like your 'fat friends' don't like the idea that you're not part of the club anymore.  These people are not your friends, they're roadblocks to your success.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Keep your eyes on the prize.  Keep the vision of what you'd like to become very close in sight.  To the 'fat friends' and the people out there who would sabbotage your success, just be kind and tell them that your interests have changed and you are leading a different path in life.  Real friends are happy for your successes; lose the deadbeats who would hold you back.  Flush the negativity down the toilet and empty the trash out to the curb.  Your life will be cleaner, lighter and without bad karma.

Exercise To Reduce or Eliminate Your Low Back Pain

Let's face it, folks...the more physically fit you are, chances of maintaining a healthy low back greatly improve.  The key to low back health is to NOT perform exercises or activities that put stress on your back or elicit pain.  Aerobic exercises that engage the large muscle groups (arms, legs, glutes) in a non-impactful method are best.  these activities include:  swimming, cycling, ellipitical machines and power walking.  Performing these activities for a minimum of 30 minutes 5 times per week is not only wonderful for your circulation, but uses all the major muscles groups of the body that are important to good spine and low back health.  Stretching and strengthening your abdominals, pelvis, low back and quadraceps reduces the chances of injury to the low back and can help alleviate low back pain and recurrance of injuries.  Flexibility is key.  Yoga and Pilates are wonderful programs that can help strengthen your core and improve low back health.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Before engaging in any new aerobic program, consult your physician to ensure the activities are right for your aerobic/orthopedic level.  Be smart!  Do some sleuthing and ask for referrals when choosing a trainer or exercise studio.  Make sure the instructors are well-certified and ask to take a free trial class.  If you are not comfortable with the instructor or level of activity, then STOP and LEAVE!  Improper form or the wrong type of activity can worsen any condition, so do your homework.  And remember....ACUPUNCTURE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE WHO (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION) TO REDUCE AND/OR ELIMINATE THE SYMPTOMS OF LOW BACK PAIN.  That being said...call or make an appointment today!

Hey, Hey....It's Tuesday!

It's another day, and I still don't have much to say.  But, I will tell you all this:  recently, I've seen a few patients who have come in for a routine maintenance treatment.  I haven't seen these folks for a few months...they've been quite the busy beavers.  But EVERY SINGLE PATIENT looks fabulous!!!!!  I asked them what they were doing (many of them lost 18, 20, 25 and 30 lbs and are fit, healthy and feeling really good!).  They all told me, "I've been doing exactly what YOU told me to do, and it's really working for me".
.....go figure!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  I've decided to practice what I've been preaching and guess what?  My dresses are zipping up a lot easier, I'm sleeping better and feeling really good!  Your Tip is to do what I tell you to do and you'll get results!!!  If you haven't come in for a consultation, now's the time to get with the program. Have a great Tuesday!