Five Ways To Prevent Fitness Related Injuries
By Christina | September 23, 2009
I know we are all getting older, but since 40 is the new 20, none of us are that old to be experiencing the sheer volume of fitness related injuries that exercisers share with me daily. You would think I was working in a home for the elderly and infirmed by the way that people are sounding. “My hips, knees, shoulders, back…are killing me!” is a popular refrain that I hear repeatedly by younger and younger exercisers than ever. This is not whining and complaining either. These people are truly injured and are either in physical therapy or getting surgery to alleviate their pain and restore mobility and function to their joints. Read full entry »
Should Runners Resistance Train?
By Christina | October 1, 2009
Of all types of exercisers, runners are notorious for having the least diversity in their training regimens. Runners run. There are several problems runners face by not cross-training on a regular basis. First, runners are much more likely to suffer from joint injury because of the constant pounding and jarring to their joints that is inherent in running. People make the mistake and think they are cross-training because they vary their weekly runs in terms of pace and distance. Running is running. Changing the type of run you do is not sufficient to give your body a rest from the negative impact of running. Read full entry »
Topics: Marathon Training, Running | No Comments »
If You Are Just Spinning Your Wheels in Spinning, Add A Race Day
By Christina | September 29, 2009
I have been a group exercise instructor for 25 years and can teach just about any type of fitness class. My lack of hip action and rhythm makes Zumba probably the one exception. Of all of the classes I teach, spinning is right up there with one of my favorites. Read full entry »
Topics: Spinning | No Comments »
Tips For Your Marathon Fan Club On Race Day
By Christina | September 28, 2009
Training for a marathon is a little like losing weight. You think you are embarking on a private journey, but before you know it everybody in your circle of friends and family knows you are up to something newsworthy. I am one of those exercisers who does my own thing. If I were not teaching group exercise classes and training clients, I would be an anonymous exerciser. I train the way I feel like training and exercise at the times that are convenient for my schedule. I am not one of those exercisers that needs someone expecting me at the gym in order to exercise. Read full entry »
Topics: Marathon Training | No Comments »
Lose Weight (And Lots Of It) With Pilates and Running After Your Kids: NOT!
By Christina | September 25, 2009
Pilates has been the rage for several years now with celebrities and the mainstream public alike. Pilates is an excellent form of exercise which can lengthen your muscles, increase your flexibility, and strengthen your core. What Pilates is not, however, is the miracle weight loss wonder that celebrities tout it to be. Who can forget Star Jones on The View losing 100 plus pounds? How did she do it? Pilates, of course (and maybe a little gastric bypass surgery thrown in as well)! Madonna, who is really just one big muscle and exercises constantly, attributes her body to Pilates too. All Pilates, huh? My favorite is Jessica Simpson who was recently thrown under the bus for her most recent weight gain, gave a shout out to Pilates for her new slimmed down physique. Read full entry »
Topics: Pilates | No Comments »
Swine Flu is Not an Excuse to Stop Exercising
By Christina | September 24, 2009
At times of crisis, one of the first things people do besides panic is throw caution to the wind in terms of fitness and exercise. The idea being that if the world is going to hell in a hand basket anyway, we might as well go down with a fatter butt! A good friend of mine who is a a fitness fanatic got in a helicopter accident a while ago and could have died. At the crash site, the paramedics offered her juice and cookies. She said she ate a cookie that day because of her near-death experience. Let’s be clear, it takes a lot less than impending death for me to eat a cookie or a couple cookies for that matter. But, it says something when even the most stalwart fitness buff like my friend, in times of crisis, says ‘to hell with it.’
When the planes crashed into the Twin Towers on 9/11, that’s not the only thing that crashed. Healthy eating and exercising were replaced with fattening comfort food and a ‘who cares’ attitude about working out. The two most common excuses to justify the expanding waistlines of people around the country at that time were “Why bother if I’m just going to die anyway” and the altruistic excuse of “There are much more important things to worry about than how many carbs I’m eating.”
The Swine Flu epidemic is resurrecting some of this same chatter and behavior among people. The new excuse for not exercising, however, is “Going to the gym is just going to make me more likely to get sick.” The news is even guilty of going so far as propagating a ’social distancing’ theory which suggests you avoid public places if you can in order to stop the spread of the epidemic. There are several problems with using this as the cornerstone justification for sidelining your exercise regimen.
First of all, it is unrealistic to live your life in a bubble forever because of conceptually what could happen at some point in the future. In addition, The Center for Disease Control cites that being strong and healthy might not prevent you from getting Swine Flu, but it definitely will impact your response and recovery from it. Exercise strengthens not only your muscles, but also boosts your immunity.
There are some extra precautions you can take in regard to exercise that fall way short of abandoning it. Summer is well on its way and provides a perfect opportunity to take your exercise outside a couple times a week as a complement to always working out in the gym. Also, if you are working out at the gym, make sure you wipe down all equipment before and after you use it with a disinfectant wipe, and be sure to include weights and dumbbells. Cover all handlebars on cardio equipment with towels and place a towel on your mat before laying down to do crunches.
The most important rule you can follow is to stay home if you are sick. You are doing yourself and others a huge favor in stopping the spread of all illness. It is important to take note that the CDC does recommend taking extra precautions with children under 5, the elderly, and people who are immuno-suppressed. Because young children are more susceptible of being very sick or dying if they contract Swine Flu, it makes sense until things are more under control to have other babysitting arrangements for your children while you work out than bringing them to the child care at the gym. I know my 15 month old daughter will be staying at home for right now.
There is a difference between doing all that you can to stay healthy while you exercise and avoiding exercise altogether. Do not let times of crisis provide you with an excuse to stop living a healthy life. A strong and healthy body will allow you to face any crisis head-on.
Topics: Exercise, General | No Comments »
Five Ways To Prevent Fitness Related Injuries
By Christina | September 23, 2009
I know we are all getting older, but since 40 is the new 20, none of us are that old to be experiencing the sheer volume of fitness related injuries that exercisers share with me daily. You would think I was working in a home for the elderly and infirmed by the way that people are sounding. “My hips, knees, shoulders, back…are killing me!” is a popular refrain that I hear repeatedly by younger and younger exercisers than ever. This is not whining and complaining either. These people are truly injured and are either in physical therapy or getting surgery to alleviate their pain and restore mobility and function to their joints. Read full entry »
Topics: Fitness Tips | No Comments »
Taking Your Yoga Practice To New Heights
By Christina | September 22, 2009
There are almost as many types of yoga as ice cream flavors. Your yoga practice can be relaxing with an emphasis on stretching such as restorative yoga. Vinyasa yoga is more heart rate intensive because you move through postures in a flow of one posture into another using your own body weight for resistance. Power yoga is arguably one of the more challenging yoga practices because the postures require a great deal of strength and stamina to execute them properly. Read full entry »
Topics: Yoga | No Comments »
Fuel Your Body Before You Run Or You Will Run Out Of Gas
By Christina | September 21, 2009
When people think of what marathon runners eat, they automatically think about carbs. Lots of them. The fact is that carbo-loading is not what elite runners do, and either should you. What you eat is only part of the equation when it comes to properly fueling your body for marathon training. It is important to pay attention to when you eat in relation to when you run, as well. Read full entry »
Topics: Marathon Training, Nutrition | No Comments »
Is It Better To Train For A Marathon Alone Or Train In a Group?
By Christina | September 20, 2009
There are many marathon teams that you can join to help you train for a marathon as well as help raise money for a worthy cause. Being a part of a marathon team is an excellent way to properly train in order to successfully complete your marathon. It is important to remember, however, that marathon team training is not for everyone. Read full entry »
Topics: Marathon Training | No Comments »
Triceps Are Key To Sculpted Arms
By Christina | September 19, 2009
When you think of your arms, you think of your biceps. Then you think about your shoulders. As a last minute thought, you might remember your triceps. Triceps are like the stepchild of muscles in the upper body. The truth is that triceps are, in my opinion, the defining muscle group that broadcasts to the world that you are in shape and that you are a person who takes working out seriously. Read full entry »
Topics: Bodybuilding, Personal Training | No Comments »
