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If you have ever suffered from sciatica, or lower lumbar problems, you understand the excruciating, sometimes immobilizing pain associated with flare-ups. Often recognizable by an acute pain in your derrière that also radiates down into the lower leg, sciatica can cause muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, and of course, wicked pain. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, more than 65 million Americans that suffer from lower-back pain, such as sciatica, will have a recurrence of the pain within one year. (American Assoc. of Neurological Surgeons, 2000.) Therefore, see......
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Kind of reads like a magazine cover, doesn't it? In all seriousness though, there really are some simple steps that will help you achieve a weight loss goal...but you can't do just one and kinda do the other two, or only kinda do all three. Do all three, keep you eye on the ball, and you'll hit a home run. Ready? Here we go... Your Plan 1. Record your food intake daily. Include in your diet a variety of fruits and vegetables at 6-9 servings daily; 2-3 servings of lean protein; 3 servings of dairy; and quality oils. Why? Keeping track of what you eat for a few weeks (I'm not talking forever peo......
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[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="179" caption="these are "soft" weighted fitness balls"] [/caption] Some recent research shows that crunches, the old standby for ab exercises, only targets 3 of the abdominal muscles. Yet there are muscles that surround the entire core, acting as a girdle to support your spine, increase power and speed, improve stability, and oh yes, give you that six-pack look. Six-pack abs aside, you need a strong core⦠A strong core is your center of power. Powerhouse. Like a rocket ready to take off on a moments notice. Okay, you get the idea. When your c......
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Actually, the question went more like this: "I hate to run. It is hard. Did I already say that I hate it? Yet, you talk about running so much. Why?" There was more, but for the sake of this post, let's just say that this reader's negative feelings about running ran deep (no pun intended). Why am I so hip on running? Well, for one thing, it is hard. I like things that are hard to do. Second, it is "me" time, and often the only time I have for finishing a thought. Four kids...enough said. And finally, (and let's face it, this is important stuff) few physical activities burn as many calories per ......
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Maybe you've been on a workout train for some time, diligently going to the gym and happily taking your dose of cardio and weight training, maybe even a few classes too just to challenge yourself. Perhaps you've been on this train, per se, for years, then all of a sudden, you're okay with missing a workout, then two. The idea of going to the gym or out the door for a jog becomes a chore, when it was once something you enjoyed. Have you been there? Are you there now? If so, read on... I think I can help. True, I am a trainer, but at heart, I'm really a fitness buff and have been since college. ......
Mar

07

We stump, stoop, slouch…so much so that the quality of our everyday lives can be directly affected from these posture problems.  I thought of this while sitting at the computer working, and had to stretch to relieve that nagging tightness between my shoulder blades. At the same time, I noticed a whole slew of other bad habits I was committing, and quickly set about practicing what I preach.

Why good posture is important:

Practicing good posture can improve your breathing, decrease your risk of injury, help you move more easily through the tasks of daily living, and also improve your sports performance.

Some signs you might need to improve your posture?

-      Do you have one hip higher than another?

-      Do you have one shoulder higher than another?

-      Does one side of your body rotate slightly more to one side?

-       Does your pelvis tip forward, back, or to one side when you stand?

-       Does your head juts forward beyond neutral alignment?

-       Do your chest and shoulders roll inward, as if your slouching, even when you’re trying not to?

-       Are the arches of feet are collapsed?

9  Pointers for Improving Posture

  1. Check your posture throughout the day, and note some of your back habits.
  2. If you spend a lot of time hunched over your computer keyboard, take time to stretch your chest muscles, lower your shoulders, stretch your neck, and roll  your shoulders down and back into proper position.
  3. If you have a habit of crossing your arms in front of you, try clasping them behind you.
  4. If your pelvis tips forward, try engaging your glutes. Standing in line at the grocery or a check out line is a good time to practice this, or even while driving in your car.
  5. Take time every day to stretch muscles that tend to be tighter for most people: chest, hip flexors, hamstrings: too much tightness in these areas can cause posture problems
  6. If you always sit or stand in the same position, vary your position from time to time.
  7. Shoulders have a tendency to creep up toward our ears…try to keep them rolled back, and down, as if your placing your shoulder blades into the back pockets of your pants.
  8. Consider yoga or Pilates – both help realign the body and strengthen the muscles that improve posture.
  9. If you continue to have problems, see a physical therapist, chiropractor, or orthopedic specialist.

May

31

Tricep extensions performed on a stability ball

Tricep extensions performed on a stability ball

I wasn’t always like this, but lately I’ve adopted the attitude that “less is more.” Perhaps the clutter that inevitably comes with four children has forced me to scale back on my own belongings just to make room for theirs. Or, I’ve reached a point in my life where I need simplicity in order to keep from losing my busy mind. Whatever the case, I have a hunch I am not alone in this transition, therefore I want to introduce you to the one and only piece of equipment you need to tone, tighten and strengthen your core. Want a completely toned and tight mid-section? Hey minimalists – you only need one thing. Drum roll please…

THE STABILITY BALL!

Sometimes referred to as a Swiss Ball, Fitness Ball or Exercise Ball, stability balls have many uses and benefits:

  • Increase core strength and stability
  • Improve balance and coordination
  • Fine-tunes proprioception
  • Engages abdominal and back muscles when used as a chair. This, in turn, improves posture.
  • Allows you to develop strength in every plane of motion (frontal, sagittal and transverse).
  • Improves overall functional strength.
  • It is versatile (can be used in place of a bench for weight training)
  • It is lightweight, and very easy to learn.
  • It comes in four sizes, ranging from 45 to 75cm (18 to 30 inches)

This is my product pick! The Gymnic Stability Ball Plus from Perform Better. It comes with a 2-year warranty (most of its competitors offer only a 1-year warranty), and holds up to 600 lbs.


Download your FREE Stabiity Ball Exercise Guide


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