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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

17

Backpacker magazine recently joined forces with The Outdoor Foundation to identify the best cities in the United States to raise a child with an outdoor attitude. Not surprisingly, many of the cities are the same ones listed on “America’s Healthiest Cities.” Sunshine, moderate temperatures, beautiful scenery…yeah, yeah, yeah – we know, the weather in Ohio stinks. Who made the list?

1. Boulder, CO
2. Jackson, WY
3. Durango, CO
4. Flagstaff, AZ
5. Juneau, AK
6. Seattle, WA
7. Colorado Springs, CO
8. Burlington, VT
9. Fort Collins, CO
10. Lebanon, NH
11. Asheville, NC
12. Portland, ME
13. Hood River, OR
14. Manchester, NH
15. Harrisonburg, VA
16. Eureka-Arcata-Fortuna, CA
17. Sevierville, TN
18. Bozeman, MT
19. Rapid City, SD
20. Brevard, NC
21. Madison, WI
22. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
23. Glens Falls, NY
24. Duluth, MN
25. Wheeling, WV

There are plenty of ways to entice kids to go outdoors for physical activity, even if the climate you live in isn’t perfect year-round. Rock climbing, hiking, cycling, and geocaching, and kayaking are fun activities the whole family can participate in during spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, sledding, snow shoeing, ice skaing, cross-country and downhill skiing…even schlepping through the snow wearing snow boots gets their hearts pumping.

With the winter Olympics just around the corner, you might also put together a mini-Olympics in your neighborhood.

  • Bobsled: Grab your sled, find the nearest hill, and time the kids as they cross a make-shift finish line.
  • Snowshoe race: Even if you don’t have snow shoes, you can have the kids run a 50 yard dash throw the snow.
  • Snow ball roll: Have the kids roll a snowball across the yard, or around the house. (note: the ball will get progressively harder to roll the bigger it gets, so this is a tough one.)
  • Snow volleyball: String up a net and divide the kids into two teams. Encourage them to get to 8 or 10 points (more than that, and they’ll likely lose interest). Nerf balls make fun volleyballs if you need to substitute for the real thing.
  • Snow ball shot put: As you might guess, this is just like the regular shot put, only the kids use a snow ball. See you can catapult it the farthest distance.

To add to the fun, award medals to every child – and don’t spend a bundle, make your own using metallic paint, cardboard, and ribbon.

Most importantly, let the kids have fun!

May

21

Children are great dreamers. When I was about six or seven years old I imaged I would be a gymnast in the Olympics, then a few years later I imaged I’d be a figure skater (in the Olympics, of course). I have four children, and I’m amazed at the images they conjure up of what they will do, see, hear and be when they “grow up.” At some point along the way though, you forget that you are allowed to dream or, in fact, be anything you want to be. Whether self-imposed, or learned, limits can keep you contained within your safely tested boundaries. I have learned over the years, however, that the only difference between you and the image in your mind, is whether or not you believe you can do it. My motto: “while you have the moment, seize it!” Or in other words, there is no tomorrow, just a “series of todays.” If you have a dream, whether it to lose weight, run a marathon, or simply to live a healthier lifestyle, get out there and do it. Make it happen. Don’t waste another minute.

A recent article in the New York Times might provide the inspiration you need. Check it out: Keeping Priorities Straight, Even at the End

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