UHS Named Winner for 2008 VHA Award
The verdict is in; United Health Services has been named a winner of the 2008 VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence, an award established by organizations Superior System Performance, Clinical Excellence, Clinical Improvement, and Superior Safety. VHA Inc., based in
We Do Put Patients First
Putting Patients First is a program that helps identify people with a particular disease and meet with them one on one. “We set up screenings at the mall or their doctor can refer them to us for help,” says Patricia Fell, the director of Community Health Services. The Healthcare Association of New York State will feature the hypertension management initiative at United Health Services Hospitals in
Participants will receive blood pressure equipment and training so they can self-monitor, as well as pedometers to encourage walking. Participants saw a significant decrease in average blood pressure, thereby decreasing stroke risk. “There are about 20 other diseases we work with. Some include cancer, diabetes and hypertension.” Fell states. “There are about 180 people in the program now, all of which are senior citizens except for our employees whom also benefit from Putting Patients First.” The community services provided by hospitals, health systems, and continuing care providers are a compelling reason to reject health care cuts and to make prudent investments in our health care system. HANYS' members work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year to improve the health of their communities.
Beneficial Walking… We All Do It Everyday
Walking is what our feet are for, and walking 30-60 minutes everyday has hidden benefits like lowering blood pressure, decreasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease, lower you levels of cholesterol and stress, helps maintain weight control and keeps you bones, muscles and joints healthy. Walking can be done anywhere to get benefits, no treadmill is required. Here are some tips to help you during your next stroll: 1. Walk at a comfortable pace for you. 2. If you cannot walk 30- 60 minutes straight, break up the time through 2-4 strolls a day. 3. Drink fluids to stay hydrated. 4. Use a good pair of walking shoes that have cushion and are well supported in the heel and arch. 5. Your heart rate should be 60-90% of you maximum heart rate, to find this use: 220-your age. Consult your doctor before walking if you have health problems.
Better to be Safe
Crash, boom, bang is not something we like to associate with riding a bicycle. But every year, many people die in crashes while riding a bike. 770 bicyclists died on US roads in 2006, over 90 percent died in crashes with motor vehicles. We all know bicycling is good exercise and a good way to help lose weight and reduce health risks. With obstacles (loose gravel, car drivers and noise) in the way, many people lose their lives. In order to assure safety, make sure no matter how old you are, you wear a well-fitted helmet at all times on your bike; choose one that has bright colors that are visible to drivers and other cyclists. Make sure you obey all the rules of the road and watch for motorists, for they may not be watching for you.
Coughing and Sneezing… Could it be?
Most of us associate the flu with winter. We make sure that when we first hear the commercial to get our shots, we are there. Unless we are stubborn and think we are invincible; in which case we decide we are not getting the flu shot. Then when winter is over and the birds are out to sing the praises of spring, we think we are off the hook and beat yet another season of influenza. With all your coworkers sneezing and sniffing around you, it may seem impossible to stay healthy at work. But there are things that can help you protect your immune system. 1.) Drink, drink, drink: 8 glasses of water a day will make sure dehydration stays away. 2.) 30 seconds of washing: This means every time you use the restroom, before you eat, after you sneeze or cough and any other time your hands feel dirty. 3.) Eat balanced meals every day – including breakfast!
Many people are tempted to skip breakfast because it takes too long to eat in the morning or in an (misguided) effort to lose weight. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast are healthier and more likely to remain at a healthy weight. Coughing and sneezing doesn’t always mean you have the flu. Consult a doctor if you think you have it.
Changing Snacks can be Good
It’s almost midnight and you are looking for a snack. Your taste buds are yelling for ice cream and the treadmill is reminding you about the calories. There is a solution to satisfy both, frozen yogurt. And while that may sound like a good exchange, some things may not sound so tasty to you, such as substituting sweet potatoes for regular baked potatoes or fries. But the up side is you'll get more Vitamin A.
Examining Diets and Exercise Myths: Part 1
1, 2, 3…50, 51, 52… 97, 98, 99, 100. Maybe that is how your morning or evening is- counting crunches while trying to lose that stubborn body fat. But the truth is: no one can pick and choose where they lose body fat. When exercising, make sure your routine consists of cardio and strength training.
Maybe you wait to eat until your workout is complete. But the truth is: eating helps “fuel” your body for that workout. Make sure you have enough food and fluids to energize your muscles; that way they work efficiently. Do not overload though- choose some fruit, yogurt or whole wheat toast.
Maybe you believe as long as you are eating healthy foods, you can eat as much as you want. But the truth is: EVERYTHING BUT WATER HAS CALORIES! Just because oatmeal is good for you, doesn’t mean you should have five cups of it. A calorie is a calorie and no matter what food it is in, they can add up. Balance is the key!
Examining Diets and Exercise Myths: Part 2
1-2-3 stretch, 1-2-3 bend: honestly, everyone including gym teachers and sports trainers think that stretching before exercise is crucial, so if you are trying to lift your legs over head or are doing lunges in front of the TV before running on the treadmill- you are not alone. But the truth is: studies have suggested that stretching can actually make muscles more susceptible to injury. Stretching causes muscle fibers to lengthen and destabilize, making them less prepared for the strain of exercise.
Maybe you are calculating the fat content of everything you eat because “fat is bad for you.” But the truth is: there are plenty of “good fats” in the world that are essential for good health and aid in disease prevention. These fats are naturally found in foods like avocados, nuts and fish.
Maybe you think exercise turns fat into muscle. But the truth is: fat and muscle tissue are composed of two entirely different types of cells. You can lose one and replace it with the other; however, the two can never “convert” into each other. Fat is fat and muscle is muscle.
Eye Safety Awareness Week
Can you read this? Can you read this? Can you read this? Can you read this? Eye Safety Awareness Week is July 5-14, 2008. By the year 2030, twice as many people will be blind as are today. Many people think that they have 20/20 vision; yet the truth is, many people have bad vision and do not have their eyes checked on a regular basis. Taking care of your eyes and your health is a first step to preventing vision loss from common eye problems. You can lower your risk of eye disease and vision loss if you: avoid smoking, eat healthy foods, stay active, control your blood pressure, and protect your eyes from the sun. Good vision is a vital part of feeling your best. We rely on sight more than any other sense to enjoy life to the fullest. Nearly everyone experiences changes in their vision as they grow older. The good news is you can continue to lead an active and independent life even with these changes. Just remember to: 1. Visit an eye doctor regularly. 2. Make changes to help yourself see better. 3. Take care of yourself.
Fighting Fatigue
Yawn! While some people are naturally energized overnight, many are suffering from lack of sleep. Granted no one knows how we suffer from this, 56% of adults are affected by it. Some signs of fatigue are: chronic tiredness or sleepiness, headaches, dizziness, irritability, and hallucinations. Stress, work, and undiagnosed medical issues can cause fatigue. Always see your doctor for diagnosis if you are suffering from chronic tiredness - that is, fatigue persisting over a long period of time.
Fitting Your Helmet Correctly
If it means saving your head or your life for that matter, you should want to take the precautions to make sure you are wearing your helmet correctly. There are three important keys to choosing the right helmet to fit your head. 1.) Eyes- your helmet should sit level on the head and rest low on the forehead. 1-2 finger widths above your eyebrow. 2.) Ears- straps on the helmet are even and form a “Y” under the earlobe and are made to be snug to the head. 3.) Mouth- the buckled chin strap should be loose enough for you to breathe, but tight enough so that when you open your mouth, it pulls the helmet down. Remember, wearing a helmet can prevent about 85% of head injuries while riding a bike, but only if it is worn correctly. And by New York State Law, everyone between the ages of 1-14 years old must wear an approved helmet.
Getting Ahead of the Headaches
We can all suffer from them and probably because of work stress the most. June 1-7, 2008 is National Headache Awareness Week. While headaches come with many different symptoms and names attached, some may be more serious than the others. If your headaches come more frequently and simple Tylenol or Excedrin will not help, keep a log of your headaches and the timeframe that the last. Consult a doctor of your headaches persist, worsen, and over-the-counter medications are not helping.
Getting Fit without the Gym Expenses and the Equipment
Whether we believe it or not, we can lose weight at home. In many ways, this can be better than the gym. We don’t need a membership and we don’t need the money either. Although we may not set aside a specific room for treadmills and Ab Lounge, we can still make sure we are burning the calories we ate for lunch. In fact, you may be off to a good start without realizing it. Here are some activities that you can do in 30 minutes and the amount of calories burned. Gardening… 179 calories burned. Golf… 161 calories burned. House cleaning… 89 calories burned. Playing with kids… 143 calories burned. Mowing the lawn… 198 calories burned. Shoveling snow… 216 calories burned. Playing basketball… 286 calories burned. Riding a bicycle… 228 calories burned. And you thought that extra piece of chocolate pie was going to be on your hips forever…
Golf: Thinking through the Swing
Has it been awhile since you’ve been on a golf outing? You may be rusty in some spots like your swing. There are tips to help you get a little better as you get that little white ball in the hole. 1.) Use proper posture: avoid hunching over, this causes neck and back pains that you will pay for later. 2.) Stay smooth: overemphasizing your wrists can lead to golfer’s elbow- a strain of the muscles on the inside on the forearm. 3.) Stabilize your lower back: keep your pelvis as level as possible. 4.) Do not over swing: Swinging too hard or too fast, may make you lose control. Just relax and take a nice, easy swing.
Remember the Men We Care About
With Father’s Day (June 15) around the corner, there is National Men's Health Week June 9-15 following right before. During National Men's Health Week, healthcare providers, policymakers, media corporations, and citizens come together to learn more about common male health conditions. This is a great opportunity for organizations to encourage men to seek regular medical treatment and educate them about possible health risks and preventative treatment options. This week has been celebrated nationwide since 1994. So make sure the men in your life are healthy and happy for their Father’s Day weekend.
Vacations include Planning
Cha-Ching! That’s right; taking a vacation means you will hear that sound a lot. Whether you are going to party or just to relax quietly- planning in a critical key to a perfect worry-free vacation. There are four things that you will need to check off as you plan that will impact your experience and your wallet. 1.) Transportation- how will you get to your destination? Will you need gas money to get there or will you rent a car? Will you need tickets ahead of time? 2.) Accommodations- where will you be sleeping? Staying at place with a kitchen can be helpful. Eating out can cost more than you bargain for. 3.) Food- how much do you plan on spending on food each day? Setting boundaries can help save money. 4.)
World Blood Donor Day
Have you saved a life? June 14, 2008 is considered World Blood Donor Day; it is designed to celebrate and thank those individuals who voluntarily donate their blood without any reward, except the knowledge that they have helped to save lives, particularly those who give blood on a regular basis two, three or more times each year.. Donating one pint of blood can save up to three lives. Over 80 million units of blood are donated every year, but only 38% are collected in developing countries where 82% of the global population live. Someone needs blood every two seconds. You must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and be in good general health to donate. To donate or find a donation station near you, contact the American Red Cross by logging onto www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).
Take a Stand for the Next Generation
Our kids grow more and more with each passing day. Growing taller and brighter as we send them to school to learn and then have them grow up to be whatever they want to be. Although there is a special day (June 1, 2008) that is called Stand for Children day, we all should strive to make everyday a day that we stand up for our kids. Our lives should be based upon growing them up to be the best person they can be. If our kids are happy, we are happy. We can get work done; have better health and even a better social life. We may think we are teaching them, but in lots of ways, they are teaching us. To be successful in school, children need to be assured of the following: • Supportive parents who truly care that their children receive an education. • A health program that will allow them to hear, see and learn pain free. • Quality child care for both pre-school and school age children. • After school care that teaches, cares... and keeps kids out of trouble.
• Schools that provide classes that challenge children. Our kids are the next generation… raise them to take pride in what they do.
Healthy Swimming
With summer right around the corner and the heat wave making us sweat, swimming seems like the only thing to cool us off while in the sun. Granted, we mainly swim to cool off or just for the fun and leisure of it; there are many benefits you can receive by swimming. Physically: Swimming does burn calories at a rate of about 3 calories a mile per pound of bodyweight. Psychologically: Relaxing and concentration can help you gain a feeling of well-being, leaving your water session refreshed and ready to go on with the rest of your day. Socially: Spending time in a group workout, whether water aerobics or a master's swim practice, is a great social outlet. Exchanging stories, challenging each other, and sharing in the hard work make swimming with others a rewarding experience. Building Strength: Swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness. It can serve as a cross-training element to your regular workouts. So when the sun beats down and you feel the urge to swim- just swim on!
Saving Yourself from UV Rays
Putting all fashion aside, sunglasses serve an important purpose: protecting eyes from the harmful rays produced by the sun. You're probably well aware of the need to protect your skin from the sun, but it's equally important to protect your eyes. UVB rays are the ones that burn the skin and can damage the eyes. UVA radiation levels have small fluctuations during the day, and are present from sunrise to sunset every day, all year round, even in the winter and on cloudy days, and over time can lead to skin cancer. Sunglass standards for lenses place limits solely on UVB and UVA rays, but bear in mind that both the standards and labeling are voluntary, not mandatory. According to these standards, sunglasses must block at least 70 percent of UVB and at least 60 percent of UVA. To best protect your eyes, look for sunglasses that provide at least 98 percent protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Your eyes are vital, and in order to protect them, take every precaution possible.
Staying Cool
When the pool is not available, and when there is no air conditioning, there are more ways to make sure you do not suffer from heat exhaustion. Warning signs of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting and fainting. Ways to stay cool: use floor fans or window fans, splash cool water on your face, take a cool shower, or put a cold washcloth on your forehead. Make sure when the temperature is hot, you are staying cool.
Healthy Environment means Healthy You
In order for you to be healthy at work, your environment must be a healthy place to be. The underlying question is: how do you make a workplace a healthy place? Make sure employees laugh often: laughing is a sign that there is humor in the air. This makes employees feel comfortable with co-workers and have joy in their work. Employees share ideas freely: while everyone has an opinion, employees have to feel safe to share theirs without ridicule. Work simply: we all know that deadlines and demands of a job make things stressful; make sure you take things one at a time and not overload yourself. Your mind will be at ease and you will not feel pressured. It is all quite simple and in order to make it work, you must have teamwork. Remember, there is no “I” in “TEAM.”
Energy to Work
The core of all you energy comes from one place: sleep. When you don’t get enough, you tired, worn-out and irritable. That makes your workday a bore and makes your coworkers upset with you. Not everyone needs the same amount of sleep. Some people need 7-8 hours, while others can function normally with 5 or 13. If you are tired through the day and find yourself using breaks as time for catnaps, try some of these ideas in order to ensure a good nights sleep. 1. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends. 2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music. 3. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool. 4. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier each night until your grogginess during the day is eliminated. Sleeping well means more energy for the things that are important.
Eat Your Vegetables Day
“Eat Your Peas.” We tell our kids every night at the dinner table to eat their veggies. We make the broccoli, carrots, beans and peas, put them in a dish and set them on the table. We spoon them to the kids, but sometimes forget ourselves. We tell them there is no dessert unless they clean their plate. However, there is a National Eat Your Vegetables Day when we should be doing it everyday. We may not like the taste, we may not like the smell, but there are alternatives and ways to get the nutrition you need and deserve. With V8 on the market there is not excuse to not eating properly.
Need New Shoes Already?
Since you have been wearing your shoes every day since you bought them last summer, you have noticed that there a holes in the mesh, the sole is wearing off and they just don’t have that new look to them like you would like them too. Maybe they are your running shoes, you work shoes, your activity shoes or if you’re a lady, then maybe they are some sort of the 15 pair of high heels you have. Either way it may be time for new ones, and in order to get a good new pair that will last, you have to know your shoes and what you are looking for. Do you need traction, cushion, stability, or motion-control? Will they be strictly for running, biking, walking, or working? The next time you need shoes, make sure to buy them before your old pair wears out. Exercising in worn-out shoes can cause (or contribute to) injuries. Start shopping early or buy two pairs at a time, so you always have a spare. If possible, have two pairs of exercise shoes you’re actively using. Alternating shoes every other day gives your feet a break. In wet weather you will have a dry pair waiting. Also, try to use workout shoes for working out only. They will last much longer if you aren't wearing them all day.
Tips to Picking Your New Foots Home
We all think we know what to look for when choosing the right shoes for our feet, but when you do get in a jam and get stuck between two shoes that you love, think about the pros and cons of the shoes. Make sure that the $100.00 shoes are looking at are a very good investment and are something you won’t regret buying or want to take back. Her are some tips when buying: Shop late in the day because your feet swell during the day. Measure your foot while standing. Try on both shoes with the socks you will wear. Buy for your larger foot (feet are rarely the same exact size). Allow a thumbnail’s width between the shoe and your big toe. Choose shoes that are comfortable immediately. If they hurt in the store, don’t buy them. Look for a moderately priced shoe. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality. Wear new shoes around the house before using them on short runs. After you've broken them in slightly, they will be more comfortable on long runs. Consider getting an evaluation by a doctor, physical therapist, or podiatrist to learn your foot type.
On Your Feet during the Day…
…Might mean on your seat at night. Our feet got the bad end of the deal when we were born, holding us up all day and walking to here and there. That could mean we are straining our feet. Maybe that is why we are looking for a nice foot massage, and while we don’t want to go to a masseuse for it, our spouse won’t think about doing it. Visiting a podiatrist would be a good first step. If it is your heel that hurts the most, what you may have is a heel bone spur. This growth of bone rubs against the tendon and the pain is horrible. There are many different products on the market including Dr. Scholl’s Gel Inserts. If the pain is excruciating, you may want to see a doctor.
When Poison Ivy Bites
When summer rolls around, the campsites fill up. Tents, RV’s, campfires, fishing, cookouts, swimming and smores may be some of the great things we look forward to on our trips this year. However, there are things that we need to keep an eye out for so we can return to work when vacation is over; poison ivy. Poison Ivy is a woody vine or sub-shrub that has a very wide distribution, with a nasty bite. And most people cannot tell the difference between poison ivy and other plants, so to make sure you don’t end up itching from some leaves, take these into consideration: When in the woods, wear long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves. Creams and lotions provide some protection against poison ivy. Do not let your pets run through wooded areas, they can easily pick up poison ivy. Do not burn plants that look like poison ivy. Poison ivy is not contagious and you can not spread it from scratching after you washed all exposed skin thoroughly. If you have been exposed, clean exposed skin with rubbing alcohol followed by soap and water. Clothes, shoes, tools or other items that may have contacted poison ivy should be wiped clean with alcohol and water.
$4 for GAS!
Gas is now well over $4 a gallon, and while we would like to find another way of transportation, for some that idea is just not even an option. So to get the best out of your car and save money at the pump, the answer probably isn’t just finding the lowest gas station prices (http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx). Make sure you do more: Prime Your Vehicle- Check your tires: $29 Under- or over inflated tires change the way a car handles, both adding drag and accelerating wear. Get a tune-up: $129 Maintaining your vehicle is one of the most important things you can do to aid fuel efficiency. Change Your Behavior- Slow down: $95 If you speed, you might as well be paying $4 a gallon (or more) for gas. Every five miles per hour you drive above the speed limit adds 20 cents per gallon to your fuel bill. Let go of your aggression: $95 Rapid acceleration and hard braking reduce fuel economy by about 10%. To get the most out of your gas, make sure you can afford to make some changes in your routine.
Just what is a Serving?
Trying to get the right amount of produce in your diet can be hard to accomplish without being in a routine or having to all jotted down on a notepad. A serving is like so: In the vegetable category, one cup of leafy greens, ½ cup raw or cooked veggies, or 6 ounces of juice count as a serving; for fruit, it’s one medium piece, ½ cup fresh, frozen or canned, ¼ cup dried, or 6 ounces of juice. And to brighten your day or take a load off your back, remember that a “serving” isn’t much, so fitting nine servings into your day is not impossible.
Red Wine to Save Your Life
People who drink alcohol everyday, we consider to be alcoholics. However, there has to be a reason the Italians and Europeans are so healthy. It might be because they drink red wine constantly. The medicinal properties of red wine -- specifically a little molecule called RESVERATROL is good for your heart. So adding a five ounce glass to lunch and dinner wouldn’t be considered the stereotype we presume it to be. We would be saving our heart and possibly our lives. By the way, white wine has ten times less Resveratrol.
What’s with the White?
We all know that breads fill us up faster and stay with us longer, but who is right and how is wrong when it comes to whether white bread is bad for you? The truth is, a bleaching process was incorporated into bread making to give flour and the bread it makes a longer shelf life in the grocery store. During the process of bleaching most of the vitamin E antioxidant is lost, as well as the essential wheat germ and bran, which leaves only poor quality proteins and fattening starch. Wheat germ and bran is known to: Lower cholesterol, Combat colon cancer, Prevent constipation, and Help stop strokes, Protect against heart disease, Improve digestion. In addition, the flour is stripped of nutrients including 50% of all calcium, 70% of phosphorus, 80% iron, 98% magnesium, 75% manganese, and 50% potassium. Don’t you wish you knew that before this morning’s breakfast?
A Dash of Salt for Your Allergies
Allergies seem to last a little longer here
Women… TODAY IS THE DAY!
Stop what you are doing, clear your mind. Today is the day to see if you are at risk for heart disease. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women - and is largely preventable. IN order to get informed and get involved, visit the Go Red for Women website at www.goredforwomen.org. And make sure to find out if you are at risk… think of what you would be leaving behind.
Drinkable Calories
Trying to keep yourself at a healthy weight or trying to lose weight means cutting out the soda and fruit drinks because they are the number one source of calories in the American diet. One extra 12-oz can of regular soda could add up to a 15 pound weight gain in a year. Keep the following in mind: Beverages quench thirst, not hunger. Don't drink calories. Sugary drinks may stimulate high calorie snacking. Drinks provide energy that is temporary versus sustained energy from eating complex carbohydrates. Chewing the fiber in fruit is more satisfying than drinking juice.
Keeping the Coffee
More than 50% of Americans drink coffee, and there is a good chance that you are one of them. We all perceive coffee to be a bad thing to consume. The reason it’s good for you is the average cup of coffee has hundreds of different chemical compounds. Maybe that's why news reports about coffee vacillate between lauding its health benefits and labeling it harmful. Still, the benefits of coffee seem to outweigh the negatives. Positive benefits include: small amounts of coffee consumed throughout the day can increase alertness and improve performance on all kinds of tasks, including those that require hand-to-eye coordination and attention to detail, helps improve memory in older adults, and lowers risk of type 2 diabetes. People who drink a daily four to six cups have a 28 percent lower risk of developing this illness--which is fast becoming an epidemic in this country--than folks who drink less than two cups each day. So drink up!
Staying On Task
Whether you are working from home, or in the office, many Americans find themselves not being able stay on task. Their minds wander, they get phone calls that throw them off, or they can’t stop getting up and wandering. First, as silly as it may sound, make a to-do list. You can do this with a post-it note at your desk, or you can make one in an application like Outlook or Google Calendar. However you choose to do it, though, make it specific, and set clearly definable goals. Be sure to prioritize your list accordingly. And last, be aware of how you’re using your time so you can more formally evaluate what causes you to get off task and avoid those problems entirely.
In-line Skating: Healthy for Body and Mind
The next time you strap on your skates and head to Otsiningo Park, keep in mind that you are not only getting health benefits for your body, but your mind gets a workout too. Here are the benefits to skating: Achieve Aerobic Benefits (cardiovascular) Increase your aerobic benefits by skating harder or uphill, but don’t go up until you can safely come down. Get Anaerobic Benefits (muscle development) Build pelvic, hip and thigh muscles with regular distance skating activities. Strengthen upper arm and shoulder muscles by swinging your arms while skating. Enjoy Low Impact Advantages (joint friendly) Skate on smooth surfaces to get the full benefit of low impact on knees and back. Increase Flexibility Include a set of warm-up and cool-down stretching and resistance exercises for flexibility and stability in your skating. Reduce Fat Burn 285 calories or more every 30 minutes by skating at a steady pace. Mental Health Benefits Improve your mental clarity and focus and reduce stress and depression by enjoying low pressure tour and social skating activities.
Finding Your Groove
You may find yourself swaying along with the music as you get ready in the morning, or you may tap a foot here and there to some sort of beat, it might be the dancer inside of you trying to break out. Dancing can be magical and transforming. It can breathe new life into a tired soul, make a spirit soar, and unleash locked-away creativity. Don’t fret; there are all kinds of dancing to pertain to different people: swing, square dancing. Line dancing, folk dancing, belly dancing, salsa, jazz, tap, ballet, ballroom and more! Like other moderate, low-impact, weight bearing activities, such as brisk walking, cycling or aerobics, dancing can help: strengthen bones and muscles without hurting your joints, tone your entire body, improve your posture and balance, which can prevent falls, increase your stamina and flexibility and reduce stress. So if you're tired of the treadmill and looking for a fun way to stay fit and healthy, it might be time to kick up your heels!
When There Aren’t Any Healthy Options
When the Binghamton Mets are up to bat, usually the crowds stomachs are growling; but there is so much to choose from and all of course is unhealthy. So how do you choose between just a pretzel or a hot dog, beer and cotton candy? A large soft pretzel with cheese sauce is 610 calories that you put into you. But all this, a hot dog on a bun with a packet of mustard, a 2-ounce serving of cotton candy and a 12-ounce draft beer is the same 610 calories that you put into you. The lesson: Even a plain pretzel can pack lots of calories—especially when paired with cheesy dip. Eat like one of the guys and you can have dessert, too.
Eating Smart Doesn’t Need Education
We all get cravings, and usually that means the sweet tooth is calling, and no matter what time of the day it is, that is always a bad thing. We tend to pack in the calories with snacks that we crave throughout the day, when we should be reaching for healthy foods. So how can we eat healthy? Take time to chew your food: Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of what is in our mouths. Reconnect with the joy of eating. Listen to your body: Ask yourself if you are really hungry, and stop eating when you feel full. Eat early, eat often: Starting your day with a healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating the majority of your daily caloric allotment early in the day gives your body time to work those calories off. Also, eating small, healthy meals throughout the day, rather than the standard three large meals, can help keep your metabolism going and ward off snack attacks.
Keeping the Exercise Promise
You know you want to workout, you know you want to schedule it into your busy day everyday, but when the clock says its time to do your exercises, it becomes hard to stick to the workout plan. So in order to be true to yourself, try these tricks to become one of the fitness faithful. 1. Do a variety of activities you enjoy. And remember, there's no rule that says you have to go to a gym or buy equipment. 2. Commit to another person. Walk everyday with a best friend, or even compete to see who can do the most crunches in 10 minutes.3. Make exercise a priority. Do it in the beginning of your day and make sure you do it before you hit the showers. Just think of it this way, you will feel a whole lot cleaner after a shower if you work up a sweat before hand. 4. Exercise even when you're "too tired." Chances are you'll feel better after exercising. Reward yourself. Are you telling yourself that you don't deserve a reward for something you should be doing anyway -- or that once you can zip your jeans without lying on the bed, that will be reward enough? Well, honestly, how inspiring is that? Make sure the reward is a treat, like something you have been wanting or have wanted to do for awhile.
How To: Treating Different “Boo-Boo’s”
When you get a burn (no matter what from), the first instinct is to do the home remedy mother taught you and run it under cold water, this is the best way to reduce the pain and the swelling. After, apply a dry dressing to avoid infection. Always follow up with aloe vera to promote healing. When you get a sprain or a strain, remember three words: ELEVATE, ICE and WRAP. Elevating your legs above your heart helps reduce swelling, while ice reduces pain and swelling. To stabilize and support the injured area, wrap it with an elastic wrap like an ACE bandage. If either of your injuries are severe, make sure to have it checked by a doctor.
Aging Well and Happy
Age may just be a number, but when you get older, pain, disease and other pesky conditions increase in those over 70 years old. To keep yourself happy and healthy as you age, you must keep in mind these three things. 1. Make a daily routine that supports healthy living. This means eating balanced meal in a regular diet, exercising regularly, managing stress and finding time recreation. 2. Be aware of health risks for your age and gender. 3. Work with your doctor to screen for early health problem developments. Age may just be a number, but your health is your life.
Flaws in Fad Diets
If I had a dime for every fad diet on the market, and the ones that aren’t yet developed, I would be a billionaire. With literally hundreds to thousands of fad diets on the market these days, how can we choose the one that is right for us? In order to sift through the diet madness, make sure to avoid these diets at all costs. 1.) Food Specific Diets- these are diets that require you to a specific food designed to encourage weight loss. The Grapefruit Diet is a prime suspect and is based on the assumption that grapefruit contains fat-burning enzymes. This can cause problems to your body by denying it the nutrient it needs to work properly. 2.) Liquid Diet- granted, liquid diets can produce short-term weight loss, which is all they are good for- temporary weight loss. The good news is that a “diet” doesn’t have to be painful. You do not have to lose your favorite foods; you just have to learn not to eat them all the time. The key is moderation.
Climbing Stairs is Free
You may have a nice piece of gym equipment inside or outside your home and may not even know it. It is called stairs. Stairs may used to tone legs, for a cardiovascular work out, and to perform calf toning exercises, all without gym equipment. You probably pass by a set of stairs more than once a day. You can find them at home, work or wherever you may be. Make sure that you use the stairs whenever possible. Stop riding in elevators two and three times a day. Make the hike up the one, two, five, or more sets of stairs to your destination. This extra boost will help tone your lower body, and burn some calories that you could never burn in the elevator. To keep yourself in shape and healthy, you don’t have to spend your life savings on a gym membership, take advantage of the basic exercise equipment around you. The best part is it is free, and then you won’t need a Stairmaster, you will be the stair master.
Defining Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (formerly known as insulin-dependent) in which the pancreas fails to produce the insulin which is essential for survival. This form develops most frequently in children and adolescents, but is being increasingly noted later in life. Type 2 diabetes (formerly named non-insulin-dependent) which results from the body's inability to respond properly to the action of insulin produced by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is much more common and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes cases worldwide. It occurs most frequently in adults, but is being noted increasingly in adolescents as well.
Defining Diabetes: Signs and Symptoms
If you are living with the disease of diabetes, you are not alone; there are 17 million Americans who live with it on a daily basis. Perhaps you understand that proper diet and exercise can lessen the symptoms and long-term impact of the disease. For people who may have it and don’t know they do, the signs can be very distinct if you know what you are looking for. They include: increased thirst and hunger, fatigue, increased urination at night, weight loss, blurred vision, and sores that do not heal. Type 1 usually appears before the age of 25 while Type 2 Patients tend to be older than 25 and overweight. The precise causes of both types of diabetes are unknown, but in many patients, genetic factors seem to play a role in the manifestation of the disease.
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