My Bright Idea
I can’t remember exactly when I got the bright idea that I would work out one minute for every year of life on my birthday. I must have been in my twenties- because let’s face it- how hard is 20 minutes?
Think Opposites
Gaining strength is one of the first things people want to focus on after surgery or when first starting an exercise program. While this is an important area to work on, don’t be too quick to start pumping iron until you make sure you have full range of motion around the joint your are trying to strengthen. In fact- think opposites. Continue reading
Weight Lifting & Lymphedema
I was at a kickoff event the other night for The Licorice Project where I repeatedly heard from breast cancer survivors that they thought they shouldn’t lift weights. While that is true of women in the throes of a lymphedema flare up – it is not only safe to be lifting weights after treatments, it’s recommended! Many women are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis because of their treatments, especially if they had treatment induced menopause from their chemotherapy or surgical choices. Continue reading
Great example of why you should ask questions!
Sometimes navigating a medical problem can feel like this. You can never ask too many question 
Warning: Sitting is the new smoking
It turns out your biggest health threat might be your desk – even if you exercise regularly. Studies show that sitting for over six hours can be detrimental to your health. This is especially frightening considering American sits on average nine hours a day. Continue reading
Ditch Your Resolutions!
I hate New Year’s resolutions. They seem so negative. I resolve… sounds like a punishment already. What I do like are goals. Now that’s something I wrap my head around. Goals can come in all shapes and sizes. They can be short-term, long-term, big or small and anywhere in between. Goals are something we can work towards and not feel like a failure if we stray while trying to reach them. Too often when we make a resolution, as soon as we misstep- which you know we will- we feel we have failed and who wants that? Continue reading
Thank You Brian for the Lesson of Living
I went to an amazing funeral today. I know that sounds sacrilegious, but let me explain. My husband’s best friend from childhood, Brian Baker, died in an accident in his home last weekend while celebrating the news of the arrival of his first grandchild. How very tragic. Prior to the start of the services everyone was trying to make sense of it and console one another, a daunting task. But then an amazing thing happened. Continue reading
Exercise Helps Fight Cancer Related Fatigue
The last thing anyone feels like doing when they’re tired is working out. I get it, I’ve been there. But I also know that it takes energy to get energy. This is true for everyone, but especially if you have cancer. The researchers at the University of the West England in Bristol have discovered that exercises such as walking and cycling boost the energy levels in cancer patients, helping them to deal with fatigue, a common and potentially long-lasting side-effect often associated with cancer and treatment. Continue reading
5 Tips For The Holidays
Ah, it’s that time of year- the winter holiday season. And if you are like most people, you will on average, gain 2-3 pounds from now to New Years. Frightening thought isn’t it! But it doesn’t need to be that way. A little pre-planning goes a long way. Don’t worry; I’m not some Scrooge who believes in no celebrating. What I’m advocating is mindful eating with a couple of push-ups thrown in here and there 
.
Drink plenty of fluids- water not eggnog. Your blood flow and digestion are affected by how much water you drink. You actually burn more calories per minute the better hydrated you are. Drinking a glass of water before eating is also an effective tool for feeling full, aiding in reducing your calorie intake.- Sweat it out this holiday season. I call this “burn it to earn it”. If you know you’re going to take in more calories, be prepared to burn more off. However, don’t fool yourself. One 30 minute walk will not burn off the 4,500 calories and 299 grams of fat that the average American will consume on Thanksgiving Day alone, according to the Calorie Control Council.
- Lay off the potatoes- as in the couch kind. Every time you move your body benefits. In fact recent research has shown that just 3 minutes of activity can increase your life span. So park a little bit further away while at the mall or throw in a couple of flights of stairs between writing holiday cards.
- Downsize your table settings. The smaller your plates and utensils are the less food you can put on them. Not only will your plate appear fuller, your brain will actually think you have eaten more!
- Fight with your relatives. Bundle up, go outside and have a good old fashioned snowball fight. This is a great way to get some squats, lunges and light weight training in without ever having to go to the gym. Better yet- build a snowman. There’s nothing quite as physically challenging as trying to put that head on top!
Care to share your tips?
The Power of An Idea…
Pink comes in many shades and so does help. As we embark upon National Breast Cancer Awareness Month I wanted to highlight some people who are doing some pretty powerful yet often simple things to help others. Some of them have to do with breast cancer and some don’t. Some of them have been around for a while, others are just getting started. Continue reading
If you would like to follow my blog, subscribe below
 |
 |
 |  |
