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If you follow this blog, you know I’m back in school. Like alot of returnees, I realized that my successful career was going to eventually reach an endpoint, when I got too old to wear a bistro apron and manage people young enough to be my kids.Don’t get me wrong, I *totally* relate to the younger-than-me generation, as I refuse to grow up (fully). So being back in school has me thinking; how can I use what I know now, and do it better than I did before?So this time, I’m taking advantage of a generous financial aid package, and am signing up for a unit of P.E. Yep, P.E.! Three days a week, I will drag my happy you-know-what down to my college gym, and grunt and groan through what the catalog description refers to as “Boot Camp.” I can honestly say that I would never have considered going back to school to get back into shape. But get back into shape is exactly what I intend to do. This is one sure way to make sure those student loans pay-off for life.Stay tuned for updates.
Spring is on its way. It’s a time of renewal, blossoming trees, and apparently stroke. In this study, stroke risk was highest in March, April and May, regardless of people’s known risk factors. Now, I hate to be a cynic, but a lot of these types of studies sound so bogus. You can take any random collection of events, and they can by happenstance fall into some sort of pattern. Presto - you have a “trend.” The key to there being any validity to the study centers on the idea that blood pressure may vary with climate.
Weighing yourself can be an obsession. So much so, that it can play head games while you are trying to manage your weight. It’s OK to do once in a while, but the general rule of thumb is to simply go by how your clothes feel. You can gain a little muscle weight, which makes you think you are at a plateau, when in reality you are getting leaner. Here’s an interesting modern art experiment with multiple scale designs. I’m not sure what quite to make of it, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
Shaquille O’Neal says “When the heat is on, the pain is gone” in his spot for Icy Hot, the pain relief product that is supposed to sooth muscle pain. But now the heat is on the therapy product’s maker. There’s been a recall on various products. That’s because there have been reports of skin irritation and up to third degree burns! Here’s more detail on the extensive Icy Hot recall by Chattem, Inc.
If you think exercise is a pain in the neck, you have it backwards. It’s exercise that cures that pain in your neck. With people spending more and more time in front of the computer in the age of the Internet, people struggle more and more with pain in their necks and shoulders. Not to mention, ouch, those carpel tunnel issues in the hands and arms (I speak from experience). Here’s more on the research.
Start exercising with a great fitness plan from Jillian Michaels or Curves.
First non-fat cappuccinos and now feng shui. At a McDonald’s in Hacienda Heights, California, leather seats, bamboo plants and trickling water fountains have taken the place of the usual plastic booths, tables and swivel chairs in an effort to create a soothing setting so that diners will enjoy their food more, linger and come back again. This is part of a plan created by the McDonald’s Corporation to attract more customers and target a variety of audiences. And apparently it’s working. Small survey studies done at this McDonald’s indicates that the results are positive with customers feeling more relaxed and happier. It’s an interesting and creative endeavor on McDonald’s part, but I can’t help but wonder if this move in design will last and if it will force a change in menu such as the addition of herbal teas alongside its new coffee bar and traditional fountain drinks?
If you want to save the environment, you have the power not only in your finger tips, but in your legs as well. There’s an incredible new invention, and it’s “power to the people,” quite literally. Scientists have designed a leg brace that can harness power from your walking as a power source in place of the current less environmentally friendly methods. It’s a bit pricey at the moment. But like all new things, costs will go down.
Here’s a great quote: “We store enough energy in fat to charge a 1,000 kilogram battery.” The research has spawned a start up company called Bionic Power. It reportedly has seed money, but no venture capital just yet to produce the first Six Million Dollar Man. The idea of these becoming commonplace opens up an interesting debate. If they are as common as cell phones, will it become a moral imperative for everyone to put in their exercise for environmental reasons? Or will it just be a nice byproduct of your walking routine? Only time will tell.
Ok, so your trainer just beat you up at the gym or you stretched your downward-dog a little bit too far in yesterday’s yoga class and now you’re feeling the burn. Instead of reaching for the ibuprofen and Bengay, have you ever tried the topical ointment, Arnica? Arnica, a pain-relief cream that comes from the plant Arnica Montana has been used as a natural remedy for aches, pains, inflammation and bruises for over 500 years. Arnica comes in either a cream or tincture form and it is safe when used topically at the prescribed dosages for short-term use only. Prolonged use has been shown to cause skin irritation. It can be picked up at your local health food store. Talk to your primary care physician about it the next you’re in for a routine visit.
… And no, we’re not talking about heartburn from the cheese dip. Experts have noticed that heart attack cases rose significantly in Munich, Germany when their nation’s soccer team was in the World Cup. I know this has translated to football in the U.S., because a fan of my favorite team went down with a heart attack when the Pittsburgh Steelers nearly lost a game on their way to the Super Bowl a couple years back.
So, this Sunday, stay calm and try some heart-healthy snacks.
Here’s a fun exercise routine. If you’re an absolute beginner, or just getting back into a routine and you’re a little concerned about where to start, you don’t even have to leave your couch. Or, if you’re in the office all day, you can get started there. So, instead of playing solitaire or Tetris, exercise a little.
You can also use this free fitness journal at FitDay to keep track of your progress.
