Tag Archives: injury prevention

Improve Posture for Surprising Health Benefits

Do you have good posture? Are you hunched over at your desk while typing on the computer? Proper posture may not seem like that big of a deal, but realistically, it truly is. Proper posture is about more than holding your head up high; it is crucial for eliminating any unnecessary strains to certain muscles, joints, bones, or organs.

With correct posture, you can look taller, slimmer, and come across as being extremely confident- all of which are “A-OK” in my book. (more…)

How to Communicate With Your Doctor About Fitness

We go to the doctor for many reasons, but usually not until we have to. Preventive care and health counseling is severely lacking among adults in this country. We spend countless amounts of dollars on dieting and exercise products, yet we spend very little time consulting professionals about it.

Your physical and mental health history can greatly determine which type of fitness path you should embark on. It’s always wise to consult your doctor about diet and exercise. Many dieters don’t make the effort to do so for one reason: they don’t know how. We talk to people everyday, but to truly communicate with our doctors (or other health and fitness professionals) there are some key strategies we can use.

Prepare yourself. More specifically, come prepared to ask questions. Write them all down beforehand so that you don’t go home and realize you forgot to mention something. Be very detailed with your questions. Make an effort to be specific. Doing so will prompt your doctor to be just as detailed with his answers. To avoid multiple (and unnecessary) visits, don’t forget to ask if there are specific diet and exercise techniques that your doctor recommends you stay far away from. Write down his answers for future reference. (more…)

Gym Mistakes You May Be Making

The gym is arguably the best place to get a workout. Many are open 24 hours, are stocked with the latest and greatest equipment and the vibe can push you to work out harder and longer than you would at home… if you avoid these common gym mistakes.

Sticking exclusively to cardio. Women especially tend to stick exclusively to cardio, and miss the opportunity for a well-rounded workout. Cardio is important, but so is strength training, and avoiding the weight room and machines will rob you of its benefits. Muscle boosts metabolism, builds sleek muscles and increases bone density, so don’t skip it. (more…)

How to Prevent and Treat Runners’ Chafing

Chafing is often thought of as just an irritating side effect of running, but that annoying itch can quickly turn into an open, bleeding wound that will have you thinking twice about your next race.

Chafing occurs by the combination of sweat and friction: either your clothing rubbing against your skin, or your skin rubbing together, like in between your thighs. There are a few ways to prevent chafing, however, and relieve its painful symptoms if the unfortunate happens to occur.

Friction is the chafing culprit, so lubrication is your best defense. To keep your skin from rubbing raw, apply a lubricant to notorious trouble areas, like your armpits, nipples and inner thighs. The tried and true favorites of avid runners are petroleum jelly, udder cream and bag balm, but any lubricant will work.  Many athletes also put lubricant on their feet to avoid blisters. (more…)

The Shaun White Workout for Snowboarding

Shaun White winning the gold in Vancouver.

Who is Shaun White? For those that don’t know, Shaun White is an Olympic snowboarder. He was born in the San Diego area in 1986 and has been skateboarding and snowboarding since he was six-years old. He overcame two major surgeries to correct a heart defect before the age of one, and he’s been proving himself as a champion ever since.

Shaun’s parents would take him to the local mountain range as often as possible (Mammoth Mountain). At the age of seven, Shaun entered his first amateur snowboard contest and won. This win earned him a bid to the nationals where he finished just outside of tenth place. His mom, Cathy, then sent a homemade video of Shaun’s snowboarding ability to Burton; who in-turn offered him a seven-year sponsor. He then turned pro at the ripe old age of 13. Shaun then went on to capture a gold medal in the halfpipe at the 2006 and more recently 2026 Winter Olympics. (more…)

11 Safety Tips For Runners

woman runningWhile the benefits of running are extensive, it can also have its down sides if you don’t take precautions to be a safe runner. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you hit the road to ensure you return short nothing more than breath and sweat!

1. Map your trail: Always figure out your path before you start your run as this will keep you from getting lost or ending up in a dangerous place.

2. Run during the day: Try to run during the day or follow a well-lit path. This will help prevent any possible danger that could happen at night.

3. Take a partner: A running buddy is always a safe bet in case of injury or to keep would-be assailants away. (more…)

Top 5 Upper Body Exercises to Prepare for Horseback Riding

woman riding horseHorseback riding is an amazing hobby and I wish that I could find the time to do more of it. I’ve been discussing workouts that help riders develop the strength needed. We’ve discussed the lower body exercises to help prepare your body for the jolts and shock of horseback riding, as well as the core strength needed to help you maintain proper posture.

Although your upper body is less of a factor, you still need to train it properly to prevent possible injury, soreness, and to help maintain good posture. (more…)

Tips for Beach Bound Runners

woman running on beachIs running on the beach actually beneficial? Running on the beach has its pros and its cons. Let’s start with the negative first and then move to the positives. The majority of the beaches have a natural slope, thus making it dangerous for the ankles and knees. Sand, although softer than pavement, can cause strains, sprains, or even tendinitis from the inconsistent surfaces and varying pressures, or “give,” from each step. I recommend stretching before and finding a flat surface to run. This will help eliminate most the common injuries stated above. (more…)

Quality Sleep Offers Injury Prevention

sleepI will not even bother telling you what time it is as I type this. It’s way, way too late. Once again, I’ve done what I swore I wouldn’t – stayed up past my bedtime. It’s a bad habit I have, true, but that’s not the only reason I should break it. Plain and simple, your body needs rest. And, no, five hours a night won’t cut it. Recent studies have linked sleep and diabetes and proven that not enough good quality sleep impairs your insulin productions, increases cortisol (the stress hormone) and decreases growth hormone – not an optimal blend if you are trying to lose weight or gain muscle. (more…)

Inside the Insane Mind of an Indy Mini Participant

indy-500-mini-marathonEven though I’ve never considered myself a runner, after being on the sidelines photographing for my marathoner/inspiration a couple of times, I signed myself up for the 2026 500 Festival Mini Marathon because everyone does it and it doesn’t feel overly competitive. It was my first race ever, and I was so impressed with myself. Starting back in corral Y I walked the first mile until I got through some of the mass of humanity. I started running and did not stop. Of course I signed up again!

In August I had surgery to repair a labreal tear in my hip joint from a 2006 injury. (Yes, I learned to run with that injury.) I told the surgeon and physical therapist that teaching dance is part of my income and I was going to run the mini again. Running had become an important escape for me. I probably started teaching dance before I should have and my recovery slowed. It was nearly Spring before I was allowed to start trying to run, and my training wasn’t very consistent. (more…)

Is Wii a Medical Liability?

Nintendo is selling the Wii game system like hot cakes. The company, which introduced the Wii in November 2006, sold more than 10 million of the game systems in the United States last year. It’s been largely touted for getting people active while playing video games. But with that activity comes a hefty medical price.wii_fit

There’s an interesting New York Times article on the widespread injuries inflicted upon Wii enthusiasts. The author even reports a pop in his left shoulder after playing Wii tennis.

If you’re not familiar with the Wii phenomenon, gamers use a handheld, wireless remote where you mimic the motion of the activity in the video game. This could include tennis, boxing, bowling, among others. (more…)