Holistic Health Information Summer Health and Fitness

As summer approaches we tend to want to commit to more fitness activities to get ready to look good in summer clothing.

I suggest that the best way to achieve your fitness goals, is to first assess your current state of fitness: are you currently sedentary or doing some kind of regular exercise, once or more than once a week?

Then, gradually increase the number of minutes and intensity of the exercise, as you achieve your fitness goals.

I recommend Pilates by Design as a great place to begin to get coached on your exercise needs. Owned by Erin Boylan, the studio is offering two for one sessions. Get your special offer coupons in my office now!

Call Pilates by Design at: 760 271 9205

The second thing that you must keep in mind is, that you must burn more than you eat! Eat regularly, do not let your blood sugar drop or rise. This causes stressors to your hormonal system, and deprive the brain from sugar, which is the only thing the brain can use for energy. Once the brain runs out of sugar, it starts destroying its own tissue to liberate sugar. Brain damage is not a good trade off for starvation! Take care of the brain, reduce and avoid as many stressors as possible, and your fitness and health goals will be met. Avoid refined sugars, caffeine, processed, deep fried foods, and alcohol.

Some suggestions for other stress reducing activities are: meditation, prayer, watching a sunset, and everyone would be well served in doing the Restorative Pose to counter stress in life.

The Restorative Pose is: Lay on the floor with calves on a chair, sofa, bed, etc., as long as your legs are at 90 degrees from your torso and your arms are next to your torso extended along your sides. On the ceiling above you, place a photo or picture of a nature scene or resort where you wish you were, and imagine yourself there having the time of your life very relaxed and serene, for 15 minutes every day, do not allow any other thoughts to enter your mind, if they do, go back to the image and the relaxed serene feelings.

Get a massage or a chiropractic adjustment to reduce your stress – once a month is the minimum. Your skeleton and muscle system need tune ups because of the repetitive motion stressors of our sedentary stressful lifestyle!

Sleep at least 7-8 hours a night; this is vital for repair and regeneration to occur in every part of the body including recovery from physical activity.
I believe that if you combine all of this, you will achieve your fitness and health goals for the summer and beyond!

Contact me to learn more about holistic approaches to fitness and health.
More holistic health information.

Aging Gracefully Through Exercise: How Seniors are Benefitted

As people grow older, having an active lifestyle becomes more important. This is because exercising regularly can help maintain independence and boost energy. Aside from that, it helps manage symptoms of pain or illnesses. It is even possible for exercise to put on hold some of the symptoms of aging. Exercise is good for the body, mind, memory and mood. For people who are either healthy or are having illnesses in their lives, there are a lot of ways on how to be more active, confident and fit in life.

Benefits of Senior Exercise (Physical)

    It reduces the negative impact of chronic diseases and other illnesses. Seniors can benefit from exercise as it improves their immune system, gives them better bone density, lowered blood pressure and improve heart health and also better digestion. Other chronic conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity can be ameliorated through physical exercise.

    It helps lose or maintain weight. Metabolism slows down as people age, which has made healthy weight maintenance a challenge for many. Yet physical exercise can help increase metabolism as well as help build muscle mass by burning calories. Overall wellness is improved if the body of a person reaches a healthy weight.

    It improves the flexibility, balance and mobility for elders. Getting enough exercise will improve the posture, flexibility and strength of seniors. This in turn will then affect their balance and coordination. Chronic conditions such as arthritis can be alleviated by doing strength training.


Benefits of Senior Exercise (Mental)

    It improves the sleep of seniors. It is not a clear consequence of aging for people that are having poor qualities of sleep but it is nonetheless important for being healthy. Most of the time, exercise will improve a person’s sleep and allow them to fall asleep quickly and more deeply.

    It is beneficial to the brain. Exercising regularly is beneficial to the brain’s functions and helps keep it active. This will result in letting the person prevent cognitive decline, dementia and memory loss. Brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease can even be slowed by exercise as well.

    It improves self-esteem and mood. The endorphins that are created through exercise can help people feel better for themselves and will also reduce the feelings of depression. People will be more confident in themselves as they feel strong and active.


Image Source: Angora37
                                ElenaRay


About the Author:

Dr. Novick is the leading expert on Gluten Free Living and a Trusted Chiropractor in San Diego. Dr. Novick takes the time to create an individual treatment plan tailored to your specific health needs using holistic, natural therapies such as homeopathy, bach flowers, functional medicine or chiropractic care which nurture the body’s innate health system, and address the root cause of each person’s individual health issues.