Move Your Body

Exercise and being physically active are crucial when it comes to staying healthy and preventing chronic illness.  Regular exercise allows you to improve your overall fitness, which can help to boost your immune system — the body’s defense against infections.

Here are some helpful tips from Mayo Clinic if you develop a cold or fever this winter and you’re unsure if exercising will help or make your illness worse.  Mild to moderate physical activity is usually OK if you have a cold but no fever.  Exercise may even help you feel better by temporarily relieving nasal congestion.

As a rule of thumb for exercise and illness:

* Proceed with your workout if your signs and symptoms are “above the neck” — such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing or sore throat.  However, be prepared to reduce the intensity of your workout if needed.

* Postpone your workout if your signs and symptoms are “below the neck” — such as chest congestion, hacking cough or upset stomach.  Likewise, don’t exercise if you have a fever, fatigue or widespread muscle aches.

Most importantly, if you choose to exercise when you’re sick, listen to your body.  If your signs and symptoms get worse with physical activity, stop and rest.  Resume your workout routine gradually as you begin to feel better.

Christmas is only a few weeks away, and that means tasty sweets and treats are always within reach.  Tomorrow at work we are having a week-long treats extravaganza in celebration of the holidays.  Everyone is invited to bring in dessert, cookies, cake, and anything else they’d like to share.  You may have upcoming holiday parties, family get-togethers, and other opportunities to indulge.  So how do you enjoy yourself without throwing your fitness goals completely off track?

Self Magazine has put together some great strategies to calm our holiday eating fears.

Keep an eye on your intake when delicious food is always available.  If you’d like to enjoy a few more sweets than usual, you can always add a few extra minutes to your work out to offset the extra calories.  But don’t stress too much.  You’ll be happy to know that the average American gains only 1 pound between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, a study in The New England Journal of Medicine finds.   Happy holidays!

Photo: SELF Magazine

The Holidays are right around the corner, and shopping is underway.  We thought we’d pass on some savings and give you some gift ideas for the athletes and fitness buffs (or those who aspire to be) in your life.  While you’re at it, pick up a little something for yourself too.

Adidas SuperNova Glide Running Shoes.

Why shop Adidas?  For one, running shoes.  I’ve been running with the Men’s Supernova Glide Shoes for a while now and I find them to be comfortable and great support for the treadmill and workout classes.  Even though they’re men’s shoes – they work just fine for me.

Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor and Stopwatch

Heart rate monitors are a great way to make sure that you are working at the proper intensity and within your target heart rate.  We usually use the Polar brand in the gym with members – especially during Spin classes.  It’s important to be within your target heart rate range during a work out.  If you’re too low – the work out could be almost pointless (if you’re looking for results, that is) and being too high can be dangerous.

Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor and Stopwatch

Wii Fit

Wii fit comes with a balance board that weighs you, (which can definitely be embarrassing if you’re in front of a group of people the first time you play) and the game helps you set a weight loss goal.  I’m not sure I buy that this game can help you lose TONS of weight – but it sure is a blast to play.  Wii Fit has balance games, yoga, strength training exercises and even some cardio games.  Wii is a great way to get a group of people playing at once, and Wii Fit can be played with others or alone.

There is a newer version of Wii Fit now available called Wii Fit Plus- but we have yet to try it.  But there’s a good chance it’s just as fun as the first!

Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred

We reviewed this workout DVD in one of our earlier posts.  It is a great supplement to a gym membership, or something to help motivate you if you don’t belong to a gym.  There are a few different levels so you can keep up no matter how fit you are.  This is no Jane Fonda workout – you know Jillian.  This workout is tough as hell!

We’re in the home stretch.  It’s that time of year when we’re all just waiting for a nice, relaxing holiday vacation and the year to come to a close.  But you’ve still probably got a lot to do until then, right?  Gift shopping, wrapping up things at work, preparing holiday meals, evaluating your goals and what the new year might bring.  What you need right now is a positive mental attitute and energy to get you through! 

WebMd has put together a cool “Energy Foods Slideshow.”  A few on the list? 

Fresh Produce – Fresh fruits and vegetables can help you to stay hydrated and energized.

Hot Tea – Black tea, in particular, has been shown to combat stress.

Dark Chocolate – a few squares can boost your energy and mood.  Mostly caffeine at work here.

 Breakfast – Studies show that people who eat breakfast regularly have more energy and a better mood throughout the day.

Check out the full slideshow here.