Fit or Thin: Which is more important??

In the media and in medical literature, there are debates about which is more important for a long healthy life, being fit or being thin. There isn’t a simple answer, so I’d like to thank my colleagues for debating these points with me recently. For sure, FITNESS is VERY important. Fitness – being able to…

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Get Fit, Live Longer

There is much discussion in the medical literature about which is more important for a long healthy life, being fit or having a healthy weight. There isn’t a simple answer, so I’d like to thank my colleagues for debating these points with me over the past few days. For sure, FITNESS is VERY important. From…

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A woman doing a power routine for her body

The Power of Strength

Here’s what drove home the importance of strength training to me. I was helping my daughter get one last piece of IKEA furniture – I must say we are MASTER IKEA furniture putter-togethers! We were able to get the kitchen table into her car, but then came the chore of carrying it up a few…

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Healthy Back Series

The following four exercises are the basis for a healthy back routine. Performed individually or as a series, they will help strengthen the spinal muscles. Combine this series with the Sit Ups Routine for a comprehensive core routine! Cat-Dog (Spinal Flexion-Extension): Kneeling on all fours begin in spinal neutral with back flat and eye gaze looking at hands. Gently…

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A woman working on her wellness

Creating a Balanced Fitness Routine

As we enter a new year with new intentions and motivation, it’s a great time to review and assess our fitness routines. We always want to get the greatest benefit for our time and effort, right? Here are some points to consider! Generally speaking a well-balanced fitness routine includes: aerobic (cardio), muscular strength (muscle building,…

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Wrap-Up of Five Abdominal Exercises – Marching and Tapping Core Stabilizer

Here is the fifth and final exercise in the abdominal series. We have reviewed the basic sit-up, the oblique twist sit-up, the reverse lift, the traditional oblique and oblique alternators, and now today’s featured move is a marching and tapping core stabilizer. This move targets the low abdominal muscles, the transverse abdominis. There are two versions. The most basic…

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Featured Move – 4th abdominal challenge – Traditional Oblique and Oblique Alternators

Today’s featured move, the fourth in the abdominal series, is another oblique challenger with two versions: Traditional Oblique and Oblique Alternators. These are great alternatives to the oblique twist sit-up OR additional options to include in a full abdominal series. Lie flat on your back, feet on the floor, with your knees bent. Cross the left ankle…

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Featured move – 3rd sit-up – the reverse lift

Today’s featured move is a reverse lift. It targets the lower abdomen -­ the transverse abdominis muscle. Lie on the mat, lift your legs, knees together and flexed gently. Your arms are down at your sides. As you tighten/contract the lower abdominal muscles lift the hips slightly off the floor, pause, and then slowly lower…

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Featured Move: Oblique Twist Situp

Now that you’ve mastered good technique for the basic sit-up, this second move will focus on the oblique abdominals, the muscles on both sides of your abdomen. Lie on a firm surface. Drop both knees to one side, place your hands behind your head, with your elbows out to the sides. Keep your chin slightly tilted…

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Featured Move: The Basic Sit-Up

This is the first of several demos of different varieties of sit-ups. When used together and done properly, they’ll help strengthen the core by working the many muscles from the abdominal to the pelvic region. The first is a modified sit-up which targets the rectus abdominus, the long muscles running vertically along your midline. Start by lying…

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