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Chris LaLanne espouses fitness basics (SF Gate, 2 Sep 08)This article profiles Jack LaLanne's grand-nephew Chris who runs a Personal Training studio in San Francisco. |
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Obama wants skinnier fedsObama's team will be reviewing successful employer wellness and prevention practices that lower health care costs and improve employees’ health and to explore the feasibility of developing such a plan for federal employees and their workplaces. "The president hopes that by encouraging more employers to adopt similar programs, we can improve the productivity of our workforce, delay or avoid many of the complications of chronic diseases, and slow medical cost growth". |
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Vitamins Found to Curb Exercise Benefits (NYTimes)Study found that young male exercises taking moderate doses of vitamins C and E showed "no improvement in insulin sensitivity and almost no activation of the body’s natural defense mechanism against oxidative damage." There's some logic here, in that antioxidants might suppress innate protective mechanisms against ROS's. But like the article states at the end, this is just one study. Definitely warrants further investigation. 
fitness (1)
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Hey, Mom, let's go to P.E! [Mercury News]http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_12419059
How some teachers at a San Jose elementary school revamped their phys ed program to help get the kids (and their parents) into shape. Quote from article: "I've always said the best health policy is elementary school physical education,'' Christensen [a physical therapist] said. "It prevents obesity and puts children on the road to an active and healthy life." |
These are blog posts from everyone:
A pointer to my "Bodycare Reform" blog post and associated wiki article in the Fitness tribe.
Maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system benefits your brain, protecting it from disease. So reports the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter in their May 2009 issue (http://www.berkeleywellness.com -- this is an awesome newsletter, btw; I've been a subscriber since the late '80s and their format and quality has always been consistently high). Here's a quote from the article:
"Research has consistently found that staying physically active is a key to preserving brain function. Studies have shown that older people who get regular exercise are less likely to decline mentally and/or develop dementia. Aerobic exercise such as running or cycling seems especially beneficial, but any activity can help, including strength training and ballroom dancing (these two were the focus of recent studies). Exercise probably benefits the brain just as it helps the cardiovascular system—by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, controlling weight, and improving cholesterol levels and blood sugar. In addition, brain scans show that aerobic exercise can actually improve brain activity and produce new brain cells and connections between them."
Speaking personally, I find that engaging in moderate aerobic activity tends to stimulate my thinking process, promoting creativity and problem solving. Part of this is probably due to the change of scenery and getting outside in the fresh air. But I think most of it is due to turning the crank on my heart rate.
In an article that seems made to order regarding my "on the cheap" comment on the About page (http://hub.teamhuman.org/about/), the Wall Street Journal today (4/16/09) has an article about low-cost ways to keep fit:
Lean Times Bring Workouts Home: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123984558896723563.html
A personal trainer is quoted saying, "You can still get in unbelievable shape without spending money." True, though it does take a time investment. But the health dividends this investment pays can lead to real monetary health care savings in the long term if you stick with it.
Some things they mention: viewing exercise programs at home from Netflix or ExerciseTV, group workouts in a parking lot with a trainer that everyone pitches in to pay, taking classes at a local junior college.
For those who need their gym or health club, many have started offering discounts to help folks with shaky employment. One thing they didn't mention: some companies have health club discounts for their employees.
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BodyCareReformTips, help, and encouragement for all of us to keep up our bodycare. |
