Thursday, July 1, 2010

I WILL BE BACK

Hello everyone. My deepest apologies for not updating posts lately. I have had some life challenges that has kept me away. I will return and bring you some awesome information and keep on bringing it. Thank you for your patience. All the best. For some great information on the brain, how to enhanace your greatness, etc.... check out this blog: http://blog.dianeu.com/

See you soon. Lori

Monday, May 24, 2010

Quote of the Week

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly" - Philosopher Henri Bergson

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Have you reached a plateau? Shake up your routine!!!

Are you at a point where you are bored mentally and physically with your workout routine? Is the scale barely moving and you are working out, eating healthy, staying positive, etc.? The way to get out of the workout rutt can be as simple as making some changes that put your body into a state of shock (in a positive way).

Our bodies are amazing.... they adapt to how we treat it, which may not always be a good thing. When it comes to a workout routine it is important to implement what is called the overload principle. It is simlply just overloading the body in such a way that it has not expereinced before or has been awhile since it has done what you are asking it to perform. Below are reminders

For example, your cardio routines to overload you could do the following:

- Increase the duration of time
- Decrease the duration of time, increase the intensity
(e.g. 20 minutes of intervals w/a warm up and cool down)
- Change the mode of exercise performing
- Perform 2 or more modes of exercise in one session
- Implement stairs in a walk when you see them
- Increase the number of times doing cardio per week or even per day
occasionssionaly

In your weight training routines you can implement overload by:

- Decrease the weight amount and do a circuit with very little rest
- Increase the amount of weight lifting, increase the duration of time
resting (Strength)
- Change from performing machines to free weights and vice versa
- Change type of exercises (e.g. perform majority of exercises on the
ball, stand on one leg, etc.)

Points to remember:

- Shake up your routine every 2-4 weeks
- Have a goal/vision in mind for where you want to go and how you
want to FEEL when you get there
- Speak positive (including your inner voice and have positive
support around you
- Have fun

Always make sure to have a base of prior to doing the overload principle. If you have not started a fitness routine be sure to talk to your doctor prior to starting.

Have fun!!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Shoulder Impingement

What is shoulder impingement?

Shoulder impingement is a common affliction, especially among overhead athletes and workers, caused by poor tracking of the head of the humerus bone under the bony roof of the shoulder (acromion). In a normally functioning shoulder, the head of the humerus spins smoothly in the socket avoiding contact with the structures forming the top of the shoulder joint. If the humeral head glides upwards as a person reaches into end-ranges of motion (especially overhead), the humerus may impinge on the acromion, pinching the soft tissues (rotator cuff and bursa) between the bony structures causing pain and limited motion.



How do people get shoulder impingement?

There are two general reasons people experience impingement: primary and secondary. Primary impingement is uncontrollable and related to anatomical factors that adversely affect the interface between the humeral head and the socket. The most common of these are a hooked acromion which means the bone forming the roof of the shoulder joint offers less space than normal, or degenerative changes in the acromioclavicular joint or shoulder joint causing bone spurs to decrease the space between the humeral head and the roof of the joint. Secondary impingement occurs when muscle and capsular imbalances exist and alter the coordination of movements into end-ranges. If the muscles are not working well together, the head of the humerus will not glide underneath the acromion (roof of the shoulder joint) and will impinge, causing pain referral into the upper arm.



How can I avoid shoulder impingement syndrome?


Primary impingement is not a controllable factor and avoidance of impingement symptoms requires staying out of end-ranges that will create impingement. People having these predisposing factors will not do well as swimmers or in throwing sports. Secondary impingement can be avoided by maintaining good posture and muscle balance across the shoulder joint. The maintenance of good posture and the strength of the rotator cuff muscles is particularly essential for people who consistently work or move into the end-ranges of motion overhead. The exercises described below for rehabilitating shoulder impingement syndrome also serve as good exercises for prevention in swimmers and throwing athletes.



How can I deal with shoulder impingement?



If you have shoulder impingement syndrome, the soft tissues that have been pinched consistently are likely rather inflamed and irritated. The initial phase of rehab involves calming the local inflammation with ice, anti-inflammatory medications, rest, postural corrections and pain-free motion. Proper posture puts the shoulder in a neutral position, which increases the space between the humeral head and the acromion and puts the muscles into better positions to work appropriately. Avoidance of reaching into end-ranges overhead is suggested during this time, allowing the tissues to heal. The next phase of rehabilitation builds on the initial postural adjustments adopted during the calm-down phase. The goal during this phase is to progressively regain shoulder motion while avoiding the range of impingement and to rebalance muscle forces across the shoulder.


Please contact Walton Physical Therapy to schedule an injury evaluation and discuss possible treatment options you might need.





http://www.waltonpt.com/

Monday, May 10, 2010

Making the best of your workouts

Hello. I just wanted to share some things that may help you with your workouts, training, etc. Check out the list below:

- Set goals to help you determine what you are striving for and how you want to feel when you get there

- Perform a proper warm up with a light cardiovascular exercise as well as dynamic movements

- Be in the moment. Focus on what you are doing

- Feel the muscles you are using on the exercise you are performing

- Focus on what you want, not what you don't want

- Focus and feel every rep and movement

- Leave your workout knowing you did the best you could for that day

- Do your best, don't sell yourself short

- Have fun - gotta remember that

Friday, May 7, 2010

Quote of the Week

Always do what you are afraid to do. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

What is Core Training?

Core training is essential to training for athletes as well as fitness enthusiasts. The core has been called the "power zone" and "power house" where the body's center of gravity is located. Most of all it is where all movements are initiated.

The muscles of the core include the abdominals, muscles of the hip and back. They are located at the core of your body where the limbs extend from. These muscles are responsible for developing power, maintaining balance and stability and improving coordination.

Just imagine performing a golf swing or even carrying groceries and how important it is to use your core to perform these movements. The benefits of a strong and stable core include:



  • Increased power development to help with those movements that require changing direction, accelerating the body or limbs, etc.

  • Improved stability and efficiency to be successful of providing an anchor for the major muscles of the upper and lower body.

  • Improved balance to enhance athletic, recreational and daily living activities.

  • Reduce risk of injury

Core training can be easily implemented into an existing strength routine by doing the following:



  • Perform exercises standing on one leg or unstable surfaces

  • Change seated exercises to standing exercises

  • Make controlled movements in different planes of movement - rotate, diagonal, etc.

  • Have feet together rather than apart when standing or sitting on a exercise ball

  • Perform the exercises at different speeds

Hints to remember:



  • Always control the movement performing

  • Focus on what muscle or muscle group (s) using during the exercise and FEEL them working

  • Read your body

  • Maintain your posture

Go get'em. There are a lot of fun ways to train your core. Enjoy!!!!!


Resource: NSCA's Performance Training Journal, Volume 2, number 6.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Quote of the Week

"Somehow I can't believe that there are any heights that can't be sclaed by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C's. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable."



- Walt Disney

Vitamin D

The Low-Down on Vitamin D
Dr. Katrina Wilhelm
Naturopathic Physician
katrina.wilhelm@clubsports.com

The Basics:

When UV light hits the skin, cholesterol starts its conversion to vitamin D – often called hormone D by naturopathic physicians because of its hormone-like action in the body. Vitamin D regulates the immune system and is used to treat rickets, osteomalacia (a specific kind of bone demineralization), osteoporosis, cancer, and psoriasis (a skin rash).

Vitamin D couples with calcium very strongly, so it should always be taken with meals, foods high in calcium, and calcium supplements.

Sunshine exposure for 20 minutes of the face and arms (no SPF skin lotion) will produce about 200 IU of Vitamin D per day. Moderate sunburns can produce 10,000 IU of Vitamin D per day. Excess production will be stored as the inactive form for winter. In the Northwest, we rarely have the sun high enough in the sky to produce Vitamin D.

Supplementation is with the active form, so there is no storing over for the winter. And, it is very important to know that because this is a newer topic in medical research, there are many different opinions on how to do it. Clinically, we see a steady rise in the body’s Vitamin D levels with lower supplementation doses.

Get a Doctor on Board:

It is imperative that a physician order a blood level of Vitamin D to determine a baseline level and manage supplementation. An individual should not supplement for more than 4 months without a blood level assessment.

Foods Concentrating Vitamin D:

These are listed from most concentrated to least concentrated.*
Sardines, Cod Liver Oil, Mackerel, Herring, Tuna, Salmon, Shrimp, Halibut
Morel, Shitake, and Chanterelle mushrooms
Pork, Egg Yolks, Lamb, Beef


Toxicity Symptoms May Include:

Headaches, weakness, nausea and vomiting, constipation, frequent urination, thirst, diarrhea, and calcification of soft tissues such as kidneys, lungs, and the tympanic membrane in the ear.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Quotes

"The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity. "
~Ayn Rand~

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I'm Back..... Optimizing Your Workout Tips

Yes, I am back. Many apologies for a big delay in entering posts for y'all.

I want to share with you some tips on how to optimize your workouts. Put these tips to good use and perhaps you may have some to share as well......

  • Set goals or have a vision in mind. When you have something(s) to shoot for the likelihood of getting there is greater.
  • Ask for support. The support may come from family, friends, doctors, teammates, personal trainer, etc. With having the support you have greater accountability and motivation to continue on your journey.
  • In the movie theater of your mind, run your movie of being successful and what you want.
  • Focus, focus, focus. Get connected with yourself physically and mentally. Pay attention to what you are doing with your sport, resistance training workouts, cardiovascular workouts, etc. How does the exercise you are doing feel? Where do you feel it? It will help you optimize the efficiency of your workout, as well as connecting to yourself physically and mentally.
  • Stay positive. Remember that the input you put in your head as well as what you let in very powerful. It is so powerful it helps determine the road to your destiny and goals.
  • Read your body.
  • Breathe (could not resist that one)
  • Have fun - remember this one!!!

Make it a great workout!!! YOU have the POWER!!!

More next week. Thank you for your patience.

Lori

Monday, March 29, 2010

Apologies

Hello everyone. I want to apologize to you for being a bit inconsistent with my postings. I will be back to my consistent self beginning next week with posting new information early every week. Thank you for being a reader. All the best. I will leave you with this quote:

"Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions."
- Albert Einstein

Make it a great week.

LJ

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Quote of the Week

“Doing nothing is very hard to do…you never know when you’re finished.”
– Actor Leslie Nielson

Quote of the Week

“Defeat may serve as well as victory to shake the soul and let the glory out.”
– Poet Edwin Markham

Top Five Fitness Mistakes

My friend, Dr. Matt Hemsley has some great points to remember. Check them out........

Posture:
"The Cardio Slouch"
Just because you are working your heart and lungs does not mean that your back should take a break. Sit up/Stand up finish your cardio in the same posture you started in.

Skipping the weights to lose weight:
Resistance training increases your lean body mass which increases your resting metabolic rate. Yes, you will burn more calories watching TV.

Making your routine too routine:
Consider fitness your habits. Most of us gravitate to a comfort zone performing activities that play to our strengths. The body adapts quickly to exercises. As it adapts, benefits decrease. Variety is the key. Qualified/Certified Personal Trainers are great at helping you do that.

Improper Technique:
Remember form follows function. Maintain a neutral posture throughout the movement. Stay within your own limitations - "know thyself".

Not stretching after your workout:
Calming down those "overactive muscles" after you have worked out is essential to decreasing your risk of overuse injuries.

www.activecarepdx.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Quote of the Week

"We go where our vision is."

Joseph Murphy

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The Value of Visualization in Sport and Life

Athletes routinely use visualization or mental practice to enhance their performance. Using the imagination to achieve physical results has been found to have comparable results to the actual physical practice. This is possible because the nervous system cannot tell the difference between an actual experience and one that is vividly imagined.

Research Quarterly reported an experiment on the effects of mental practice (using visualization) on improving the skill of shooting basketball free throws. One group of students practiced shooting the free throws physically for 20 minutes a day, and were scored on the first and last days. A second group engaged in no pracicte and was scored on the first and last days. A third group was scored on the first day, then spent 20 minutes a day, imagining they were shooting free throws. When they missed they would imagine that they corrected their aim accordingly.

The first group (practiced shooting 20 minutes a day)improved their scoring by 24
percent.

The second group (had no practice) had no improvement.

The third group (practiced using their imagination) improved their scoring by 23 percent.

Just imagine if their was a fourth group who did physical practice as well as imagination...... Wonder what the results would have been with that group?

Use your imagination and create the mental picture of how you want your performance to go. Visualize how it would look and feel. It can go beyond an athletic peformance. Perhaps it can be used for speaking in front of a group of people or preparing for a job interview or use your imagination......

We are powerful beings. Use your imagination to create your performance, whether it is in sport or life. Visualize what you want and "run the movie" of how it would look. The key is to run the movie, visualize daily. Have fun!!!!

source of information comes from: THE NEW PSYCHO-CYBERGENITICS by Maxwell Maltz, M.D., F.I.C.S.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Quote of the Week

"Your imagination is your preview
of life's coming attractions."

— Albert Einstein

Monday, March 1, 2010

Power Up With Power Plate

Powerplate Training
Written by: Chase Katich and Kelsey French or Walton Physical Therapy Clinic

The Power Plate is a vibration platform which can be used to perform functional strengthening, dynamic balance, as well as stretching and massage.

The power plate vibrates in three planes of motion: vertically and horizontally, side to side and front to back. This allows our bodies to react to motion in each direction while standing on a level platform.

The vibration of the power plate can be adjusted by its amplitude (the height of vibration) and frequency (number of oscillations per second). By manipulating these variables, we can improve balance, strength, and flexibility without having to hold additional weight, thus minimizing joint stress.

Strength: According to Newtons law, force = mass x acceleration. With traditional strengthening, to increase the force on your muscles you must add additional resistance (i.e. free weights / machines). With the power plate, we can adjust the frequency of vibration to allow the muscles to contract 30-50 times per second. This increased frequency of muscle contraction allows for improved force production.

Flexibility: Our muscles are wired with internal receptors that detect both length and tension within the muscle. The vibration of the power plate helps to turn-off the protective muscle reflex which allows greater muscle relaxation, thus enabling deeper stretches and greater range of motion.

Balance and Coordination: When the power plate vibrates it creates an unstable surface challenging the body to maintain proper form while performing balancing exercises. Overall, coordination is improved as the body adapts to the vibration and learns to hold more functional postures

Bone Density: Bone is a living tissue that responds to forces much like a muscle or tendon. Gentle strengthening on the power plate activates the osteoblasts within the bone to generate increased tissue, thus increasing overall bone density. Resistance training on the power plate is a safe and effective way to improve bone density without applying excessive load to injured joints.

Internal benefits: The massage setting on the power plate improves blood flow and circulation throughout the body providing muscles with oxygen and removing waste. This is extremely beneficial post injury to accelerate healing and decrease swelling.

The power plate also increases anabolic hormone levels to maintain homeostasis throughout the body. It has also been found to relieve stress due to increased serotonin levels and relaxed muscles.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Quote of the Week

"No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude."

Alfred North Whitehead