ActivAided Blog

Join the Gym in Your Living Room

by John W. Mitchell This time of the year I find there is an inverse relationship between the hours of daylight and my enthusiasm for exercise. The shortest day of the year – the Winter Solstice - occurs just before Christmas. In the depths of winter I am more inclined to raise a pint and a slice of fruitcake rather than my heart rate. On days I don’t feel like exercising, rather then trying to muster myself into the cold…

Get Fit Fast…er, Slowly

by David Throop If you’re like most people, you know you should probably get up off the couch and get some exercise. You may even have some specific fitness goals in mind and are eager to get started. But before you begin you need to be aware that what you don’t know can hurt you. One thing to keep in mind before starting out is that the most common mistake people make when beginning any exercise program is that they’ll…

Interval Training – The Magic Bullet of Exercise

by John W. Mitchell A few years ago my personal physician enrolled his entire practice in a national study to measure the effects of patient behavior modification as a form of preventative medicine. He was an older doctor who believed that patients can help themselves quite a bit with healthy lifestyle changes, such as becoming more physically active. He even took $5 off a patient’s co-pay if they would ride their bike to an appointment. It was during this study…

Staying Safe in Cold Weather

by Virginia Cunningham When you were younger, it might have been fun to play outside in the crisp cold air, especially if it was a Saturday afternoon and a game of touch football. The cold breeze was refreshing, and a little snow on the ground was always a treat. But even with all the upside, you knew that if you fell, it was going to hurt a little more. We all know that working out or engaging in physical activity…

The Skinny on Fat

It seems everyone has a different view of fat. In case this is not yours, let me just say, fat is not the enemy!  Yes, your body can make its own fat, but dietary fat is essential for the production of tissues and biochemicals. Some fats, like Omega-3 fatty acids, are even essential because our bodies can’t make them. The trick is to understand the different types of fat and make educated decisions in what you allow to enter your…

The Kinetic Chain and Biomechanics

The Kinetic Chain: What is it? No surprise, our bodies are complex systems. What we sometimes forget, though, is that everything is interconnected. So when one part is not working optimally, it throws off ten others. Remember singing this as a kid? The head bone’s connected to the neck bone. The neck bone’s connected to the shoulder bone. The shoulder bone’s connected to the back bone… Well, the adult version can go on for days. Muscles, connective tissues, joints, bones,…

The Ohs and Ows of Back Pain

You’re not alone. An approximate 80% of the population will have back pain at one time or another. In America, over 26 million suffer from frequent back pain. It can range from soreness that will go away in a few hours, to a chronic condition that can make everyday tasks near impossible.  Since back pain is most often triggered by awkward posture during daily activities, the key to improving and avoiding back pain is proper body mechanics. Our bodies were…

What is Posture?

In a physiological sense, posture is the relationship among the skeleton, muscles, and other tissues of the body as it is held upright against gravity. It is as important to good health as proper nutrition, exercise, and a good night’s sleep. What is poor posture? When we think about poor posture, we often visualize someone slouching or hunched over. Poor posture, however, encompasses a lot more than a static pose. It is the result of chronic bad habits as we…

A Stability Ball Can Do Your Body Good

Looking for an easy to adopt, whole body workout? Look no further than the stability ball. Inexpensive, lightweight, and easily incorporated into any routine, the stability ball has become a fitness staple. Whether doing targeted exercises, or just sitting on a ball while watching TV, there are numerous health benefits from adding a stability ball into your life. Core Activation Improved Posture Inceased Mobility Core Activation Core activation is one of the biggest benefits of using a stability ball. Effectively…

Simple Tricks for Back Pain Relief

We use our back for pretty much everything. Even simple activities usually require some effort on its part, and even simple activities can cause a problem. The most common back problems are muscle pulls and strains. Although quite common, they can be severe. The following steps can help relieve discomfort and swelling due to a tight, aching back. (NOTE: If you are experiencing pain, weakness/numbness in the legs, or a loss of bowel/bladder control, see your doctor without delay.) First…