In the last 15 years, a growing number of professional athletes have tried to remain competitive in their sport through the use of sports supplements and energy drinks. Unfortunately, this has trickled down to our youth. A national study done by the Kellogg’s Group in 2012 showed that 40% of all kids skipped breakfast. Of… Read more »
Fitness
A change now affecting us all is the onset of warmer desert temperatures which narrows the window of opportunity to enjoy outdoor exercise. Our habits must alter in response to the seasons, and a productive habit we desert dwellers can take at this time is to alter sleep and wake schedules. Maybe getting up early… Read more »
In January, the former La Quinta Senior Center opened its doors to much fanfare as the new state-of-the-art La Quinta Wellness Center. Created for all ages, the amenities, traffic flow, and programming designed to feed mind, body and soul have lived up to expectations. 661 annual memberships have sold (with more selling each day) and… Read more »
In the fitness industry, the number of new programs claiming to help you shed those unwanted pounds is constantly increasing. One of the latest crazes is high intensity workouts designed to shed fat and build muscle. While these programs can be beneficial, one must be careful when choosing an exercise style since some are very… Read more »
Procrastination is the most serious real killer for those thinking about starting a new exercise program. We know that close to 85% of our most dreaded diseases could be prevented with appropriate lifestyle changes, including proper nutrition and regular exercise. These healthy lifestyle behaviors not only help prevent disease (and ultimately premature death) but also… Read more »
The Gyrotonic® Method consists of two forms of activity ranging from simple floor exercises to sophisticated equipment. The practice was invented by Juliu Horvath, a former ballet dancer and competitive swimmer and gymnast who recognized the importance of developing inner strength to support muscular and skeletal health for life long flexibility and movement. Gyrokenesis® is… Read more »
Women are often guilty of not making time for themselves – especially working women with families and full schedules. But few are busier than Linda Evans who recently added the title of Mayor of La Quinta to her resume. So I was surprised to learn that for the past five years, Linda and a dedicated… Read more »
Many people spend a great deal of time trying to get stronger and shed those extra few pounds only to hit a wall that inhibits their progress and discourages their effort. Many go to the gym 4-5x a week with high expectations of obtaining that beach body. They watch their nutrition, drink ample water, and… Read more »
The National League of Cities (NCL) has recognized Mayor Steve Pougnet and the City of Palm Springs with a total of five Gold Medals for completion of key health and wellness goals in Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC). The targeted campaign is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative… Read more »
Día de Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) is a Mexican holiday observed around the world. The treasured celebration takes place on October 31, November 1 and November 2 and brings together family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have died. Holiday traditions include building private altars (“ofrendas”), honoring the deceased using… Read more »
There has been so much news lately regarding professional athletes abusing sports supplements and the legalities of steroid use. Many athletes resort to performance enhancing drugs not only to help put added distance on their drives or to score more touchdowns, but to help prevent or slow down injuries. There is a local athlete who… Read more »
Did you know that you should change your exercise routine every 14 days? Engaging in a variety of physical activities is important. Your fitness routine should include aerobic, strength-training and stretching, and health benefits are gained by using muscles for extended periods of time. Some options include: 2 and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic… Read more »
Most older adults fear losing their independence more than they fear death. Those who want to maintain physical and emotional independence must engage in regular exercise, as proper exercise can help older adults prolong their independence. Unfortunately many seniors believe they are too old to start exercising. In fact, we are NEVER TOO OLD to… Read more »
In 2011 after eight years off the ice, professional figure skater and US Open Champion, J. Scott Driscoll walked into the newly opened Desert Ice Castle in Cathedral City and took a deep breath. He could see kids of all ages falling, laughing and attempting the challenging sport that saved his life so many years… Read more »
For many Americans sitting is a way of life. 86% of us have desk jobs, and if you add to that the hours spent watching television, reading, playing board games and surfing the internet, it’s no wonder we suffer from back pain, low energy and increased weight gain. When we sit for long periods of… Read more »
What is your ideal approach to relaxing and unwinding from your day? While each of us may have numerous approaches to relaxing, one technique to winding down is a healthy restorative yoga class. Allow me to introduce to you true bliss. Restorative yoga seeks to achieve physical, mental and emotional relaxation with the aid of… Read more »
If you were watching the 2012 Summer Olympics, you saw many athletes walking around with colorful tape applied to various parts of their bodies. Many were experiencing aches and pains, while others just needed a little protective security for muscular support. This trendy looking modality is called Kinesiotape™. In 1973, Dr. Kenzo Kase, a well-known… Read more »
Lynne Risdon of Palm Desert has an energetic spirit and enthusiastic smile. She speaks with determination and grace and appears much younger than her 62 years. You would never know that Lynne has lived with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for 22 years. She attributes her fit condition to exercise and nutrition and is grateful… Read more »
When it comes to back surgery, you often hear stories of those who successfully recover and then others who never do. Certainly the type of surgery is a consideration; however, post-surgery rehabilitation is a key factor to regaining maximum potential after any type of back surgery. I’d like to share an inspiring case study. Roberta… Read more »
The Coachella Valley Health Collaborative (CVHC) kicks off its 2014 Healthy Lifestyle Challenge March 1 with an upgraded app, and new City vs. City challenges already in place. Groups and individuals are encouraged to sign up at any time! In an effort to increase the ease of use, this year’s challenge will utilize Wellable, a… Read more »