It’s that time again! 2014 is ushered in, and all that holiday overindulgence has found a new home around your waistline. Guilt and the typical New Year’s resolutions lead many to sign up at a gym or contact a personal trainer to help them shed those unwanted pounds. Jumping into the latest and greatest usually… Read more »
When you have a headache, having your neck rubbed can help. When your low back hurts, stretching your hips often makes it feel better. But what about the area between your low back and neck? This area is referred to as the thoracic spine and is often overlooked. Yet it’s a critical link between your… Read more »
Every woman experiences menopause differently. For some, it passes quickly and the symptoms are mild, while others experience aggressive changes that include hot flashes and mood swings. Weight gain and muscle loss are also common during this transformation. The good news is that exercise–before, during and after–can help stave off many of these effects. Strength… Read more »
While everyone who competed in the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge II (HLSC II) valley-side competition has triumphed, only one will be awarded the “Best of the Best.” Teams were formed, individuals signed up and the challenge began in April. By the end of July, millions of steps had been taken and hundreds of Valley residents were… Read more »
Ask Mike: I am a female athlete who likes to strength train. I work out 5x a week, and my goals are to put on more muscle, cut down on fat, and have more energy throughout the day. I know I need to take supplements to lead a healthy lifestyle and help my muscles recover… Read more »
I don’t think mine does. My scale really doesn’t care that I am a great listener. It can’t define my purpose in life, or where I draw my personal strengths. My scale certainly cannot feel the love I have for my family or friends, or whether I am respected in my community. In fact, the… Read more »
In today’s fast paced society, many people are looking for ‘the quick fix’ to feel, look and be stronger. The market is saturated with supplements, pills, and products promising to add strength and years to your life. Athletes are often the ones to fall victim to those seductive claims. With millions of dollars at stake,… Read more »
I have many clients who come to me wanting to lose weight quickly but don’t know how. They’ve tried dieting, aerobic exercise, even many of the fad exercise weight loss programs seen on TV. Nothing seems to work. What is often overlooked is that in order to lose weight, you need to challenge your muscle,… Read more »
We are lucky to have a variety of fun and inspiring opportunities here in the Coachella Valley to get healthy, or to remain so. Sometimes it is more fun, and often more successful, to participate in an activity as part of a group working together to achieve a shared goal. Studies support the many benefits… Read more »
Erich Obst, 65 Erich is an 18-year Palm Desert resident who just completed the 2013 “Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.” Known as one of the toughest competitions of its kind, Alcatraz consists of a mile and a half swim in the 51 degree waters of the San Francisco Bay (from ‘The Rock’ to the beach), followed… Read more »
Warm summer days are upon us and with them, more sticky sweat–not only working out, but while simply on the go. The Desert Health® team was recently introduced to a refreshing natural solution, Action Wipes. Made with select plant-derived essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, and frankincense, Action Wipes are naturally antibacterial and antifungal. They… Read more »
Over the past 20 years, our nation has become a computer-driven, sit-on-the-couch society. The urge to text a friend, write on your Facebook page, or play violent video games has become second nature for our children. Most schools across the country have either eliminated physical education classes past the tenth grade or have not made… Read more »
Get on your helmets and bike shorts and get ready to a race around the rolling hills of France! The Coachella Valley Health Collaborative kicks off its second 2013 Healthy Lifestyle Challenge April 1 – July 31 with the “Tour de France” Challenge. This virtual interactive challenge follows the 2011 Tour de France route starting… Read more »
There aren’t too many golfers in the world that can say they haven’t experienced some sort of soft tissue injury as a result of playing golf. It comes with the territory, and even the pros routinely go out with soreness, sprains and tears. The number one golf-related injury is the back, followed by the wrist… Read more »
Golf is a billion dollar industry. It is the fastest growing sport with very expensive equipment. The average golfer will practice or play 4 days a week, and spend several hours watching golf shows, videos and reading books to hit the ball a few extra yards. To further enhance their play, golfers spend $1500-$2500 annually… Read more »
The Coachella Valley Health Collaborative kicks off its 2013 Healthy Lifestyle Challenge in January. Nearly 2,000 Coachella Valley residents participated in the collaborative’s 2012 Challenge recording more than 500 million steps (or 242,000 miles!). Participation doubled from the year before and is expected to increase significantly in the Challenge’s third year. Geared toward local organizations,… Read more »
In our 20’s and 30’s, health and fitness are a priority. As we get into our 50’s, it often becomes less of a priority. This is a major issue facing society today. Healthy lifestyle and fitness is crucial to maintaining muscular and skeletal systems. Staying fit has been shown to prevent many of today’s chronic… Read more »
The holidays are here. And what often comes with holiday cheer is not-so-joyful weight gain, fatigue, cold and flu. So how do we enjoy our favorite time of year and avoid the accompanying ails? Watch portion sizes. First of all, we can be conscious of how much we are eating and drinking. Excess sugar in… Read more »
Most people don’t look at golfers as athletes, but when you break down the swing, the forces generated in hitting a golf ball are quite impressive. An average golfer will swing a driver at around 80mph, while a professional can reach 120-130mph. If the body isn’t sequencing correctly, then those forces placed on the body… Read more »
Some fitness professionals will tell you that true balance is all about how much you exercise to feel good, while others will say it is based on your diet coupled with exercise – and then some will tell you that the true balance in fitness is achieved when stress reduction is achieved. Which advisor is… Read more »