We are now a few weeks into the new year, and many people begin to waver on their New Year’s exercise resolutions. It doesn’t matter what the motivations is behind your exercise desire, writing it down and posting it where you can see it can help you to keep your motivation up and keep you putting in the effort required to reach your goals. Making small goals can help you since you will be allowed to reach a ‘check-point’ quicker, thus keeping your mood elevated. Keep track of your progress on paper, a visual reminder of how far you have come and where you are headed.

“Are you hoping that exercise will help you lose weight? Boost your energy? Sleep better? Manage a chronic condition? Improve your mood? Write it down! Seeing the benefits of regular exercise on paper may help you stay motivated.”

Learn More Here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-tip/HT00398/rss=6

Dr. Alan Weidner
Take a look at the Posture Brace!

Many women and an increasing amount of men know that one of the ways to destress at night is to take a relaxing bath. But there is more to it than a tub full of warm water. True, water is the first step, but additional elements can help to make your soak even more relaxing. For instance, a cooling eye mask can help eliminate the puffy build up around your eyes. Keeping one in your freezer or fridge makes it easy to keep it prepared for your relaxation time.

“After your bath, smooth onto damp skin. It contains oil to seal in moisture, so skin stays hydrated. Add a few scoops of bath salts to your bath. The salt blend contains magnesium, a mineral that has been shown to increase levels of the mood-boosting hormone serotonin when your skin absorbs it from water.”

Learn More Here: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20313458,00.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+health%2Fmind-and-body+%28Mind+and+Body+-+Health.com%29

Dr. Alan Weidner
Take a look at the Maternity Support Belt!

In preparation for the New Year the local community center sent out a schedule of classes and events they will be hosting for the next couple of months. One of the new items on the list were options for Zumba classes. If you aren’t aware, Zumba is one of the newest trends to hit fitness centers. Zumba is a dance workout, using music and coordinated moves to help you not only feel great, but to have fun in the process.

“For instance, Zumba, a dance workout, offers classes in more than 110,000 gyms in more than 250 countries. So it probably won’t be hard to find a gym that offers these classes. “I think people are waiting to see if we’re a fad, but class numbers keep getting bigger and Zumba is becoming more popular, so now, people realize we’re here to stay,” said Alberto Perlman, CEO and co-founder of Zumba fitness. Zumba’s popularity has skyrocketed over the years, and the dance workout was one of the biggest surprises on the list for 2012.”Zumba is liberating and magical, and one of the key ways it has expanded is through word of mouth,” Perlman said.”

Read More Here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/27/health/new-year-fitness-trends/index.html?eref=rss_health&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_health+%28RSS%3A+Health%29

Dr. Alan Weidner
Check out the available Balance Pad!

A pet is often a great companion for people who live alone, providing not only a companion, but also someone to care for and for which to feel needed. However, recent studies show that getting a cat as an adult may actually trigger suppressed allergies. It’s been shown that if you have a cat as a child, you can protect against future allergies, but adults appear to be more sensitive. While this allergy is only severe in 3% of the population, almost 40% experienced itchy eyes and noses.

“For the study, researchers surveyed more than 6,000 adult Europeans twice over nine years and took blood samples. None of participants had antibodies against cat in their blood to begin with, meaning they weren’t sensitized to the animal’s dander.Sensitization can also be measured in a skin prick test. It doesn’t necessarily lead to symptoms, but in many cases it is the harbinger of full-blown allergies.About three percent of people who didn’t have a cat at either survey became sensitized over the study, compared to five percent of those who acquired a cat during those nine years.”

Learn More Here: http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111227/hl_nm/us_cat_allergy_risk

Dr. Alan Weidner
Take a look at the Posture Brace!

As you get older years of unhealthy eating habits begin to catch up to us, one of the more common problems is high blood pressure. While certain medications can help to reduce your blood pressure, many dietary changes can help as well. For instance, cutting back on the amount of sodium (or salt) in your diet can help. This reduction doesn’t simply mean keeping a salt substitute on hand, but also being conciencious when buying options at the grocery store.

“Too much salt in your diet contributes to high blood pressure. Keeping the saltshaker out of sight can help. It also pays to follow these tips: 1. Eat fresh foods rather than the canned or processed variety. 2. Make your own soups and stews, or choose the low-sodium variety. 3. Try reduced-sodium condiments, such as ketchup and soy sauce. 4. Use herbs and spices to flavor your food.”

Learn More Here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-tip/HT00441/rss=6

Dr. Alan Weidner
Have you taken a look at the Balance Pad?

Perhaps it should come as no surprise, but the number one travel-related illness in the world is commonly called travelers’ diarrhea. This affliction particularly affects international travelrs, striking almost half of them with the bacteria contaminated problem.Check out the article for advice on how to avoid becoming one of these statistics in your travels.

“It is possible to reduce the risk of developing travelers’ diarrhea by following some basic rules. Drinking bottled beverages, including bottled water, is usually safe. Tap water and dairy products should be avoided. Be sure that tea and coffee are made with boiled or bottled water. Alcoholic drinks are generally safe, but travelers should watch carefully to ensure that these are not served with ice cubes made from tap water in at-risk areas. Brushing teeth should be done with bottled water. Beware of any contact with tap water in areas with unsafe water supplies, including consumption of fruits or vegetables that may have been washed in unsafe tap water.”

Learn More Here: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=46306

Dr. Alan Weidner
Check out the posture brace for your back!

One of the newest medications to hit the generic market is the cholesterol-lowering Lipitor. As this is the number one selling cholesterol-lowering medication in the U.S. many people will be affected by the introduction of a generic option. The linked article provides basic information for consumers, and answers some of the most common questions.

“Everybody should keep their cholesterol under control. Statin drugs such as Lipitor are powerful cholesterol-lowering medicines. Lipitor has been marketed so heavily, this may be a good time to ask your doctor about the best new evidence about statins,” Santa says. “For example, if you are a woman at low risk of heart disease and only have a small elevation in LDL cholesterol, the evidence does not support lifetime treatment with statin drugs. Far and away the most important thing is that you follow a healthy lifestyle,” he says. “That includes a whole-foods, plant-based diet, and regular exercise.”

Learn More Here: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=152097

Dr. Alan Weidner
Have you seen the posture brace?

It has long been thought that keeping a regular exercise routine will help encourage a proper nights rest. While there seems to be no direct correlation between the two, people who follow the national recommended guidelines of exercise do report better sleep and less fatigue in general. This is encouraging as we begin to enter the season of renewed new year resolutions, perhaps getting more exercise will not only help you to feel stronger, but also less tired.

“The research doesn’t confirm that exercise directly leads to improved rest, and it’s possible there may be another explanation for the apparent connection between exercise and sleep. Still, the findings are mostly consistent with previous research, said Matthew P. Buman, an assistant professor of exercise and wellness at Arizona State University who’s familiar with the study. But if you think a daily walk or jog will clear up your sleep problems, that might be a bit too optimistic.”

Read More Here: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=152180

Dr. Alan Weidner
Check out the balance pad!

A persistant cough which lingers and becomes more congested is often a sign of broncitis or pneumonia. While pneumonia is sometimes overlooked, it remains a life-threatening illness, that can cause permanent scarring of your lung tissues, as well as lead to serious respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Seeking proper treatment for a cough that won’t go away is essential to ensuring the best care for your lungs. And since you only have the one set, you should take care of them.

“Pneumonia can be a life-threatening infection, and no matter how severe your case is, your body needs time to heal. The U.S. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute suggests how to recover from pneumonia: Get plenty of rest. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Take all medications as directed, and always finish any antibiotic prescription. Talk to your doctor about any necessary follow-up care.”

Learn More Here: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=152087

Dr. Alan Weidner
Come check out the maternity support belt!

One of the most overlooked ailments of the winter comes from a vitamin D deficiency. Your body can naturally produce the essential vitamin when you are exposed to sunlight, odd as it may seem, the UV rays from the sun are necessary for the creation of Vitamin D in your body. However, in the winter, people tend to be less exposed to the sun, primarily because they stay indoors to avoid adverse weather conditions. The linked article provides some tips on how to get you vitamin D during this time.

“Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, helping your body absorb calcium, which in turn helps you build and maintain strong bones throughout your life. Fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, and egg yolks are among the few foods that naturally have some vitamin D. You can also get vitamin D through fortified foods, sun exposure or supplements containing vitamin D. Don’t go overboard on vitamin D. Too much vitamin D can be associated with kidney stones, nausea, constipation and other health problems.”

Learn More Here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-tip/HT00630/rss=6

Dr. Alan Weidner
Have you checked out a Posture Brace?