Better CT: Feet
If you didn’t get to see the segment on feet that I did on Better CT earlier this week, you can watch it here. Maggie on Better CT.
Stop Cravings Fast
The older I get the more cravings I seem to have. Chocolate and salt show up a tad too often in my daily life. But it turns out clenching your fists might help you keep from grabbing that late night snack. New research showed that when people tensed a muscle for 30-seconds they were more likely to control impulses. Does it work? I’m not sure, but it’s worth a try. Maybe just trying will be such distraction, you’ll forget about your carving.
So next time you feel like binging, try clenching your fists instead.
(That picture is from last year at the Big E when I devoured a bacon cheese burger on a donut–talk about a sweet/salty craving.)
True-Explosive Plyometrics
Nowadays we’ll call anything that involves jumping plyometrics. It’s become the term for jumping exercises, but simply jumping isn’t exactly what plyometrics were meant to be. Plyometrics were specific types of exercises that involved a fall, which created a shock, which lead to a quick recoil (eccentric contraction of the muscles), and an almost immediate rebound (concentric contraction of the muscles) or jump. The quicker the jump the better. It is the quick turn around from eccentric contraction to concentric contraction that makes something a True or Explosive Plyometric.
Your average jumping drills everyone is doing now can provide a good workout. Most people don’t really need to practice True Plyometrics, but if you are an athlete or are working with an athlete, an avid runner, hiker or basketball player or someone who is very fit and looking to improve their speed and strength it is important to know the difference. True Plyometric drills is what will achieve enhanced speed and strength for an individual more than just jumping exercises.
Plyometrics can be […]
Gluten-Free Update: Second Blood Work Readings
Time flies. As I’m writing this I’ve been gluten-free for over six months. It certainly isn’t the worst thing in the world. I much rather be gluten-free than dairy free. But, as you may recall, if you’ve been reading, I’ve been gluten-free with the hope that it will minimize the effects of an autoimmune disease called Hashimotos that attacks the thyroid causing hypothyroidism. Hopefully, by minimizing the Hashimotos, I can reduce the attack on my thyroid.
After two months gluten free my two Hashimoto’s antibodies had a significant drop of about 20-percent. Three months later I got my blood drawn again. This time the results were less stellar. One antibody was down another 5-percent and the other was up about 5-percent. Both were still lower than my original test that determined I had Hashimotos. Both are still out of the normal range, although I’m not sure they will go back to the normal range. The gluten-free goal is to […]
Giving Up Dairy
So I have a tough decision to make. I’ve been gluten free since February and now my doctor would like me to go dairy free. My heart almost sank when she said it, but I tested positive for a gluten and dairy intolerance. I’m into health and wellness, but I’m not well-versed on the intolerance vs. the allergy issue when it comes to food. Still, since I’ve been gluten free my blood work has gotten better each quarter.
That makes me feel like the answer should be obvious. Something in my body is saying dairy doesn’t agree with it so I should just give it up. I’m still allowed goat’s milk, goat’s cheese and buffalo mozzarella. This change would be good for my body. On some level it should be a no brainer; so why is the decision so hard?
Food is such a part of our social world.