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2010 Jan 12
2010 Jan 18




March 2010

Here is your Brain on Exercise: E=mc2

Here is your brain on exercise:  E = mc2
Here is your brain on the couch:  .....

It's true.  If you don't use it, you lose it—and not just muscle.  Brain, too.  As we age, exercise keeps our brains growing, and it keeps the myelin sheath that coats our nerves thick and healthy.  The myelin sheath covers your nerves like insulation over a wire.  The thicker it is, the faster the information zips around our brain and body.  That makes us great problem solvers.  And information retrievers.   Exercise also increases the brain's blood volume (think of that as an oxygen delivery system), regulates fuel, and encourages neuronal activity and neurogenesis.

In short, it makes your brain grow!

That's why people who continue to exercise in some form are always able to learn new things.  And they remember things better.   For an extra boost, take up resistance training.
Here's the shorthand:  If your brain isn't actively growing, then it's dying.

So get out there for a walk!   And bring a friend.




March 2010

Do You Have an Aching Back?

According to the National Institute of Health, you're not alone.

” Nearly everyone–80% of Americans–at some point has back pain that interferes with work, routine daily activities, or recreation.
Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States – only headache is more common.”



What can you do about it?

Basically, you choose one of 2 paths: eliminate the cause, or eliminate the pain.

I ran into a friend last week who had back surgery, and I was inspired to finally launch the program I've been tinkering with the past month: Back on Track.


Too many people come into the studio with their backs outta whack. Not in pain. Just no mobility, no strength, no flexibility. And that imbalance will most certainly produce pain eventually. So since folks are already motivated to come here and work-out, I figure we might as well produce some back balance.

Think about it. If you sit all day–in any sort of chair, a car, a couch–or if you're on your feet all day–essentially, you're trapped in one position. But your body was made to move, in every direction. Wherever you're trapped, that's the shape your muscles assume. You're tight here, stretched out there–instead of being balanced, as designed. So what does the body do? It adapts. And if you stay in the shape long enough, your skeleton will change its alignment, and the way you carry yourself will change. You may be leaning on your right leg all day, as I've noticed I do every time I open the refridgerator. Why? Dunno. Maybe I had a fridge once that created that habit. But I don't remember.


The point is, sooner rather than later, you'll be outta whack.


So if you hit a gym or take up a fitness program, be sure it includes back work. And lots of it. Aim for your back to be as strong and as flexible as your front. Though your front side is a whole ‘nother story….