Everything Related to Orthopedics
Posts tagged weight loss
Tips for Healthier Joints
1612 days
Many people think that joint pain and cartilage wear-down, like getting older, is inevitable. Not everybody ends up with arthritis when they hit their golden years. There are some changes you can make to your lifestyle right now however, that can help fend off that arthritis shadow for as long as possible.
First and foremost – lose weight. In 2005-2006 more than one-third of Americans were obese. These figures are staggering and there is so much good that can come from shedding a few pounds. Extra weight that you carry around on your body adds immense pressure on your joints, especially your knees. Even losing ten pounds can help relieve some of the strain and pain.
Another thing you can do to help fend off joint pain is to make some changes in your exercise routine. Make sure that you always stretch and warm up before exercising. Doing this literally “warms up” your muscles and can help to prevent injury and strain during exercise. Also, make sure you change it up a bit. If you are an avid runner or love the elliptical machine, change it up once or twice a week to something like yoga or water aerobics. Running is a high impact exercise and can wreak havoc on your joints. Give them a break once in a while and your joints will thank you down the road. (more…)
Does the Wii Fit Really Work?
1731 days
There is no doubt that good old exercise is the best way to keep your muscles, bones and heart healthy throughout your life. It seems like every day there is a new fitness craze to help people get into shape once and for all. Whether it’s some sort of martial arts type routine, a new aerobic dance class at the local gym or yoga, there is always a new ploy that claims to be the best way to get in shape. The latest craze? The Wii Fit.
People have been snatching up the Wii Fit left and right, claiming it is the new, fun way to get in shape. But, does this video game fitness system really work? It uses a type of balance board that tracks everything the player does. It tracks your weight, burned calories and fitness progress. It starts out by weighing you and translating your weight into a cartoon (“Mii”) version of yourself. As you work out with the Wii Fit, your Mii loses weight.
It seems that the biggest catch for the Wii Fit is pretty much the same with any other fitness craze – you have to actually use it for it to work! Like anything, it takes commitment. If you commit yourself to a regular routine with the Wii Fit, you can most definitely start seeing results. It offers such a wide range of activities like running, push-ups and yoga. Exercising on the Wii can be fun too and a bit easier than dragging yourself to the gym everyday since you can do it in your own living room. So, as long as you make that commitment to getting in shape, the Wii Fit could be your way to get there!
