THINKING OF TRYING A MASSAGE?

People use massage to relieve muscle tension, as well as ease stress and anxiety levels. When making an appointment, ask about your therapist’s training and then tell them about any medical conditions you have. During your massage, be sure to speak up if you are feeling pain or if it is uncomfortable.  Then, relax and enjoy some stress-free time.

EXERCISE FOR THE NEW MOM

There are many options for getting back to your exercise program and regaining your energy level and pre-pregnancy shape. Get moving outside by power walking or jogging with the stroller. Check out “mommy and me” exercise classes in your area. Get back in shape at home with one of the many exercise DVDs available. Or find a fitness center with childcare facilities. Always check with your physician before you get back to exercise.

WEIGHT LOSS CONFUSION

Most Americans say they are concerned with their weight and about 77 percent are trying to lose or maintain their weight, according to a recent survey by the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC). The IFIC also found that close to half of the respondents overestimated their daily calorie needs. Most experts agree that to successfully lose weight and keep it off, you have to learn how to balance your calories. Eating more calories than you burn will result in weight gain. Visit your company’s wellness Website for an estimation of your caloric needs.

SPORTS IN THE SUN

                         
Does your sport require a lot of time outdoors? Skin cancer is no laughing matter. Stay sun-safe and reduce your cancer risks. Try to schedule your activities before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to avoid strong ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you have to be outside during these hours, stay in shaded areas whenever possible and apply a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY

The National Safety Council reports that playground injuries send more than 200,000 children each year to hospital emergency rooms. Keep your children and other loved ones safe. Check your backyard and neighborhood playgrounds for safety issues. Key safety needs include smooth-edged equipment, guardrails and at least 12 inches of soft ground surfaces, such as mulch or pea gravel.


Source:  National Safety Council

CHOCOLATE MILK: THE NEW SPORTS DRINK

Serious and recreational athletes alike are returning to a childhood favorite—chocolate milk—in place of more common sports drinks. When pitted against commercial sports recovery drinks, several new studies have found that chocolate milk is the superior beverage when it comes to post-exercise recovery and fluid replacement. Chocolate milk is 90 percent water, so it’s ideal for rehydration. It also has the perfect combination of carbohydrates and protein to refuel a tired athlete’s body, and it’s packed with many other nutrients including calcium and vitamins A and D.

Source: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

May is a great month to tuneup your bike (or consider investing in
one) and get outside for a ride on the road or a trail. Cycling is an excellent aerobic exercise that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Have you ever considered bicycling to work?  This year, Bike-to-Work Week is May 16-20. Biking reduces your carbon footprint (your impact on the environment) and traffic congestion; it also helps you burn calories and save money.  To learn about bike safety, go to www.bikeed.org.


Source:  League of American Bicyclists