by kelsey | Dec 17, 2013 | Diet, Exercise, Family, Food, Goals, Holidays, Motivation, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
The holidays are in full swing, which means festive food, and busy schedules. Many families are enjoying old traditions, or making new ones. Unfortunately also during these Christmas experiences, many people find themselves experiencing weight gain. Countless family gatherings and baking Christmas goodies all month are grounds for overeating, without any time to spare for exercise. By making few simple changes over the day, the holidays do not have to mean weight gain! Here are some simple tips to try out between traveling, parties, cooking, and company.
- An Early Resolution? – Rather than waiting for New Years to start a resolution, make it easier on yourself and gradually work up to your resolution by New Years. This will also help you to stay focused and maintain weight over the holidays, so you can see faster results after. If your goal is to lose weight, maybe you will try to walk two days a week now, and by New Year’s you will be built up to walking 5 days a week!
- Stress less about Exercise- Rather than stressing about shopping and cleaning this year, think of this as a time to multitask. Housework is one of the best ways to get in a workout over the holidays. Whether it’s moving around the kitchen while you bake, or vacuuming before company…it all burn calories! Shopping through the mall crowds, standing in line, and bringing bags out to your car all are positive experiences now that you can count it as a workout, right?
- Quality Time– Rather than taking away from family time to work out, invite your family to do something as a group. Wake up on Christmas morning and enjoy some yoga together before presents, or take the kids out ice-skating or sledding after the famous Christmas dinner. Just remember, building a snowman or looking at Christmas lights will also provide memories that last longer than the memories watching a movie would.
- Think Before You Eat – Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. If you find yourself overeating at one meal, go light on the next. Try to fill your plate with the lower calorie items such as vegetable dishes, and lean proteins, then take smaller portions of the rich foods. Eat slowly, socialize, and enjoy every bite!
Overall, it’s the holidays and you need to enjoy yourself! Don’t restrict yourself from family time and enjoying some of your favorite holiday foods, but be mindful and plan ahead! Stay healthy this season, then after the holidays, your mind and body will thank you!
-Submitted by USD Dietetic Intern Lauren Lambert
by Dan | Dec 6, 2013 | Equipment, Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health, Winter
The cold has been terrible right now to try and go outside and run. I can put up with a lot of extremes with the temperature, but when it gets this cold, with windchills -25 degrees or worse, then it becomes more an issue of safety as well. That does not mean you cannot find alternatives way to exercise.
This morning was the perfect time to ultilize my membership at Anytime Fitness. Warm environment, with plenty of equipment to use, and other people working out at the same time. This works great during the cold, but not everybody has this ability. There are different types of exercise equipment you can purchase that is very inexpensive, or that you can even create/make on your own. We teach this also in our Strive 2 Survive program. I have equipment of my own that I utilize as well.
I have built this up over the years, and it is equipment that either I, or someone in my family utilizes frequently. Even though we have this, sometimes you just need to do something different in order to keep the interest and the motivation there. When the weather is not like it is now, I will be outside. I love looking around at everything when working out. It takes your mind off what you doing, and it goes by so much faster. You can also go indoors at the mall and go walk around. You have a long enough route to be making laps. Just leave your money at home so you are not tempted to spend every time you do this! Whatever it takes, there is always a right time for fitness: Anytime! It is up to you as to how and where you want to do the exercise at. Good luck! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2264
by Dan | Dec 3, 2013 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
You have heard many times from me about the importance of having training partners to help keep you on track exercising. It is a great way to help stay motivated, and to keep you moving. Well, these two are both nurses, and they have both worked for me. Chris has been with me since day one, and I am now starting my 20th year here. Susan worked for me for about 6 years, and now is at Glacial Lakes Orthopedics. They have remained close, and good friends. So, they decided to do this event together.
Here they are prior to the start, all smiling and ready to go Finishing time was not going to be of any concern. Chris has been doing a lot of walking, and Susan really took off this year working out and getting fit. Here they are after they are done…
Still all smiles and happy! They did it together. They both know about staying fit, but more importantly, how much friendship means. They remain close. I would like to think that after listening to me day after day, talking to patients of how they need to exercise and keep track of their health, that some of this wore off on them. But they did all the work! Good job to both of you! You did great!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2261
by Dan | Dec 2, 2013 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Heart Health, Holidays, Motivation, Wellness/Health
This week had a lot of things going on, both personally, and community wise. My mom celebrated her 80th Birthday, the 28th of November, Thanksgiving day! We had gotten together a week prior because is was easier for us all to get home to celebrate. Here we all are!
…All of us, except my brother from Sturgis. We all had been out there the week prior, but not for a good reason. His wife of 32 years had unexpectantly passed away. We never know when our time is. We tried to celebrate this day for my mom, but our hearts were still all wondering how he was doing.
The kids and grandkids all had a good time helping her celebrate! Besides having her birthday on Thanksgiving day, Watertown had its annual Turkey Day run/walk. There were almost 400 people there!
As they stated at the start of the race: “Before we go stuff our face, we must first run a race!” It was a good day, and a great turnout! Here we all are at the beginning of the race taking off.
Then, friday night was the annual Lighted Parade through downtown Watertown. This too was a good turnout, will many pretty amazing floats! We walked alongside the float and handed out candy to the kids as we went.
As our float states: Wishing you Health and Happiness this Holiday Season! Take care of yourselves! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2260
by Dan | Nov 14, 2013 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Well, after last thursday, I thought my consecutive exercise streak would come to an end. I had already ran that morning with Sarah, and did not get hurt or sick, but came home in the afternoon and was letting Buddy in from the kennel outside. As usual, I open the gate, and we have a race to see who can get to the door first. That competetiveness never ends! Anyway, I took off, with Buddy taking off at full speed shortly thereafter. Usually, he runs beside me to pass. But not that day! He comes directly behind me, 100# Retriever at full speed, and takes me out. The grass was wet, so my legs went flying and twisting in the air, and landed awkwardly on the lawn. I knew something was not right immediately. Pain into my right hip and groin area, and could not move. Buddy eventaully came back to check on me, but only after he got to the door first…he was going to win no matter what that day! Luckily I did not break anything, but tore muscles pretty good. Already that evening I knew there was no way I was going to be running the next day, and I could not even sit, so the bike was out. I could not even make it through the whole day of work the next day. But, what did help, was walking! It helped loosen me up, and so I walked multiple times that day, short segments, then covered the football game that night (all the other docs who usually help were out of town) walking up and down the sideline. I told our trainer that night that if I could be out there, the players had to prove to me there were hurt more than me! Ha! All told, with my garmin on, I still covered over 4 miles! Each day has gotten a little better, but completely purple, black, and blue. Still can’t run or bike, but have been walking everyday, with relief after doing it. I may not be setting any speed records, but I am still out there doing it. First true injury I have had not related to training! Buddy feels bad because it has limited him too.
All if forgiven Bud! I helped train you into that competitive mode! You definitely won that day!
Today was a great afternoon to get outside and walk. Weather nice, calm winds. I had been doing my walking on the treadmill the last few days so I could control my pace, and if I had to quit, I would already be home. Went well today for a 4 mile walk. Consecutive exercise streak remains intact! I can’t believe how many people asked me this past week if my streak came to an end! Someday, it will end, for whatever reason, but not yet. So, I guess when it does, I will just start the next consecutive streak beginning the next day! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2242
by kelsey | Oct 29, 2013 | Exercise, Family, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
As you’ve been learning, we are starting a new kids wellness program called Strive Kids and one component of the program is helping families learn how to be more active while making it fun. Children need at least 60 minutes of activity a day. Meeting this activity recommendation will not only promote a healthy weight, but also ward off diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. This 60 minutes does not have to be all at once though…it can be spread throughout their day. You may consider the following tips to help you and your child be more active:
- Join a sports team or try a new physical activity.
- Take a walk or turn up the tunes and do some dancing indoors after your supper meal.
- Instead of catching a movie or watching TV, pick an activity that requires movement such as laser tag, bowling or miniature golf.
- Give children toys that encourage physical activity like balls, kites, hula hoops, Frisbee and jump ropes.
- Limit TV time and keep the TV out of your child’s bedroom.
- Plant a garden. Kids love to water plants, and they’ll get excited weeks later when they see their flowers bloom or vegetables grow.
- Practice what you preach! Kids will be more apt to engage in activity and stay interested when their parent or family is doing it!
Creating a positive environment with encouragement and reinforcement will help your child live a long and healthy lifestyle. These tips are just a glimpse of what we’ll cover in Strive Kids. If you’d like to learn more about our program, be sure to contact us!
-Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN
