by Dan | Aug 19, 2013 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
My twin daughters are off to college this week, and everybody in the family is taking note, Buddy included. He can tell something is going on with all of the packing, and boxing up of things. Megan leaves tomorrow morning, tuesday, for George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Molly leaves this friday for SDSU in Brookings. Mom and dad are trying to figure out what we get to do with some more free time now. I see long bike rides, runs, walks together, and of course, keeping an eye on Nick yet as he will be a junior in high school.
Grandma Folk made the girls a going away college present…a quilt with their school colors on it. Here they are showing them off!
Megan is going to try joining the club sport of swimming at George Mason, and Molly will continue running on her own. Hopefully, we have set the tone for them going forward. They learn by watching, and seeing us work out everyday has to have some kind of dividends in their health going forward. Time will tell. We will keep going, and hopefully they follow. Some day I would like to run a marathon with my girls. I have a friend, Tom, who got to run one with his daughter. I think that would be really special. Good luck you two!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2154
by kelsey | Aug 14, 2013 | Diet, Food, Wellness/Health
We tend to think bacteria is a cause for disease, so the idea of tossing down a few billion a day for your health might seem a little hard to swallow. A Probiotic is a type of bacteria, but it is actually a GOOD bacterium that can help maintain the natural balance of organisms in our intestines. Its role is to reduce the growth of the harmful bacteria we do not want, which further promotes an overall healthy digestive system. There is convincing evidence that probiotics may help:
- Treat diarrhea (especially following treatment with antibiotics)
- Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
- Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBD)
- Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
- Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu
Yogurt is a natural source of probiotics. Make sure to look for yogurts with: “live and active cultures” stated somewhere on its label. A good example of this is Activia yogurt as this kind has more of the live and active cultures than the others. If you don’t like the taste of yogurt, you could always dress it up with a little granola and fruit such as the picture included of yogurt parfaits. Probiotics may also be taken as a dietary supplement. Ask your local pharmacist for their recommendation.
-Morgan McLain, SDSU Dietetic Student
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/probiotics/AN00389
by kelsey | Aug 13, 2013 | Diet, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
I am excited to have another dietetics student from South Dakota State University with me this week. Morgan is finishing up her last semester at SDSU and will be applying for dietetic internships soon. This week Morgan is in charge of my blog posts…enjoy! -Kelsey
Have a Sweet Tooth?
Here are some of my tips to get through those cravings….
1) Realize they are ONLY cravings—and if you can distract yourself for awhile the craving will go away! Mind over matter!
2) Have a sugar free substitution–always have on hand sugar-free or fat-free hot chocolate, sugar-free gum, or sugar free/fat free vanilla yogurt
3) As weird as it way sound, take some cottage cheese and put a packet of sweetener in it (I like stevia best)
4) I drink Green Tea with no sweetener—the bitter taste and it puts a stop to the sweet craving
5) The same with kosher pickles
6) Brush your teeth! It really helps. The combination of the mint tooth paste plus the time it takes to do it, kicks the craving!
7) OR I just give in and let my self have one or two small dove dark chocolates. Dark chocolate actually has tons of antioxidants and doesn’t have effects on LDL cholesterol like your normal sweets have!!
-Morgan McLain
by Dan | Aug 11, 2013 | Exercise, Motivation, Weather, Wellness/Health
Spent a good portion of this weekend outside riding my bike. Last week of training before the Gran Fondo hundred mile next saturday here in town. The view around the lake this weekend was incredible. The winds were extremely calm, and the temperature was perfect. Spent some of it riding with Sarah, and a friend of ours was up this weekend camping with her family, Cory Ann, and she rode part of it with us. Cory Ann told me she is going to start her own consecutive exercise streak. So with this 2 days of bike riding with us, she now has …. 2 consecutive days! Woo hoo! Keep it going.
It is easy to get lost in the scenery as you are riding outside, or just spending time outside in general. There is no comparison to being on a treadmill, or stationary bike inside. There is always something to look at. The fields all look good, and you can see how everything is changing over the summer. I went by one field earlier where it was just covered in hay bales.
It was just peaceful to watch. Very quiet, other than the birds flying around. Lots to see in South Dakota. Get outside and take it all in!
Keep moving everybody!
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2146
Dr. Dan
by Dan | Aug 8, 2013 | Equipment, Exercise, Goals, Wellness/Health
This afternoon was a perfect day to go for a bike ride! Nice temps, not too windy. Very quiet. Sarah and I are getting ready to participate in the Gran Fondo tour de Prairie. I will be doing the Gran Fondo, 104 mile bike ride, and Sarah the Gran Medio, 68 mile ride. We will be riding as medical personnel on the course. This is a lot different from a marathon. I feel OK that my legs will be fine, and cardiovascular wise, will be fine. The main issue will be my butt! I did a 50 mile ride this afternoon, and it took me 3 hours and 4 minutes. Half way! That is a lot of sit time. I just made some adjustments to my bike, and the best one was…
…a new bike seat! Boy, has that made a huge difference already. Keep in mind for anybody who still wants to register for this. You can get on the web site of the Watertown Bike Club. There is an icon in the top right corner. There is the 104 mile ride, the 68 mile ride, which Sarah is doing, and a 30 mile ride. Registration deadline is Aug 12, and the event is saturday, August 17, start and finish at the high school. It is a great way to exercise and see the sites of South Dakota.
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2143
