by Dan | Feb 5, 2012 | Exercise, Weather, Wellness/Health, Winter

Spent the last few days out in Deadwood for the South Dakota Academy of Family Physicians annual conference/meeting. Weather was very good. Went outside to go running. They are not just hills out there, they are mountains. There was a route just outside of the hotel that was a little more off the main traffic. Started out 1 mile up, then 1 mile down, then back. Wow! I told Sarah I should have packed a rope to climb back up. Here is one going down. The only problem with this, is you have to come back up…

…Nothing like using muscles that have been in hibernation for awhile. Still sore. It ended up being a very enjoyable weekend. I ended up being chosen for a very special, very suprising award during this conference. I will talk about it in the next few days. Have a good week coming. Keep moving!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1592
by kelsey | Feb 2, 2012 | Etc.

With Superbowl Sunday only a few days away, many are getting their grocery lists ready and starting to prepare all those tasty snacks. Here are some tips to help you get through Superbowl Sunday without busting the calorie bank:
- Be sure to eat consistently throughout the day and leading up to the party and game. If you fast all day to allow for extra eating during the game, you’re more likely to over-indulge as you’ll be extra hungry.
- Include fresh fruits and vegetables into the spread.
- Beware of the dips and sauces. They usually have a lot of extra calories, sugar, and fat. If you’re making your own, try using light or fat free to make your recipes healthier.
- Choose your beverages wisely. Liquid calories are hidden calories and we often times don’t realize how much they can add up. Opt for sugar free or calorie free beverages or limit your portions.
- Stay away from the fried and breaded items. Instead choose lean meats such as white meat chicken without the skin, lean hamburger, fish, or lean pork.
And remember that the food doesn’t always have to be the focus of the event, instead really take in and enjoy the fun and fellowship with friends and family!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Feb 1, 2012 | Etc.
I have had a few emails and questions about our spring dates, so I wanted to let you all know we have set the dates for our spring STRIVE session! This will be our last session before we take a summer break. If you have any questions regarding enrollment or want to learn more about our program, you can contact us through our website contact or call us. We have had great success with all of our programs and look forward to working with many more participants as we STRIVE to promote excellent health and wellness!
March 20th – Dr. Dan Reiffenberger “Exercise for the Health of It”
April 3rd – Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN “Healthy Eating Made Easy”
April 17th – Dr. Jon McAreavey “Your Equation to Success”
May 1st – Dr. Clark Likness “A Walk thru the Wellness Wheel”
May 15th – Deidra VanGilder, PharmD “Medications, to do or not to do”
May 29th- STRIVE Team “Making Health a Way of Life”
-Kelsey
by Dan | Jan 31, 2012 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health

Ever have those days when everything seems like it is busting out at the seams, and there never seems to be enough time to get everything done? Sure, we all have. Lately, it seems like it has been more often. Maybe it is the time of the year, and we can’t get out and enjoy the outdoors as much. For me, that is where exercise has helped me tremendously. It is my escape. It is time for me to do something I enjoy, and that reaps more benefits than may be first realized. But, the bottom line… it is time for me. Afterall, are we not all worth being able to have a little time for ourselves? If we don’t make sure that we take care of ourselves, who is going to do it for us? This is a picture of a rocking chair facing the lake, a very special place to me, near the Twin Cities. It is a great place to be quiet, think about things, and get away from the pressures of everyday life. We all need some of that once in awhile. We need to make the time for it, and in the long run, it will pay big dividends. Looking back at this picture brings back those memories. Keep this in mind for the future…when you need to have that time away…for you! Stay Active, and Enjoy!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1587
by kelsey | Jan 26, 2012 | Diet, Weight Management, Wellness/Health

Our society is always on the run and in a hurry and many are missing out on one of the most important meals of the day: breakfast! If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for breakfast in the morning, there are still ways you can get some good nutrition to start your day off on the right foot.
First off, you’re going to want to consider calories. Usually we recommend meals have about 300-400 calories. The Nutri-Grain bar in the picture only has about 130 calories. So if that’s all you have for breakfast, you’re most likely going to be hungry again in a few hours. In addition to calories, you’ll want to consider the type of grain. The more fiber a product has, the better as it will provide satiety in addition to many other benefits (heart health, digestive health, etc). Your choice should have at least 2-3 grams of fiber and lower amounts of sugars. The next item on the label you should look at is protein. Choices with high protein will again provide satiety and stay with you longer.
There are many choices of complete nutrition that you could try such as a meal replacement drink like Ensure, Boost, or even a homemade smoothie. You could also try nutrition bars such as the Powerbars, Luna, Clif, etc. Another option would be to incorporate a few items. An example would be a whole grain granola bar, yogurt, and banana. All quick and easy to eat but supplying your body with a great source of nutrition. You could also try oatmeal in a to-go container and eat on your way to work. There are many options to get that most important meal of the day in, it just may take a little planning to begin with! Next time you grocery shop, explore the aisles and take time to read labels to help you start your day off right!
-Kelsey