Weight Gain and Menopause

“I am going through menopause and I can’t seem to lose the weight, what can I take?”  We hear this question a lot, and most of us would like to hand over a magic pill that would shed those extra pounds, but this pill doesn’t exist, although certain infomercials would have you believe otherwise. Diet, exercise, genetics and hormones all play roles in weight control. Two of these four can be easily remedied for most people. Do you remember the study that came out in March that showed that women in their 40’s need to ante up on exercise? Basically, women nearing menopause and into menopause need to work out at least 1 hour per day to maintain weight. So think about how much you are really exercising and take that into consideration.  Debi had a great blog yesterday about weight loss, and there are great tips to help with your goals.

But what if you have tried diet and exercise, and you are still unable to nudge those pounds off your hips. Well, Margo, a Master Herbalist and Certified Nutritional Consultant, offered the following solutions to the questions of weight loss, menopause and cravings: Continue reading “Weight Gain and Menopause”

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The Secret Fitness Weapon of Forearms and Protection Against Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

If your forearms are stronger, then all of your lifts will be stronger. Remember, the stronger you are, the more weight lifted, the more calories burned, the more fat burning hormones are stimulated. There are many simple ways to implement a little extra emphasis on your grip strength, one of which could just be wrapping a towel around the weight and gripping the towel. Developing your grip strength will also protect your wrists during your presses, as you will have the strength to keep your wrist straight and not hyperextended. When the wrist is hyperextended, or collapsed back, this is detrimental to your power and damages the ligaments to your wrist, which in turn can lead to carpel tunnel syndrome (Tsatsouline, 2000). Along with wrist health, strengthening the ligaments and tendons through the entire hand and fingers is a preventative measure against dislocations in the joints. For some ideas on forearm exercises visit www.powerelevation.com and go to the “forearms” exercise demonstrations.

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Too Many Treats

Do your kids constantly ask for treats? Does it seem like cookies and candy, juice boxes and fast food meals are all they’re willing to eat? You’re not alone-many kids are attracted to things that aren’t the best nutritional choices. Maybe you are thinking, “They’re kids, it can’t be THAT bad for them.”

Let me share some frightening statistics from the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity (a problem so large that it has its own Journal!)

  • Childhood obesity is the greatest health risk our kids face today
  • By 2010 it is expected that 50% of all children will be overweight
  • This is the first generation where kids have a lower life expectancy than their parents

We’re spending billions of dollars on healthcare and our kids are unhealthier than ever. What’s going on here? Continue reading “Too Many Treats”

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Get the Most Out of Your Repetitions and Your Time

To get the most out of your time at the gym and make sure that your repetitions are effective, consider the following advice. If you are in good health, this is a great breathing technique that has long been used in martial arts and was labeled “Breath Strength” by Bruce Lee (Tsatsouline, 2004). Fill the stomach with a lot of air before starting the repetition and then hold that air in the stomach through at least ½ to ¾ of the concentric contraction (when the muscle is being shortened, such as the way up on a squat or the way down on a lat pull-down). This will keep the core tight for higher performance; keeping this region of the body contracted keeps the low back safe from injury. Continue reading “Get the Most Out of Your Repetitions and Your Time”

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Periodization – What Is It?

When prescribing repetitions and sets, the strategy of periodization is a must. Periodization is the planned variation in training volume and intensity (Fleck and Kraemer, 2004). It is very common with the general population to place an emphasis on a high number of repetitions to “feel the burn,” and there is a popular myth that high repetitions make muscles lean, while high weight with low reps makes muscles bulky. However, that is not completely true. A good comparison to discuss is an Olympic weightlifter versus a bodybuilder. When watching the weightlifting competition in the Olympics, it is remarkable how strong the competitors are for their bodyweight. Even the lightweight elite level Olympic weightlifters can often be stronger than the massive elite level bodybuilders. Continue reading “Periodization – What Is It?”

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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May 2024
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