Central Park Fitness is a leading provider of Health and Fitness services to the Metro NYC area. Specialties include in weight loss, performance enhancement, injury rehabilitation and general health improvement.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Great McDonalds Experiment Part 1
I've heard various stories about things like twinkies and fast food burgers being so laden with preservatives that they simply don't breakdown. You can only imagine what this food does to our insides when we take it in. However, I'm a big believer in "seeing is believing" so I decided that I would do my own experiment. Check out the video for Part 1 of the Great McDonalds Experiment!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
When Your Rotator Cuff Goes Kaput!
Getting a good workout even when your rotator cuff is on the injured list.
All is going well when suddenly, there's a pain in your shoulder. After a quick trip to your doctor, you find out it's your rotator cuff. Now what?
You don't have to sit around moaning and groaning. You can take action to rebuild your damaged rotator cuff. All it takes is three easy steps.
First: Think Protection
No matter what else you do, you will need to keep your rotator cuff from further injury by protecting it well. If you're doing something that causes your injured rotator cuff to hurt, stop whatever you're doing. Otherwise, your already injured rotator cuff can suffer an even worse injury that requires more serious medical intervention.
Depending on your life circumstances, this could mean putting an end to a number of activities that you perform on a regular basis. No matter if the pain kicks in when you pick up your child, perform a certain exercise, or sit in a certain position, you'll need to avoid doing these things until your rotator cuff hurts. Because while there is such thing as good pain when you're in the weight room, all pain is bad pain if it is affecting an injured rotator cuff.
Second: Strengthen It
You're not going to be able to baby it forever. Eventually, you'll need to begin strengthening it, and the sooner you get started, the better off you'll be in the long run. To get started, try these exercises. In the event any of them cause you rotator cuff to hurt, take a break and try it again later.
Lie and Lift - Lying on your uninjured side, allow your injured arm to rest on your side, bent at the elbow so your hand is on your belly. Hold a weight in the hand resting on your belly and place a small towel under your injured arm. Slowly lift your forearm until it is pointed straight in the air, careful to keep your bicep on your side. Return slowly to the starting position and repeat.
Stand, Bend, Spin - Standing up beside a table, bend at the waist and place one hand on the table for balance, while your injured arm dangles freely. Slowly draw circles in the air with your injured arm, starting with small, tight circles, and making the circles larger and larger. Repeat this a few times each day.
Grab and Pull - Tie a piece of rubber tubing to a doorknob. Standing near the door, place your injured arm against your side and reach to your side to grab the tubing. Carefully pull the tubing across the front of your body and then return to the starting position for 10 repetitions. As you gain strength, increase the number of repetitions you perform.
Hold and Stretch - Place the hand of your injured arm on your back pocket. Then reach back with your other arm and grab the hand. Slowly pull the hand belonging to your injured rotator cuff up toward your shoulder. At the peak of the stretch, hold for a couple of seconds, return to the starting position, and repeat.
Third: Remember the Rest of Your Body
An injured rotator cuff may keep you from a number of activities, but it shouldn't keep you from visiting the gym. On top of performing appropriate exercises to rehabilitate your rotator cuff, you should continue working out the rest of your body to maintain good health.
Just be careful. If any part of your routine causes pain to your rotator cuff, skip that exercise set and get started on the next thing on your exercise to-do list. And if the pain continues after you're finished with your routine, try a little over-the-counter pain medication. In the event this isn't enough to ease the pain, contact your physician.
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Sunday, December 4, 2011
Overcome Arthritis at Home
A quick list of arthritis home remedies.
When it rains, it really pours. But for those who have arthritis, when it rains, it really hurts. Arthritis is a painful, often debilitating condition that robs you of your ability to live life like you want. Sometimes, it can become so problematic that the thought of getting dressed and leaving the house seems impossible - even if you need to head to the doctor for arthritis treatment.
If you find yourself crippled and at the mercy of arthritis, try these home remedies to find occasional or long-term relief.
Positivity - It may not seem like it right now, but a positive attitude can go a long way toward warding off arthritis-induced pain. According to research, a good attitude may not reduce the actual symptoms of arthritis, but it can improve how you react to the condition. By understanding your condition and coming to terms with how it makes you feel, you're able to focus on other things and put the pain of arthritis out of your mind.
Dinner - Currently, there is no sure-fire way to eat your way to an arthritis-free life. But researchers are attempting to determine if there will one day be a way to avoid or overcome arthritis with food. Until then, pay attention to what foods seem to cause your arthritis to flare up and avoid these foods at all costs. Some of the most common foods that cause arthritis issues include those high in saturated fats or omega-6 fatty acids. On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids and moderate alcohol intake may help prevent arthritis.
Rosehip - Considered by alternative health advocates to be one of the most beneficial home remedies for arthritis, rosehip often provides instant pain relief, while healing the body's aching tissues and helping ligaments grow stronger. In order to make use of rosehip, mix it with water until it is a pasty consistency. Then rub it on the affected area and enjoy your newfound mobility.
Exercise - Getting some physical activity is a great way to increase your ability to perform the tasks of daily life and reduce overall pain. A great way to start reducing arthritis-related pain is by stretching muscles for 10 to 30 seconds at a time. Strength training, aerobic exercise, and swimming are other great workout options. However, avoid running, jogging, and lifting heavy weights, as they can result in more arthritis pain.
Lose - Being overweight puts you at increased risk for arthritis in the knees. Therefore, exercising and working to obtain and maintain a healthy weight will help prevent against arthritis from setting in. Already have arthritis? Losing weight can also help reduce your arthritis symptoms.
Talking - When the pains of arthritis seem too much to bear, talk to someone about it. Doing this helps you pinpoint where the pain is most acute, which helps you target your relief methods. It also helps to have someone else understand the extent of your arthritis pains, as you realize you don't have to keep your feelings of frustration and pain to yourself.
No matter what brings on your arthritis, getting it under control is essential to living and loving life. In the event these home remedies aren't enough to help you enjoy the quality of life you desire, contact your physician for additional treatment options.
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