Healthy Tips Monmouth County NJ

Frighteningly 1 in 3 adults suffer from some form of heart disease including high blood pressure, heart attacks, even erectile dysfunction in men. Heart Disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and one person dies every 37 seconds from heart disease. Even more scary, 850,000 have had a non-fatal heart attack. Did you know five times more women die from heart attacks than from cancer? So let’s talk about how you can help prevent you and your loved ones from becoming one of these terrifying statistics.  Heart attacks and strokes are occurring in younger people. Did you know that by age 12, many of our children have developed the beginning stages of hardening of the arteries? Moreover,  it is being discovered that hardening of the arteries is starting even earlier- in the womb. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children as young as eight years old be treated with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. Did you know that 75% of all chronic disease is preventable with diet and lifestyle? Diet is the most powerful tool in prevention. We have more control than we think. When we know more, we can do more. Start taking care of your blood […]

When you’re just hopping on the fitness train, learning the lingo takes as much focus as learning to squat. There are tons of questions you should be asking yourself on your fitness journey, and even more words in the fitness dictionary it can be helpful to know. We pulled together some of the most frequently asked questions in our world—and the answers that will help you figure out what the heck it all means. Question: What Is BMI—and How Can I Find Out What Mine Is? Answer: BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It’s a basic measurement of your body fat based on height and weight—you’ll often hear personal trainers talk about it when they set goals with you. A high BMI is often an indicator of other health issues (or their potential), but it’s also not the end-all, be-all of body fat ratio. Some scientists think a BVI—or Body Volume Indicator—or even body fat percentage are more accurate ways to measure your overall health. Still, if you want to find out your BMI, there are plenty of calculators online—like this one—that will help you find your answer! Question: What Is a Target Heart Rate? Answer: You’ve probably been hearing […]

Ahh, winter is here! If you’re not a fan of the cold it can be very tempting to curl up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate to binge your favorite Netflix show. But that’s not how you meet your fitness goals this year. To stay happy and healthy you need to make movement a priority. When your couch tempts you with sneaky lies like, “Humans were meant to hibernate,” you can use these easy hacks reach your daily goal of 10,000 steps. Take a trip to the mall If you’re rich in holiday gift cards from friends and family, walking around the mall can be a great way to fit your steps in. Try alternating stores from multiple floors so you can sneak in some stair work. Just make sure you avoid the extra-buttered-pretzel stands and free Chinese food samples. Remember: you’re there to spend the hard-earned money of your relatives (and get your body moving). A three-hour shopping trip can add thousands of steps to your day. For added fitness motivation, try stocking your gym bag with these awesome essentials while you’re there! Say “not today” to elevators and escalators Make a commitment to go elevator-free […]

So many people always reached into their hearts and homes to give back to the community, especially this time of the year.  Many people are alone, social distancing has led to a feeling of isolation and many are out of work, so they are without means to make a holiday in the traditional sense. In years past, volunteerism was always a gift you could give to those in need. This year, thanks to COVID19, social distancing rules have made much of this a risk or unavailable. So how can you give back and lift the spirits of friends and strangers? Donate – whether you have time, a talent, or a basement filled with wonderful items you no longer need that someone else may…it is all needed and appreciated. Problem- Joan lost her job as a waitress due to Covid restrictions.  She is not getting by on unemployment and cannot afford the type of family celebration they have always had.  She has no discretionary money for gifts, her children have no holiday outfits to look festive, her meal will be meager and there can be no tree as the funds just cannot stretch that far. Possible solutions- Lisa and Karen have […]

(BPT) – Traditionally, the holiday season is a time to gather with family and friends to reminiscence and celebrate all that has happened throughout the year. But with an ongoing pandemic, many are left looking for new and unique ways to enjoy those time-honored traditions in a way that keeps everyone safe and healthy. So while things will likely look different than we are accustomed to, that doesn’t mean you and your loved ones have to miss out on those most important and cherished traditions. Instead, consider trying these tips and tricks for safe, socially distant holiday fun. Host safely If you plan to host, there are a number of precautions you can take to keep guests safe. If possible, take your gatherings outside where you can increase physical distance and airflow. Choose outdoor activities, such as a bonfire or an active game. If you live in a colder climate, bring out the hats, coats and gloves — and try using a patio or porch heater to warm up. To limit travel, it is best to only invite people from your local area and limit the number of attendees. Provide information to guests about your local safety guidelines and take […]

Breast Cancer Basics According to the American Cancer Society, cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that begins in the cells of the breast and can invade surrounding tissues or spread to other areas of the body.   Some Sobering Facts:   In 2020 alone, an estimated 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women along with 48,530 new cases of non-invasive. About 42,170 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2020 from breast cancer. As of January 2020, there are more than 3.5 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, making it one of the leading health issues for females in the United States. 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer, one diagnosis every 2 minutes of every day.   Not Just A Female Problem A man’s risk of breast cancer is only about 1%, resulting in approximately 2,620 cases expected to be diagnosed in men.  Both men and women are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though males do not […]

Yes, summer is over and so is the availability for Jersey Fresh tomatoes, corn, peaches and other delectable grown locally. Not to worry, there is still a bevy of fall beauties to appreciate on your kitchen table. Delicious, nutritious, and easy to grow if you haven’t done so already. BEETS come in many gorgeous colors, all equally yummy. You can eat the root and the leaves so nothing goes to waste! Beets are packed with vitamins and minerals, are low in calories and fat. They also contain inorganic nitrates and pigments, which have a number of health benefits. Beets contain a high concentration of nitrates, which may lead to a reduced risk of heart attacks, heart failure and stroke. They also have anti-inflammatory effects, are a good source of fiber. CABBAGE is not just an accompaniment to corned beef. There are so many varieties in so many colors and are very versatile. You can eat it cold like a slaw, stir fry, steam, use in soups, and let your imagination run wild. It is low in calorie, regardless of which variety, and are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, high in vitamin C and K, […]

(BPT) – Every year, you count down the days until Halloween. You love selecting costumes for your whole family, indulging in all your favorite treats and celebrating with friends. But this year is different — while you long to celebrate the holiday to the fullest, you also want to make choices to keep your family and your community safe. Like many Halloween enthusiasts, rather than forgoing beloved traditions altogether, you are coming up with creative, out-of-the-box ways to celebrate safely and keep everyone healthy this season, but you still need some guidance. The Halloween and Costume Association, The Hershey Company and other partner organizations have joined forces to provide guidance on how best to celebrate Halloween safely this year. The Halloween Safety guidelines — available on Halloween2020.org — are consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Holiday Celebrations Guidelines and include a color-coded COVID risk level map, provided by the Harvard Global Health Institute. “Families and policy-makers need clear and consistent information when it comes to COVID-19 risks to inform decision-making, including how to participate safely in the upcoming Halloween holiday and trick-or-treating activities associated with it,” said Dr. Ingrid Katz, Infectious Diseases Expert, and Associate Faculty […]

There’s a lot of controversy over when to retire your running shoes. Do you wear them until holes form in the bottom? Do you give them up after a set number of miles? After a particular period of time? Your personal fitness level can also have an impact. Everyone has their own opinions – but here’s when we suggest you should retire your kicks in order for you to get the most of them…without harming yourself or your workout. Why should you make sure you’re retiring those shoes at the right time? Wearing them too long can actually lead to injury – and harm your running stance! Shoes that are too old will put excess stress on your body, which could lead to injuries like fractures, sprains, and tendinitis. You want to ditch your old shoes before the insoles break down entirely – without them, it’s like driving a car without shocks. There’s nothing to absorb any of the pressure that happens when you run, which means it’ll all fall on your joints.  Most experts say that this happens between 300-600 miles, and it’ll be different depending on how you run, where you run, and what type of shoe you wear. […]

Overview Lemon water is all the rage these days. Many restaurants serve it routinely, and some people start their day with lemon water instead of coffee or tea. There’s no doubt lemons are delicious, but does adding them to water make you healthier? Much of the evidence supporting lemon water’s health benefits is anecdotal. Little scientific research has been done specifically on lemon water, but research exists on the benefits of lemon and water separately. Here are seven ways your body may benefit from lemon water. 1. It promotes hydration According to the Food and Nutrition Board, general guidelines say that women should get at least 91 ounces per day and men should get at least 125 ounces. This includes water from food and drinks. Water is the best beverage for hydration, but some people don’t like the taste of it on its own. Adding lemon enhances water’s flavor, which may help you drink more. 2. It’s a good source of vitamin C Citrus fruits like lemons are high in vitamin C, a primary antioxidant that helps protect cells from damaging free radicals. You’ve probably heard that vitamin C may help prevent or limit the duration of the common cold […]