Archives for October 2010 | Be Well Philly

Archive for October, 2010

WHAT ARE YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?

Tell us and you'll automatically be entered to win a free massage from 3000BC!

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 10/29/2010 at 4:04PM | 11 Comments

Hey, Philly: We want to hear your upcoming New Year’s health and fitness goals! (Yes, it may only be Halloween but in magazine world, we’ve already mentally cut the turkey and opened the presents.)

Tell me a specific health and fitness goal and you’ll automatically be entered to win a free Thai massage from 3000BC and we may use your goal in the January issue!

NOTE: Losing weight or getting in shape doesn’t count! Tell me specifics, the more specific the better: Maybe you want to clean up your diet, firm up your thighs, get the abs back that you had in your 20s, start running in the city, try hot yoga, join a gym in the city, learn to cook healthier meals for the family, or try rock climbing, gymnastics, or ballet … the list is endless! Be honest and be creative.

To Enter: Post your health and fitness goals on BeWellPhilly’s Facebook page before noon on November 8, 2010. Winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via Facebook.

Good luck!

THE PHILLY BOTOX BOOM

Under the FDA's recent approval, migraine sufferers have a new option

Posted by Monica Sellecchia on 10/29/2010 at 11:19AM | 2 Comments

Courtesy of CNN.com

Botox is hot in Philly for something other than furrowed brows and fine lines. It’s new job: muting migraines. The Jefferson Headache Center has been using Botox as an alternative migraine treatment for severe sufferers for the past 20 years, but since the FDA gave its stamp of approval on October 15th, the center has seen a steep rise in interest. Not only are fears of complications reduced under the new approval, but insurance companies are now starting to cover the pricey injections—which can add up to about $700 per cycle.

“Botox acts to calm down over-excited nerve endings that are located in the face and that link to nerves throughout the head,” explains Stephen Silberstein, the center’s director. “This happens as the protein called SNAP 25 in Botox works to clear the chemicals in the body that cause headaches. Essentially, the Botox ‘stuffs up’ the release of chemicals and the person is relieved of the migraine pain.” READ MORE

CHALLENGE UPDATE: IN-OFFICE YOGA!

The teams enjoyed a visit from yoga instructor Nicole Fugo and learned one very important tool in the process: breathe!

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 10/29/2010 at 10:10AM | No Comments

Nicole Fugo

A few weeks ago our Office Challenge teams were lucky enough to score an in-office visit from yoga instructor Nicole Fugo. The teams had a chance to practice connecting with their breath as well as a few stress-reducing yoga poses. ” All of the participants said they were under a lot of stress between work, family and personal life,” says Fugo. “And very few of them had ever thought about why deep breathing is so important. It can shift anger, stress, frustration, fear and bring great peace to the system. If we reduce stress and increase the inner peaceful space within, the body’s organs begin to function more smoothly.” READ MORE

WELLNESS TIP OF THE DAY NO. 35: REACH FOR IT!

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 10/29/2010 at 9:04AM | No Comments

THIS OR THAT WITH MARK BITTMAN

Our talk after the author's recent visit to Philly

Posted by Grace Dickinson on 10/27/2010 at 1:55PM | 2 Comments

Mark Bittman

I was incredibly excited to hear New York Times columnist Mark Bittman speak at the Free Library a few Mondays ago, on tour for his latest book, The Food Matters Cookbook. And to all you fellow “Minimalist” readers, I’m happy to report that he didn’t disappoint. Complete with his trademark witty banter, he discussed food trends and the negative impact they’ve had on both our diets and to the planet to a crowd of more than 350. I learned everything from the actual cost of a 99-cent hamburger ($200, after adding up production costs, ensuing environmental damage, and future healthcare expenses for the person who ate it) to how ridiculous our screwed up diet of processed foods really is:“No one is born craving Skittles, or doughnuts, or Whoppers,” he said, playfully reminding the audience that there was a time when Americans used to “eat real food, and Goldfish still swam.” READ MORE

WELLNESS TIP OF THE DAY NO. 33: BUST YOUR BUTT

Watch this in-office workout video to burn, lift, and tone on the job

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 10/27/2010 at 10:42AM | No Comments

STRETCH LIKE THE PROS: HOW TO DO A DYNAMIC WARM-UP

Watch this video to learn how to warm up right

Posted by on 10/27/2010 at 10:00AM | 1 Comment

Warming up and stretching are key components to injury prevention, but they are often cut out of training due to time constraints. Active dynamic warm-up exercises consist of multiple joint stretching, which elevates your heart rate and gets the blood pumping. Instead of warming up for 5-10 minutes before training and then stretching for 5-10 minutes, this allows you to get both components in at one time!

Dynamic stretching also encourages you to contract muscle groups throughout their range while challenging your balance. It primes your muscles for performance by replicating the motions that will be used during your training. It is much more sport specific and more effective in comparison to the classic “hold and stretch.”

Sarah Walmsley is a physical therapist and works at Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness. She is also a running coach for Team Philly Race Training.

THE AREA’S BEST RUNNING CLUBS

Drink beer, do yoga, make friends, up your motivation or mentor a kid—whatever your goal, Philly has the right running club for you

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 10/26/2010 at 3:42PM | 2 Comments

Illustration by Justin Renninger

Philadelphia is a great place to live when you’re a runner. There are races nearly every weekend, lots of beautiful places to train outdoors, and, perhaps best of all, a strong running community. Which also makes it a great place to live when you want to become a runner—or simply want to meet some new friends or up your motivation. From beer aficionados and multitasking moms to hardcore competitors or first-time racers, there is a club for just about everyone.

— Write-ups by Alyssa Brindisi. Additional research by Kelly O’Shea READ MORE

WELLNESS TIP NO. 32: RETRAIN YOUR BRAIN

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 10/26/2010 at 5:00AM | No Comments

Learn how to turn those negative thoughts into positive ones. Avoid extreme thinking.
For example, instead of thinking, “I ate that piece of cake. I’ve blown it. I might as well forget it. I’ll never succeed;” say to yourself, “I ate that piece of cake and really enjoyed it. I’m proud of myself for only eating once piece. I’ll make sure that I eat a little less at dinner to stay within my daily calorie range for the day.” READ MORE

NO-DEPRIVATION HALLOWEEN DIET TIPS

9 smart ways to survive the season

Posted by Jenna Bergen on 10/25/2010 at 10:45AM | No Comments

Whether you’re handing out the treats or will have to deal with the pillowcases full of goodies your kids bring home (or both!) Halloween can cause quite the candy conundrum. But you and your kids don’t have to miss out on the fun to avoid turning into Augustus Gloop. Follow Gladwyne-based dietician and family nutritionist, Emma Fogt‘s tips for a happy, healthy Halloween. READ MORE