Chiropractic and Functional Training
I once read that the measure of a person’s health will be solidified by how well their body and brain are adapted to natural law. In my chiropractic practice I recommend that people get adjusted regularly to remove interference and restore balance to the nervous system so their bodies can better adapt to the stresses of daily life. I recommend that people fuel their bodies with natural whole foods that will also result in increased ability to adapt. You see, health is not based on how we feel. It’s based on how we function, which is determined by how well our body can adapt! Current fitness trends are based on this principle.
The world of fitness is changing by moving away from older ideas of exercises that isolate single muscle groups that produce movement in a single plane of motion, and moving toward functional fitness exercises that train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating movements you would do at home, at work, or in sports. Multiple muscle groups from the upper body and lower body are engaged at the same time while focusing on proper technique, posture, and core stability and strengthening. Engaging in proper functional fitness exercises enhances the quality of your life by making everyday activities easier and by reducing your risk of injury.
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Functional fitness exercises require little or no equipment and can be performed at home or at the gym. Equipment usually includes tools such as stability balls, free weights, pull-up bar, medicine balls, kettle bells, etc. Kickboxing is often included in functional training because it simulates the natural motions we would use to defend ourselves physically and it’s really fun! If you are unfamiliar with functional fitness exercises, then I strongly recommend that you start out in a gym with a trainer. Many gyms offer group classes. Once you’ve learned proper technique and can perform the exercises correctly you can do them at home. I also recommend recruiting a friend to start with you. Having a partner will hold you accountable and makes working out a lot more fun. One form of functional exercise is called Cross Fit. If you do an online search you will likely find a Cross Fit certified gym in your area. Also, be on the lookout for kickboxing exercise classes. They provide a fun and effective full body workout.
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An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
The old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” comes from an old English adage, “To eat an apple before going to bed will make the doctor beg his bread.” While this may not be completely true, a regular dose of apples in your diet is a good choice.
Most people have a favorite apple variety and with 100 commercially grown varieties in theU.S.there is no shortage of options. Apples are a diverse fruit found around the world and are packed with nutrients and fiber.
Apples are Your Nutritional “All Star”
Nutritionally, apples are an all star. Vitamins A, C, E, K and B are all found in apples. Minerals, electrolytes, and phytonutrients are also abundant in apples. Apples contain no sodium, fat, or cholesterol and for a medium-sized apple you are looking at about 80 calories. So as you can see it really is a great choice for anyone that is conscientious about what they eat.
For the maximum benefit eat your apples raw with the skin. The skin of the apple is where you will find your highest concentration of fiber and nutrients. I recommend that you eat organically grown fruit whenever possible, but if that is not an option, apples are a fruit that can be easily washed. You don’t want to offset the benefits of the apple with the harmful effects of chemicals that may have been sprayed on the fruit.
Your Apples are Perfect Picnic Treats
Finally, if where you live allows it, take advantage of the fall weather and the apple harvest, pile into the car and go apple picking. Many orchards allow you to pick your own apples and often have special events throughout the fall to draw people in. Make an afternoon of it. Enjoying the sunshine with loved ones, walking around the orchard in the fresh fall air, and of course eating the fruits of your labor, makes for a well rounded day of health and wellness. If you don’t live in a region where you can pick apples, still make a day of it. Pack a picnic with your favorite food, including apples, and take a trip that includes a nice outdoor hike and picnic! How do you like them apples?
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Are You Eating Too Much Sugar?
Have you ever seen the movie Mary Poppins? In the movie there is a scene where she is getting the children to clean their rooms and she sings a song with the famous line, “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” Based on current trends, the average American would have to take a cup full of sugar to get down all the medicine they are taking.
According to the CDC, the percentage of Americans that took at least one prescription drug in the last month increased by 10% over the last decade. Multiple prescription drug use increased by 20% and the use of five or more drugs increased by 70%. As of 2007-2008 half of all Americans used at least one prescription drug. What I find especially alarming is that 1 in 5 children and 9 out of 10 adults over 60 are on one or more prescription drugs. The cost of all this medicine is astounding. In 2008 $234.1 billion dollars was spent for prescription drugs in the U.S. According to the study that is more than double what was spent in 1999.
Prescription Drug Use is on the Rise
Although the study was simply to report the trends of prescription use in the U.S., the authors seemed to find it necessary to put in a plug for the drug companies when they stated,” As new drugs are introduced and new uses for old drugs are found, more patients can have improved health and quality of life with the appropriate use of prescription drugs.” Sadly, there is no comment about teaching and encouraging people to live healthy lifestyles so that they don’t need to take these drugs.
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Is Your Sugar Consumption Causing Disease?
If you spend some time searching the CDC website you can also find lots of other interesting facts. For example, the World Health Organization rates the health of the average American 72nd in the world and rates our health care system 37th in the world. At the same time our population is getting more obese every year. Finally, we are second in the world in how much we spend on health care measured as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product.
When you put all this together it seems too absurd to be true, but I encourage you to look into the facts yourself. We spend billions of dollars on health care and medication while as a nation we are getting heavier and sicker every year. Everywhere you turn there is an advertisement telling you to take the next great medication that will help you live a healthy productive life. Unfortunately, the evidence tells another story. I encourage you, if you haven’t already done so, to take control of your health and start making those changes that will enhance your lifestyle in a way that will help you achieve true health and wellness.
