Author Archive: Laura Devine
Workout Interrupted
Injury, illness, and erratic schedules are three common catalysts of a fitness routine down shift. You are on a role, losing weight, getting stronger, and feeling great when life throws you a curve ball leaving you sidelined and discouraged. With flu season rearing its ugly head and the holidays fast approaching it is highly likely that most of us …
Chest Press for the Soul
It’s hard to believe it has been over a decade since Tae Bo came into popular culture. If you have ever owned a Tae Bo tape (or for those of you who are younger, DVD) you might remember Billy Blanks in all his lycra-clad glory asking you to “call upon a higher power” to keep …
Challenge to Your Balance
You balance your tires, balance your checkbook, and try to eat a balanced diet. We all spend a great deal of time trying to find or maintain a sense of balance in our lives, but how about in our bodies? Balance is a key component in any fitness routine. From competitive sports to day to day activities, …
Comfortably Numb
Have you ever felt like a big change in your body happened overnight? One day you were a high school football player or track star and seemingly the next you are sitting in a cubicle sluggish and overweight? In an age of incredible technology where information moves at the speed of light and life does …
Change Your Mind, Change Your Body part 2
Most days you are able to keep a positive outlook. You try to be kind to yourself and look on the bright side in order to improve your health. But what about those days you can’t find that inner cheerleader? What about the days when your boss is a jerk, the kids are misbehaving, and …
Change Your Mind, Change Your Body
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”- Carl Rogers I was reminded of this quote by a question I received this week (thank you for asking, your questions are always appreciated!) about how to get motivated when you are stuck in a rut. In many …
Hard Core
Chances are if you haven’t been living under a rock for the past decade you are familiar with the fitness buzzword “core”. You know you have one and you know it needs to be stronger but you don’t know how to accomplish this. In order to be inspired to get that large inflated (or if …
Get Apple Jacked
Move over colossal mega protein super builder bar there is a new snack in town…apples just might be the food of choice for those looking to prevent atrophy and promote hypertrophy. A substance called ursolic acid that is found in apple peels was recently tested on mice and the results were promising. Healthy mice actually experienced muscle growth …
Physical Strain Improves Your Brain
“Jock” and “meat-head” aren’t necessarily synonyms for “rocket scientist” or “Mensa member” , but new research shows that being an intelligent individual and pumping iron might not be mutually exclusive. In fact, recent studies have shown that regular exercise (in particular strength training) improves brain function. It is believed that improved overall blood flow due to …
The Power of Om
Got pain? Skip the pills, try some yoga. An article posted on CNN.com this morning by senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen relayed the power of some classic yoga poses on common medical conditions. She quotes well known doctor Dean Ornish who tributes its benefits to lowered stress levels and whole body relaxation. ”Your arteries begin …
