Friday, May 18, 2012

Fitness- A New Weapon Against Cancer

This is a guest blog article written by David Haas. Thanks David for the contribution!



Every one knows that exercise contributes to a healthy life, but for those diagnosed with cancer, working out offers even more benefits. According to the National Cancer Institute, regular exercise can improve patients’ quality of life, body image and response to treatment.  New research demonstrates that even a moderate amount of exercise plays a significant role in helping patients cope with a diagnosis and manage day to day living at all stages of the disease.



Dealing with a diagnosis of cancer can leave a patient feeling powerless and frightened. Regular exercise promotes the release of endorphins, mood- boosting hormones that combat stress.  Because exercise raises the heart rate and oxygenates the blood, it improves circulation and keeps blood vessels flexible. Working out also supports immune function and strengthens muscles in even bedridden individuals. Not only that, working out can help patients reclaim a sense of control over their lives and improve their overall sense of well-being.



For those coping with the stress of treatment, regular exercise can reduce pain and help ease problems such as digestive discomfort, muscle aches and joint pain. The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society point out that patients with virtually all forms of cancer, such as mesothelioma, coon cancer and leukemia, can benefit from an exercise program tailored to their level of ability. Regular exercise can help with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and can also help to restore mobility and organ function after surgery.

For cancer survivors, working out can be a life-affirming activity that supports their efforts to stay well after cancer. Some survivors run marathons or engage in other fitness activities that confirm their return to normal life.  Experts note, though, that because cancer treatments can cause fragility in bones and joints, it’s advisable to work with a trainer familiar with cancer patients who want to plan a return to pre-diagnosis fitness levels.



Cancer patients at all stages of coping with the disease have to deal with many physical changes, such as extreme weight loss, muscle weakness and atrophy, bloating and weight gain, or disfigurement from surgery and treatment.  Exercise can build muscle and restore flexibility to scarred tissues, allowing even those with severe mobility problems to move more easily. Working out also helps restore feelings of attractiveness and personal empowerment, which improves quality of life.



Although exercise has clear benefits for cancer patients and survivors, experts on fitness and physical therapy caution that it’s important to plan a fitness regimen that accommodates the changes created by the disease and its treatments, such as weakness, loss of muscle tone and longer term damage to bones and organs from treatments and surgeries.  But as recent studies demonstrate, even a little movement can make a big difference in the lives of those suffering from cancers of all kinds.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

We're on Pinterest, Are You?

Have you heard of Pinterest? Are you addicted to pinning yet? If not, it's time to check out what all the hype is about. I have to admit, it's pretty fun to browse some great images of very cool products, places, and just about every kind of 'thing' you can imagine online. Pinterest is basically like having virtual bulletin boards where you can store things into different categories. Instead of ripping pages out of magazines every time you find a cute hairstyle, recipe, or great pair of shoes, you can just "pin" these items to your appropriate "board." It's up to you to decide what to call your boards. You can simply browse the web and when you find something you like, use the handy little "pin it" button (that you can copy to your bookmark toolbar). Or you can login to Pinterest and view all the cool things that other people already pinned. You will be amazed to see so many unique things in every category, all in one place. From there, it's one mouse click to "repin" things to your own boards.

YogaDudes has recently joined the party and created some boards of our own. They include:

Inspiration
Cool Products
YogaDudes Products
Fitness
Collages
Yoga Photography
Nutrition



Here's a glimpse at what you can find on the "Fitness" board. This is where I turn when I need that extra kick in the pants to motivate me to get moving.


And  here's a glimpse at one of my favorite boards "Yoga Photography"


If you are using Pinterest, you can follow all of the YogaDudes boards here. Or you can just follow individual boards. And if you're not yet using, just head on over to http://pinterest.com and request an invite. You'll be glad you did.

Happy pinning!

Friday, May 04, 2012

It's Amazing What Yoga Can Do

Please watch this amazing and inspiring video about a disabled Gulf War paratrooper who lost 140 pounds and went from crutches to sprinting by practicing yoga. It's a lesson to never ever give up.

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Free May Desktop Calendar


Happy Spring everybody! If you want to bring some Spring indoors to your computer and make this image your desktop background just click on this link. A new window will appear with a much larger graphic. Once the bigger graphic appears, just right-click on it and "save as desktop."