Club Blog

At the La Jolla Sports club we are offer a San Diego Boot Camp class to both members and non members every Saturday at 8am. The one hour long group fitness class includes a combination of strength training exercises and aerobics. Come join us this Saturday and enjoy a workout over looking the beach with some of the top fitness instructors San Diego has to offer. For future details please call: 858-456-2595. We hope to see you soon!

(ARA) – Anyone who has ever experienced a migraine knows how debilitating it can be. When you’re suffering from a migraine, it’s likely that you have a hard time focusing on anything else besides the pain you’re enduring.

If migraines are interfering with your daily life, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor who can suggest the best ways to combat your headaches. But there are also some practical steps you can take to avoid migraines. Here are a few ways you can minimize the onset of migraines and ease your pain and nausea during a migraine episode:

* Get good and regular sleep. Migraines often follow sleepless nights. Do what you can to establish a consistent sleep schedule. If you’re having trouble sleeping, remove distractions such as a TV or radio, which can prevent you from entering a deep sleep when left on all night.

* Try acupressure therapy. Similar to acupuncture, but without the needles, acupressure can provide natural pain relief by applying pressure to certain points in your body. This can be done with your hands, or through a device you can wear, such as Sea-Bands, which can be worn to apply pressure to a point just below your wrist. A recent study conducted by Berolina Clinic in Germany concluded that 83 percent of its participants – all chronic migraine sufferers – experienced a reduction in nausea when wearing Sea-Bands.

* Establishing consistency in your diet can also help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, according to the medical experts. Also, if you suspect a certain food is causing your migraines, try eliminating it from your diet and see if it helps. Eating at different times each day or skipping meals can also trigger migraines.

* Try relaxation techniques. Stress is a major cause of migraines, so anything you can do to eliminate stress from your life will help. In addition, you may want to try deep-breathing exercises and muscle-relaxing routines designed to help your body deal better with stress and tension. If you are looking for a place to get started, ask your doctor which types of exercises he or she recommends.

* Get regular exercise. Perhaps nothing reduces stress and promotes good sleeping habits more than getting a good workout on a regular basis. Being physically active for at least a half hour a day can go a long way toward reducing your headaches.

* If you do experience a migraine attack, try to get to a dark, calm place. Lie down and sleep if your pain and schedule allows you to. Applying hot or cold packs to the affected area or the back of your neck may also help relieve your pain.

The pain caused by migraines can be extremely unpleasant and affect your ability to participate in normal daily activities. By doing what you can to avoid migraine attacks, you’ll help ensure that the disruption they cause is kept to a minimum. For more information on migraine relief, visit www.sea-band.com/blog.

(ARA) – If our teeth ache, most of us will quickly head to the dentist for treatment. But if your feet hurt, do you just chalk up the pain as a discomfort of modern life? Sadly, most of us do.

Most Americans say they have foot pain at least some of the time, and more of us have pain in our feet than in any other part of our bodies we consider vital to health, such as skin, teeth or even the heart, according to a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Yet feet rank lowest on the list of body parts and functions that Americans consider important to their health, the APMA study shows. Additionally, many Americans don’t seek foot care from a podiatrist – a doctor specially trained to care for feet.

Foot health directly affects the quality of our lives. When our feet are healthy, feeling good and working well, they can enable us to go about our normal routines. But injured, ill or just plain old sore feet can undermine the foundation of our good health. Feet are often indicators of our overall health; signs of arthritis, diabetes, and nerve and circulatory problems can all be detected in the feet. People suffering from foot pain are also more likely to suffer from a variety of other health issues, including back, knee and joint pain, and weight and heart problems.

So how do you know if your foot pain is just annoying, or serious enough to merit a visit to a podiatrist? Persistent pain or sudden severe pain should definitely raise warning bells, experts agree. Beyond that, keep in mind that there are many sources of foot pain, and many foot ailments that can be treated best by a podiatrist, including:

* Arthritis
* Athlete’s foot
* Bunions – an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe
* Wounds or nerve damage due to diabetes
* Foot and ankle injuries
* Heel pain, especially if it is chronic
* Nail problems, including nail fungus
* Pinched nerves
* Peripheral arterial disease – a blockage or narrowing of the arteries in the legs
* Skin cancer
* Warts

Today’s podiatrist is a true expert, trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. The country’s 15,000 practicing podiatrists work in a variety of disciplines, from sports medicine and pediatrics, to dermatology and diabetes. Podiatrists can:

* Perform surgery
* Provide complete medical histories and physical exams
* Prescribe medicine
* Set breaks and treat sports-related injuries
* Prescribe and fit appliances, insoles and custom-made shoes
* Order and provide physical therapy
* Order and interpret X-rays and other imaging scans
* Work as a member of your health care team

To find a podiatrist near you, log on to www.todayspodiatrist.com.

(ARA) – Today’s baby boomers are growing older gracefully. And although more than 10,000 boomers each day will turn 65, most are not letting their age stop them from maintaining active and healthy lifestyles.

Here are a few ways to ensure that you (or the ones you love) stay healthy, active and safe:

* Maintain regular health screenings and immunizations. While it is important to have regular check-ups with your family doctor, it’s equally important to monitor vitals more frequently. Luckily, most local pharmacies offer free blood pressure and cholesterol checks, as well as seasonal flu shots.

* Fight against falls. Falls are the most common cause of hospital visits for those older than 65, according to the Home Safety Council. To help prevent falls in the bathroom – while maintaining stylish decor in your home – add new Grab Bars with Integrated Accessories from Moen Home Care. These unique products combine functional accessories, such as a shelf, towel bar and toilet paper holder, with the safety of a grab bar.

* Travel safety. Once you’ve updated your own bathroom with safety features, be sure that you are surrounded with these safety devices when you’re visiting others or on vacation. Products such as the Suction Balance Assist Bar from Moen Home Care offer a suction design that easily attaches directly to smooth, flat surfaces for a firm, secure grip in danger zones – and easily unlocks from the wall for convenient transport when traveling.

* Ensure help is a call away. Cell phones are not just for social uses, they are a valuable emergency response tool – and they don’t have to come with a pricey monthly bill. In fact, plans are available for as low as $10 per month without a contract to AARP members .

* Cease bad habits. Smokers will die 14 years sooner than non-smokers, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No matter if you’ve been smoking for years or decades, your body will be better off if you kick the habit.

* Instill healthy habits. Being healthy doesn’t have to involve major lifestyle changes. For example, swap high-fat or high-calorie versions of your favorite foods with lower-fat, lower-calorie versions. Or, stock your fridge with healthy fruits and vegetables for snacks. These small diet changes can make big differences in your overall health.

* Boost your activity levels. This doesn’t mean running a marathon – but it does mean getting your body moving. Walking, playing golf or any other enjoyable activity that boosts your heart rate is a step in the right direction.

* Keep your mind moving. Cognitive performance levels drop earlier in countries that have younger retirement age, according to a study published by the RAND Center for the Study of Aging and the University of Michigan. But if you’re no longer in the workforce – don’t fear. Just be sure to keep your brain busy by engaging in activities that combine social, physical and intellectual stimulation.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure the golden years will be happy, healthy and safe. For more information on Moen Home Care safety products, visit www.moen.com/homecare.

(ARA) – Often, the thought of getting healthy conjures up images of restrictive diets, counting calories and hours at the gym. However, deprivation diets and strict workout regimens tend to be short-term fixes that never meet your long-term goals. Luckily, there are simple and realistic ways for you to feel great, boost your energy and increase your overall health – and the effects can last a lifetime.

Start with these six simple steps and before you know it, you can be living a happier and healthier lifestyle (without missing your old one).

1. Find new role models. Do your recipes tend to start with butter and continue with other high-fat, high-calorie ingredients? If so, your cookbook needs an update from new role models that pride themselves on healthy cooking. Whether you are looking to move toward a vegan lifestyle like Oprah’s favorite, Tal Ronnen, or are just looking to lighten up your current menu, adding more vegetables, fruits and lean proteins – with less fats and cheeses – will be a step in the right direction. “Eating plant-based foods can be tasty and healthy,” says Ronnen. “It isn’t a sacrifice anymore. It’s a step up when you look at the benefits of eating a plant-based diet and one of the greatest benefits is health.”

2. Equip your kitchen. Once you’ve found a new role model and updated your recipe repertoire – it’s time to give your kitchen a make-over. Swap out the deep-fat fryer for new appliances and gadgets, such as salad spinners and veggie steamers. One that is a favorite among many chefs is the Vitamix TurboBlend VS, a high-performance blender which has multiple functions, including juicing, blending, grinding and cooking – and comes with a “Live Fresh” recipe book and “Let’s Get Started!” DVD instructional video to get you on the right path to creating healthy meals and lifestyle.

3. Change how you eat. Are you a late-night snacker? Do you save up your calories all day for a big dinner? How you eat is just as important as what you eat. Experts agree that skipping meals leads to trouble. Be sure to eat within an hour of waking to get your metabolism going; eat moderate meals throughout the day, and if you’re feeling famished, drink a glass of water and you will be less likely to overeat.

4. Get moving. Getting fit doesn’t necessarily mean joining a gym or running a marathon. Even moderate exercise is beneficial to your heart and helps with weight control. Plus, it helps your body release endorphins and other hormones to make you feel better. Be sure to start slow (so your muscle soreness doesn’t discourage you) and set realistic goals to motivate you to continue any program you start.

5. Enlist a support group. Sticking to a new program is much easier when you aren’t going it alone, so look to others to keep you on track. Challenge family members to find and test a new healthy recipe each week; enlist a co-worker to walk during the lunch hour rather than going out to a restaurant; plan active, fun activities for weekends to keep your body moving.

6. Relax. Stress is a part of most everyone’s lives – but to be healthy, you need to find a way to relax. For some it’s yoga or meditation; for others a comforting book and a good night’s sleep; or maybe just an evening of laughing with friends. Determine what works for you and be sure to add a dose of stress relief to each day.

When it comes to incorporating healthy choices into your lifestyle, it’s important to start slowly, make realistic changes and not get discouraged if you don’t follow the program 100 percent. Remember a healthy lifestyle is for the long haul – it’s not a sprint.