Education

Plan to keep exercise resolution

The Huntsville Times
By Janine Nesin

How do you stick to your New Year's resolutions that involve exercise?

The most common problem we see with people beginning an exercise program is lack of planning, which, added to enthusiasm, can be a dangerous combination. Individuals excited about a new exercise program start out too fast and too hard. This combination can result in injury and ultimately most will "fall off the wagon."

- Be sure to consider an exercise program that takes into account both your work and life schedules. Set up a plan for each week that includes time for essentials: stretching, warm-up and cool-down, cross-training and rest. Exercising with a partner encourages accountability.

- Many people, in this day and time, sit in front of a computer all day. Their muscles tighten up; they attempt to fit in exercise amongst their busy schedules and skip those essentials of an exercise routine. A general guideline is stretching and a slow pace of the exercise for five to 10 minutes to warm-up before the activity and 10 to 15 minutes to cool down at the end of the activity.

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Take a Load Off Kids' Backs

The Huntsville Times

Many adults work out several times a week at the gym lifting weights, but how many think about the daily workout our kids do?

No, we're not talking about weights or anything at the gym.

We're talking about the backpacks filled with paper, pencils, textbooks, calculators and computers.

Children can develop back pain that stems from carrying those heavy backpacks that are too big, poorly fitted, worn improperly, overloaded or cheaply made. Dr. Janine Nesin of Nesin Therapy says backpacks can actually do more harm than good if used improperly. She warns that packs that are too heavy or worn incorrectly put children at an increased risk for postural changes and musculoskeletal injuries.

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Proper Position Makes Yard Work Less of a Pain

By Brandi Lindsey and Shannon Siegel
Special to the Times


HUNTSVILLE, AL. - It is that time of year again. The warm weather is upon us, the fresh air is inviting and our yards are in need of attention. We look forward to enjoying the beauty of a well-tended yard.

However, as we work, with beauty there can be pain. Proper body mechanics while performing any yard task can make the difference between an experience that is eagerly repeated or greatly dreaded.

Many people forget that yard work is like any sport -  engaging a number of muscles, requiring endurance and proper prep and recovery. Stretching your legs and trunk prior to taking on a yard task will help decrease muscle soreness when you have completed your activity. Set aside a few moments to slowly stretch these muscles and give them a chance to wake up and be ready to go to work.

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Take Care of Yourself on Your Next Trip

Take care of yourself on your next tripHUNTSVILLE, AL -- Frequent business travelers may struggle to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits while on the road. Dr. Janine Nesin, a physical therapist at Nesin Therapy Services P.C. and Linda Steakley, dietitian at Huntsville Hospital's Wellness Center, have these suggestions:

Tips for staying in shape:

On the plane
Pack reasonably. People going on corporate trips often have to carry heavy equipment, displays and suitcases. It's not the one-time lifting that's harmful, it's the getting it out of the car, putting it on the airport conveyer belt to be scanned, putting it in trunk the rental car and then getting it back out that's bad for you.

Find wheeled carts. Make sure to use wheeled carts and rolling suitcases to relieve stress from lifting and carrying.

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Plan to Maximize Exercise

Janine Nesin and Cindy Martin
For The Huntsville Times

Plan to Maximize Exercise

Don't ruin your program by trying to do too much too quickly, risking injury.

It's time to get outside and start that exercise program you promised yourself you would begin after the New Year but have been able to put off, "because it's just too cold outside."

The most common problem we see with people beginning an exercise program is lack of planning. Add to this enthusiasm over warmer weather and longer daylight hours, and the combination is potentially dangerous.

Lack of planning can result in an unsuccessful exercise program due to injury. Taking the time to plan and implement each of these important steps will ensure the development of an exercise program that you can stick with.

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