PETER'S PRINCIPLES - March 31-April 4, 2008
Vic from Royal Oak e-mails for tips on maximizing upper body strength.
Vic, here's one that's sure to fit the bill! One arm dumbbell rows build the biceps, forearm flexors, Lats, traps, rhomboids and deltoids! Just stand to the side of a bench that's elevated 30 degrees at the upper end. Kneel on the bench with the inside leg and hold the dumb bell in the outside hand with your arm extended. Using a rowing motion, pull me dumbbell toward your chest. Lower it to the starting position. Exhale when you lift the dumb bell , And inhale when you return it to the starting position! Do three to five sets of ten reps of this exercise using both arms. It's excellent for isolating me muscles on each side of your body and developing balance in your upper torso. It just shows that rowing is good for a lot more than just moving a boat through the water!
Karen from Walled Lake gets snacky in the afternoon widle at work. She wonders if there's anything good she can eat instead of chips.
Karen, try some pistacmo nuts or sunflower seeds. They're a great afternoon snack and good for you. In fact a recent study found both pistacmo nuts and sunflower seeds lower your cholesterol and are good for your heart. But remember, too much of a good tillng can be bad. Nuts and seeds pack 150 to 200 calories per ounce. So limit your snacking to only one or two ounces. Also, many nuts and seeds can be very salty, so look for those marked unsalted-they're better for you!
Ellen from Novi e-mails that she feels healthier after praying and wonders if there's any scientific basis for it.
Ellen, the power of prayer is an idea that's gaining acceptance all the time! Studies show that there's a definite link between a healthy spirit and a healthy body! Dozens of studies show a link between religious involvement and a longer life. Religious beliefs also appear to improve recovery rates from serious illness and i'm the living proof! Folks who read the bible or attend church also have overall lower blood pressure. One simple reason maybe that the bible promotes a healthier lifestyle. Organized religion also strengthens social bonds and relationships. Studies show that religion also promotes a general sense of well being and improves the ability to deal with stress and cope with problems. When it comes to better health a little help from above is just what the doctor ordered!
Chuck emails asking about maximizing his weight loss with exercise.
Chuck, americans weigh more than ever and the formula for dealing with weight gain is getting tougher in order to deal with the problem! Back in 1996 the surgeon general recommended that americans get in thirty minutes of moderate exercise every day. That's enough to burn about one thousand calories per week. On average- americans are fatter now. So two world renowned health organizations are saying thirty minutes a day just isn't enough! They say that those exercising to lose weight should make one hour of exercise every day their new goal! Research bears out the recommendation. Two test groups were put on weight loss plans with similar diets. One exercised thirty minutes per day-the other sixty. Weight loss was forty percent greater in the sixty minute group. That's a lot of payoff for a little extra time!
Natalie from Plymouth emails concerned about her daughters hyperactivity. What can she do?
Natialie, try cutting back on food and drinks with coloring and preservatives. Researchers studied a group of 300 children. They gave some children drinks spiked with a mixture of food colorings and preservatives. They found significant changes in the children's behavior when they drank the drinks spiked with additives. They also found children were more hyperactive when they ate foods with additives. Experts says this supports what they've been saying for years, feeding children heavily processed foods high in fat, salt or sugar is not good for their health. You're best bet is to give your child healthy snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables.
