When I started going to a gym regularly and lifting weights, I remember thinking: I don't want to bulk up. I simply want to be a little bit stronger. Would I bulk up, like the Incredible Hulk? What benefits would weight training, or resistance training, give me? Why should I do this? And how did this fit into my health goals? As I wondered about all these questions about women and weight … [Read more...] about Women and Weight Training: Will I Bulk Up?
health
5 Books that Could Boost Your Health This Summer
If you're looking for a summer read, may I offer a few ideas that go beyond the genre known informally as "romance novel to read while sitting on the beach?" Not that there's anything wrong with that genre! If that's what you enjoy and what you need right now to decompress, go for it. And in that case, bookmark this for later when you're wanting something else. But if you're ready for … [Read more...] about 5 Books that Could Boost Your Health This Summer
Summer Sun and Bugs: Essential Oils to the Rescue
Summer brings plenty of opportunities for sunburns, bug bites, and other skin irritations. But essential oils can help when used pro-actively against bugs and in response to burns, stings, bites, or rashes. Below, I'll share some ideas for how to use these powerful compounds - and some recipes for "potions" that have worked for my family. I started learning about essential oils nearly four … [Read more...] about Summer Sun and Bugs: Essential Oils to the Rescue
Is it Self-Care, or Is it Stewardship?
Self-care takes different forms, depending on the situation and person. Lighting a candle. Enjoying a slow coffee and breathing deeply. Taking a walk. Spending time with a friend. Choosing healthy foods. Each of those has its place. But when life feels like it's spiraling out of control, self-care may be the first thing to go. How do we stop that from happening, to make ourselves more … [Read more...] about Is it Self-Care, or Is it Stewardship?
Celebrate Each Success, and Begin Again
When we decide we're ready to take a healthy step forward, we set out determined. We prepare to take action. Inside, we're not sure we actually can reach our goal, perhaps, but we jump in anyway. Call it optimism, or craziness. Our resolve may last five minutes, five weeks, five months. We have fits and starts. And it can be easy to beat ourselves up over the fits and restarts. But as we … [Read more...] about Celebrate Each Success, and Begin Again
Catch Up on Preventive and Diagnostic Tests
Sometimes, especially if we have others to care for, we can let our attention on ourselves slip. When's the last time you met with your healthcare provider? Is it time to catch up on your preventive screenings and diagnostic tests? Achieving our best health depends on making healthy lifestyle choices - what we eat and drink, how we move and sleep, how we handle stress. But we also need to … [Read more...] about Catch Up on Preventive and Diagnostic Tests
