Low Impact Exercises That Can Help You Lose Weight

When it comes to weight loss and burning calories, many people elect for high-intensity workouts as opposed to low impact exercises. This is because high-intensity exercises have been advertised as the most effective when it comes to weight loss. As much as this may seem to be true, low impact exercises can also help you lose weight, maintain a physically fit body and above all, live a healthy lifestyle. The question many people will ask is, are there low impact exercises that can help you lose weight? Yes, and here are just a some of them:

Walking

Walking is a form of exercise that is stress-free and offers immense benefits. On top of being a form of exercise, walking improves your mood and reduces stress. To benefit from walking you will need to do at least one to two kilometers every day. If taking a stroll is not good enough, you can make it a little bit more intensive by hitting the hills or adding some weights. You can add some weights by carrying a backpack that has some items. Just make sure that you maintain good posture.

Elliptical machine

The elliptical machines are very effective when it comes to reducing the extra stress on your legs when exercising. They are the best alternative to treadmills and very effective in weight loss. For you to benefit from the use of the elliptical, try to work out for at least 30 minutes non-stop. This way you will exercise almost the entire body parts and burn a considerable amount of calories. These machines give your body a thorough workout for both the upper body as well as the lower body.

Cycling

Cycling is another form of low-intensity workouts that is effective and does not strain your joints or back. You can use the traditional bicycle or use recumbent exercise bikes. If you do not have a bicycle, you can go to the gym and use the stationary bikes available there and still lose some pounds. If you are a beginner, you can start at a pace that is comfortable for you and progress from there.

Swimming

Swimming is an effective exercise when it comes to losing weight. It slims and tones your whole body. This is because you use all the muscle groups in order to swim. Your arms will be toned, the legs, the waist area, the back, and shoulders will all be involved in the exercise. This ensures that you burn calories and tone your muscles effectively.

Low impact exercises are good because you can do them without the use of expensive machines in needed. You can do them almost anywhere and still benefit from exercising. Furthermore, they are not strenuous and do not cause joint pains.     

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Health and Wellness Tips

It is hard not to strive for a healthy lifestyle with all the health and wellness campaigns constantly around us. The health and wellness benefits are undeniable, as they help to improve our overall body functions.

There are many wellness programs that one can adopt or join to help keep them on the right path of good health (and happiness). Such programs reduce elevated health risks, improve productivity, build and sustain morale and improve the body’s immune system.  The health and wellness programs are aimed at improving the physical and mental health. This can be done through;

Health and wellness for physical health

Dozens of articles and online resources on health and wellness emphasize on keeping fit and avoiding unhealthy lifestyles. In order to achieve this, one has to endure and persevere regular exercises and controlled dietary choices, and in some cases restrictions by doctors for a healthy living. It may not be easy to maintain such conditions. It can take a toll on your body, and at some point may seem impossible to keep up with. However, with the support of family and friends, one can easily achieve great health. Try to develop and stick to a routine. This, alone, can help move an occasional healthy effort into a daily habit. 

Apart from healthy eating and exercising, avoiding drugs and substance abuse also leads to the greater wellness of the body. Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and consumption of other toxic drugs can easily lead to failure of some vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.  Keeping away from such bad lifestyle influences will help increase your physical health and wellness.

Health and wellness for mental health

In order to maintain mental health, one has to avoid and effectively manage stress. Stress is not only destructive mentally and emotionally but also physically. There are those who seem to strive in stress, while the rest of us mere mortals are hindered by it. Stress can lead to the decline of both mental and physical health. A stressful person may incur mood swings, and may not enjoy life to its fullest. To achieve wellness for mental health, one has to avoid stressful situations and jobs that are beyond the stress limit. Daily exercise, proper eating, and meditation can be great stress-relievers. 

Another way to achieve mental health is to unplug from technology every once in awhile. People are spending too many hours on social media, playing video games and watching movies that they barely have time to let their brains relax. Unplugging from such activities and reconnecting with nature, friends, and family is good for your mental health. It will improve your social skills to associate with those close to you and meet new people.

Proper and Sufficient Sleep is also a good way to ensure health and wellness. It helps us regenerate lost energy during the day and also helps manage stress. Sleeping for few hours will affect your overall mental health, decreasing the wellness of the body. Get enough sleep for a healthy life.

Health and wellness should not be taken for granted as not maintaining it can lead to a chain of health issues. One can improve their health physically and mentally through the above tips for overall wellness.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

What You Should Know About Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is a field that provides athletes and active people so many health benefits and treatment all over the world. The fitness industry is becoming more a growing part of society, as are their related injuries. Even with major advancements in equipment and attire, such as athletic shoes, there are many people getting injured while engaging in sports. Often times, they look to sports medicine to help get them quickly on the mend.

This health care field focuses on assisting individuals enhance their athletic performances, recuperate from injuries and avert future injuries. Medical professionals in this field do not only treat athletes, but also anyone else suffering from sports or activity-related injuries.

Sports medicine doctors are orthopedic surgeons or non-surgical key care experts who specialize in musculoskeletal injuries, diabetes and hypertension in athletes and active but non-athletic individuals. Below are some important factors regarding sports medicine.

Which experts are in in this field?

Sport medicine specialists have specialization in sports science and Exercise. Experts in this field are as follows:

*Physical Therapists

*Medical doctors and surgeons

*Physical Therapists Assistants

*Massage Therapists

*Athletic Trainers

Function of Sports Medicine Experts

These specialists and physicians undergo training for a given period. They are trained to deal with injuries related to sports and exercises. These experts specialize on the diagnosis and treatment of the injuries which can occur when a person is engaging in sports or is exercising. Generally, sports medicine professionals usually deal with different kinds of orthopedic cases.

What is Sports Medicine Services Inclusive of?

The main reason why people seek sports medicine services is to get back to their best health so as to do their everyday activities or favorite sport. Sports Medicine generally deals with conditioning, biomechanics, cortisone, synvisc, injury prevention, platelet rich plasma (PRP), hyaline, viscol supplementation, injury management and rehabilitation.

Who can benefit from sports medicine?

Irrespective of the name, Sports medicine is not restricted to the serious athlete only. This field deals with any kind of physical activity, which might or might not be originating from sports. The injuries might be as a result of sudden collision, overuse, and over-extension, over-exertion of muscles of the joints which might be as a result of exercising or any other active physical activity.  This field can treat all types of musculoskeletal injuries.

With sports medicine, athlete or any other person who has suffered the conditions listed above, can still have the hopes of competing in sports again. However, prevention of injuries is one of the best ways one can use to preserve their sports career or active lifestyle. Sports medicine can help all of us stay in the game, or return to it more quickly should we sustain a sports injury.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.