I recently saw an article about Working Out While Pregnant and because I am a runner, I was curious to find out more about running while pregnant. No, I am not thinking of becoming pregnant anytime in the near future and no, the following pieces of advice do not come from real life experiences. I marvel at women who run and are clearly pregnant and I wonder what the difference would be besides having extra weight in your belly. Is there a different mindset about a workout? Is there a point at which it becomes too difficult to...

Read More »

Despite some recent unseasonable weather in many parts of the country, spring is here, and summer is on the way. School will soon be out, and some folks will be looking for ways to have fun and stay fit as a family. A morning stroll, a play day at the park and bicycling around the neighborhood all come to mind, but how about a day at the rink? The modern version of the roller skate - four wide wheels on a platform strapped beneath a boot or shoe - was designed by James Plimpton of New York in 1863, and...

Read More »

There are several medical reasons a teenager may become unusually fatigued, mononucleosis and anemia being among them, so if you are a teen facing sudden and excessive fatigue, you should tell your parents and consult a physician right away. However, if the tiredness you feel comes on gradually you simply may be responding to the new stresses of your teenage lifestyle. Younger children often seem to have perpetual reserves of boundless energy, running here and there, talking until you are sure their lungs will deflate... So what makes that diminish when your age hits double-digits? Many factors can contribute to fatigue,...

Read More »

Despite growing concerns about overweight teens in the US, the health crisis continues to spread. National campaigns to combat child and teen obesity have been, so far, ineffective. Blame for the epidemic has been placed in many areas – fast food, junk food, too much food, depression, lack of parental guidance, inactivity, TV and video games, to name a few – and there is now a new offender to add to the list. Recent studies now point to a possible chemical culprit: cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and released into the bloodstream, often at...

Read More »

Well, I do not know about you, but I have been less than thrilled with the weather this season. For instance, it is November, but this past week in Boston it has been anywhere from 40 to 60 degrees outside. That is not cold, and it certainly is not the ideal temperature for my favorite form of precipitate--snow! Well, once the snow comes along, ski season will be in full blast. Teaching someone how to ski is an interesting experience. It is not too hard to learn, in opposition to first starting snowboarding, but it can be challenging. For those of you who...

Read More »