Align Pilates® Minneapolis

If you live near a lake—and in Minneapolis, it’s more than likely that you do—you’ve probably seen those people running barefoot. You might have done a double take. You might have thought, What the? Or you might have asked, Really? But the real question is, Is running barefoot good for you?

As semi-avid runners ourselves, it’s hard to believe that pattering across hot pavement and letting tiny pebbles and other miscellaneous particles of debris (let’s remember, there’s a lot of dog walkers out there) embed themselves into the tissue of our feet (unless, of course, you go this route) does not seem like our idea of a good time. Nonetheless, barefoot running remains a trendy topic amongst exercise and health experts alike. And the small portion of American runners that enthusiastically indulge in the fad say that it helps them keep better form and stay injury free.

Although we’re certain not solve the debate here, maybe this NY Times article will help shed some light on the topic, or at least help you save some cash on those fancy running shoes.

It happens again. You awaken at 3:45 am by a resounding car alarm, last night’s enchilada or for absolutely no logical reason whatsoever. So now what? Do you throw in that extra load of laundry? No. Wash those dishes sitting by the sink? Uh-uh. Exercise? You’d have to be certifiably crazy. So you flip on the TV. After surfing through the channels, all that’s there to comfort you during your wee hour of need is some silly infomercial for the latest and greatest exercise gadget recommended by some supposed fitness guru. At first, disappointment sets in. This inane drivel isn’t what you want to watch. “With over 50 channels of cable, you’d think they could come up with something better than THIS,” you grumble. And then, before you know it, the magic moment happens. Whether it’s the sleep deprivation, the TV’s flashing rays or the demonstrator’s bulging, tanned muscles bathed in spandex, you’re hooked. This thing, whatever it is, is actually quite interesting…at least it numbs the pain of being awake at this ungodly hour for a few minutes until you *yawn* wake up 2 hours later on the couch, remote in hand, chin lazily slumped to your chest and just the tiniest bit of dribble eeking out the corner of your mouth.

Later that day at work, you pause from your click-clacking keyboard to remember that intriguing apparatus you witnessed during last night’s non-slumber. You look down at your lap. Maybe you could use The Thigh Glider. But is it really worth it? Could you just save your bucks and invest in a good eye pillow instead? Wonder no more, my heavy-eyed friend. We’ve found the As Seen on TV Guide to Infomercial Fitness Gear to answer all of these burning questions and more. Luckily, iVillage Health has done all the background product testing so you can quickly find out if that thing is a scam or a score, no pinching, pulling or pulsating required. Phew! Now that we’ve got that covered, go get some sleep for goodness sake. You look like you’ve been up for a while.

The holidays are here. Time for merry making, cheer spreading and yuletide…whatevering. But let’s face it, while you’re whooping it up with families and friends this holiday season, it can be real hard to keep tabs on your healthy diet. Unlike Aunt Flo’s annual fruit cake, your weight haves and have-nots will still be there long after the holiday season has packed its tinsel and fled for the Florida Keys. So what’s a girl to do? Well, for starters, just avoid the fruit cake. Who knows what’s in that thing anyway. After that, here’s a holiday list to check twice, courtesy of WebMD: Top 10 Holiday Diet Tips of All Time. It should give you some good pointers on how to eat and drink your way out of the holiday season, allowing you to feel sensibly satisfied and leaving the stuffing for the stockings.

We are swiftly approaching the season of giving. We all know that the best gifts come from the heart, so now is the perfect time to make sure that your ticker is healthy and ready for the giving.

You have probably heard from your doctor or elsewhere that gum disease is linked to heart disease. And if you haven’t, it’s time to remove the heavy rock under which you dwell. Current studies show that 50% of Americans have gum disease. Yep, that’s a lot of people who aren’t flossing. And having unhealthy gums makes you a likely candidate for heart problems. Why? The story goes that a lot of inflammation in one area of your body will prompt another part to break down.

Exercise as well as bi-yearly trips to the dentist can have powerful anti-inflammatory effects on your gums and body as a whole. But here’s another helpful twist: eating certain foods can also help. Here is a quick list of things to nosh to protect your gums and heart, some of which may surprise you. Now, next time you come up with some half-brained reason why you don’t need to floss and/or brush, just put your heart where your mouth is.

Lots of us are feeling under the weather this time of year. Kleenexes and Purell are as common as phone rings and mouse clicks in the office place, and in-store pharmacies are crowded with flu-shot seekers.
For all you sickies out there, a bout of the common cold often leads to a common question: While you are coughing, hacking and, well, you know, can you still work out? The answer is (drum roll, please): It depends.

Sometimes it’s real hard to steer clear of your usual gym routine, even though you are not feeling up to par. And other times, a good case of the ickies will leave you feeling like you’d rather stick a Q-tip in your eye than even think about setting foot into a room full of perspiring people. So here’s a good rule of thumb, (courtesy of Biggest Loser coach, Jillian Michaels): If you are suffering symptoms above the neck (runny nose, sneezes, sore throat) go ahead and venture to your workout facility of choice, but be mindful of your energy levels and perhaps ease up on your usual routine just a tad. However, if your symptoms are more in the below-the-neck region (deep chest cough, vomiting, fever, or the always favorite, diarrhea) you are well advised to avoid exercising altogether until your Saltines stay where they belong.

While it’s never fun when life derails you from your fitness goals, it won’t do you any good to over-stress your body and go nuts trying to lose weight when you are not feeling healthy. It’s important to pay attention to and listen to your body. And remember, below-the-neck symptoms are always a good excuse to stay home and watch Oprah.