J Blog

This is the time of year where there is a lot of talk about resolutions to lose weight, gain muscle, get in shape, tone up, get fit, etc., etc., etc. There is also a lot of talk about "New Year, New You," which means exactly what? The problem is that all of this information is too vague and doesn't give the average individual, who wants to make positive changes with their health, any real direction. Don't get caught up in hype and catch phrases. Instead, start your New Year's resolution by setting some realistic goals. 

We finished up our men’s basketball season with two exciting championship games on Monday, December 9. The first championship game was in our 35+ League where we saw an exciting match with Rody Grant’s team beating Ohad Nezer’s team for the championship.

We are now in the middle of what is referred to as the Holiday Season. It is a festive time of year full of get togethers, travel and celebration. And regardless of what specific holiday you celebrate, almost all come with a wide variety of epicurean delights in the form of food and drink.

So how do we enjoy the festivities and maintain a healthy weight? By finding a balance of indulgence and maintenance. Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy your favorite holiday sensibly and with moderation.

One of the biggest challenges in terms of our health and wellness is maintaining consistency with our exercise program. The saying, "showing up is half the battle" is, in fact, true. Then there is the frustration of trying to re-establish that consistency after a long layoff.

Even a week off can affect your normal time-clock and schedule to a point where you struggle to get to the gym. Consistency is one of the biggest keys to accomplishing our fitness goals and maintaining health and wellness. Here are some tips to use to get yourself back on schedule.

The week of October 12-19 is Bone and Joint Health National Action Week. We at the Fitness Center think that every week should be bone and joint health action week, but we are still glad that it is important enough of a health concern to make it a National Action item.

There are a few things that come to mind when we think of bone and joint health, such as arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis. There are also a handful of ways that you can educate yourself on injury prevention.

The benefits of maintaining proper posture go well beyond just looking good. Not only do joints such as shoulders, hips and knees move better with proper posture and alignment, but internal organs also work more efficiently when your posture is in line.

In fact, the effect of improper posture on the internal organs can create digestive and circulatory issues that can lead to discomfort, lack of energy and even illness. Proper posture can also help reduce headaches caused by improper neck alignment and reduce lower back pain.

The time has come to end the summer vacations and begin to plan for the new year. In Jewish tradition, this new year is marked by Rosh Hashanah and begins the celebration of the high holidays.

As you gaze out at the beautiful pool, water, trees, and children enjoying each other, it is important to remember the creation of the world. A few common themes of importance at the time of the new year are reflection, positive changes and newness. 

Functional Training is a term that has saturated the fitness industry over the last decade. It has been used to market and promote multiple formats of exercise and has been included in a wide variety of fitness articles in magazines, social and internet media. But do we understand what the term Functional Training actually is? 

Contributions by Caitlin Cecil, Health and Fitness Coordinator

As is the case with so many things in our lives today, people are turning to online assistance when it comes to weight loss and fitness. Who among us hasn't typed in key search words such as "building muscle," "toning arms, butts and legs," "best ab workout" or "quick weight loss.” In fact, "how to lose weight" is in the top 10 of most asked questions online and is searched online about 1,300 times a day.

Along with an overwhelming amount of nutritional information, that may or may not be accurate, there are countless programs and workouts that can be found online. As you filter through search results, it's difficult to know what is legitimate and what can actually work for you. Below are some guidelines  you can use as you search for the right fitness program. 

In the 1920s, Joseph Pilates introduced his method of exercise to help injured athletes and dancers return to fitness and health. In today’s fitness world, many places offer Pilates, but may not appear to offer the foundation that J. Pilates had in mind. 

It is overwhelming with the number of studios, boutiques and formats to choose from. Pilates is for people of all ages, backgrounds, and is as much a mental workout as it is a physical one. Concentration is important, as is form while slowly repeating the movements.