Health & Fitness

Turn on your TV or flip a page in a magazine and you’re sure to see the latest pill, potion or other gadget that promises to give you the body of your dreams in just days, minutes or even seconds. 

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are the big enemies when it comes to aging. Osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass and Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle. 

It’s one thing to just tell yourself to take it easy and it’s another to actually take steps to reduce the things in your life that are causing your stress.  So here are seven things you can do right now:

When I first started coming to Goddess Fitness, I wore a size 16.  The other day, I went clothes shopping and was able to buy clothes in a size eight.  I don’t even remember the last time I was able to do that. 

Erick Arreola from the Santa Clarita Community Center Boxing program is the new champ after winning the Golden Glove competition in the 130 pound weight division last month. 

Do you often feel anxious or apprehensive?
Do you have frequent feelings of guilt?
Do you have back or neck pain on a regular basis?

Mark your calendar for April 19th when you can rally for the 2007 Relay for Life at the kick-off event to be held at the Valencia Spectrum Club.  The Relay for Life is a 24-hour trek where walkers take turns circling a Santa Clarita track raising money for the American Caner Society (ACS). 

Yes, there is a warrior inside of you.  But somewhere beneath the layers of life, career, family, children, education, errands, etc., the warrior within gets stifled.  That deep-rooted spirit stirs now and then, but is too often ignored, especially by busy mom’s who are juggling a myriad of responsibilities that quickly zap mental and physical energy.

Competing tirelessly week-after-week on tennis courts around the world, professional players firmly engage in some of their sport’s toughest tournaments, earning points for title and rank.  Some of those matches even happen in our own valley.  But what most people don’t necessarily notice is that there’s more to the sport than just the game itself.  There are many others on the court, such as ball people who help keep the game moving efficiently.

After having my third child, the weight wasn’t coming off, as easily as it had after having my first two children.
For the next year and a half, I tried one thing after another to lose the weight, but to no avail.  I joined a gym, watched what I ate, ran, joined Weight Watchers, took weight loss medications prescribed by two different physicians and in a last ditch effort, I went to see an Endocrinologist. 

Losing weight does not go hand in hand with feeling hungry all the time as some of you guys may worry about.  Now I know you need to keep your stamina up so here are some healthy weight loss principles, which will allow you to eat and lose weight.  Let’s call it the “eat more” guide. Fruit and vegetables are low in calories and fat but jam packed with lots of nutritional benefits.  Use to bulk out a meal to fill you up or snack on fruit throughout the day to stop the hands delving into the biscuit tin mid morning.

If you’re a dog or cat owner, you’ve probably noticed how often your pet likes to stretch. Stretching feels good, especially after lying around all day. Or, as is more often the case with humans, sitting around all day.  But unlike our furry friends, we’re not as likely to get up and stretch our bodies after long bouts of inactivity, even though our bodies would like nothing more. From sitting all day at a desk or computer, we usually move on to a seat in a car, bus, or train, and then home to more seated activity — eating, reading, watching television, paying bills, answering email.

Many times, people jump right into a fitness routine, but quickly overdo it and hurt themselves. The result? Pain, frustration, and even trips to the doctor. But if you exercise with caution, your body will thank you.  If you’re new to physical activity, haven’t been active for a long time, or are trying a new sport, start out slowly. Build up your activity gradually so you don’t get hurt. To realize health benefits, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, at least five days a week.

Fitting fitness into your travel plans is easier than you think. With a little effort, you can work around the jet lag and busy schedules to squeeze in some regular physical activity. And you’ll feel better for it, especially if being away from home means you’re under stress or not eating and sleeping well. You’ll have more energy to see the sites, impress your clients, or just enjoy your vacation with more gusto. Start planning before you leave.

Gina G. MacDonald of Canyon Country is pleased to announce the engagement of her daughter, Kristie MacDonald to Bryce Nolan Fortner of Playa del Rey, California. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Dorothy Gillespie of Burbank, California. She is a 1995 graduate of Canyon High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude in Psychology from California State University, Northridge. She is employed as the Executive Director of Marketing for Ripe Digital Entertainment.