Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Sleep vs. Weight loss

Is your lack of sleep interfering with your weight loss goals?  Here is an interesting post about a recent study that showed how lack of sleep increased body weight.

New York Times Blog

If your still not convinced that lack of sleep can negatively effect your health check out these posts:
Sleep and consequences
Sleep disorders

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Save the Date!



Save the Date! OSR Physical Therapy, Eden Prairie, will be hosting a Pilates Day event on Saturday, May 4th, 2013.

This event is by donation, with 100% of proceeds going to a charity. Currently, we are working to select a charity. If you have one in mind for our consideration, please reply to this blog post with your ideas! (Responses go to email instead of directly onto this page, so feel free to share whatever you like!)

We will hold a Pilates class from 10 AM -11 AM with many great raffle prizes to support your overall health and wellness goals!


Stay tuned for more information!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Affordable fitness

As a reminder OSR Physical Therapy offers affordable fitness classes through our MOG.  Our MOG or More than an Ordinary Gym is a nationwide organization specializing in helping those with medical issues get fit.  We work with people who have had orthopedic surgery or injury, cancer, pregnancy, heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions.

If you are interested in joining our MOG or looking for more info give us a call today at 952-873-7400.



  

Monday, February 25, 2013

Nutrition links

Here are some links to different relevant nutrition articles from the past few weeks.  If you have some time to read these you will enjoy them and learn!  If you have any great articles you have read recently please share!

New York Times Junk Food Article

Healthy Ranch Dressing

All about cooking oils


Have a healthy week!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Struggling with winter workouts?

If you are struggling with motivation and workouts this winter, know you are not alone.  Roughly 20% of Americans are affected by SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder.
 
Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a type of depression that occurs the same time of the year, every year.  It typically starts in the fall and increases as the winter goes on. 
According to the Mayo Clinic

SAD symptoms include:
  • decreased energy
  • moody spells
  • anxiety
  • extremities can feel heavy
  • decrease in social life
  • weight gain
  • craving high carbohydrate foods or other appetite changes
  • difficulty concentrating 
  • poor sleeping patterns
  • even put you into a state of depression

*Make sure if you ever get to the point of hopelessness, turning to alcohol to control your days or depression that you consult with your doctor.

So what causes SAD?
A true medical cause is unknown.  The likely cause is similar to other mental health issues which are genetics, age and chemical make up.  Certain medications, drug/alcohol abuse, low vitamin D levels, poor sleep habits, poor nutrition and nutritional inefficiencies are other common causes.  Serotonin and melatonin are both hormones that can contribute to SAD. If your serotonin is low which can because by lack of sunlight depression can be triggered.  If your melatonin is low your sleep patterns and mood will be affected.

Females are more at risk for SAD.  Those with family history and other types of depression are also more at risk.  Lastly, if you live further from the equator (like Minnesota) you can also be at more risk.

There is no specific test for SAD.  A doctor will ask you questions, might perform a physical exam and could order blood work to rule out other issues.  Commonly Vitamin D levels will be low and they will recommend Vitamin D therapy.  Here is another post on 
vitamin D supplementation.

For your doctor to diagnose you with SAD you will have had to have symptoms for at least two consecutive years.  
Also, experience episodes of depression followed by non depression and to have mood/behavior swings for no reason.

Some things you can do to reduce your SAD:

  • Light Therapy (talk with your doctor if you are already on an antidepressant) 
  • Vitamin D Supplementation
  • Melatonin Supplementation
  • Magnesium Supplementation
  • Omega 3/Fish oil supplements
  • Stay socially active in the winter time, here are some activities to try to keep you busy
  • Keep working out, even when energy is low (the Mayo clinic even says so)
  • Try to do some activities out side, even if its cold to get some natural Vitamin D, but read our winter safety tips first
  • Keep blinds open at home to let some sun light in
  • Yoga, meditation and massage have also been shown to help
  • Take care of yourself and practice stress management
  • Take a vacation to somewhere warm and sunny
  • If your SAD is really bad discussing psychotherapy and medications with your doctor is also advised
 
Good luck the rest of this winter, its almost over, hopefully!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Snacks

Here is a list of healthy protein filled snacks that are gluten and dairy free!

Pistachios
Almonds
Walnuts
Homemade trail mix with nuts and dried fruit
Dry Roasted edamame
Peanut butter and apples
Powdered Peanut Butter
Almond butter on rice cake or with celery
Protein powder and water, rice milk or almond milk
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Lara-bars, Kind and Kit Bars
Lunch meat wrapped around a pickle
Shrimp skewers
Jerky- beef, turkey, buffalo, tuna, ostrich and others
Bean dip with peppers, corn, onions, use gluten free bean chips or gluten free corn chips
Radish, celery, peppers, carrots, broccoli with hummus
Tuna on lettuce wraps

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Gluten Free Fiber Sources

How does one go about getting enough fiber in a diet, especially if you are interested in gluten-free sources?

Sources of fiber
Here are some ideas:

  • Fruits--apples, bananas, peaches, pears, berries
  • Non-Starchy Vegetables--Lettuce, spinach, artichokes, peppers
  • Starchy Veggies--Corn, peas, sweet potatoes, squash
  • Nuts--sunflower seeds, almonds
  • Grains--Gluten-free oatmeal, beans, lentils, buckwheat, quinona, brown rice, corn tortillas, brown rice noodles
What are your favorite ways to increase the fiber in your diet? Share with us by making a post!

Disclaimer: The above list is not intended to be comprehensive. Always check with your medical provider on dietary guidelines if you have any medical condition or related concerns. The use of "gluten-free" above implies a health/wellness decision, and does not consider the presence of medically diagnosed conditions.