Mixing it up

I have noticed in many gyms that most people will base their workouts on only cardio or only weight lifting. A new study on sedentary people with type two diabetes shows that mixing these two up throughout the week is your best option. Researchers randomly assigned 262 sedentary men and women with type 2 diabetes to a control group that remained sedentary; an aerobic group that walked on a treadmill each week (equivalent to a brisk, 4 mph walk for 50 minutes 3 times a week); a resistance group that did three weight-training sessions per week (2 to 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions of 9 exercises); and a combo group that walked on the treadmill (42 minutes 3 times a week at 4 mph) and did two weight lifting sessions each week (1 set each of 9 exercises per session). What they measured in these tests was Hemoglobin A1c which allowed them to get an understanding of the percentage of red blood cells that had glucose stuck to them. The average reading at the beginning of the study was about 7.7. After the workout periods concluded, levels did not change much for those who did strictly aerobic or strictly resistance. However, those who combined the two had levels drop by 0.34%.  I found this very interesting especially with it being said in the article that all groups spent the same amount of time in the gym.  Apparently keeping the body guessing with new workouts is most beneficial whether it is losing weight or doing your best to preserve your overall health.

Overcoming Stress

With finals around the corner many students here at Westfield State will be going through a tremendous amount of stress while trying to complete the remainder of work they have for classes this semester.  It is easy  to become stressed, especially with the deprivation of sleep many will encounter trying to complete assignments and studying for tests.  However, there are strategies you can take in order to relieve the tension and pressure of stress that I have learned through the relaxation techniques course here at Westfield and also through an article I read on CNN. Try these few steps and let me know if you were able to take off your mind whatever was bothering you before.

1. Find a comfortable spot

2.Focus on a muscle that feels tight or uncomfortable

3.Close your eyes and take deep breaths

4.Continue to focus on the muscle with the most tension

5.Tighten or focus on the muscle for 30 seconds

6. After the 30 seconds loosen that muscle with a strong exhale

7.Open your eyes and realize how you are now feeling

I know this worked for me while in class, there may be some problems with focusing without someone there guiding you, or it just might sound foolish. Anyways give it a try and if it doesn't work, well, there are always still stress balls to help you out.

Is playing through an injury really worth it?

Former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner recently had an article done on him and the many concussions he received through his 12 year tenure.  He stated that nobody ever forced him to play in the weeks following blows that caused Warner to have many concussions. However, he did say "But you wondered if guys were looking at you a little differently and saying ... he's not being tough."  The fact is while many of these athletes are in the league they are playing through pain so they don't have that label, and give their team the best shot at winning. What they don't see is a possible future turnout of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)which is a disease closely related to that of dimentia where many NFL athletes will suffer a range of problems, including memory loss, rage, and possible depression and suicidal tendencies. Coming from my point of view I would have to say I might not play through a concussion due to the many players who come out of the league and develop CTE.  As an athlete though they need to play as many games as possible in order to be able to sign a contract in upcoming years.  There aren't many managers out there who are willing to pay for a quarterback or any player for that matter who is going to sit out most of the season.