GO Exercise

Human beings don’t always know what’s best for them. Throughout history, white flour has been a sign of prosperity and refinement, preferred by those who could afford it over whole wheat.

Whether white bread tastes better is a subjective question, but science is pretty clear that whole wheat, and whole grains in general, have a substantial nutritional advantage. Our bodies derive necessary vitamins and minerals from those portions of the grain that would be removed in the refining process. Whole grains are also richer in dietary fiber and may help build our body’s resistance to heart disease, cancer, and a host of other maladies.

So give whole wheat a try, and you’ll be getting more nutrition in every bite!

Many women are concerned about continuing their exercise routines during pregnancy. If you engage in high-risk sports such as surfing or rock climbing, where a serious impact can occur, this seems prudent. But for more run-of-the-mill activities, like jogging or aerobics, you might be able to continue well into your third trimester. Always consult your physician for any special guidance about how your pregnancy should influence your workout. In most cases she will tell you that with minimal modifications you can keep it up!

As you get into the more advanced stages of pregnancy you may find that it’s hard to perform the usual motions, get creative and find alternatives that work for you! Exercising with a partner who can perform emotional and physical support is also great during pregnancy, a special time for both members of the couple.

These internal oblique muscles are found as the name implies, to the side and inside the abdomen.  Their job is to compress the contents of the abdomen, support and stabilize the spine, bend the spine forward, (flex), rotate the body to the same side, and also to cause the spine to bend to the side.

The internal oblique muscles can be considered “tonic” type muscles. This means that their primary role is to give support and stability, rather than to induce movement. Of course movement is an important, but nevertheless secondary role.

It is interesting to note that since the internal oblique muscles work to turn your body to the same side, and the external oblique muscles work to turn your body to the opposite side, so that the internal and external obliques on opposite sides of your body work together to turn in the same direction.

Swimming is a great alternative to running or biking, for those seeking a novel cardiovascular workout. Many people find swimming to be refreshing and fun, a great advantage in its own right. Furthermore, swimming in water can allow the freest range of motion to our bodies, which helps us work all of our muscles to the maximal extent. When swimming, our bodies do not experience any impact, as they would in a run, and as a result swimming is far better for those with joint pain or back problems. Because there is no equipment involved other than our own bodies, we are free to move in the most natural way during a swim. Cyclists, by contrast, must adjust their movements to conform to the bicycle, which can lead to discomfort or even injury. Lastly, strong swimming is a great skill to develop, and it just may make the difference in a lifesaving situation.