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6 Ways to Build Lasting Healthy Habits

Starting on a path toward healthy habits is often easier than maintaining them long term. This year, you can avoid a major pitfall of healthy resolutions and build healthy habits that stick by working small, positive steps into your daily life.

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(Family Features) Starting on a path toward healthy habits is often easier than maintaining them long term. This year, you can avoid a major pitfall of healthy resolutions and build healthy habits that stick by working small, positive steps into your daily life.

In fact, healthy habits are the first suggested treatment strategy for people whose blood pressure and cholesterol levels are creeping higher than normal, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement.

“The current guidelines for managing high blood pressure and cholesterol recognize that otherwise healthy individuals with mildly or moderately elevated levels of these cardiovascular risk factors should actively attempt to reduce these risks, and increasing physical activity is a great place to start,” said Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D., chair of the statement writing group and chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at West Virginia University School of Public Health.

These six ideas from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Habit Coach can help.

Bust Common Habit-Building Myths

You may be surprised to learn the truth about creating and sticking to healthy habits. One myth is getting healthy means doing things you don’t like. Research shows positive emotions make habits stick, so set your intentions on something you enjoy. Another misconception is big results require big changes, which may lead to overly ambitious habits. However, the simpler the routine is, the more likely it is to become habit.

Work with Your “Brain Loops”

Your brain creates “loops” for habits made up of three things: a cue, a routine and a reward. Each time the loop is repeated, it becomes more routine and may become automatic. Knowing this, you can design cues for developing new, healthy habits, such as setting walking shoes by the bed to start a walking habit. The routine is putting on the shoes and walking around the block, and the reward is the pleasant sensations and brighter mood from a morning stroll.

Create Cues That Work for You

Most successful health habits begin with a cue. The cue can be external in your environment or internal in terms of your mindset. The more consistent the cue, the more likely it is to trigger the habit. Hacking your brain’s reminder system can help you remember your cue. Some examples of visual cues are placing a sticky note where you’ll see it often, keeping a water bottle on your desk or refrigerating fresh veggies at eye level.

Build a Routine That Supports Your Goals

Positive and consistent habits are important to achieve your personal goals. Small habits done consistently can add up to big results. To create a new healthy habit, think through the steps that could lead to your desired outcome. Ask yourself whether you want to do it, if it’s easy and if it’s high impact. It’s important to choose habits that make a difference and move you closer to your goals.

For example, if one of your goals is improving your heart health, a meaningful habit might be to move more. Increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol along with many other health benefits, Gibbs said.

“Every little bit of activity is better than none,” she said. “Even small initial increases of 5-10 minutes a day can yield health benefits.”

Use Rewards to Make Habits Stick

Start by choosing a habit you enjoy that’s rewarding by itself. If you’re more of a dancer than runner, increase your physical activity with an upbeat dance class. You might also look for a more enjoyable version of a new habit, such as getting more fruits and veggies by sipping on a delicious smoothie.

Understand Resets are Part of the Process

New habits are experiments. If they don’t stick, you haven’t failed. Instead, you’ve learned what doesn’t work, which is useful. Get curious and ask yourself which part of the habit didn’t work for you. Maybe the cue was ineffective. Maybe the steps of the routine were too ambitious and you need to split them into smaller, easier steps. If you realize you don’t enjoy the habit, stop doing it and try something else.

Find more inspiration and ideas to jumpstart healthy habits this year at heart.org/habits.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images


SOURCE:
American Heart Association

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Milk Hosting EVERY WOMAN’S MARATHON – The Only U.S. Marathon Designed for Women, by Women

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SAVANNAH, Ga. /PRNewswire/ — Acknowledging the historically intimidating and male-centric nature of marathons, Milk, the original performance beverage, proudly announces Every Woman’s Marathon, the only U.S. marathon designed by and for women. Scheduled for November 16, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia, this monumental event marks a new chapter in Milk’s commitment to supporting women – creating not only a race, but a movement.

Amanda Gorman’s Inspirational Mantra to Announce Milk’s Every Woman’s Marathon. Join Team Milk in Savannah, Georgia on November 16, 2024, for the only US Marathon for Women by Women. Milk’s unique nutrient package offers high-quality protein, hydration, and electrolytes, providing critical nutrition for runners’ fuel and recovery.

Most women runners feel endurance races cater to men, and nearly 90% want a more inclusive race experience that celebrates all athletic abilities, ages, and body types1. As a solution to this gap in marathon racing, Milk designed the Every Woman’s Marathon to be inclusive, beginner-friendly, and attuned to the unique needs of women at every stage of their marathon journey.

Every Woman’s Marathon is not just about crossing the finish line; it’s about celebrating female strength and empowering every woman’s journey through the transformative power of community. Understanding that every woman has their own reason for running, Milk tapped acclaimed poet Amanda Gorman to create an inspirational mantra designed as a call to action for all women to join the movement. Narrated and penned by Gorman, the mantra highlights women of all sizes, backgrounds, races, and abilities, and why they run.

To help conceptualize Every Woman’s Marathon, Milk enlisted an advisory board comprised of five accomplished female runners, first female marathon finisher Kathrine Switzer, para-triathlon champion Danielle McLaughlin, Olympic Medalist Deena Kastor, trailblazer Alison Mariella Désir and Two-time Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon Champion Des Linden, who collaborated to create an inclusive experience for women from registration to the finish line. Transcending the traditional race format, this marathon promises participants a comprehensive wellness weekend in the picturesque city of Savannah. The two-day event will include enriching activities such as cooking and yoga classes, live performances, and insightful panels. With thoughtful programming that prioritizes women and families, the event will also feature designated areas for nursing, pumping, play zones, and more, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive experience for all participants.

Beyond providing specialized training advice and nutrition plans tailored for women, backed by the expertise of the advisory board, Milk is further demonstrating its commitment to social impact by donating up to $1 million to charity organizations in support of women and girls across the US. Milk is proud to announce a donation of $100,000 to each of the five Every Woman’s Marathon charity partners, 261 FearlessBlack Girls RUN!Girls on the RunGirl Scouts of Historic Georgia, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Milk is also helping runners amplify the impact by matching Every Woman’s Marathon registration costs in donations to the charity partners, up to $100,000 each.

“Milk has a centuries-old legacy of fueling performance and aiding recovery and can help runners go the distance with its unique nutritional package,” says MilkPEP CEO Yin Woon Rani. “We proudly recognize and champion the unique needs of women, and this marathon, crafted for and by women, will redefine the traditional marathon experience. Together, let’s make Every Woman’s Marathon not just a race but a celebration of women’s empowerment, resilience, and the unstoppable spirit of every woman.”

“Words and representation have the power to inspire change and unite,” says poet Amanda Gorman. “I am proud to partner with Milk on this mantra that speaks to the strength and resilience of women, and I encourage all women to take on this 26.2-mile challenge together.”

In addition to providing women with support, inspiration, and community, Milk also provides the essential nutrition runners seek. Milk’s unique nutrient package offers high-quality protein, hydration, and electrolytes, providing critical nutrition for runners’ fuel and recovery.

Starting January 23, 2024, women of all backgrounds and abilities can sign up for Every Woman’s Marathon to join the most inspiring female tribute of the year at EveryWomansMarathon.com. Signing up costs $65, with current Team Milk members enjoying an even further reduced price. Learn more at EveryWomansMarathon.com or @EveryWomansMarathon across social media.

About the Milk Processor Education Program

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation’s milk companies and is dedicated to educating consumers and increasing the consumption of fluid milk. For more information, visit MilkPEP.org.

1Interviews of 1205 runners (880 female, 325 male) in September 2023 on behalf of MilkPEP.

SOURCE MilkPEP

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Treatment Options to Help Overcome Knee Pain for Sports Enthusiasts

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Treatment Options to Help Overcome Knee Pain for Sports Enthusiasts

(Family Features) Millions of people experience chronic pain, with knee pain among the most common. Athletes and active adults know the impact activities like running and skiing can have on their knees, but when chronic knee pain makes it difficult to do those activities, or even day-to-day tasks like walking up the stairs, people may often face challenges.

According to the journal “Cartilage,” unlike other tissues, cartilage does not repair itself and, without proper treatment, can worsen over time and become more difficult to treat. However, options like FDA-approved knee cartilage repair surgery MACI (autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane) uses a patient’s cells to help repair cartilage defects and may help alleviate knee pain.

“Sports-related pain should be evaluated quickly, especially when it’s difficult to put weight on the knee, swelling occurs or there is restricted range of motion,” said Dr. Alexander Meininger, orthopedic surgeon and MACI consultant.

Justin Keys, a former patient of Meininger and avid skier, knows that the long-term outcomes of knee cartilage surgery can be worth the short-term sacrifices. After several injuries, including an ACL injury, Keys struggled with most activities except walking on flat, paved surfaces. After consulting with Meininger, Keys chose knee cartilage repair to help get back to his active lifestyle.

Keys considered whether to manage the injury as-is or choose MACI and undergo rehabilitation to potentially get back to his favorite activities in the future. He knew he could no longer use short-term relief methods and had to address his pain with a treatment to help provide lasting relief.

For athletes like Keys who want to fix knee pain, it’s important to consider these steps:

Discuss Options with Your Doctor
Patients should talk to their doctors and undergo an MRI to help assess the internal structures of the knee.Meininger recommends patients and their doctors discuss options forlong-term knee restoration health, preserving function for future decades and recognizing the short-term sacrifice.

Set Yourself Up for Success
Experts like Meininger suggest patients take steps ahead of surgery to help their recovery.

“The important thing is to be as fit as possible and use the preseason months to undergo surgery and rehab,” Meininger said.

Patients can take steps to prep their home for recovery, which may include:

  • Bringing necessities down from hard-to-reach shelves
  • Moving furniture to ensure clear pathways
  • Installing shower safety handles to minimize potential falls

The Road to Rehab and Recovery
Rehabilitation takes time and everyone’s experience is unique. It can be as much of a mental challenge as it is physical. Committing to a physical therapy regime, staying hydrated and eating well are important aspects to support recovery. Patients should talk to their doctors with questions and before starting any exercises.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use if you are allergic to antibiotics such as gentamicin or materials from cow or pig; have severe osteoarthritis of the knee, other severe inflammatory conditions, infections or inflammation in the bone joint and other surrounding tissue or blood clotting conditions; had knee surgery in the past 6 months, not including surgery for obtaining a cartilage biopsy or a surgical procedure to prepare your knee for a MACI implant; or cannot follow a rehabilitation program post-surgery.

MACI is used for the repair of symptomatic cartilage damage of the adult knee. Conditions that existed before your surgery, including meniscus tears, joint or ligament instability or alignment problems should be evaluated and treated before or at the same time as the MACI implant. MACI is not recommended if you are pregnant. MACI has not been studied in patients younger than 18 or over 55 years of age. Common side effects include joint pain, tendonitis, back pain, joint swelling and joint effusion. More serious side effects include joint pain, cartilage or meniscus injury, treatment failure and osteoarthritis. See Full Prescribing Information for more information.

Find more information by visiting MACI.com.

*Testimonials by MACI patient and paid Vericel consultant

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock


SOURCE:
MACI

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Amped Fitness® Signature: A New Luxury Gym Lands in West Palm Beach, Florida

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — Amped Fitness® Signature, a luxury spin on the already booming fitness center based out of St. Petersburg, FL, proudly announces the grand opening of its exclusive new location in sunny West Palm Beach, Florida. Sitting on one of the most prime pieces of real estate in the area, this 35k+ square feet fitness center goes beyond the ordinary, offering a sophisticated blend of cutting-edge equipment and luxury amenities, and you can see it yourself this 2024.

Designed for the most serious of fitness enthusiasts with an eye for premium amenities and custom facility design, Amped Fitness® Signature redefines the gym experience at this all-new state-of-the-art facility sitting at 2771 S Dixie Hwy.

Check out some of the key standout features of the fitness center’s first signature location:

All-New Signature Club Design: Immerse yourself in an environment crafted for those who appreciate the finer things. This Signature Club design sets the tone for an extraordinary experience, in fitness and beyond.

Executive Working Lounge Space: Combine work and fitness seamlessly in our executive working lounge, providing a space for productivity and relaxation. Collaborate with other members, or work on your own.

Espresso Bar: Energize your work (or your workouts) with premium espresso and coffee blends at the member-only espresso bar, ensuring a boost of caffeine–and serotonin–before or after your routine.

Salt Cave: Experience the healing benefits of a custom salt cave, providing a serene environment for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Pickleball Courts: Enjoy a game of pickleball in state-of-the-art courts, perfect for those seeking a dynamic and engaging fitness activity.

Towel Service: Indulge in the convenience of towel service, ensuring a refreshing experience throughout your workout.

Luxury Soaps + Shampoos: Elevate your post-workout routine with premium luxury soaps and shampoos, ready at your disposal in custom designed showers and locker rooms, enhancing your overall wellness experience.

Immersive Class and Spin Rooms: Immerse yourself in invigorating fitness classes and spin sessions, led by hand-selected instructors in this cutting-edge facility.

Full-Service Spa: Pamper yourself in a full-service spa, offering a range of wellness treatments to soothe the body and mind.

Cold/Hot Plunges: Revitalize your senses with ice baths and warm plunge pools, providing a refreshing contrast for a truly invigorating experience.

Gender-Specific Saunas: Unwind in gender-specific saunas, meticulously designed for maximum relaxation and rejuvenation.

Best-in-Class Cardio and Strength Equipment: Amped Fitness® Signature boasts the latest Technogym and Core Health & Fitness equipment, ensuring a superior workout experience.

Childcare + More: For the convenience of members, the gym offers childcare services and a range of additional amenities to cater to every aspect of your fitness journey.

Amped Fitness® Signature offers a haven of wellness nestled in the heart of West Palm Beach, Florida. Step into a luxe environment, where every detail is meticulously curated to elevate your fitness experience to new heights. Stocked with only the best equipment in the industry and amenities to hit every need, the gym’s Mediterranean-inspired design creates an atmosphere that leaves members dripping in gold, not sweat, post workout.

Amped Fitness® Signature invites fitness enthusiasts to embark on a journey of wellness, luxury, and unmatched indulgence. Elevate your fitness routine to a new level of sophistication. Experience something new, something BETTER.

Learn More: ampedfitness.com/signature-club

Explore Franchising Opportunities: ampedfitness.com/franchise-opportunity

SOURCE Amped Fitness

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