Heart Pumping Tabata

Are you ready for some tabata? This type of interval training incorporates 20 seconds of intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. Tabata workouts are great for your heart and body because it provides aerobic and anerobic benefits.

Today's tabata workout will include these 4 exercises:

1. Burpees

2. Plank

3. Lunges

4. Jumping Jacks

You'll do each exercise  for 20 seconds and rest for 10 seconds for a total of 8 rounds. Do 4 minutes of each exercise with 1 minute of rest. This gives you a 20 minute heart pumping tabata workout! Check out the video below to see 3 variations of each exercise, choose to do the variation of intensity that works best for you.



Have a great workout!

The Beginners Guide to Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy – What is it?

Hydrotherapy involves the use of various properties of water to promote physical and mental therapeutic effects.  Done primarily in warmer water (ideally in temperatures ranging from 93-98 degrees), the temperature combined with water properties is intended to allow neural and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, as well as enhanced flexibility, balance, and coordination, which can easily be transferred to land-based exercise.

Benefits of Hydrotherapy:

1. Increase in efficiency of total body circulation and decreases in swelling, particularly of distal joints (less issues with extremities, such as in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)


2. Softens and relaxes the body, which promotes pain relief


3. Reduces tendency for muscle spasms


4. Increases range of motion through the joints (allows them to work through fluid movements, as opposed to jerky or abrupt and uncontrolled movements as tend to happen on land)


5. Muscular strength and endurance


6. Improved balance and coordination, particularly beneficial for the active older adult (as falls lead to so many serious or even potentially fatal injuries)


7. Re-education of damaged or paralyzed muscles (as in after surgeries and/or joint replacements)


8. Found to improve conditions such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological afflictions

Properties of Water that Promote Safety/Effectiveness:

• Buoyancy: lessened effects of gravity means less impact on the joints, particularly the knees, hips, and spine (axial load) which makes many land-based exercises doable for those who can only exercise in water. Buoyancy also allows for more reaction time so that some exercises which are difficult to do on land because they require fast actions are more doable in the water (i.e. jumping motions, lifting the legs, or even performing some stretches where it can be difficult to maintain the balance and coordination)


• Viscosity: provides natural resistance through gentle friction against the body (about 15x more in water than on land) which conditions and strengthens the body and repairs injuries


• Hydrostatic Pressure:  keep heart rate slightly lower than it would be on land proportionate to the work output, which means you can exert more effort without feeling as winded as quickly – this property also lends itself to improve heart and lung function.

Contraindications:

• Prominent inflammation (clearly visible, redness and heat are present)


• Fever (previously heightened core temperature is not advised for hydrotherapy)


• Heart disease/hypertension/vascular conditions (increased blood flow and/or circulation is not advised for these populations)


• Cancer


• Hemorrhages/infections/open wounds


• Osteoporosis - This population is not necessarily a contraindication as they DO benefit from hydrotherapy, however they also do need true weight-bearing training in order to improve bone density and reduce risk of fracturing or breaking a bone.

Customization of Intensity:

• Hydrotherapy can be approached as simplistically as floating in the water to benefit from increased temperature and relaxation properties.


• Intensify your experience with some static and dynamic stretching in the water.


• Intensify further with some dynamic movement including squats, lunges, kicks from the wall, water walking or even light jogging and other aerobics movements.


• Increase speed, duration and range of motion as other methods of intensifying the work or increase turbulence in the water to challenge balance and stability.


• Add objects such as floatation devices or water weights to enhance resistance and increase surface area.

Hydrotherapy Exercises:

1. Standing lunge stretch (shallower water if possible)


2. Standing calf stretch


3. Standing hip flexor stretch


4. Quad stretch (one hand against wall)


5. “Floating” full body stretch (both hands on wall, outstretched and core musculature engaged)


6. Knee-to-chest exercise (one hand on wall, leg outstretched to front, draw knee in and extend)


7. Leg raise exercise (one hand on wall, leg outstretched to front, pulse leg up and down)


8. Reverse leg raise exercise (one hand on wall, leg outstretched behind, pulse leg up and down)


9. Pool walking exercise (versions include arms out, arms to front, feet directly in front of one another, calf raise, backwards walking, arm circles, forward kicks, hamstring curls, breaststroke arms, etc.)


10. Quadruped floating exercise (lying supine with engaged core, paddle arms and feet simultaneously)


11. Floating char exercise (seated in chair position with levitated legs, use arms to keep balance)


12. Any other low impact aerobic move you enjoy!

 

I had an Eating Disorder, then I Received a Rose

It’s 2015 and I am 30 years old. I am 5’ 8’’ wearing shoes and I weigh 131 lbs. I am a size 2 at Banana Republic and a size 6 at Lululemon. In 2004, I was 18 going on 19 years old. My height was the same as today. I weighed as little as 110 lbs and tested at 9.9% body fat. I was a size 0 or extra small—a size 6 would have been extremely baggy. I was entering my first season as a Division I collegiate soccer player and I had an eating disorder.

Why it started?

It began with a speech from a high school track coach discussing leaning up for endurance sports. I internalized this talk as “time to cut out the fat from my diet.”  Skipping my favorite ice cream in the world, Greaters, turned into eliminating oils, fatty meats, peanut butter and cheese from my diet. At that point,I thought dietary fat would literally make me fat and anything containing what I considered too much fat would give me anxiety. Not too many people knew what was going on until I started dropping the weight.

My parents saw me at my first pre-season soccer game and took me home, ASAP. My heart rate lying down was 47 and 60 seconds later I stood up and my heart rate jumped to 88. According to my doctor, my heart had atrophied (my heart had to work too hard just standing) and I was officially told to stop playing soccer until I could get up to 120 lbs. I was frail, weak and completely unhealthy. I was losing my hair and I was always freezing. My energy levels went up and down. I started seeing two different Dietitians and I had weekly weigh-ins with a doctor on campus. I would drink 2 bottles of water before weigh-ins because I knew I hadn’t done what I was told to do. I knew I didn’t look good, but I wasn’t mentally strong enough to comply with what was necessary for my health. Of course I was seeing a counselor on a regular basis, but something wasn’t clicking. I felt completely out of control, yet I still controlled everything.

How I gained back control.

My teammates were amazing. They kept me strong and full of hope. They invited me to church and I went. They invited me to Athletes in Action, a campus ministry targeting collegiate athletes, and I joined them.  At this point in my life, any genuine support felt amazing. Later on in the school year, I signed up for a summer camp conducted by Athletes in Action that would change my life forever. One of the seminars was a female-only seminar. I walked into the room and everyone received a red rose with the same bible verse, “Let the King be enthralled by your beauty; Honor Him for He is your Lord.” Psalm 45:11.

Boom. This struck a chord with me. It felt like a stack of bricks being lifted off my chest and I finally had a taste of what recovery could feel like—a feeling of freedom with the loss of shame and guilt. I learned a lot in the seminar and since then I have slowly grown to better understand and appreciate that verse. I had to give it all to God and lay down my struggles. I was able to replace my eating disorder with a passion for nutrition and helping those that battle with their weight.

Guess what I continue to learn….no one… I mean NO ONE should define themselves by their weight.

No one is defined by their sport. No one is defined by being a regionals contender or being the best athlete in the gym. No one is defined by an idealistic family of two kids, a perfect house and perfect job. It goes much deeper than that and it comes from a place much higher yet 100% by your side when you don’t even realize it. The rose was more than a rose. It was a symbol that I was enough. It was a symbol of God’s perfect love.

During the holidays, it's easy to get wrapped up into what the next year will bring.  New Year’s resolutions are made and we often strive for something that is either unrealistic or we hope for something within an unrealistic time frame. Instead of figuring out how much weight you want to lose in January or how much you want to squat by March, ask yourself what defines you and how will you let that flow through your life. I realize this is a very open and honest blog post, but I felt it was necessary during this time of the year. Tis the season for lots of roses.

Heart Healthy Snack Ideas

As Heart Health Month comes to a close, the H3 Healthy Kitchen wants to remind you that your pursuit for a healtier heart shouldn't end with February. Keep up with your heart healthy lifestyle by staying active and eating healthy foods. Speaking of food, we have 2 easy and yummy snack ideas to help you continue eating healthy for your heart.

1. Green Pea Guacamole - Yes, we said green pea! No, it doesn't actually taste like peas. It's only 70 calories a serving and it's delicious with fresh baked pita chips.



2. Peanut Butter Hummus - An H3 staple, this is a versatile snack also serves as a healthy dessert option. Dip apples, bananas, or whatever fruit you choose into this delicious creation for a sweet treat. If you have some mini chocolate chips on hand, try making our Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Hummus!



 

We hope you enjoy these recipes, they're definitely 2 of our favorites! What is your favorite healthy snack?

5 Facts about Heart Disease

With February being National Heart Month, this is the perfect time to commit to taking better care of ourselves. Here are 5 facts you should know about heart disease and disease prevention.

1. Heart disease and strokes are not just disease of the elderly.

Most of you probably know that  cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in both men and women in the U.S., with heart disease and stroke being the 2 top killers, representing 1/3 of all deaths. But what might surprise you is that more than 200,000 of those deaths per year could be prevented and that 60% of those preventable deaths occur in people under the age of 65.  While there is an impression that CVDs and stroke are diseases that affect only the elderly, the reality is that those diseases are taking the lives and affecting the quality of life of relatively young adults.

2. Thousands of lives could be saved if people recognized the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke and were treated promptly.

The classic “movie heart attack” shows a man clutching  his chest in pain and dropping on the floor, leaving little doubt that he is having a heart attack. And while that does happen in some heart attacks, in most cases the symptoms are not that clear and they are often different for men and women.

Symptoms in Men -

• Chest pain, tightness, pressure or discomfort


• Pain or discomfort in the neck, jaw, back, shoulders or arms


• Feeling weak, light headedness, or faint


• Shortness of breath

Symptoms in Women –

• Shortness of breath


• Unusual weakness


• Unusual fatigue


• Cold sweats


• Anxiety

If you think you may be having a heart attack or think you may be witnessing one, act fast and call 911 immediately. There are medications available, the so-called  “clot busters”; if administered with within the appropriate time frame, they can minimize, if not prevent serious damage.

Those same medications are effective for strokes as well. If they are administered within 3 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms, there is a 75% better chance of having no significant disability 3 – 6 months after the stroke. Think of the acronym FAST to spot a stroke:

F- Face drooping

A- Arm weakness

S- Speech difficulty

T- Time to call 911

To help you spot a stroke using FAST, watch this video from Lafayette General Hospital.

3. You can reduce the risk of heart attacks by 80% following 4 healthy habits. Even small changes in these behaviors translate in significant risk reduction.

• Regular physical activity. Moving  from being inactive to moderately active ( for example, walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week) lowers  the risk by 50%.


• Maintaining a healthy weight. For those who are overweight or obese, losing as little as 3% of their body weight (200 lb person loses 6 lbs) results in “clinically meaningful” risk reduction.


• Following a healthy diet. Women in the Nurses’ Health Study who consumed 3 half-cup servings of mixed blueberries and strawberries lowered their risk of a heart attack by 34%.


• Not Smoking. Within 20 minutes of quitting, heart rate and blood pressure drop  to normal levels; within 2 weeks, circulation improves and within 1 year, the risk of dying from heart disease drops by 50%.

4. It is never too late to get benefits from improving your health habits.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found men and women aged 45 – 64 who changed their lifestyle to meet recommendations regarding the  behaviors mentioned above, lowered their risk of a heart attack by 1/3. Lead author Dr. Dana King commented, “We want to emphasize that it is not too late to change, and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle don’t accrue only to those who have been doing it all along, but you can make changes in your 50’s and 60’s and have a healthier, longer life because of it.”  Dr. David Katz, Director of the Prevention Research Center at the Yale University School of Medicine also commented saying,

“healthy living is the most powerful medicine of all. It requires no prescription, and all of its side effects are beneficial. It can be tough at times getting there from here, but it’s well worth it and ANYTIME is a good time to start.”

5. Sex is good for your heart. (Maybe I should have put this one first.)

A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that compared to men who reported having sex 2-3 times a week, men having sex once a month or less often had almost a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

I know what most of you women are thinking, this was obviously a study designed and conducted by men. But at least one of the  researchers was a woman, Dr Susan A. Hall, and she commented,

“our results suggest that low frequency of sexual activity predicts cardiovascular disease.”

The bottom line is that the heart is the most important, hardest working muscle in the body and when it stops working so do we. Why not commit to take at least one step to improve your heart health? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure which step most men will be willing to take first.

Stretch and Strengthen for a Healthy Heart

In honor of American Heart Month, Hilton Head Health has a quick circuit to get you moving and get your heart pumping. And since everyone has different fitness levels, you can choose to perform the low impact movements, high impact movements or a mix of the two. Plus, we added some balance and stability moves for good measure. Watch our H3 Fitness Specialists perform and explain the moves below.



Perform each numbered exercise for 45 seconds and perform the active recovery movement between each exercise for 15 seconds. 

1. Hop side to side

Single leg deadlift

2.  Hop forward and back

Single leg deadlift

3. Plyo-lunge

Single leg deadlift

4. Plank position

Single leg deadlift

5. Burpee

Single leg deadlift

Enjoy your workout!

 

Indigo Spa InSPArational Speaker: Michelle Poitier

"We need advocates when we can't connect to our own inner strength." - Michelle Poitier

Hilton Head Health's Indigo Spa InSPArational Speaker for February, Michelle Poitier​, shared a snippet of her life's journey during her lecture, "The Power of You".  She spoke openly and personally about: how she's a "surviror"; why and how she became an advocate for  survivors of domestic & sexual abuse and homelessness among female veterans, and those battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and more.

 

"What's within you is stronger than what's in your way." - No Barriers Warriors

 

Her journey and what she's learned along the way is truly inspiring.  Her "The Power of You" Lecture was filled with empowering words, endearing life experiences and so much more. Below we've shared a brief interview following her lecture where Michelle shared a little about herself and how she was able to connect her journey to Hilton Head Health Guests' journeys.

 

Explain who you are and what do you do?



Why is it important?



How were you able to connect with Hilton Head Health Guests?

10 Tips to Fight Fatigue

If you’re anything like me, that extra cup of coffee just isn’t doing the trick these days. The effort it takes getting out of bed in the morning feels like the same effort needed to run a marathon. Mustering motivation to get to the gym is like trying to get water from a dry well.  Winter fatigue has kicked in and the cold weather has us weary. Our physical and psychological energy seems dried up. Of course fatigue is not limited to the winter months but, boy oh boy, February seems never-ending.  So how can we put vitality back in our lives and a spring in our step? Here are a few healthy tricks for fighting fatigue:

1. Hydrate: Fatigue can be a sign of dehydration. Your body needs lots of water to perform well so ramp up your water intake.


2. Nap: It goes without saying that a good night’s rest is essential when fighting fatigue. However, a short 20-30 minute nap is also a great energy booster. Napping can be the perfect reset button for both mental and physical fatigue.


3. Move: Limit the time you sit down. Sedentary behavior, like sitting at your desk or watching television, helps to promote fatigue.


4. Move More: Research shows that a moderate, consistent workout just three days a week can provide a significant increase in energy.


5. Laugh:Studies have found that 15 minutes of laughing has the same physiological effect of two hours of sleep. So hit a local comedy club, rent a funny movie or watch silly YouTube videos.


6. Massage: Fatigue can be a result of chronic stress and worry. Massage simultaneously increases circulation and relaxes the central nervous system. Thus, it gets your blood circulating and reduces stress. (Try the Indigo Spa at Hilton Head Health).


7. Oatmeal: Lindsay Martin, RD at Hilton Head Health, recommends having a complex carbohydrate for breakfast, like oatmeal, with a piece of fruit or nuts. Complex carbs offer slower energy release and keep you energized longer.


8. Tea: Lindsay also suggests using herbal teas to boost your energy.  Find a tea that has a nice punch such as passion fruit or ginger.


9. Fish:Omega-3 oils, found in many fish, may also boost alertness as well as quicken mental reaction. Studies have shown that eating fish can make people feel more vigorous.


10. Vacation: There’s nothing like a short vacation for an energy reboot. A warm climate will help you refuel on vitamin D from the sun, heightening both your spirits and your energy.

What works for you to prevent fatigue?

Knock Out Heart Disease by John Lippett

According to the Nurses' Health Study, moving from being inactive to just 30 minutes of vigorous activity each day can reduce the risk of heart disease by 50%. A fun way to get those 30 minutes of activity is kickboxing.

Kickboxing gets the whole body involved using powerful movements to get your heart rate up and your blood pumping. The heart is the most important muscle in the human body. It works 24/7 to keep your body supplied with the blood, oxygen, and nutrients it needs. So this National Heart Month, team up with your heart to knock out heart disease!



30 sec jab punches

15 sec jumping jacks

30 sec hook punches

15 sec burpees or modified burpees

30 sec reverse lunges with kick

Repeat this sequence of moves 5-15 times for a 10-30 minute vigorous workout.

Valentine's Dinner and Dessert, H3 Style

Still can't decide what to do for Valentine's Day? What better gift to give your Valentine than a delicious, homemade dinner and dessert. Not only will this meal be fresh and delicious but you can rest assured knowing it's healthy, too. This entree is a favorite H3 Healthy Kitchen recipe, our  Surf & Turf with Grilled Herb Rubbed Filet, Rosemary Shrimp and H3 Demi Glace. Even with our Garlic Mashed Potatoes, this meal is less than 400 calories. So you'll both be satisfied but still have plenty of room for the special treat after dinner. For dessert, we chose another classic recipe: Chocolate Covered Strawberries, H3 style. You can never go wrong with this perfectly sweet, rich dessert. Imagine your loved one biting into a tender, juicy filet that you prepared along with hand dipped chocolate strawberries. Yum! With this classic line up for dinner and dessert, you're Valentine's Day will be amazing.

The Transformation Continues: The Indigo Spa

There are many personal benefits and rewards that come from working at Hilton Head Health. One that I find particularly valuable is that the job keeps me honest. The old adage, “Do as I say and not as I do,” is not an acceptable standard at H3. In order to help others, I have to walk the walk. As a result, I often recognize the advice I’m giving others as some that I need to be living myself.

Melt into Serenity

Rewind to yesterday when I melted into serenity while receiving an Indigo Moon, French lavender massage at Hilton Head Health’s new Indigo Spa. As I welled-up with joy during this 50-minute physical, mental, emotional and spiritual nurturance, I was reminded of why so many people pilgrimage to Hilton Head Health, and why it was my turn to experience the magic.

H3 is a place where many guests take the first step toward making themselves a priority. They are mothers that have taken care of everyone else but themselves for years; fathers and husbands who have sacrificed their health to achieve career success and provide for their families; adult kids that have been caring for aging parents; and students that have focused all their energy on academic achievement.

"A large percentage of our guests are people who have woken up to realize that somewhere along the line they put their health on hold, or the perpetual demands of life have caused them to abandon their passions."

The Value of Touch

As I experienced the value of touch, the delight of pleasant fragrances, stillness, and the calming influence of soothing music during my massage, I was reminded that the needs of my career and parenting had benched my own self- nurturance. The Indigo Moon massage was not a luxury, as some would have me believe, it was a needed reset button. Granted, it was a kind reset button - a stressed induced illness could have provided a similar wake-up call.  All the same, it prompted me to slow things down a bit to give my mind, body and spirit much needed love.

Speaking of love, I love the spa’s tagline “The Transformation Continues.”  If transformation refers to the desire for a healthier and happier life, then spa services are the scenic path along that journey. Massage alone has many proven health benefits such as help with anxiety, digestive disorders, headaches and insomnia, just to name a few. Visit the Mayo Clinic for more, in-depth information on the health benefits of massage..

The Tranformation Does Continue

"Indeed, the transformation does continue because doing something nice for yourself creates a healthy mindset that carries over into the remainder of your day."

It’s impossible to get a massage and then want to go out and wreck your body with unhealthy food or dysfunctional living. A massage is an expression of gratitude towards your body and gratitude for your body is a down-payment on protecting it.

So now that I have re-awakened to the awareness that whole-health includes doing caring things for my body, I am sure that I will make good use of our beautiful new spa (next on the list is the Healing Ocean Escape 80-minute massage and exfoliation). I hope you will join me in doing the same. I promise you will not regret it. The transformation really does continue…

Explore the Hilton Head Health Indigo Spa brochure of services here and take that first step towards your transformation.

Siblings "LOSE Well" Together by John Lippett

[caption id="attachment_12968" align="aligncenter" width="375"] (l to r) H3 Fitness Coach Chris, Dorin, H3 Fitness Coach David, H3 Fitness Coach John, Maor[/caption]

 

We've seen so many success stories in just this past year at Hilton Head Health, but none stand out more than the brother and sister combo of Maor and Dorin Elias. Dorin and Maor came to H3 looking for education, direction and a kick start to weight loss. After 4 weeks in the LOSE Well program both siblings left feeling motivated, educated and excited to continue their journeys at home. They shared in their personal successes while learning about new fitness and nutrition options they enjoyed.

Dorin and Maor strengthened their swimming skills, more than doubled the number of push ups they could do and can now hold a plank twice as long as when they first arrived. Not to mention their improvement in their pool volleyball skills. They lost a combined total of  29 inches, 39 pounds, and greatly improved their blood lipid profiles in just 4 weeks!

All of those accomplishments don't compare with Maor and Dorin's overall improvement in quality of life, boost in confidence and new found excitement towards health and exercise.

We wish them both good luck at home with continuing their personal journeys towards greater health!

 

Heart Health: Think Outside of the Box, Literally

If you follow the H3 Daily blog, you are probably aware of the numerous foods and behavior changes that promote heart health—everything from consistent exercise improving blood pressure to a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats preventing heart disease.  Instead of discussing the benefits of olive oil or relying on a plant-based diet, I want to take a different approach in regards to heart health and our daily food choices.  I would bet a lot of you know which foods to eat.  The bigger, harder question to answer is how do I eat healthy at home? The answer: cook.

Added Sugar

Corporations that produce processed and packaged foods add more fat, sugar, and salt to foods than you would at home.  According to Harvard School of Public Health, most Americans consume 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day and most of it comes from processed or pre-prepared foods.

Too Much Sodium

Have you checked the amount of sodium levels found in restaurants required to list their nutritional information?  It can be mind-blowing.  Eighty percent of the sodium in our diet comes from processed or packaged foods, not from the sodium/salt we add during the cooking process at home.

Watch the Fat

Have you ever watched TV cooking shows?  Olive oil is sometimes measured by how many times you make a circle inside the pan.  Would you like some broccoli with that oil?  At home, you have full control over what and how much you put into your meals. You'd be surprised how little oil you need to cook a meal, and every calorie counts!

Seasoning Without Sacrificing

You want to add a little salt?  No problem.  Make sure to add other ingredients such as herbs and spices to flavor it up, but a little pinch of salt here and there is only going to make your meals taste better and you’ll consume less sodium compared to if you went out to eat.  Adding brown sugar to your home made slow-cooked oatmeal?  That is okay…1 tsp. of brown sugar with toasted walnuts and blueberries is a great way to flavor plain oatmeal without worrying how much sugar has been added to the pre-prepared Maple Cinnamon Cranberry Crunch Oatmeal (that was exaggerated, ha).

So when you are thinking about what you can do to prevent heart disease or monitor a present condition, think about how much time you are willing to spend in your kitchen cooking your own food.   What are you willing to prepare on a Saturday or Sunday?  What would you change about your dinners?  How can you incorporate salmon, nuts or avocado into your meal plan?  What simple snacks can you pre-prepare?

I know this was thinking outside of the box when it comes to heart health, but I truly believe cooking more of your meals can help maintain optimal heart health. Here's a photo of my heart healthy, meal prepped fridge to show you that it can be done. All it takes is a little planning but it's totally worth the effort.