I hate running in the rain! I'm like a house cat in inclement weather, happy to curl up inside and look out the window. Nonetheless, I ran in a drizzle this morning so that I could accomplish my goal of daily runs while visiting my mother in Cleveland.
Read MoreI'll be spending the next two weeks in Cleveland with my mother, and I have great plans for both of us in terms of exercise. My mother is 92 and I'm eager to work with her on upper body strength and flexibility. As for me, I look forward to getting into a regular running routine.
Read MoreWhen I was growing up, my mother and I shared a secret code for posture. S.U.S. meant "Stand Up Straight" and I seemed to need constant reminders. I still think a lot about posture.
Read MoreI've been very conscious of posture lately, mainly because I see so many people who could improve theirs. A combination of tight muscles, stiff joints and lack of awareness takes a toll on posture and adds years to one's appearance. When a dancer friend of mine was complimented on his posture, he said, "It's not by accident. I work on it all the time."
Read MoreYes, it's hot and humid, a time to slow down and move at a leisurely pace. But please don't let your body lapse into an activity coma during the lazy days of summer. Remember Newton's first Law of Motion: an object in motion will stay in motion; while an object at rest will stay at rest as long as nothing pushes or pulls on it. Overcoming inertia is difficult!
Read MoreAfter three weeks of traveling through some of the tastiest territory in the world, I really couldn't tell if the changes in routine had taken a toll on my weight. Judging by how my clothes fit, I seemed to have managed OK, but there were times during my vacation when I felt completely sated.
Read MorePeople often wonder what type of vacation I prefer – extreme sports activities like cycling tours through hilly terrain? Strenuous hiking up steep mountains? Boot camp at a basic training facility? No, no, nothing so intense. For me, the perfect balance is active touring with plenty of time for naps and a good night's sleep.
Read MoreMy mother is visiting me in New York City this weekend. At 92 years of age with a youthful spirit, she always wants to go, go, go, despite limitations in her walking ability. Over a recent period of several years, she had both knees and both hips replaced and is grateful for her present level of mobility. Taking care of oneself begins with a positive attitude and the desire to embrace life for all it's worth, no matter what the limitations.
Read MoreFor most of my young life, I felt I was too tall – too tall for boys, too tall for heels, too tall to ever be called cute. I was always in the back row of class photos and could never be inconspicuous. My posture suffered as I tried in vain to shrink down and blend in, which of course only made me more conspicuous. A pronounced slump is clearly not attractive!
Read MoreI spent this past week in Florida, with a lovely outdoor swimming pool two steps from my front door. Since it was too hot to run and such a good opportunity to do a little cross-training, I took the plunge every morning. As I was swimming laps, alternating front crawl and breast stroke, I thought about how satisfying it is to create balance in training, doing different kinds of exercise for whole body movement.
Read MoreMemorial Day excites all the great childhood feelings of summertime – warm, sunny days, camp, outdoor sports, and vacations. It's a perfect time to shift gears from your regular fitness routine and enjoy some seasonal pleasures. Of course, if you've been consistent throughout the winter, you'll be in better shape to maintain your fitness level while on a beach vacation or tackle more rigorous demands of adventure travel.
Read MoreLearning to handle your own body weight is the first step to improving the way you move in daily life. Develop skill in performing four simple movements that will improve your strength, posture and body mechanics. The "4 for Life" are four functional exercises that you can do any time, anywhere, no equipment required. They are the squat, push-up, back extension and pelvic tilt.
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