Category Archives: Exercise

Chicago Chiropractor Talks Exercise

Chicago Chiropractor Talks Exercise

Chicago Chiropractor Talks Exercise Here:

In my office I discuss all aspects of health with my patients. One of the most popular topics that always comes up is exercise. In this blog post I’d like to talk exercise; exercise is a broad topic and there are many different ways to exercise. It is important that before you embark on an exercise program you take into consideration your current fitness level, age, injuries and other factors that you may have to work around.

Exercise is a great way to keep your body healthy and strong. Unfortunately, as Americans we do move our bodies enough or get enough exercise. I feel this is because most people assume that to get a good workout you need to go to the gym and spend an hour each time you are there to get an effective workout. This couldn’t be further from the truth! The key is to incorporate movement into your every day life. Whether it be taking the stairs instead of the escalator, parking further from the door at the grocery store, carrying your children instead of using a stroller, etc…

If you look around there are many opportunities to create more movement in your day. Now that the weather is getting nicer it is time to get outside. I use the summer months as a chance to get out of the gym and into nature. Activities like kayaking, biking, hiking, sprinting up hills, and other things that you maybe don’t get the chance to do during other times of the year. Do something new. When you challenge your body in new ways you become stronger and healthier.

Get outside and get moving. Do something new, learn a new skill, take your kids along and make it a family affair. Let me know in the comments what new ways you have come up with this summer to move your body!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage

Chicago Chiropractor Plank Challenge

Chicago Chiropractor Plank Challenge

We are now at Day 20, which means if you have been keeping up with our challenge you are holding a 2.5 minute plank! Research shows that a 2 minute plank will decrease your chances of suffering from lower back pain exponentially. A stronger core not only helps you to avoid pain, it gives your spine more support and helps to support the adjustments you receive here at our office.

Keep up the good work, we are nearing the end of this month long challenge and at the end we will be raffling off a fitbit to one lucky practice member who finished the challenge. In reality though, everyone is a winner!

 

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Don’t Watch the Clock

Don’t Watch the Clock

We are 14 days into our plank challenge, and my tip for this week is: Don’t watch the clock.

As the time of our planks is now building to a minute and over, you may find yourself staring at the clock counting down the seconds until you finish. There is nothing wrong with this, but by doing this it will seem like the plank is never ending.

In the video above I share my secret of what I focus on so I don’t watch the clock. I also share with you a strategy that one of my patients shared with me which you may find helpful as well.

If you have any tips you would like to share with your fellow plankers in this challenge let us know below.

This has been a lot of fun so far. I am truly enjoying the videos and pictures that are being sent in. People are doing their planks in hotel rooms, at work, outside in the sun, on top of tables, and many other places. It really has been a lot of fun to see all the pictures and videos coming in.

We are all winning! We are all getting stronger and healthier because of this challenge. Let’s keep it up!

Chiropractic Plank Challenge

Chiropractic Plank Challenge

May 11, 2016

During the month of June we are hosting a chiropractic plank challenge. Sign-up in our office and of you complete the challenge you will be entered into a raffle to win a Fitbit! If you follow the plan you should be able to hold a 5 minute plank by the end of June. That is some SERIOUS core strength! Watch this video and get more info when you are in the office next!

Stay tuned for more details and information as we get closer to June!

 

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Steps to Prevent Height Loss

Steps to Prevent Height Loss

Steps to Prevent Height Loss

Many of my 50 and over patients have voiced that they expect to shrink or get shorter as they age. This is more commonly voiced from women than men since women are at a greater risk to lose height after menopause. This phenomenon, however, is completely avoidable if the right steps are taken. We’ll discuss those steps to prevent height loss in this article. Continue reading →

Exercise – Get Moving!

When it comes to exercise, I often hear one of three excuses.

1) I don’t have the time
2) I don’t have the desire
3) I don’t know what to do

I would like to address each of these to help get you back on the exercise bandwagon. First, who does have time to exercise? I know I don’t, but guess what, I make the time to exercise! We all live in the same world. Family obligations, work deadlines, appointments, commuting, exhausting days, etc… The people you see walking down the street in perfect physical shape have these issues to deal with too. The difference is they see the value in scheduling time to improve their health and wellness. Your health is your number one asset, without it nothing else matters. The healthier you are the better you will be able to manage all the other obligations you have in your life. Unfortunately, a lot of people wait until a crisis to change. Don’t let this be you, make the time, I gurantee you have it!

Secondly, a lot of people are too lazy to start an exercise program. This is a catch 22 because as soon as you start working out, you all of a sudden feel like working out more! The hardest part is getting started. The easy part is to keep going. Just start, that is all it takes. Don’t look back one year from now and think to yourself, “I wish I started last year.” Being sedentary is just a habit, and the best way to break a bad habit is to create a new habit in place of the old one.

Lastly, a lot of people wonder what type of exercise is best for them. My answer to this question is always the same, “Do whatever it is you enjoy doing!” If you are going to take the time to exercise, make sure you are enjoying yourself. Exercise should not be a source of stress, it should be fun. Whether it be walking, swimming, lifting weights, yoga or hula hooping, enjoy it! Life is too short to not have fun!

We all know the importance of exercise and the numerous health benefits it provides. The human body was not designed to be sedentary, get up and get moving! If you need some motivation or ideas on getting started let me know, I’d love to help.