Health & Fitness/Remedies

3 Things To Know Before You Arm Your Employees With Fitness Trackers

Even the most seasoned and well-adjusted remote workers know the risk: If you’re not careful, working from home can bring your physical activity to a standstill.

Employers know this too. Increasingly, they are looking for ways to bolster their wellness programs by offering fitness trackers, such as those made by Fitbit, Garmin, and Amazon, to help employees log more movement during the day. Another popular option called Oura makes smart rings that can track sleep, fitness, temperature, and even signs of illness. An Oura dashboard even lets employers view the likelihood of illness across their entire workforce.

Employees who log a certain amount of physical activity can then receive insurance discounts through many major health insurance companies, such as UnitedHealth Group, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Aetna. Beneficiaries can get reimbursed for prescription co-pays and other health care costs under their deductibles.

But fitness trackers in the workplace, and health surveillance in general, also carry considerable privacy risks. More than 60 million records from Fitbit, Apple, and other companies were compromised in June after a data breach on GetHealth, a third-party group that provides employee fitness incentives.

Data breaches of fitness trackers like Strava have revealed personal details such as the name and location of participants, even in anonymized data. Security risks aside, you may not even want to have so many personal details about your employees at your fingertips. After all, constant surveillance won’t exactly put your team at ease.

Before offering fitness trackers to your employees, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

1. Fitness trackers will save you money on premiums, for now.

Workplace fitness-tracker programs often offer discounts on insurance premiums if employees meet certain fitness goals. Some employees can earn as much as $1,500 a year they can apply toward their health insurance premiums. Workers can get free or discounted wearables, workout clothing, and even gym equipment. On the employer side, a few studies have shown that fitness trackers can help you save money on premiums. But some companies have reported that their insurance costs have remained the same.

At present, there are no laws or regulations in place to stop insurers from using fitness-tracker data to raise premiums. In an article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from the AMA raised concerns that such data could increase insurance premiums for some groups.

“Wearables can collect information on physical activity, calorie intake, blood pressure, and weight. Insurance companies are now using this data for rewards programs, but there are no regulations stopping them from doing the opposite,” wrote the authors.

2. The data your employees share isn’t protected by HIPAA.

Health care providers and health insurers are barred from sharing any patient information by HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. But that ban doesn’t extend to Google, Apple, or any private companies through which employees elect to share their health care data. As The Wall Street Journal reports, there’s nothing under HIPAA that would bar third-party companies from analyzing or selling the health care data users voluntarily give up.

If you’re looking to adopt fitness-tracker programs, read up on the device-maker’s privacy policies and be prepared to answer questions from employees. You will have the added responsibility of explaining to workers how much access your own company has to their data, and how it’s being used. Workers need to understand that you will not be using data from the fitness trackers against them, and are under no obligation to sign up for the program.

3. The research on fitness-tracker effectiveness is mixed.

For some people, wearing a device that tracks their activity levels is enough of a reason to get off the sofa. But changing health habits permanently requires a lot more effort. One study published in The Lancet from researchers at the Duke-NUS Medical School found that wearing an activity tracker, along with a cash incentive, improved the fitness levels of employees.

But after the cash incentive was discontinued after six months, employees didn’t maintain their previous fitness levels. The study also compared employees who wore fitness trackers with those who did not, and found no real difference in the amount of activity performed.

But a number of other studies indicate that fitness trackers do help increase activity levels, either by small or moderate amounts. In one analysis of 28 studies with more than 7,000 participants published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers found that those with fitness trackers were more physically active than those in groups without. Added features like setting personal goals and text reminders were the most effective in getting people to exercise.

If your company chooses to enroll in a fitness-tracker program, keep in mind that you’re unlikely to entice all of your employees to adopt it. If you want to help improve the health of workers, you can also try methods like subsidized gym memberships, healthy food choices at work, or reimbursement for fitness equipment. While fitness trackers can certainly play a role in improving health outcomes, they are just one tool. Substantive lifestyle changes, including good nutrition, sleep, and fitness, also are required.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the fitness tracker Strava had a data breach that revealed personal details such as the name and location of participants, including in anonymized data. According to Strava spokesman, the company has never had a data breach.

By Amrita Khalid, Staff writer@askhalid

Source: 3 Things to Know Before You Arm Your Employees With Fitness Trackers | Inc.com

Related Contents:

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Danny Sullivan, “The test begins: My life with four activity trackers, fitness bands”, CNET, March 28, 2013.
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The Best Thing for Back Pain is Actually More Movement

Health & Fitness/Remedies

Roughly 80 percent of Americans have back pain at some point in their lives. Historically, many of those people were told that, barring a specific, treatable injury, there’s one prescription for back pain: rest. But research today tells us that the answer is actually just the opposite.

“The advice to rest and not stress your back runs counter to what we now understand to be the best course of action,” says Eric Robertson, a spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association and an associate professor of clinical physical therapy at University of Utah and University of Southern California. One of the main issues that physical therapists and physicians alike have run into is that we don’t actually know what causes the pain.

Pain in any muscle can come from being too tight or stiff, but it could also be from a weakness or if it’s not moving in the right way, explains Robertson. Like a car, he says, if there’s one weak spot other parts of the vehicle are going to wear down more quickly—and that’s where you can get pain.

Strengthening your core and back muscles, then, can be incredibly helpful in treating and preventing back pain. And the good news is that you don’t need to do serious weight training to see benefits. The more you move generally, the less likely you are to have pain.

“Standing frequently throughout the day, walking or pacing whenever feasible, and stretching the hips, hamstrings, and hip flexors regularly are a good way to be proactive in preventing these issues,” says Lauren Shroyer, Senior Director of Product Development and a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) at the American Council on Exercise. Robertson agrees.

He says walking is one of the best exercises for back pain, since it’s non-load bearing and easy to do—but even just moving more overall is going to be helpful (and research backs him up). Back pain can often be the predictable result of a sedentary lifestyle that more and more Americans have, so it may not take much movement to increase strength in the core and back enough to relieve pain.

Still, lifting may be able to help even more. Studies suggest that even low-levels of strength training can improve back pain. Discomfort in the back can often be the result of weaknesses elsewhere, like the gluteal muscles and adductors, both of which are in your hips and legs. Strengthening those muscles with exercises like squats, leg presses, or any single leg movement, can help with the pain, Robertson says.

If you’re having pain right now, you should consult a physical therapist who can design a program specific to your body and your pain. But if you want a general exercise regimen to help prevent back issues, Shroyer has some recommendations.

For beginners, try these exercises:

Glute bridges (for hamstrings & glutes)
Body weight squats (for glutes & hamstrings)
Bird dog (for abdominals & spinal stabilizers)
Modified side plank (for the oblique muscles)

Once you’ve mastered those, or if you’re already more experienced, try these:

Romanian deadlift (for hamstrings & glutes)
Dumbbell or goblet squats (for glutes & hamstrings)
Front plank and side plank (for abdominals and spinal stabilizers)
Superman exercises (for spinal stabilizers)flexion

You may also want to incorporate stretching in with your strength training. Shroyer recommends a basic program for staving off back issues. “In general, when you are not experiencing acute pain and want to be proactive in preventing it, a regular program of stretching the hips and strengthening the legs, abdominals and spine is best.” If you want specifics, check out Williams flexion exercises, the figure-4 piriformis stretch, the cat-cow stretch, and the spinal twist.

You can also determine from your lumbar (or lower) spine position which types of other exercises may be the most helpful, Shroyer says. If you look at yourself from the side in a full-length mirror, check out how much your lower back curves. If it’s fairly straight, hamstring stretches are going to give you the best benefit. If you have a deep curve, hip flexor stretches may be best.

If you’re experiencing minor pain or are simply trying to prevent back problems in the future, the recommendations so far may be all you need. But many people who have chronic back pain find that even doing basic stretches or exercises are overwhelming.

“All pain experiences are a combination of physical and emotional responses,” Robertson says. That might seem tangential to solving your back pain, but the truth is that a large part of overcoming that discomfort is about overcoming the fear of being in pain.

If you’re in pain every time you move, he explains, it’s normal to become afraid of moving—and it’s a physical therapist’s job to enable you to start moving enough that you can move past the fear. Lots of people are told that they simply have a bad back. But the truth is that about 90 percent of back pain isn’t serious, Robertson says, and that means most people can get on track to being pain-free with the right training.

Some folks will get flare-ups, but recurrences don’t mean that you have to live with a bad back for your whole life. (If you have changes in bowel or bladder like trouble peeing, tingling or numbness especially in the groin, or neurologic symptoms like weakness or numbness that may be a sign that you are in the 10 percent of people with a more serious issue—and you should go see a doctor!).

Robertson says that he’s personally experienced back pain intermittently throughout his life, and that it’s still a struggle for him. “Every time, I have this feeling that it’s going to be forever. It’s an okay thing to acknowledge—it’s scary and overwhelming,” he says. We all need to talk about back pain in a more positive light, he says, as something that might be awful now but can be overcome.

By: Sara Chodosh

Source: The Best Thing for Back Pain is Actually More Movement

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Four Causes For ‘Zoom Fatigue’ & Their Solutions

Health & Fitness/Remedies, Health Tips, Health/Medicine News, Healthy Foods

Even as more people are logging onto popular video chat platforms to connect with colleagues, family and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stanford researchers have a warning for you: Those video calls are likely tiring you out.

Prompted by the recent boom in videoconferencing, communication Professor Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of the Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL), examined the psychological consequences of spending hours per day on these platforms. Just as “Googling” is something akin to any web search, the term “Zooming” has become ubiquitous and a generic verb to replace videoconferencing. Virtual meetings have skyrocketed, with hundreds of millions happening daily, as social distancing protocols have kept people apart physically.

In the first peer-reviewed article that systematically deconstructs Zoom fatigue from a psychological perspective, published in the journal Technology, Mind and Behavior on Feb. 23, Bailenson has taken the medium apart and assessed Zoom on its individual technical aspects. He has identified four consequences of prolonged video chats that he says contribute to the feeling commonly known as “Zoom fatigue.”

Bailenson stressed that his goal is not to vilify any particular videoconferencing platform – he appreciates and uses tools like Zoom regularly – but to highlight how current implementations of videoconferencing technologies are exhausting and to suggest interface changes, many of which are simple to implement. Moreover, he provides suggestions for consumers and organizations on how to leverage the current features on videoconferences to decrease fatigue.

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Covid Fatigue: how our brain affects our motivation to follow safety precautions — the strain of following safety precautions for the past six months to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is getting to many of us. Some people are becoming lax and even resistant to wearing masks or practicing physical distancing. Why do we lose the motivation to follow safety guidelines, even when the threat of danger is still there? Experts say our brain is part of the problem – and the solution. Dr. Joe Bienvenu explains how our brain causes us to be desensitized and how we can train ourselves to develop safe habits to continue protecting ourselves and others. #JohnsHopkins #CovidFatigue

“Videoconferencing is a good thing for remote communication, but just think about the medium – just because you can use video doesn’t mean you have to,” Bailenson said.

Below are four primary reasons why video chats fatigue humans, according to the study. Readers are also invited to participate in a research study aimed at developing a Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue Scale (ZEF) Scale.

Four reasons why

1) Excessive amounts of close-up eye contact is highly intense.

Both the amount of eye contact we engage in on video chats, as well as the size of faces on screens is unnatural.

In a normal meeting, people will variously be looking at the speaker, taking notes or looking elsewhere. But on Zoom calls, everyone is looking at everyone, all the time. A listener is treated nonverbally like a speaker, so even if you don’t speak once in a meeting, you are still looking at faces staring at you. The amount of eye contact is dramatically increased. “Social anxiety of public speaking is one of the biggest phobias that exists in our population,” Bailenson said. “When you’re standing up there and everybody’s staring at you, that’s a stressful experience.”

Another source of stress is that, depending on your monitor size and whether you’re using an external monitor, faces on videoconferencing calls can appear too large for comfort. “In general, for most setups, if it’s a one-on-one conversation when you’re with coworkers or even strangers on video, you’re seeing their face at a size which simulates a personal space that you normally experience when you’re with somebody intimately,” Bailenson said.

When someone’s face is that close to ours in real life, our brains interpret it as an intense situation that is either going to lead to mating or to conflict. “What’s happening, in effect, when you’re using Zoom for many, many hours is you’re in this hyper-aroused state,” Bailenson said.

Solution: Until the platforms change their interface, Bailenson recommends taking Zoom out of the full-screen option and reducing the size of the Zoom window relative to the monitor to minimize face size, and to use an external keyboard to allow an increase in the personal space bubble between oneself and the grid.

2) Seeing yourself during video chats constantly in real-time is fatiguing.

Most video platforms show a square of what you look like on camera during a chat. But that’s unnatural, Bailenson said. “In the real world, if somebody was following you around with a mirror constantly – so that while you were talking to people, making decisions, giving feedback, getting feedback – you were seeing yourself in a mirror, that would just be crazy. No one would ever consider that,” he added.

Bailenson cited studies showing that when you see a reflection of yourself, you are more critical of yourself. Many of us are now seeing ourselves on video chats for many hours every day. “It’s taxing on us. It’s stressful. And there’s lots of research showing that there are negative emotional consequences to seeing yourself in a mirror.”

Solution: Bailenson recommends that platforms change the default practice of beaming the video to both self and others, when it only needs to be sent to others. In the meantime, users should use the “hide self-view” button, which one can access by right-clicking their own photo, once they see their face is framed properly in the video.

3) Video chats dramatically reduce our usual mobility.

In-person and audio phone conversations allow humans to walk around and move. But with videoconferencing, most cameras have a set field of view, meaning a person has to generally stay in the same spot. Movement is limited in ways that are not natural. “There’s a growing research now that says when people are moving, they’re performing better cognitively,” Bailenson said.

Solution: Bailenson recommends people think more about the room they’re videoconferencing in, where the camera is positioned and whether things like an external keyboard can help create distance or flexibility. For example, an external camera farther away from the screen will allow you to pace and doodle in virtual meetings just like we do in real ones. And of course, turning one’s video off periodically during meetings is a good ground rule to set for groups, just to give oneself a brief nonverbal rest.

4) The cognitive load is much higher in video chats.

Bailenson notes that in regular face-to-face interaction, nonverbal communication is quite natural and each of us naturally makes and interprets gestures and nonverbal cues subconsciously. But in video chats, we have to work harder to send and receive signals.

In effect, Bailenson said, humans have taken one of the most natural things in the world – an in-person conversation – and transformed it into something that involves a lot of thought: “You’ve got to make sure that your head is framed within the center of the video. If you want to show someone that you are agreeing with them, you have to do an exaggerated nod or put your thumbs up. That adds cognitive load as you’re using mental calories in order to communicate.”

Gestures could also mean different things in a video meeting context. A sidelong glance to someone during an in-person meeting means something very different than a person on a video chat grid looking off-screen to their child who just walked into their home office.

Solution: During long stretches of meetings, give yourself an “audio only” break. “This is not simply you turning off your camera to take a break from having to be nonverbally active, but also turning your body away from the screen,” Bailenson said, “so that for a few minutes you are not smothered with gestures that are perceptually realistic but socially meaningless.”

ZEF Scale

Many organizations – including schools, large companies and government entities – have reached out to Stanford communication researchers to better understand how to create best practices for their particular videoconferencing setup and how to come up with institutional guidelines. Bailenson – along with Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab; Géraldine Fauville, former postdoctoral researcher at the VHIL; Mufan Luo; graduate student at Stanford; and Anna Queiroz, postdoc at VHIL – responded by devising the Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue Scale, or ZEF Scale, to help measure how much fatigue people are experiencing in the workplace from videoconferencing.

The scale, detailed in a recent, not yet peer-reviewed paper published on the preprint website SSRN, advances research on how to measure fatigue from interpersonal technology, as well as what causes the fatigue. The scale is a 15-item questionnaire, which is freely available, and has been tested now across five separate studies over the past year with over 500 participants. It asks questions about a person’s general fatigue, physical fatigue, social fatigue, emotional fatigue and motivational fatigue. Some sample questions include:

How exhausted do you feel after videoconferencing?
How irritated do your eyes feel after videoconferencing?
How much do you tend to avoid social situations after videoconferencing?
How emotionally drained do you feel after videoconferencing?
How often do you feel too tired to do other things after videoconferencing?

Hancock said results from the scale can help change the technology so the stressors are reduced.

He notes that humans have been here before. “When we first had elevators, we didn’t know whether we should stare at each other or not in that space. More recently, ridesharing has brought up questions about whether you talk to the driver or not, or whether to get in the back seat or the passenger seat,” Hancock explained. “We had to evolve ways to make it work for us. We’re in that era now with videoconferencing, and understanding the mechanisms will help us understand the optimal way to do things for different settings, different organizations and different kinds of meetings.”

“Hopefully, our work will contribute to uncovering the roots of this problem and help people adapt their videoconference practices to alleviate ‘Zoom fatigue,’” added Fauville, who is now an assistant professor at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. “This could also inform videoconference platform designers to challenge and rethink some of the paradigm videoconferences have been built on.”

If you are interested in measuring your own Zoom fatigue, you can take the survey here and participate in the research project.

By Vignesh Ramachandran

Source: Four causes for ‘Zoom fatigue’ and their solutions | Stanford News

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5 Ways Fitness Businesses Have Created Revenue in Pandemic Times

Covid19, Fitness/Body Health, Health & Fitness/Remedies

Revenue streams for fitness businesses during the pandemic

When shelter-in-place orders took effect across the country, fitness studios and gyms were forced to find ways to connect with clients outside the typical four walls. As a point of reference, Mindbody reported that 91% of brands using its platform offered virtual classes and events and more than 85% of class-goers started doing livestream classes every week, compared with just 7% of users in 2019. Not surprisingly, outdoor workouts also became popular.

Besides meeting online and outside, studios and gyms thought of other clever ways to connect with clients. To showcase leaders in fitness who found creative ways to stick to coronavirus restrictions while still expanding their reach—and to offer some ideas for how you can expand your own business and community—we talked to “fitpreneurs” across the country. Their methods may inspire you to keep thinking of revenue streams beyond the physical studio as you connect with clients in new, effective ways.

1. Gear Sales and Rentals

Living rooms became the new go-to gym space when the pandemic hit, as exercise enthusiasts turned to at-home workouts to maintain their fitness. With that shift came a shortage of gym equipment and a backup on orders for kettlebells and dumbbells, for example. Some equipment manufacturers found themselves temporarily out of stock (Schultz 2020).

Meanwhile, fitness studios started renting and selling their own equipment so clients could follow workouts online with the proper setup. Speakeasy of Strength, a personal and semiprivate training facility in Brooklyn, New York, offered kettlebells, ultimate sandbags, minibands and more for sale in August. “While stuck in the uncertainty of the shutdown and what reopening would look like, I wanted to find a solution that would allow us to serve our Speakeasy crew members and neighbors,” says founder and owner Stephen Holiner. “With our expertise, we can guide customers to the right weights and equipment in a way that other online stores can’t. That direct connection with buyers allows us to stick to our mission statement of empowering our neighbors through strength and movement.”

Indoor cycling studios, including CycleBar, which has about 200 studio locations across the country, rented out their bikes when physical spaces shut down in April. “The bike rentals allowed us to successfully pivot to virtual classes and keep our members engaged in not only their workouts but also their studio community,” says CycleBar president Trevor Lucas. “It allowed our owners to provide work to their instructors during such a difficult time and bring some joy to both riders and our studio staff across the country.”

2. Virtual Certification Programs

Sadie Kurzban, founder and CEO of 305 Fitness, a dance-based workout with studio locations in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. (as well as other pop-up sites), wanted to bring her signature workout to communities outside major cities. But instead of franchising her business, she decided to “invest in the individual” with a certification program. She charges $190 for a week of learning—which moved to Zoom when pandemic restrictions started—and she’s taught her methods to thousands of new instructors.

Instructor certification sign-ups have grown nearly tenfold this year, Kurzban says, and now you can find 305 Fitness–certified instructors across the United States and in France, Brazil, Singapore and Israel. “All of our core values—fun, ownership, action, inclusivity, self-expression, adaptability—are incorporated throughout the weeklong sessions,” Kurzban says. “It was equally important for us to train both the physical skill sets of cuing and counting and the intangibles of how to be an effective and thoughtful leader.” The reason she chose this certification method for expanding her reach? “It comes back to our core value of inclusivity,” she says.

3. Personal Business Extensions / Subscription-Based Offerings

The benefit of virtual workouts and streaming classes is that individual instructors have a chance to build their own brand—even if they’re a part of a larger, better-known fitness company. Take Sydney Miller, for example. A SoulCycle instructor, she originally created her own workout called HOUSEWORK in 2017 for SoulAnnex, a division of the SoulCycle brand that allowed instructors to come into a living space in New York City and teach their own unique class. When the coronavirus hit, she decided to move that method online.

When she launched with Zoom live for her core-meets-HIIT classes, Miller had more than 100 people in attendance. So, she decided to create a subscription-based, on-demand platform, available via an app. In just 2 months, with the help of a developer, the HOUSEWORK app went live to users.

Other instructors formerly associated with big brands have created their own workouts, now streamed to the masses. Founders of Bonded by the Burn, Lucy Sexton (of the brand SLT) and Tracy Carlinsky chose to team up and stream their workout mid-pandemic. They quickly realized they could turn their class into a digital business, and with the help of Vimeo OTT, they made it into a mostly subscription-based, on-demand model, with live Zoom classes mixed into the platform. “The online space is a volume-driven business,” say Sexton and Carlinsky. “Compared to brick-and-mortar boutique fitness, you are no longer limited to 10 machines or 50 bikes, and you can reach clients all over the world.”

4. New Spaces and Partnerships

Gavin McKay, founder and president of Unite Fitness in Philadelphia, says he has pivoted his business model four times since COVID-19 struck the U.S. In early 2020, he was in the midst of expanding to Washington, D.C., but the virus abruptly changed that. McKay put his in-person studio expansion on hold and focused on live, virtual classes, which then expanded to on-demand workouts. In June, the strength and HIIT studio also started offering outdoor classes.

Unite Fitness’s newest venture involves teaming up with a local event space in Philadelphia, the 23^rd Street Armory, which has largely suspended its events. Thanks to the more than 14,000 square feet of space, plus an open-door entry way and a top-notch ventilation system, Unite can host more class participants while staying up to code on coronavirus safety precautions. McKay says this space will replace most of its outdoor classes, especially as the seasons change.

Equinox has taken a somewhat similar approach: It created an outdoor club in Los Angeles and New York City to allow members to work out while staying socially distant and safe.

5. Frequent Community Events

In addition to hosting virtual workout classes, many studios have turned to digital community- building to maintain connections between clients and instructors. Pure Barre^® studios across the country, for example, focused on retail events and wine nights, dubbed “Sip & Shops,” to get their community together. Pure Barre employees showcased the latest apparel in real time. They also provided a postworkout toast for members and a chance for people to chat after a “Wine Down Wednesdays” class.

Fhitting Room, a New York City-based strength and HIIT studio, often hosts charity events to align with the current social climate. One successful event, called Strength Against Racism, allowed the company to donate more than $50,000 to Color of Change, NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Harlem Academy. Fhitting Room has also expanded class offerings to special populations, like pre- and postnatal clients, seniors, kids, and healthcare workers, providing a free class to frontline employees, starting at the beginning of the pandemic and continuing every Saturday.

As challenging as the past year has been for the fitness industry, many business owners took it as an opportunity to thrive and implemented creative ideas that helped them maintain a close connection with clients and members, proving that wellness wins when it matters most. Be inspired by the steps taken here and develop your own path to renewed interaction.

References

Schultz, A. 2020. Inside the great kettlebell shortage of 2020. GQ.com. Accessed Nov. 9, 2020: gq.com/story/inside-the-great-kettlebell-shortage.

By Mallory Creveling

Source: 5 Ways Fitness Businesses Have Created Revenue in Pandemic Times – IDEA Health & Fitness Association

21 Best Practices to Help You Survive the New Normal

Learn how three expert fitness business owners are navigating the same potholes and detours you are in this pandemic landscape.

Crisis Leadership: Success Strategies for Today—and Tomorrow

In the spirit of “true grit,” fit pros have drawn from their playbook of positivity, discipline and creativity and dug deep to survive (and even thrive) during the pandemic. Here’s how leaning into our trademark skills may be critical to success.

The COVID-19 Crisis: Transforming Our Lives and Our Industry

The IDEA team is here for you! Reach out and let us know how we can help during this crisis.

CNBC International

The physical activity market is worth more than $800 billion worldwide, but it has had to pivot fast as countries around the world impose strict lockdown measures. Fitness experts expect future workouts to be a mixture of in-person and online classes, while studio apps are hoping for more corporate sign-ups. CNBC’s Lucy Handley reports. —– Subscribe to us on YouTube: http://cnb.cx/2wuoARM Subscribe to CNBC International TV on YouTube: https://cnb.cx/2NGytpz Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cnbcinternat… Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnbcinterna… Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CNBCi #CNBC #fitness #lockdown

Fitness Tips: Three Feldenkrais Yoga Moves For Beginners

Fitness/Body Health, Health & Fitness/Remedies

Breathing

Breathe in and out through the nose. Inhale on a slow count of six, visualizing filling up from the bottom to the top of the lungs. As you exhale, empty out in reverse, from top to bottom, on a count of six.

Curves of the spine

Lie down with knees bent and soles of the feet on the ground, heels in line with the sitting bones. Identify where your pubic bone and ribs are. Keeping the pelvis on the ground, roll your pubic bone towards your ribs, flattening your back. Then roll your pubic bone away from your ribs, lifting up through the lower back. Repeat until the movement is smooth. Now find the natural curves of your spine where you are neither unduly arching the lower back, nor flattening it.

Fitness tips: ways into football for beginnersRead more

Active feet

Stand with feet parallel, sit-bone distance apart. Pick up your toes and spread the little toe away from the others and see if you can place it down. Repeat with your big toe. Bring the other toes down. Keep your weight in the heel of your foot and press down through the big and little toes. This allows the bones to spread and your arches to lift.

By: Nahid de Belgeonne , Feldenkrais practitioner

Jodie Krantz

Shoulder and neck pain can be very debilitating and is often related to loss of mobility of your chest and rib cage. In this short video Australian Feldenkrais Physiotherapist Jodie Krantz demonstrates a flowing sequence of movements that help you discover feel how the neck, shoulders and chest can function in a more integrated and harmonious way, to bring relief of pain and stiffness.

When practicing Feldenkrais exercises here are a few useful tips to increase both the effectiveness and safety of the exercises. 1. Move slowly and smoothy and keep the movements small 2. Do less than you know you can do safely (especially if you have pain) 3. Reduce the effort, let go of tension in your belly, face, eyes, jaw 4. Continue to breathe gently and evenly throughout 5. Watch the whole video through once before attempting the exercises yourself. Thank you and please post your comments below for a prompt response.

If you like this video please visit the Feldenkrais page of our website at http://free2move.com.au/services/feld… or subscribe to our channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpCP… to see our other videos. WARNING: Always seek the advice of a medical professional before beginning any new exercise programme or attempting any of the exercises in Free2Move videos. All information on this website and in our associated videos is provided as a guide only and not intended to replace treatment or personal advice from a medical professional.

Jodie Krantz, Free2Move Physiotherapy and it’s owner, employees and contractors are not liable for any injuries sustained or damage to property arising from a person or persons participating in Free2Move exercise programmes or following our online exercise videos.

The Menstrual Month: How To Exercise Effectively At Every Stage Of Your Cycle

Fitness/Body Health, Health & Fitness/Remedies, Women Health/Remedies, Workout

The physiological changes that take place around a woman’s period can affect her training. Experts assess when to take it easy – and when you should go hard

When Evgenia Koroleva started learning about her menstrual cycle and the effect it was having on her, week to week, she says: “It blew my mind. Why did I know so little about my body?” A gym owner, Koroleva has since created a training programme based around an individual’s cycle, which she says will optimise results.

Hers is not the first to take the menstrual cycle into consideration when it comes to exercise. Interest has grown hugely in recent years, with elite athletes tracking physiological changes and coaches educating themselves about the effects. For the rest of us, there are apps and cycle trackers, but the area is still woefully under-researched (blame male-dominated medicine and sport).Advertisement

There are also a lot of conflicting results, while almost half of the existing studies are low quality, says Kelly Lee McNulty, a PhD student at Northumbria University, who is investigating the effects of the menstrual cycle on performance, adaptation and recovery. “While performance and training based on the menstrual cycle is such an interesting concept, and very popular at the moment, there’s not enough published high-quality evidence,” she says.

(There is even less on the impact of hormonal contraception on exercise performance, so where we refer here to the menstrual cycle, it is for women who are not on the pill or using an implant.) However, there are generalities that could be helpful for some women. Here is how your cycle may be affecting your workout.

Get to know your cycle

The 28-day cycle is split into two halves – follicular and luteal, either side of ovulation. Very broadly, taking a 28-day cycle as the textbook example, McNulty defines the most-relevant phases as early follicular (days one to five), with low oestrogen and progesterone; late follicular (days six to 12), with high oestrogen and low progesterone; and mid-luteal (days 20 to 23), with high oestrogen and progesterone. “Women are so different; we experience our menstrual cycles differently and a blanket approach is not going to work for everyone,” she says.

Collect your own data, she advises – there are numerous apps, but a notebook is fine – “and then look for patterns”. If one week you can blitz a high-intensity workout and the next you can barely make it through, it doesn’t mean your fitness has gone backwards. If your motivation is suffering, it doesn’t mean you are a failure. It could all simply be hormonal. “Then you’ve got hormone fluctuations daily, so it all becomes more complex,” McNulty says.

Try exercising through the symptoms

“There are more than 150 symptoms, like breast pain, headaches and nausea … potentially, that’s a time to decrease training if you’re not feeling it,” says McNulty. “But then it’s also been shown that moderate-intensity exercise, like yoga, is beneficial for premenstrual symptoms.” Around days three to five of your period, oestrogen starts to increase, “so you might be starting to feel better and up for exercise around that time”. Koroleva says: “Training on your period is a good way to offset your symptoms.”

Push yourself up to week three …

In the late follicular and the mid-luteal phases, oestrogen is higher. McNulty says one of its many effects is to help build muscle mass. “This is when we can really push female bodies,” says Koroleva. “For the first three weeks, we push you in terms of strength training and add cardio to it. Our bodies don’t have a huge amount of testosterone, but it rises during ovulation and this makes it an ideal time to really push, because of the energy levels.”

This is the time when you might set your personal bests and “sail through high-intensity training”, she says. However, it is not a given. “In that mid-luteal phase, progesterone rises; that has its own physiological effects, so you might not notice that difference,” she says. “It’s just being aware of what might work for you.”

… but be wary of injury around ovulation time

There is some evidence that, when oestrogen is high, around the late follicular phase, there is an increased risk of injury, because the hormone makes ligaments and tendons more lax. For instance, an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (in the knee) may be more likely. “It’s something to be aware of, but I would never say not to train,” says McNulty. “But if you know this phase might have certain increased injury risks, you could warm up better.”

Take advantage of oestrogen

While it might make you more prone to injury, oestrogen also provides benefits. It is thought to have a positive effect on mood, “so this might increase your motivation to train,” says McNulty. “It has neuromuscular effects as well, so it can signal to increase your ability to activate your muscles. There is evidence to suggest that our ability to recover from training is improved, as oestrogen is thought to have a protective function against muscle damage.” It also reduces the inflammatory response, so it could reduce muscle soreness. “This might mean that we recover more quickly and therefore adapt to training more readily.”

Burn fat

Oestrogen is also thought to reduce the amount of carbohydrate the body uses as the fuel for exercise, instead burning fat. “In theory, it might be that, when oestrogen is high, your body might use more fats for energy – but, again, there are conflicting research findings,” says McNulty. There is some evidence that the metabolism speeds up towards the end of the cycle (and this may be why you get cravings for carbs). “On any weight-loss programme, the point is to put the body into a calorie deficit,” says Koroleva.

However, if you go too far, it can be counterproductive. “If you’re trying to lose weight and you’re in the second phase of your cycle, if you’re doing high-intensity training and you don’t add carbohydrates and increase your calories, your body can actually start to hold on to the weight. It’s almost counterintuitive, but, because of the hormonal changes, the calories need to increase.”

Don’t overheat in week four

In the mid-luteal phase, progesterone rises along with oestrogen. This may limit some of the effects of oestrogen, but it has its own consequences, says McNulty. “It increases your basal body temperature, so, if you’re doing an endurance sport, you might be struggling in a hot environment a little bit more in that mid-luteal phase and you might have to adopt cooling strategies.” Progesterone is also a “calming hormone”, she says. It may increase sleep, but also can affect the way the brain picks up new skills. Trying to perfect a dance routine, or change your golf technique, may be more difficult during this phase.

Take it easy

“After the third week, taper down and do more restorative exercise, such as yoga or pilates,” says Koroleva. “It’s not the time to try to beat any records or do much strength training. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s a really good time to do long walks and low-intensity training. In a world where we’re surrounded by these super high-intensity workouts and we beat our bodies into the ground, working with your cycle is a much kinder way to look after your body.”

By: Emine Saner @eminesaner Tue 2 Feb 2021 11.30 GMT

How to live now

Expert guides and personal stories to help you negotiate life in extraordinary times

187 Lockdown cabin fever? 56 tried, tested and terrific ways to beat the boredom27 Jan 2021950 10 delicious treacle recipes, from the classic tart to dumpling and gingerbread

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SUBSCRIBE for new videos every week! https://www.youtube.com/user/joannaso… Ladies, WE ARE NOT MEN! Our body does not function like a MAN, we go through our monthly menstrual cycle, hence our hormones go up and down almost every week. Don’t expect to TRAIN LIKE A MAN! Don’t feel bad when you can’t push as hard on certain days but that also doesn’t mean you should just sit back and do nothing. WATCH this video through to understand the Menstrual Cycle and how we women CAN adjust our exercise routine and also food intake to match our body’s internal rhythms and even help with weight loss. Joanna Soh is a certified Personal Trainer (ACE), Women’s Fitness Specialist (NASM) and Nutrition Coach (VN), with over 8 years experience. Link to 28-Day Workout Plan According to

Menstrual Cycle: http://joannasoh.com/fitness/fitness-… Period & Exercising: Everything You Need to Know https://youtu.be/ie9uB2iU97I Healthy Ways to Overcome Period Cravings https://youtu.be/nB7cCrik6hM __________ Stay Connected & Follow us! Joanna Soh: http://joannasoh.com/ https://www.instagram.com/joannasohof… https://www.facebook.com/joannasohoff… https://www.youtube.com/user/joannaso… https://twitter.com/Joanna_Soh HER Network: https://www.hernetwork.tv https://www.facebook.com/hernetwork.tv https://www.instagram.com/hernetwork.tv __________ In general, the menstrual cycle occurs in two phases. On average, it’s a 28-day cycle. 1) FOLLICULAR Phase – Day 1 to Day 14 – Go hard! Do high intensity workouts, lift heavy and perform total body strength training. – Your body is more tolerant to pain and muscles recover quicker. – Your body uses Carbs as its main source of fuel. –

You can increase your carb intake slightly especially after an intense workout. 2) LUTEAL Phase – Day 14 to Day 28 – I like to call this phase the “roller coaster” phase. – this is when all the PMS symptoms start to hit: you might crave for sugar or high fat food, you have bigger appetite, you feel sluggish, you have trouble sleeping, your body retains more water, you feel bloated and you might suffer from mild cramps too. – Your body turns to FAT AS FUEL instead of carbs. – Good news, your body is now burning FAT rather than carbs or glycogen. Focus on steady pace cardio to get the most out of your workout. – This is also when the muscle breakdown increases, hence it takes longer for you to recover from your workout. So choose moderation workout that’s less intense. – You might lose your motivation BUT power through your workout, as much as possible, eat well and you WILL feel better.

We are all very different and it takes time to really understand your body. If you have this knowledge, you’re able to take advantage of the hormonal benefits and overcome the challenges by adjusting and changing your workout routine and also food intake. Again, remember this is a guideline as there is very limited research in regards to training with your menstrual cycle. Give it a try, make changes and see what works for you. __________ MUSIC Daily Beetle by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/…) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-… Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Harder Workout Intensity May Not Increase Your Longevity

Ageing/Workout, Health & Fitness/Remedies, Health Tips, Health/Muscle Training, Healthcare Study, Women Health/Remedies, Workout

Good news if you take a more leisurely approach to your workouts: a recent study found that people who performed harder workouts didn’t live any longer, on average, when compared with people who did more moderate workouts. Researchers studied a group of people in Norway who participated in five years of supervised exercise training.

The participants included 790 women and 777 men (with an average age of 73), divided into three groups. Everyone followed federal recommendations to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week. But in addition to that, one group received two supervised weekly sessions of high-intensity interval training. A second group added two supervised moderate-intensity continuous training workouts per week. All three groups continued their assigned workouts for five years.

At the conclusion of the trial, 4.6% of the participants had died, but there was no significant difference in death rates between the group that followed the modest federal exercise recommendations and the two groups that did the more intense workouts. In addition, all groups had similar levels of cardiovascular disease and deaths from cancer.

However, that’s not to say that participating in regular high-intensity workouts wasn’t linked to any benefits. The participants who did the harder workouts had better outcomes on certain measures of mental health and physical fitness.

By: Harward Health Publishing

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COVID-19 may have lingering effects, such as headaches, fatigue, and cognitive problems, and possibly lung, heart, or kidney damage. Because so little is known about why this happens, there are no official follow-up guidelines or recommendations. Some experts say it may be worth a conversation with a doctor. It is hoped that research may yield more information in the future. (Locked) More »

It’s not too late to get in better shape

Only an estimated 40% of American adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week, the low end of what the government recommends. Only 20% of adults perform the recommended strength training twice a week. This lack of movement makes older adults less fit than they could be for their age. But the good news is that people can build strength and improve their fitness at any age using a gradual, progressive approach that focuses on building strength, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility and balance. More »

Understanding intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence, which includes physical or sexual violence, psychological harm, or stalking by a current or former partner, affects as many as one in three women. Help is available, even during the pandemic. Leaving an abusive situation can be challenging, but having a plan can help. Women should also be aware that the abuse isn’t their fault and they are not alone. As many as one in three women experiences intimate partner violence. (Locked) More »

Beware do-it-yourself cosmetic injections

Neurotoxins and dermal fillers for cosmetic use are being sold illegally online to unlicensed individuals, putting people at risk of serious complications. More »

Irregular and long menstrual cycles linked to shorter life

Having had irregular or long menstrual cycles is linked to a higher risk of dying before age 70. More »

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Mayo Proceedings

Dr. Carl -Chip- Lavie, Professor of Medicine in the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School and the University of Queensland School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana, in an Editorial appearing in the September 2014 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, clarifies the difference between elite and extreme athletes, and demonstrates that more is not better with regard to exercise. Peak benefits are gained from 30-40 and less than 60 minutes daily of moderate exercise. Available at: http://tinyurl.com/nu74s77

Is Running Actually Good For Your Knees

Health & Fitness/Remedies, Health Tips, Health/Muscle Training, Healthcare Study

Contrary to popular belief, a new study from the University of Maryland has found that running could actually be good for your knees. While the study confirms that running pummels the knees more than walking, the process can also help fortify and bulk up cartilage, potentially helping stave off arthritis. Dr Kelly Sheerin, who is the Sports Performance Clinics Manager and a Senior Lecturer at AUT, joins the show to discuss.

You’ll know you’ve arrived as a runner when you get your first lecture on how you’re going to destroy your knees. This “advice” is usually based on the idea that running increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis in your knees. But the truth is, it doesn’t.

Below we’ll look at the evidence and explanation for why that’s the case. We’ll also examine how best to lower your risk of incurring the most common running-related knee injuries. Armed with this knowledge, you should be able to be a living refutation to the idea that running will eventually ruin your knees.

Running and Osteoarthritis in the Knees

This should be stated as clearly as possible: Numerous studies have shown that runners have lower rates of knee osteoarthritis than sedentary people. For example, in one study that followed runners and non-runners for almost 20 years, X-rays showed signs of arthritis in the knees of 20 percent of the runners, but 32 percent of the non-runners.

A potential counterargument against such results is that, when the studies are started, the long-time runners that take part have above-average structural health—they don’t include people who started running but had to give it up because their bodies broke down.

Research has rebutted that idea as well. One study followed more than 2,000 people for several years to see how many developed arthritic knees. The participants gave detailed information about how often and how severely they had knee pain. They also described their current and former exercise habits. In other words, the participants weren’t selected because of whether they were or weren’t runners.

But it turned out that running status did matter. In frequency of knee pain, symptoms of arthritis, and evidence of arthritis on X-ray, current runners had significantly better scores than non-runners. For example, current runners were 29 percent less likely than non-runners to report frequent knee pain. Even former runners were less likely to report knee pain and show signs of arthritis than non-runners. That last finding is the opposite of what should be the case if running ruined their knees and caused them to give up the sport.

There’s also good evidence that running and knee arthritis isn’t a case of play now, pay later, in terms of running increasing your chances of physical limitations as an older person. In one study, researchers matched members of a running club with healthy non-runners; all the study participants were at least 50 years old at the beginning of the study. The researchers followed up with the participants 21 years later. Not only were more of the runners still alive, but they also reported significantly fewer physical limitations.

Part of the researchers’ conclusion was that “running at middle and older ages is associated with reduced disability in later life.”

Why Might Runners Have Lower Rates of Knee Osteoarthritis?

To answer this question, it helps to know current thinking on osteoarthritis.

Arthritis is inflammation in joints, the points in your body where bones come together (knees, hips, wrists, etc.). Osteoarthritis is arthritis characterized by thinning and breakdown of cartilage, the protective tissue at the ends of bones. Osteoarthritis used to be considered a “wear and tear” disease, with body parts seen as analogous to machinery that inevitably breaks down. That model is no longer widely believed by medical experts. Instead, osteoarthritis is considered a disease of the joint, with multiple potential causes.

With this more nuanced understanding of osteoarthritis, running’s potential protection against developing it makes more sense. First, runners tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) than the average person, and any extra weight increases strain on joints. In one long-term study, runners had lower rates of osteoarthritis and hip replacements than walkers and other more casual exercisers. The researchers cited the runners’ lower BMIs as one of the probable explanations.

Being overweight is also associated with chronic low-grade inflammation throughout the body; by helping you to stay at a good weight, running makes it less likely that your joints will be subject to this potentially damaging inflammation.

There’s also good evidence that, as with the rest of your body, knee cartilage is subject to the use-it-or-lose-it principle. Rather than breaking down your joints, running helps to keep them lubricated and stimulates your body to build new cartilage. Researchers have also found that running conditions your cartilage to become more resilient as it adapts to the demands of running. Sedentary people who have developed osteoarthritis are advised to exercise regularly for these very reasons.

What If Your Knees Are Already in Bad Shape?

It’s one thing to say that running will likely lower your risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. But what if you already have it, or some other chronic knee issue? Is running out of the picture for you?

Research in this area is encouraging. One study followed people who were at least 50 years old and had osteoarthritis in at least one knee. At the end of the eight-year study, runners reported less knee pain, and imaging showed that their arthritis hadn’t progressed.

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In a four-month study of middle-aged people, imaging found evidence of damage (not necessarily arthritis) in most of the people’s knees. After half of the study subjects did a four-month marathon training program, MRIs of their knees showed less damage than at the start of the study. That finding meshed with the results of a study that found that, after four months of moderate exercise, knee cartilage health improved in middle-aged people at risk of developing osteoarthritis.

“Listen to your body” is excellent advice for all runners. In the case of runners with preexisting knee pain, that means to let your symptoms guide you in how much running, and what type, is tolerable. Take heart that as you go about this trial-and-error process, there’s good reason to believe running won’t worsen your condition over time.

How to Lower Your Risk for Common Knee Injuries

None of this is to suggest that runners are immune to knee injuries. In one study of more than 2,000 runners treated at a sports medicine clinic, knee injuries were three of the five most common types. (The top five were patella femoral syndrome, a.k.a. runner’s knee, iliotibial band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, meniscus tears, and shin splints.)

But it’s important to remember that most running knee injuries, like most running injuries in general, are overuse injuries. They’re caused by more cumulative stress to a given body part than your body is currently equipped to handle. Knee injuries aren’t a given, and they aren’t likely to cause permanent damage unless you ignore them and don’t try to fix the underlying issues that led to the injury.

There’s a growing body of research suggesting that knee injuries are often caused by weakness or instability elsewhere in the body, especially the hips. That’s why strengthening programs for avoiding or overcoming knee injuries often focus on exercises for your quads and glutes. The video below offers six exercises that will help keep your knees—and the rest of your body—in proper working order. Just do the exercises twice a week (or more if you are injury-prone).

If you have a history of knee injuries, you might also benefit from slightly (slightly!) altering your running form.

Backed by research, many sports medicine experts advise increasing your running cadence (the number of steps you take in a minute) by 5 to 10 percent if you can’t seem to shake knee injuries. The reason: A shorter, quicker gait should shift running’s impact forces from your knees to your lower legs. Although there’s no one ideal cadence for all runners, if you can see your feet making first contact with the ground when you run, you’re probably overstriding. Doing so places enormous braking forces on your knees, and is linked to an increased risk of injury.

By The Runner’s World Editors

The Running Channel

“Running is bad for your joints”. “It will wreck your knees”. “You’ll need a knee replacement in 20 years”. If you’re a runner, you’re probably familiar with some of these comments, mostly from non-runners. So is running ACTUALLY bad for your knees? Watch and find out! ↓↓ Ever been told running’s bad for your knees? What other myths about running do you want to see us look at? Tells us in the comments below ↓↓ Links to studies quoted: Effects of running and walking on osteoarthritis and hip replacement risk, Paul Williams https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2… Running as a Key Lifestyle Medicine for Longevity, Progress in Cardiovascular Disease journal https://www.sciencedirect.com/science… ——————– CHECK OUT OUR NEW MERCH → teespring.com/en-GB/stores/the-runnin… → FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/OfficialRunn… ← → INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/runningchannel ← → TWITTER – https://twitter.com/runningchannel ← → STRAVA – https://www.strava.com/clubs/runningc… ← Or get in touch with us by sending an email to hello@therunningchannel.com

What Parents Need To Know About Eating Disorders In The Time Of Covid-19

Anxiety/Stress, Covid19, Health & Fitness/Remedies, Health/Diet Plan, Health/Obesity

In July of 2020, a new study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) confirmed what many already knew: Covid-19 has contributed to a mental and behavioral health crisis. With one in four parents reporting worsening mental health, and one in seven reporting an increase in behavioral challenges for their children, this is not an isolated problem.

Families everywhere are struggling right now.

But while the study focused on families with young children, in particular, additional research has pointed to the vulnerabilities adolescents are facing right now. To include an increase in post-traumatic stress, depressive and anxiety disorders.

All of which can also be associated with an increase in eating disorder behaviors.

The Mental Health Impact on Adolescents

Hina J. Talib, MD, is a board-certified adolescent medicine specialist known for her popular Instagram page, TeenHealthDoc. She says that one of the things she has noticed since the pandemic began is teenagers experiencing a flare in previously identified mental health conditions as well as the presentation of new mental health conditions.

“In teen health, we are calling this the second-wave of the Covid-19 crisis, and it has already arrived,” Talib recently told Forbes.

She said there are a variety of circumstances contributing to this, to include the loneliness and isolation teenagers are reporting as a result of physical distancing and stay-at-home measures.

“During this time of back-to-school, anticipatory anxiety is running high for students, teachers and families. Teens, especially pre-teens, absorb this stress.”

The Risks Teenagers Face

While we don’t yet have any data connecting an increase in eating disorders to Covid-19, experts believe there is reason to be concerned.

“Eating disorders can be triggered by an attempt to gain control,” Anna M. Lutz, MPH, RD, LDN, explained. Lutz is a certified eating disorder registered dietician who co-owns a private practice in Raleigh, NC.

“Right now, all of us, but especially children, have very little control in what we can do,” Lutz said. “Sports seasons, academics as we know them, spring break trips, summer camps and important time with friends have all been canceled—all things that are very important in the lives of teens.”

She said that focusing on weight, exercise and what one allows themselves to eat can be a way of gaining control, particularly in situations where an individual may otherwise feel out of control.

As is the case for so many in the face of our current pandemic.

“Also, there has been a lot of media focus on the potential for weight gain during the Covid–19 pandemic,” Lutz explained. “This message has been directed towards children and can trigger a teen being over-controlled or restrictive with their food.”

While unhealthy, Lutz said that eating disorder behaviors can be coping tools in times of trauma and stress.

“Many people with eating disorders have a history of trauma and the current pandemic situation can trigger this trauma. Isolation, food insecurity (real or perceived), increased time with a family member who may be abusive, grief for what is being lost/missed, and fear about getting sick or your family not having enough money can all trigger an increase in eating disorder symptoms.”

Monitoring Your Teen

All families should be aware of the increased potential for mental health struggles right now, keeping an eye on their young children and teens especially. But for parents concerned about potential eating disorder behavior, Lutz said the following can be signs to look out for:

· Eating in secret

· Suddenly eating differently from the rest of the family

· Becoming extremely focused on exercise

· Refusing to take time off exercising, even when injured or sick

· Leaving large amounts of food uneaten

· Self-isolating

· Losing weight.

“These are all reasons to be concerned,” Lutz explained. “Children are supposed to be gaining weight and weight loss in children and teens needs to be further assessed.”

Talib said some things your child may be communicating can be indications of a problem as well.

You might hear a teen (or, as Talib thinks of it, the eating disorder itself) say things like:

· “I am so fat.”

· “If I gain weight I will be disgusting.”

· ”My stomach is huge.”

· “I will do an extra 200 crunches tonight.”

· “I can say no to unhealthy food even though you can’t.”

All of these should be red flags to parents right now, and anytime really.

Addressing Concerning Behaviors

If you are worried your teenager may be exhibiting eating disorder behaviors, Lutz suggested talking to them first.

“Outside of a meal time or a time when food is around, explain to them what you have been noticing and why you are concerned.”

It’s important to give adolescents a chance to reflect on their behaviors and open up about what they may be going through in a non-judgmental way. Simply let your child know you are concerned and give them a chance to respond.

Keep in mind, plenty of teenagers will try to hide their eating disorder, even when confronted. So don’t necessarily take “nothing’s wrong” as an answer. Pay attention to your child’s body language, reaction, and your own gut feeling and go from there.

“Eating disorders are great at hiding,” Talib said. “If you suspect an eating disorder or disordered eating from anxiety or depression, it is possible it has already been present for some time and it is helpful to find an experienced care team as soon as possible.”

Now is not the time to wait, she explained. “I see so many families who have lost time due to delays in access.”

But she also wants parents to ensure they are getting their children the right kind of help. Which is why she believes they should be empowered to ask providers the following questions:

· “How many eating disorder cases do you manage here at this practice?”

· “How confident are you in your diagnosis?”

· “Do you have a network of therapists, psychiatrists and dieticians that you refer to and how is your family feedback on these referrals?”

· “If our teen needs more care than we can provide at home, what are you usual next steps in this city?”

“Do not shy away from asking where the nearest specialty care center is and for your doctor to help get you there,” Talib said. “It is not uncommon to have to travel a bit to see an eating disorder team with expertise in adolescents. However the Covid–19 pandemic opening the gates of tele-health has helped this.”

Available Resources

Talib said that parents who are concerned should start by having a conversation with their child’s pediatrician. “Even better, find an adolescent medicine specialist or physician team that is experienced with adolescent eating disorders.”

She suggested looking to AdolescentHealth.org for the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine’s list or The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) helpline (800.931.2237) if you’re having a difficult time finding a provider.

While Talib said it is always best to start with an evaluation by a professional, particularly because each situation is unique and may require tailored advice and treatment, the following resources can be helpful for families trying to better understand what they are dealing with:

· Nationaleatingdisorders.org

· Maudsleyparents.org

· Feast-ed.org

· Aedweb.org

· Anad.org

If you’re worried about your child, it’s important to know there is help available. But ignoring eating disorder behavior does not make it go away. Now is the time to act. So if you’re concerned, pick up the phone and call your child’s pediatrician today.

It’s the first step to ensuring your teen will be able to have a healthy tomorrow. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.

Leah Campbell

I’ve been working as a full-time parenting and health writer for over seven years. As a single mom by choice with a chronic health condition, parenting a child with a chronic health condition, I am passionate about ensuring all families have the health coverage they need.

CVS Health To Offer Apple’s New Fitness Service

Apple Tech/News, Apple Tools, Fitness/Body Health, Health & Fitness/Remedies

CVS Health said it will be offering Apple’s new fitness subscription service to clients, health plan members and employees.

A one-year subscription offer for “Apple Fitness Plus” built for the Apple Watch will be available later this year for those who are enrolled in an Aetna commercial health plan or a CVS Caremark prescription plan. CVS Health bought Aetna two years ago and owns the pharmacy benefit manager Caremark and has been working for ways to offer more low-cost health benefits for the more than 20 million Aetna members and employer clients who have their drug benefits managed by CVS.

Apple Fitness Plus “intelligently incorporates metrics from Apple Watch for users to visualize right on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, offering a first-of-its-kind personalized workout experience,” CVS said Tuesday afternoon in an announcement. “Everyone from beginners to fitness enthusiasts can access studio-style workouts delivered by inspiring world-class trainers underscored by motivating music from renowned artists, making it easier and more rewarding for users to exercise, whenever and wherever they like.”

CVS Health’s disclosure coincides with a separate announcement by Apple Tuesday unveiling “Fitness+,” which Apple said is the “first fitness experience built for Apple Watch, arriving later this year.” The subscription service offers an array of virtual fitness classes, Apple said during a presentation Tuesday.

Such new services negotiated by CVS are part of the company’s effort to integrate more health benefits for Aetna clients and health plan members given the companies are now largely integrated following their nearly two-year-old merger.

“Keeping people engaged and motivated on their path to better health is at the core of our business, which is why we are extending our collaboration with Apple to offer special access to Apple Fitness Plus through all the ways we connect with customers,” CVS Health Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer Jonathan Mayhew said. “Innovative fitness offerings like Apple Fitness Plus are even more critical as people strive to maintain their health during these challenging times.”

The Apple partnership fits the strategy of CVS Health chief executive officer Larry Merlo to offer more healthcare services.

CVS remains on track with the rollout its new health hub concept to 1,500 stores across the U.S. within the next two years despite the continuing spread of the coronavirus strain Covid-19. CVS paused conversions of some stores into HealthHUB formats in late March as state governments shut down and store construction was forced to slow down for commercial developments across the U.S.

But CVS has said the three-year plan remains on target to have 1,500 HealthHubs by the end of next year. CVS opened 50 HealthHub stores in the U.S. last year and was planning on another 600 to 650 to open in 2020 before the pandemic hit earlier this year.

CVS HealthHubs dedicate more than 20% of the store to health services that include new durable medical equipment, supplies and various new product and service combinations. CVS is adding thousands of new personal care items as well as additional services at its MinuteClinics in the health hub stores. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.

Bruce Japsen

I’ve written about health care for three decades, starting from my native Iowa where I covered the presidential campaign bus rides of Bill and Hillary Clinton through the Hawkeye state talking health reform and the economy. I have covered the rise, fall and rise again of health reform, chronicling national trends as well as the influence of Barack and Michelle Obama from Chicago’s South Side on changes to the U.S. health system from my base in Chicago. I am the author of the book, “Inside Obamacare.” A regular on Forbes on Fox (2014-2018), you can see me on occasion nationally on Fox Business News. In Chicago, you can hear my health segments and business analysis on WBBM News Radio 780 and 105.9 FM. I’ve written for many media outlets, including the New York Times (2011-2013) and was healthcare reporter at the Chicago Tribune (1998-2011). Prior to that, I wrote for Modern Healthcare and several Iowa newspapers including the Des Moines Register. I’m active in education and teach in the University of Iowa School of Journalism MA in Strategic Communication program. I am passionate about health literacy when it comes to explaining the complexities of health care. A better understood health system may save someone some money or their life.

Apple Fitness+ is a new fitness experience for everyone, powered by Apple Watch. Try world-class workouts by the world’s top fitness trainers. Work out anytime, anywhere, and see your personal metrics onscreen in real time.

Find it inside the Fitness app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Coming late 2020. Three months free when you buy an Apple Watch. “Go Time” by TYPO.S http://apple.co/TYPOS Learn more at https://www.apple.com/apple-fitness-plus

1. Fitness trackers will save you money on premiums, for now.

2. The data your employees share isn’t protected by HIPAA.

3. The research on fitness-tracker effectiveness is mixed.

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Running and Osteoarthritis in the Knees

Why Might Runners Have Lower Rates of Knee Osteoarthritis?

What If Your Knees Are Already in Bad Shape?

How to Lower Your Risk for Common Knee Injuries

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