Pets can be good for your overall health. Walking your dog twice a day not only can increase your fitness level, but pets can relieve stress, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Stuck in the house? Our pets can be our social support and boost overall happiness and well-being. Not only is having a dog can increase your physical activity, but is also important in their daily health as well. So if you have a dog, do you both a favor and commit to at least two walks a day. If you are just starting out and can’t handle a 30 minute walk then commit to two ten minute walks and then trying increasing every few days. You will both thank each other!
Today, we have a 30 minute action-packed Tabata cardio and strength routine. This workout will get your heart rate up and keep you moving when you’re working and resting.
Give yourself some room to move and get into this workout. Enjoy this quick workout…times flies when you are doing Tabata!
Lots of variations during the workout if you do not have the equipment needed.
Take a break from the work day and join our University of Louisville Cardinals for a special online cooking demonstration led by Melissa Crowson, director of sports nutrition for Louisville Athletics. Melissa will demonstrate how to make a Cinco de Mayo inspired dish and provide tips on how we can all stay healthy while cooking at home.
In the fourth week of the N Good Health Spring into Action steps challenge, 439 participants walked a total of 19,330,970 steps, equaling 8,547 miles.
Here are the top three teams for week four:
1. NCH Care Steppers
2. PREOP STEPPERS
3. Crafty Feet
Top five steppers for week four:
1. Christina Miller, Team: NCH Care Steppers
2. Jerry Melton, Team: ReeseandBarney
3. Chad Combs, Team: Stepping On COVID-19
4. Sandy Hepp, Team: PREOP STEPPERS
5. Lisa Mcroy, Team: Rad Walkers
Overall Challenge Stats
A total of 439 participants took 84,745,590 Steps, reaching almost 40,000 miles. Out of that 439, 45% of participants walked at least an average of 7,500 steps a day. Great job!
Overall Top Three Teams:
PREOP STEPPERS
NCH CARE STEPPERS
NBH ROCKS!
We hope you enjoyed Spring into Action, and are ready to start the Summers Steps Showdown! Where the facilities go head to head in a steps challenge!
Sign-ups will start May 19th and the challenge will begin June 8th!
A therapy dog from Baltimore, Maryland, is at the forefront of the city’s volunteering efforts to support hospital staff in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
Loki, a 2-year-old Rottweiler and her owner, Caroline Benzel, a medical student enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, have collected over 4,500 “Hero Healing Kits”, which have been distributed across four hospitals in Baltimore.
The gift bundles feature items from body powder and hypoallergenic lotion, to coffee mix and Vaseline, which are being donated to the intensive care workers on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19.
The initiative began as a scheme to provide remote dog therapy sessions for patients tackling the virus, after a moratorium was passed which prohibited face-to-face animal therapy indefinitely.
The digital drop-ins hosted by Benzel and Loki via FaceTime serve as a welcome relief for coronavirus convalescents restricted to hospital wards.
“The staff and patients have truly enjoyed seeing something different since, at least at our hospital, all visitations have been halted. A simple conversation can completely change the outlook of a patient,” Benzel wrote on “Dogtor Loki’s” Instagram page, which has amassed over 8,000 followers.
As well as boosting the morale of patients and staff, while conducting such virtual visitations, Benzel noticed the adverse reaction of healthcare and social workers to personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Everyone was wearing PPE 24/7 and because of that, they were getting rashes and irritation from wearing masks,” Benzel told WJLA.
This prompted Benzel to compile an Amazon Wish List of essential supplies, the provision of which aims to alleviate the strain on key workers suffering with skin damage.
The project has gained national media coverage and served as the catalyst for similar giveaway schemes in over eight states including North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
“This was the dream, and it is coming to fruition: not only to help first responders, but to inspire others to do the same in their counties and states for their respective hospitals,” Benzel said in an online post.
Benzel felt inclined to rally around the Baltimore medical community and express her gratitude after employees helped to fundraise the expenses of ACL surgery Loki underwent recently as a result of a broken paw.
“I wanted to do what I could to return the favour and show them how much I care about them and the UMMC [University of Maryland Medical Center] system,” Benzel stated.
Through reciprocating an act of great compassion, the duo’s charitable pursuit has managed to raise both funds and spirits—a benevolent endeavour which has spread across both state and national borders.
The virtuous circle of events that preceded the launch of the Hero Healing Kits, and the snowball effect of their overwhelmingly positive reception is a powerful reminder of the importance of paying it forward.
To get involved in the Hero Healing Kit campaign, click here.
Satisfy your afternoon sweet tooth the old fashioned way, with a home-made baked good!
Zucchini Bread with Walnuts
Supplies needed: baking sheet, large mixing bowl, loaf pan
Makes 10 servings
Ingredients
¾ cup walnuts pieces, roasted (place flat on baking sheet on 325 degrees F for 5 minutes)
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
½ cup honey
2 large eggs
½ cup fat-free milk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (an imitation blend can be used)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 medium zucchini, grated and moisture squeezed out
1 ¾ cup whole wheat flour (almond flour can be used for a gluten free variety)
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl, mix oil, honey, eggs, milk, baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla, salt and nutmeg. Wisk until combined.
Stir in zucchini and flour, don’t over stir.
Fold in the toasted nuts.
Pour batter into greased loaf pan and bake for 55 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. Let the bread cool before slicing and serving.
Storing and reheating
Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can re-heat in microwave.
Any movement you can do throughout the day counts! You might have to be more aware of the amount of time you are putting in and making a weekly goal can help you acheive this.
Being active while at home can help you keep your home life in balance and creating routine can be good for the whole family.
When the weather is nice get outside, fresh air and a little vitaman D is good for everyone. The family can go for a walk, bike ride, plant some flowers, start a garden, clean out the garage or even wash the cars.
Can’t get outside? Here are some ideas from the American Heart Association:
Family chores. Have the whole family helpout in daily chores, vacuum, fold laundry, take out the trash, walk the dog, etc.
Dance sessions are always fun! Have everyone pick out a song to dance to and get moving.
Limit the screen time. Take a walk or play a game.
Find a workout video online. Have the family join in, have activites they can do too.
Pets need physical activity too. Throw a ball or stick for the dog to fetch. Lead the cat on a string chase around the house.
Keep exercise equipment out where it can easily be used for a quick workout.
Long week? Try this workout to help restore energy and movement to all major muscles.
Whether you’re looking for a little help with flexibility and muscle recovery at the end of your work week or looking for a little active recovery after a week of workout sessions, this series of stretching exercises is designed to help you meet your goal. Each round will take approximately 10 minutes and is designed for 2-3 rounds, for a session that should leave you energized but relaxed. These basic exercises are for all skill and age levels, and can be done as a family activity too. While a mat is not required, a non-hard surface is recommended for comfort.
We love our pets and they love us spending time with them, right? So let’s exercise with them! This Planet Fitness Work-In has a special guest: Doug the Pug. Doug invites you to include your dog, cat or other furry friend in this 20-minute, pet approved home workout. The instructor offers alternatives if you do not have a pet or yours isn’t cooperative plus the exercises are appropriate for any fitness level. Have some fun and we hope your pet is as cooperative as Doug the Pug.
