Fitnographic on dangers of sitting

1-16-13: Just saw this excellent fitnographic on the dangers of sitting by IDEA!

Sitting is our gen's smoking!

1-16-13: Love this title and blog! Read about how sitting is our generation's smoking and what one person is doing to combat this: HBR Blog Network

Exergames help overweight kids

1-11-13: Finally some nice press on exergaming, reported by Discovery News and listed in the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation News Digest for Pediatric Obesity. A study on how exergames can help battle childhood obesity, a report on a study by lead author Todd Miller at GWU School of Public Health. Read about it here. This was recently published in the Games for Health Journal.

Activity Trackers at CES

1-10-13: The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) is going on right now in Las Vegas. I have my pass to attend, but due to a last-minute change in plans, I wasn't able to go this week. (No worries, it was a nice change of plans--was in Florida last week for the grand opening of the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Health and Wellness Center!).

Well came across this article that talked about two new activity trackers that are encroaching on FitBit and BodyMedia's space. You can read about them in the links below.

Wthing Smart Activity Tracker - can also measure heart rate, though in the way a Mio does
Basis Band - can measure heart rate continuously

On a related note, I just rec'd my Jawbone Up, a bracelet activity tracker that I was supposed to get at TEDMed '11, but due to technical difficulties which caused a recall, I didn't get it till a couple of days ago. And man, is it nice! Love the design and form of it, and I'm less likely to lose or misplace it like my FitBit...which ironically, also just came out with their own bracelet activity tracker! Haven't tried that out, but heard it was very similar to the other FitBits (2 other models now). You can read more about the Fitbit Flex  here.

These are just some of the health gadgets that have come out at CES this week. If you'd like to see more, check out this "slideshow of health devices at CES". There are more activity trackers there, as well as some other unusual devices that you probably didn't know you needed!

Here are some that you can also read about:

 BodyMedia Core2...waterproof and reads heart rate right from your tricep!

The Fitlinxx Pebble isn't being sold to consumers directly, but being marketed to employers as part of an employee wellness program. Hmm, wonder if we can get it for our LIFE program?

Now if someone will just make some kind of device to track our EATING as easily as these gadgets track our activity...come on, I know the technology already exists!!! I hope someone is working on it right now.

2 Holiday Events! Bike and Hike...

11-18-12: The holidays are here and that usually means a lot of holiday EATING!!! Come participate in 2 events to burn some extra calories. Hope to see you at one or both!!!

12-mile bike ride on 12-12-12 @ 12:12 PM

To celebrate 12-12-12, come ride 12 miles on the SART at 12:12 PM. Looking for 11 other riders to join me so we can at least have 12 people riding. (More is ok!) Then we'll enjoy lunch at Souplantation afterwards. Start from our usual spot behind Souplantation & Hall of Records. For more info or to contact: 909-747-5935. (RSVP on FB or MeetUp.com if possible)

18th Annual New Year's Day Hike up Blue Mountain

Start the new year off with this local tradition. Two hikes again this year, Jan. 1, 5:30 AM (to see the sunrise) and 12:00 PM for those who can't get up that early. (RSVP on either FB event)

Hike is up Blue Mountain, in Grand Terrace. Meet at Palm Ave and Honey Hill Drive.

Dogs and kids welcome! Sparkling cider and cups will be provided for the toast. Inspirational speaker TBA.

For more info or to contact Ernie Medina, Jr., cell: 909-747-5935. RSVP on FB if possible.

Exercise protects even if obese!

11-16-12: Another study just came out showing that exercise protects even if one is overweight or obese. This may be a big wake-up call to those who are in the "healthy BMI range" (below 25) but are inactive 'couch potatoes" because they die at 2x the rate than overweight execisers. Exercising has a protective effect against even other risk factors. To read more about this study, check out this link here.

Make your treadmill workout like outside...

11-16-12: We know that running on the treadmill is "easier" than running outside at the same speed. So how do you compensate? Some researchers found that setting your treadmill at 3% incline will mimic running on flat, windless, conditions outside. You can read more about it in this Men's Health article.