Tag: physical activity

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From beginner’s yoga to more advanced practices, downward dog is one of the most popular poses. Physical therapist Dawn Lorring, PT, MPT @ClevelandClinic

Take a ‘Paws’ With Downward Dog

This transitional and restorative yoga pose provides a full-body stretch

Physical therapist Dawn Lorring, PT, MPT, walks through the steps of how to do downward dog correctly and shares its many benefits.

From beginner’s yoga to more advanced practices, downward dog is one of the most popular poses…with a few common misconceptions.

Rounding your back, placing your feet too far apart or putting too much weight into your wrists can all create a deeper stretch than intended — which increases your risk of injury.

Physical therapist Dawn Lorring, PT, MPT, walks through the steps of how to do downward dog correctly and shares its many benefits.

What is downward dog?

Downward dog (also known as downward facing dog, facing dog pose or Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit) is a foundational yoga pose. It’s often used as a transition between movements, like sun salutations. It’s also a form of active resting, active stretching and strengthening. This allows you to check in with yourself and re-evaluate your intentions during your practice.

You do downward facing dog by putting your body into an inverted V-shape (or pyramid), as if there were a straight line that runs through the top of your head up your spine and out of your butt toward the ceiling.

How to properly do downward facing dog

Facing dog pose won’t usually be your first movement when doing yoga. Before trying it, it’s best to loosen up your muscles and joints and find ways to work it into your overall yoga practice.

Once you’re warmed up and ready to go, follow these steps:

  1. Start on all fours with your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees in line directly behind your hips.
  2. Spreading your fingers wide, press down into your hands and tuck your toes (almost like you’re using them to grip the floor beneath you).
  3. As you exhale, bring your hips up and back, as if there’s a string pulling your butt toward the ceiling, so your body creates an inverted V-shape (or pyramid).
  4. Focus on straightening your back, not rounding it, so your head and neck are relaxed between your upper arms. It helps to focus on pressing through your arms to “push” the ground away from you and keep your arms active.
  5. Engage your core muscles and pull your tummy in.
  6. Keep your legs straight and, if it’s comfortable for you to do so, try to drop your heels down to the floor.
  7. Adjust your posture by shifting your weight between your hands and feet until you sink comfortably into the position.
  8. Hold this pose for 10 to 15 seconds at a time, making sure to breathe throughout.
  9. For a more relaxed stretch, bend your knees a little and readjust your posture as needed.
  10. When you’re done, exhale and move into your next pose or slowly lower yourself to the floor to enter child’s pose.

“Downward facing dog isn’t about keeping your heels on the ground or holding it for long periods of time,” clarifies Lorring. “It’s really about making sure you’re going to a place that’s comfortable for you, so you can adjust your body as often as you need in this pose.”

Facing dog pose variations

If you have a hard time getting down on your hands and knees, try this wall variation:

  1. Face the wall and place both your hands out in front of you so your palms are flat and your fingers are stretched out.
  2. Keeping your head and back straight and your hands on the wall in front of you, slowly walk your legs backward.
  3. As you move, walk your hands down the wall so you hinge at your hips and look directly at the floor.
  4. Keeping your head and neck relaxed, hold this pose for 10 to 15 seconds before slowly returning to stand.
  5. If you feel stress or discomfort in your wrists, you can modify by rolling up a towel or the edge of your yoga mat and placing the roll under the heels of your hands. This will decrease some of that pressure.

For a more challenging stretch that deeply engages your hips and hamstrings:

  1. While in the downward facing dog position, lift one leg up and stretch it toward the ceiling.
  2. For a deeper stretch, bend your outstretched leg back and over your body, so your knee is facing away from you.
  3. Repeat this process with the other leg, holding the pose for as long as you feel comfortable on either side.

Downward dog benefits

Downward facing dog provides a full body stretch, while also strengthening and working your:

Adho Mukha Svanasana helps improve your flexibility and control, and provides you a moment of active rest. It also increases blood flow to your head and upper body when you’re in the inverted V position. But because of this, you should talk to your yoga instructor, athletic trainer or healthcare provider before starting this position if you have:

“Facing dog pose tries to improve flexibility but also builds the strength to control that flexibility,” says Lorring. “If you’re feeling excessive stress to a certain part of your body, then you’re probably holding the pose for too long or you’re trying to go into a range that you’re not ready for. We can help you get there.”

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AVOID ALCOHOL 🤢🤮 when you’re pregnant @ClevelandClinic

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Cleveland Clinic

@ClevelandClinic

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When you’re pregnant, it’s important to eat a healthy diet that provides the nutrients you need. That helps keep you feeling your best and promotes healthy fetal development. But pregnancy also puts you at higher risk for foodborne illness. Some foods and drinks can increase your risk for pregnancy complications. Avoid high-mercury fish and processed meat, and go easy on salt and caffeine.

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Mayo Clinic study: What standing on one leg can tell you. Good balance, muscle strength and an efficient gait..

Mayo Clinic PMR

@MayoClinicPMR

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Mayo Clinic study: What standing on one leg can tell you. Good balance, muscle strength and an efficient gait contribute to people’s independence and well-being as they age. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-what-standing-on-one-leg-can-tell-you/ #aging #balance #physicaltherapy #agingwell #health #mayoclinicpmr

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2026 is the Year of the Cabbage @voguebeauty

2026 Is the Year of the Cabbage: Meet the Most Underrated Leafy Green

By Audrey Noble

January 13, 2026

Cabbage often—and unfairly—gets overlooked, with flashier veggies and protein-dense superfoods getting all the attention. But as far as nutritional food options go, the leafy green is pretty hard to beat. A staple in different cuisines (American coleslaw! Middle Eastern malfouf! Chinese suan la bai cai!), cabbage has been a longtime favorite amongst global chefs.

“Much of this stems from its versatility,” Woldy Reyes, chef and author of the cookbook In the Kusina: My Seasonal Filipino Cooking, tells Vogue. “We are seeing a growing trend of chefs utilizing it as a centerpiece, such as cabbage steaks, rather than as a side dish. The culinary appeal has never been stronger.”

“Its popularity stems from its ability to transform,” adds Tatiana Mora, chef of plant-based Michelin star restaurant Mita. “It can be eaten raw, fermented, steamed, roasted, or sautéed, consistently providing flavor, texture, and nutrition. I love it because it is a noble vegetable that grows easily, keeps well, and can be used almost entirely, making it perfect for a conscious and respectful approach to cooking.”

It’s accessible, easy to cook, and delicious. Here are all the reasons cabbage deserves a seat at your table (get it?) in 2026.

What is cabbage?

Cabbage is a leafy green that is part of the brassica plant family (which also includes broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and kale), says Amy Shapiro, RD, registered dietitian and founder of Real Nutrition. It comes in several varieties, but the most common ones you’ll see are green, red (or purple), and savoy. What makes cabbage different from other leafy greens is its density and durability. “It’s heartier, stores longer, and holds up well to cooking, fermenting, and shredding,” Shapiro says. “Nutritionally, it shares many benefits with other cruciferous vegetables, but it’s often milder in flavor and more versatile across cuisines.”

The Benefits

Besides its versatility, one of the main benefits of cabbage is its many nutrients. Shapiro lists other main benefits of the leafy green:

Supports Gut Health

Shapiro says that, because cabbage contains fiber and other compounds that support digestion, eating this leafy green can benefit the gut bacteria and boost gut health.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Cabbage is also rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that studies have shown can reduce inflammation, she says.

Boosts Heart Health

Along with fiber, cabbage has potassium, which supports healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Cabbage also has vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting (and bone health). Shapiro points to red cabbage in particular, which she says contains antioxidants called anthocyanins that studies have shown can improve brain and heart health.

Regulates Blood Sugar

Cabbage is low in calories and carbs while being high in fiber, which can help stabilize glucose levels in the body.

Boosts Immune System

Shapiro says that cabbage is rich in sulfur-containing compounds to help strengthen your immune system’s defences—and vitamin C, which studies have shown can provide antioxidant protection and support immune health.

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Get Happy – Why Exercise Can Lift Your Mood @ClevelandClinic #physicalactivity

Here’s a fact that may surprise you: By the year 2020, depression is projected to be a leading social and economic burden worldwide — second only to coronary artery disease! Psychotherapy and antidepressants are effective but aren’t for everyone.

But there’s another treatment for depression that’s free and available to everyone: exercise. It will also lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol profile, help control blood sugar, and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and common cancers. And, of course, help you achieve or maintain a healthy weight.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2016/03/get-happy-exercise-can-lift-mood-infographic/?

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Running is great exercise. A dietitian talks about what runners should eat ― and when ― for optimal nutrition and performance. @HopkinsMedicine

If you run regularly, whether it’s an easy jog around the block to stay fit or an intense training regimen to prepare for a marathon, you need proper nutrition.

Here are some tips to help keep runners well-nourished and ready to win.

Foods for Runners and Joggers

A good diet can boost your physical health and help you meet your fitness goals. Make sure your meals emphasize the following basic components:

  • Fruit and vegetables for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
  • Lean protein such as fish, poultry, beans, lentils and tofu
  • Healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado and nuts
  • Healthy carbohydrates such as rice, whole grain breads/pastas and oatmeal

Individuals may have different optimal balances, but in general, people who include running or jogging as part of their fitness regimen should get 60% to 70% of their calories from carbohydrates, with lean protein and healthy fats each accounting for 15% to 20% of their remaining calories.

Don’t skimp on carbohydrates

Although low carbohydrate diets are popular go-to’s for people wanting to lose weight, they’re not ideal for distance runners, who thrive on carbohydrates for endurance.

That is why very low carbohydrate diets, such as the ketogenic diet, plus running is not a good idea. Experts do not recommend keto to runners unless they have been told by their doctor that this a medically safe option for them and they are being monitored while in ketosis.

Distance runners need more carbs than people who aren’t training. Undereating carbohydrates can be hard on your body and affect your recovery after your run.

Here’s why: Running uses both glucose in the blood and your stores of glycogen. Glucose is the form of sugar that circulates in the bloodstream, and glycogen is the sugar stored in your liver and muscles that acts as the primary fuel for endurance exercise.

Eating plenty of carbs helps ensure that these energy stores are ready to support your training. When those stores get too low, runners are more likely to run out of energy and “burn out” or “hit a wall” while training.

Running Diet — Vitamins and Minerals

Running changes your body and your nutritional needs. Often when people start a running regimen, they are trying to lose weight or get in shape quickly, and they don’t realize they need to adjust their diet.

Especially in women runners, dietitians report seeing a tendency to overdo the running while not eating enough, and this can have an effect on health if they do not adequately replenish lost vitamins and minerals in their diet.

For women in particular, calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health to avoid loss of bone mineral density and the risk of stress fractures.

For more vitamin D, include these foods in your meals:

  • Vitamin D-fortified dairy and almond, soy or rice based beverages
  • Eggs
  • Cereal fortified with vitamin D
  • Tuna
  • Salmon

For more calcium, try:

  • Yogurt and cheese
  • Tofu
  • Edamame
  • Almonds
  • Canned fish with bones (such as sardines)

Iron deficiency can affect women and even have an impact on their running performance. Menstruation puts people at higher risk of iron deficiency, and if iron isn’t replenished in the diet, decreases in hemoglobin can occur and bring on anemia. Hemoglobin is what carries oxygen throughout the body, including the muscles, so if there is a deficit, the muscles may feel the effect of insufficient oxygen during exercise.

Iron-rich foods include:

  • Poultry and other meat
  • Legumes, such as peas and beans
  • Dark, leafy green vegetables such as kale
  • Dried fruits and raisins
  • Iron-fortified breads and cereals

Dietitians recommend eating eating iron rich foods in combination with foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus, bell peppers or berries, since vitamin C helps increase the body’s absorption of iron.

What to Eat Before Running ― and When

The best time to eat a full meal is about two to three hours before you hit the road, track or trail. Have a good source of carbs paired with protein, making sure the meal focuses on a healthy carb source.

If it’s been more than three to four hours since you’ve eaten, a carbohydrate-rich snack a half-hour before running can ensure you have adequate glucose available before you head out. Directly before a run, it’s best to stick with easy-to-digest carbohydrates to avoid gastrointestinal [GI] distress such as cramping or diarrhea.

Try these:

  • Bananas
  • Applesauce
  • Crackers, pretzels or cereal
  • White bread
  • Potatoes

Glucose Boosters for Long Distance Runners

If you are training for a marathon or distance event and are going to be out for over an hour, you will want to bring some fuel with you. Energy drinks, gel tubes and other sources of quick blood-glucose boosters are available, but you can also use something as simple as fruit snacks.

Try practicing with these items as you train so you can pick the formulas that are best for you, and you can work on accessing and ingesting them smoothly without breaking stride.

What foods should runners avoid?

Before a run or the night before a big race, Eidel recommends going easy on:

  • Spicy foods or foods overly high in fat, which can cause GI upset
  • Foods that are very high in fiber, which can cause gas and cramping
  • Caffeine ― Although it is tempting to grab a caffeine boost right before a run, runners should remember that for some people, caffeine can stimulate the GI tract, which can result in diarrhea or the need for an emergency bathroom break

Does carb-loading work?

It might. Carb loading is the practice of eating a lot of carbohydrates ― particularly those that are easily absorbed, such as white bread, pasta and rice ― for 24 to 48 hours before a big race or distance run, to shore up your body’s stores of glycogen and lessen the risk of burnout before finishing the event.

Some studies show carb loading is beneficial for people preparing for a race, but it’s important to make sure during that time you’re also allowing your body to rest and giving it time to store what you are ingesting. The number of carbohydrate grams will be differ from person to person, but in general, evidence shows carb loading can be beneficial prior to a distance event.

In contrast, casual runners likely do not need to carb load. Ensuring that their day-to-day diets include extra carbohydrates can be sufficient.

What to Eat After a Run

It’s common for people not to feel hungry after a run, but a snack or light meal of complex carbohydrates and protein within the first hour after running can help replenish glycogen stores and to support recovery and rebuild stressed muscles. For example:

  • Peanut butter and banana
  • Egg on toast
  • Sandwich with deli meat
  • Pasta with meat or plant-based protein
  • Veggie burger on a bun
  • Protein shake or smoothie

Running to Lose Weight

If you’re interested in running as part of a weight loss plan, getting adequate nutrition is a must. Even casual running or jogging burns calories and can be hard on the body. Runners can become undernourished at first because they don’t understand how much energy they’re burning when they run and what they need to properly recover.

Eating enough is also essential to building muscles, which can aid in fat burning ― a plus for people working on achieving or maintaining a healthy weight.

For optimal weight loss, your plan should not rely on running alone but also include strength training and proper nutrition.

Listen to your body

If you run regularly, you should pay attention to the effects of what you eat and when, especially on running performance. Learning what works best for you can take some time and a little trial and error, but it is worth it, since running, jogging and other regular aerobic exercise offers so many health advantages.

Always feel free to consult a dietitian or doctor, and listen to your body if you’re not keeping up with your training goals.

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Watermelon can be enjoyed many different ways.@ClevelandClinic #hearthealth

Registered dietitian Lara Whitson, RD, LD, shares how watermelon is actually healthy for you, along with five watermelon recipes.

Is watermelon healthy?

Watermelon is 92% water. No surprise there, considering it’s in the name. But more than keeping you hydrated during hot summer days, watermelon has a number of other health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants like lycopene that can help protect against chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

And when eaten regularly as part of a healthy balanced diet, it can help make you feel fuller longer. With a low amount of calories, sodium and cholesterol, alongside higher amounts of calcium, vitamin C and magnesium, watermelon is one fruit you don’t want to miss out on year-round. Even the rind and its seeds offer some benefits.

“You can stir-fry the rinds with other vegetables and add spices to the seeds, like you might do with pumpkin seeds, for an easy and healthful snack,” says Whitson.

Watermelon basil granita

This shaved ice dessert gets a fruity twist with watermelon chunks. It also pulls in star ingredients like fresh lime juice and basil leaves, which offer their own health benefits for a refreshing mid-afternoon sweet escape.

A bowl of watermelon salad with feta cheese, herbs and sliced almonds

Watermelon, tomato and herb salad with feta

Calorie-conscious dishes can still go big on flavor. This refreshing salad, perfect for picnics and cookouts, pairs watermelon with tomatoes bountiful in benefits, alongside red wine vinegar, fresh mint, almonds and feta cheese.

Slices of lemon, lime, watermelon and strawberries in a glass of water

Fresh watermelon fruit smoothie

This is just one of several ways to crank up your chill summer drinks: Puree 1-1 1/2 cups chopped watermelon with 1 cup ice and a little water or fresh juice for a sip-worthy smoothie as you soak in the sun.

A salad in a white bowl containing watermelon, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers and almonds

Watermelon salad with cucumber, tomato and almonds

This recipe doubles down on the use of veggies by incorporating beefsteak tomatoes, cucumber, a fresh ear of corn and basil, along with a hearty serving of watermelon for a subtly sweet finish.

fruit spring rolls

Fruit salad spring rolls

Not only is this sweet snack filling, but it also puts a dessert-like twist on classic Vietnamese and Thai spring rolls. By wrapping julienned watermelon, green apple and pineapple in spring roll wrappers made from rice paper, and creating a dipping sauce with Greek yogurt and tahini, this recipe makes for a great palate cleanser for any summer cookout.