Patch Picture of the Week Contest

PHOTO CONTEST: Fitness

Our weekly contest offers readers the opportunity to win a gift card.

Beach weather is coming: and soon, the bathing suits will be coming out. But even if it were the middle of winter, we know there are still countless Patch readers who make physical fitness a part of their routine. So, with that in mind, our photo contest topic this week is "fitness." Whether you're a fitness guru, a local gym owner or simply someone who likes to exercise, we want to see your photos. Upload a photo of a fitness activity, and you'll have a chance to win a $25 gift card. We’ll take submissions until 5 p.m. May 27. The winner, chosen by Patch editors, will be announced on May 28. The prize? A $25 gift card. We know it can be hard to choose just one, so you may enter as many photos as you'd like. If you like a particular photo…

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Healthy Living Can Prevent Breast Cancer: Marlborough Resources

Research shows good nutrition and exercise can help prevent breast cancer. Here are some resources around Marlborough to help you stay healthy.

You might be able to find help fighting breast cancer and other types of cancers at your local grocery store and fitness centers, according to the research findings of Dr. Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D, RD.  Dr. Neuhouser is a nutritional epidemiologist with a background in nutritional sciences. She is an investigator at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Her research is focused on lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity. Some factors may prevent breast and prostate cancer and improve survivorship in those diagnosed with cancer.   According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 American women will die …

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Marlborough Runner Has Goal to Run in All 50 States

Douglas Sylvester has run in 15 marathons and is adding one more to his total on Monday.

Name: Douglas Sylvester Age: 42 How Many Times Has He Run the Boston Marathon? Three times in a row in Boston and also in New Hampshire, Maine, Tennessee and Las Vegas, NV. "I want to do all 50 states," said Sylvester. Why Does He Run? "I run because I can. Years ago, I was overweight and out of shape. Now, I have the ability. What Does He Do to Train? "I have a coach and a training plan," explained Sylvester. "I started (preparing for the Boston Marathon) at the end of November (2011) and I reached my peak mileage of 60 miles in a week on St. Patrick's Day. Since then, I've been tapering off as the marathon approaches. Now, I'm doing 30 miles a week." Why does He Love to Run? "It gives me a feeling of peace that I don't really know how to…

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Fit

OPINION: How Do I Get My Kids To Be Active?

In an age where physical activity is on the decline, it can be difficult for parents to help their kids be active.

Physical activity is on the decline. With jobs being of a sedentary nature and technology dominating much of our work processes, people are moving around much less. While this isn’t good for individuals of any demographic, its especially troublesome for children. Kids are at an important juncture in their developmental stage. Developing healthy habits while they are still young is critical for their future health. If you’re a parent, how do you help your kid get moving? One of the simplest ways to get your kids involved in physical activity is by getting the entire family involved. Rather than tell your child to shut off the television or computer and go outside, invite them to participate in some outdoor family fun. Tag, hide and seek, …

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OPINION: Tips For Staying Fit In A Down Economy

Fitness often gets left to the wayside when prioritizing work and living expenses. Read on to find out some ways that will help you balance both.

In a poor economic climate one of the thing that often suffers is fitness. Sure the fitness industry takes a certain hit, but its the fitness of individuals that really takes a turn for the worst. People are resorting to working longer hours to meet their living expenses and totally neglect their physical activity. Add stress to this mix and the potential for over eating and poor nutrition becomes a harsh reality. Even though the economy may be in rough shape, that’s no reason to get out of shape. There are still some things that can be done to preserve your fitness, and by extension, your health. Join an inexpensive gym. Plant Fitness is perhaps best known for being an inexpensive gym. With memberships ranging from ten to twenty dollars a…

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OPINION: Am I Eating Too Much?

Many female clients worry about eating too much on a sensible meal plan. For many, six meals a day can seem like an unusual amount to be eating. Keep reading to find out why it's beneficial to adopt these eating habits.

Developing good eating habits is an issue for most individuals beginning any type of exercise program. This happens because these new habits typically challenge all of the preconceptions that people have about healthy eating. One of the basic rules of solid nutrition is eating six small meals a day on a timely schedule. Many female clients that adopt this new form of eating ask if they are eating too much. In other words, they perceive six small meals as being too much food. It’s understandable if they’re used to eating two or three meals per day spaced out over long periods of time. They shouldn't’t worry about eating too much on a balanced nutritional plan. First off, your metabolism is a calorie furnace. Metabolism can be defined as all…

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Fit

OPINION: Breathing During Exercise

When and how to breath is something that new lifters must master if they want to progress. While breathing is considered one of the most basic pillars of exercise, it is important to revisit this rudimentary technique.

It goes without saying that breathing is an important part of exercise. Most novice lifters however, aren’t fully in tune with their breathing. This is not only a hindrance to the workout, it is also potentially dangerous depending on the individual. While breathing is considered one of the most basic pillars of exercise, it is important to revisit this rudimentary technique. The basic rule of thumb when it comes to breathing is “ breath in with rest and exhale during the work.” In other words: when the exercise reaches its most difficult point you should exhale. While this rule is simple it doesn’t always come naturally to new lifters. Part of the reason for this is that they don’t quite yet recognize the “sticking point” of the exercise…

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OPINION: Interval Cardio Training

Jumping on an elliptical or stationary bike for an hour is old school. New school interval training cuts down your gym time and boosts your fitness results. Read on to see what the science says about this method of training.

Interval training has been touted as a superior method of getting your cardio workout in at the gym. Sadly, this message is sometimes ignored by the gym going masses. Long lines of ellipticals, treadmills, and stationary bikes are filled with devoted fitness enthusiasts practicing the old school methods of cardio. Individuals climb onto these pieces of equipment and run for a steady pace for a predetermined set of time. Is it still a workout? Yes. Is it the most effective? No. Why aren’t more individuals practicing the methods that science validates? The answer could be psychological. Most people get a sense of gratification from seeing the number of calories burned after a bout of cardio. This sense of gratification can be misleading. The…

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OPINION: The Good Side Of Fat

Many people either avoid carbs or avoid fat. Fat however, is extremely important to the diet. It provides us with energy and protects your body at the cellular level. Read on to find out more about the good side of fat.

Many individuals fall into two schools of thought regarding diets: avoid carbs or avoid fats. The problem with this is that it doesn’t offer a completely balanced solution. Avoiding one nutrient while loading up on another simply isn’t a sustainable diet. One question that remains however, is why individuals shy away from fat. The concept that eating fat makes you fat is only partially correct. Fats are an essential part of the diet. When selected carefully they offer health benefits that cannot be obtained from either carbs or proteins. Fat provides energy like any other macronutrient that can be ingested in the diet. It is more energy dense than either carbs or proteins. With 9 calories per gram, fat is extremely energy dense and helps …

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OPINION: Smoothies- A Powerful Tool In Weight Management.

Not everyone has the time in their hectic day to prepare healthy meals. Looking for a quick and simple way to get your nutrients in on the run? Look no further than the smoothie.

Weight management is definitely a hot topic. Browse through any magazine rack and you’ll find plenty of magazines devoted to healthy eating and fitness. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time to prepare meals while balancing out their hectic work and family schedules. Proper nutrition is replaced with drive through meals, take out, and a whole host of other potentially gut busting food options. There is however a secret tool nutritional tool in keeping a healthy weight on the go: enter the smoothie. Smoothies are a fantastic way to manage weight. They present a convenience factor that is unrivaled by many other food options. Five minutes and a blender is all you need to create a smoothie that will curb your sweet tooth cravings and keep …

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