Health, wellness & beauty 102816

a blank slate media/ litmor publications special section october 28, 2016

health, wellness & beauty

34 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016 ADVERTORIAL

Hope Floats - Home of Floatation Therapy has opened a second location in Williston Park, NY. Kimberly Boone of Bethesda, MD, introduces the latest in Infrared Sauna Technology therapy and the Sixty Minute Float, a zero-gravity experience guaranteed to relax your entire being – body and mind.

ing of freedom during 6090 minute sessions. This experience has been known to clear the mind and remove physical pressures from the body. Research has proven that REST provides relief from numerous ailments, including chronic pain, insomnia, depression, FLOATATION anxiety, addiction, PTSD, THERAPY hypertension and Floatation therapy, also fibromyalgia. It enhances known as Restricted healing, meditation, athlet- pared to a traditional sauna, which uses temperaEnvironmental Stimulus ic training, sleep, creativitures as high as 185-190?F. Therapy (REST), relieves ty, and concentration.

Research has proven that the everyday stresses of health benefits of infrared environmental stimuli. The INFRARED SAUNA saunas include detoxificabody is immersed in THERAPY Epsom salt infused water The Infrared Sauna uses tion, relaxation, lower blood pressure, weight set to match your body’s infrared heaters to emit loss, pain relief and natural temperature. The light that is absorbed by improved circulation.

1,000 pounds of Epsom the skin as radiant heat. salt is dissolved into the This allows the body to HOPE FLOATS History water, causing the body to sweat at a lower temperaHope Floats was foundbecome completely buoyture as compared to tradied in 2013. It began with a ant and feel weightless. tional saunas. An infrared single tank in owner The tank is light-less and sauna heats the body Kimberly Boone’s basesoundproof, allowing directly without warming ment-turned-spa. After FLOATERS to release the air around you, mainemerging from her first their attention from distrac- taining a temperature no floating session feeling tion and focus on the feel- greater than 150?F com-

relaxed, yet still energized, she became passionate about sharing the experience. She welcomed a handful of clients to experience floatation therapy.

News spread via word of mouth and the business grew, establishing the need for a larger space and additional tanks. With the success of the location in Bethesda, MD, clientele has increased to over 8,500 current customers, and the company has again experienced a call for growth.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

GRAND OPENING Allow Your Mind, Body and Spirit to Unite Come float with us at HOPE FLOATS, Home of Floatation Therapy.

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Those who regularly utilize floatation therapy in their wellness programs report an array of positive long-term and short-term benefits. Some of the most common of these include: • Intense Relaxation • Increase creativity and imagination.

• Relieve old injuries (especially back aches etc.)

• Increase circulation and energy levels.

• Ease Arthritis • Balance the left and right brain.

• Release Endorphins – the body’s natural pain • Improve concentration. killer and happy pill.

• An aid for addictions, phobias and depression.

• Improve the condition of the skin.

• Regulate sleeping patterns – • Detoxify the system. simulates 4 hours of sleep.

• Useful in pregnancy (for the full 9 months).

• Relieve stress.

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35

36 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016

OUR TOWN

The awesome power of beauty Everyone craves that which is beautiful.

Walk down any Main Street and you’ll see an abundance of beauty salons where women of all ages are busy having their nails, skin and hair tended to for hours.

Or go visit the Americana Manhasset Mall and check out the dresses, sweaters, coats, bags and boots.

They’re beautiful enough to make you cry.

Or go to the local gym and you will note lots of people running on the tread mill in an effort to firm up their butts, or rid themselves of that ugly pot belly in order to look better.

Most think beauty is the exclusive domain of the feminine, however men are equally obsessed with aesthetics — but loathe to admit it.

Men love their Bentley’s, Mercedes and BMW’s because they handle so well but because they look so good.

Men take all those golf lessons and tennis lessons to hone a more beautiful swing.

Men will spend small fortunes to join country clubs in order to avail themselves of the

beauty of the golf courses.

And they will spend large fortunes in order to buy a pretty home on a pretty block.

Nearly every great piece of literature is an homage to beauty.

Dulcinea is at the center of the novel Don Quixote.

Fantine and Cosette, at the heart of Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserable” and “The Great Gatsby,” makes no sense at all without the grace and beauty of Daisy Buchanan.

In architecture every great city holds a special place that symbolizes breathtaking beauty.

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, London has the London Eye and Rome has the Trevi Fountain.

People will travel many thousands of miles in order to gaze upon the beautiful.

Beauty is the hidden muse that moves the world.

Freud told us that sex was the ultimate prime mover but I think that beauty is the true holy grail.

Don Quixote spent his dying days acting the hero in order to impress his muse.

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town Jay Gatsby built his empire in order to win back Daisy.

The handsome young prince risked his life in order to find sleeping beauty and to kiss her lips.

Great works teach us something about the relationship between heroism and beauty.

It is only the true hero that wins the great beauty.

Only the strongest knight gains the hand of the beautiful princess.

Without beauty in the world we would have no heroics.

Why risk it all if there is no golden prize at the end.

Heroism entails stress and strain, blood, sweat and tears

“Why do models like this French beauty seen in Paris get paid so much for looking so good?”

and only the strongest and the bravest get the pot at the end of the rainbow.

And that pot is filled with gold which we then use to buy beauty.

Beauty cost money.

So when I see all those women going into all those nail salons to become coiffed and perfumed I had better understand that they are there in an effort to remain as someone’s special muse.

They are there in the hope that their husband or boyfriend will gaze upon their beauty and be inspired enough to become her hero — the guy who is steadfast and strong.

I think everyone one of us is continually involved in this romantic battle.

In 1956, E.B. White wrote “The Ring of Time,” an exquisite and profound essay on beauty and aging.

He was at the Ringling Brothers winter quarters in Sarasota, Florida and in the essay he described the causal confident beauty of a 16-yearold circus performer as she practiced riding a circus horse

around the ring.

In the center of the ring was her mother who held the horse on a tether as it rode about the ring.

White talked of the beauty of youth but that time does take it away from us.

There is awesome power in beauty.

The quest for beauty destroyed Tiger Woods public persona just as it destroyed Bill Clinton’s presidency.

Marilyn Monroe was too much of a beauty for our greatest athlete Joe DiMaggio — but also our greatest playwright Arthur Miller.

Herman Melville was probably thinking of some great beauty when he created the allegory of “Moby Dick.”

The last line of “King Kong” pertains to this as well.

The great king Kong lies dead in the street next to the Empire State Building.

A policemen remark “It looks like the airplanes finally got Kong.”

The reporter who stands next to him says, “no, it wasn’t the airplanes — it was beauty that killed the beast.”

News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

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38 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016

The benefits of reading M

any people are avid readers, feeling that a good book remains the most entertaining form of escapism. But reading provides more than just an opportunity to leave the daily grind behind.

While many people may read to immerse themselves in something other than a movie or a television show, they may not know about all the additional benefits they are enjoying when cuddling up with a good book.

Reading can improve brain function.

A recent study from researchers at Emory University discovered that reading a novel can improve brain function in various ways. During the study, researchers found that reading fiction improves connectivity in the brain. In addition, reading fiction improved readers’ ability to put themselves in other peoples’ shoes, which might help them relate better to people in both the present and future.

Reading can benefit long-term brain health. While readers engrossed

in a great book might only be worried about what’s coming on the next page, the benefits to reading are much more long-term than the next chapter.

Researchers at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found that reading is one of a handful of mentally stimulating activities that can benefit brain health in old age. In their Rush Memory and Aging Project, researchers examined nearly 300 elderly men and women, giving them tests of memory and thinking throughout the final years of their lives. When participants, who were surveyed as to how often they engaged in mentally stimulating activities such as reading, passed away, their brains were examined for signs of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Researchers discovered that the participants who engaged in mentally challenging activities most often had slower rates of memory decline. In addition, even those who had symptoms of brain damage that are commonly associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia seemed to benefit from the stimulation that mentally challenging activities produced.

Reading can help reduce stress.

Another big benefit of reading is its relationship to stress. According to a 2009 study from researchers at the University of Sussex in England, reading can reduce stress by up to 68 percent. In addition, reading might help relieve that stress even faster than other forms of stress relief because it allows for a more immediate escape from the stress of daily life.

Reading can help you get a more restful night’s sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, engaging

in a calming activity for an hour before going to bed can help your body wind down and ready itself for sleep. Some people may struggle to fall asleep after reading on an electronic device, such as a tablet or e-reader, as the light that emanates from such devices may be activating the brain. If need be, stick to reading traditional print books and magazines before going to bed.

Reading is not only a favorite activity for many people, but it’s also something that can benefit the body in myriad ways.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY ADVERTORIAL

51

UNDERSTANDING VEIN DISEASE

by Dr. Mark Schwartz MD, FACS, RPVI

Vein disease is a common ailment that affects 30% to 50% of the adult U.S. population. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, superficial blood clots, skin changes and even ulcer formation on the lower extremities. With awareness, however, symptoms can be caught at an early stage and treatments as well as preventative measures can be taken. Typically, women are often more affected than men, but men present with more severe symptoms including skin changes and ulcer formation.

A series of one-way valves control the actual flow of the blood in the veins. When valves malfunction and fail to operate properly, disease may develop. In this case, it may allow blood to leak or flow backwards especially in the lower extremities. This backward flow, called venous reflux, is what precipitates symptoms. These symptoms arise from an elevated blood pressure in the veins and may be referred to as venous hypertension. This process leads to an intense inflammatory process both in the vein wall and valves as well as the skin and underlying healthy tissue.

Spider veins and varicose veins are two of the more common vein problems in which people are typically more familiar. Spider veins lie just below the skin’s surface and usually appear as red or blue blotches. They are typically not dangerous and are simply cosmetic in nature.

Varicose veins also lie just below the

issue and are visually undesirable; skin’s surface but may represent therefore, many patients prefer to a more serious problem and have them treated. It is a relative require medical attention. They easy procedure and can quickly be often appear as twisted, bulging done in a doctor’s office with the or lumpy veins and are usually injection of a sclerosing agent or quite noticeable. Varicose veins topical skin laser. Varicose veins and underlying venous hypertenwith underlying venous valvular sion may lead to blood clots, insufficiency can be treated with skin damage, inflammation and minimally invasive procedures, leg ulcers if left untreated. with little or no down time and can Symptoms can often be present for many months or years withDr. Mark Schwartz be performed in the doctor’s office as well. out escalating into serious probThere are a variety of non-invasive minilems. When symptoms develop slowly, people start to accept them as part of the regular mal venous treatments that will eliminate the aches and pains associated with aging and visible effects and potentially prevent more serious health risks. These minimal invasive simply ignore their presence.

In addition to the appearance of spider or procedures include endovenous radiofrevaricose veins, there are many other symp- quency ablation, endovenous laser ablation toms to watch for including swelling, discol- and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy oration with inflammation, along with com- among others. All of the modalities listed plaints of pain, heaviness and tenderness have completely eliminated the need for along the affected areas. Some patients have painful stripping procedures that led to proa sensation of itching or burning within the longed convalescence, hospital admissions affected leg. Another complaint is restless leg and general anesthesia. All patients with syndrome. This typically occurs during the symptomatic vein insufficiency can be treatnight as the cramping leg muscles contract to ed, almost regardless of age. We have treatpush the blood out of the legs back toward ed patients as young as 16 and as old as 95.

Dr. Mark A. Schwartz is a Board Certified the heart.

Venous valvular insufficiency is easy to Vascular Surgeon with over 20 years’ experidiagnose because the signs and symptoms are ence in the field of Vascular Surgery and Vein readily apparent and because a diagnostic treatment. He is currently the only Vascular duplex ultrasound exam is so widely avail- Surgeon in New York State holding three able. Spider veins are mainly a cosmetic Board certifications in Vascular Surgery,

General Surgery and Phlebology (specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of venous origin). He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, is certified in vascular ultrasound interpretation and holds the RPVI degree from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. He has been consistently named one of America's Top Surgeons by the Consumer Research Council of America and a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. Dr. Schwartz serves as the Medical Director of the North Shore Vein Center, a national training center for advanced vein treatment, where physicians travel from across the country to learn about his advanced techniques and cutting edge technologies in the management of vein disease.

The Center is the largest vein dedicated facility on Long Island, where over 10,000 vein procedures are performed annually. The North Shore Vein Center is fully certified by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). The IAC endorses expertise in the field of venous disease, certifying that the center’s procedures and processes are of the highest standards in the management of venous disease. The North Shore Vein Center is one of the first 50 centers across the country to achieve this distinction, is the only accredited facility in Nassau County, Queens and Brooklyn, and is only one of 5 such facilities in the entire State of New York to receive this recognition.

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52 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016

How to reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease development of Alzheimer’s diseases, but the evidence is mounting that regular exercise, regardless of a person’s age, is a great way to reduce risk for Alzheimer’s.

O

ne byproduct of researchers’ efforts is the discovery that it may be possible to prevent or delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease through the implementation of a combination of healthy lifestyle choices. The following are a few healthy habits that may help men and women reduce their risk for Alzheimer’s.

Exercise regularly. A recent study conducted by Scottish researchers and published in the journal Neurology touted exercise as the most effective way for adults to protect their brains from Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers examined roughly 700 70-year-old participants, all of whom were born in 1936,

who were asked to report their levels of physical activity. Each participant then received an MRI at age 73. Those tests revealed that the participants who were more physically active showed less brain shrinkage and fewer white matter lesions, both of which are indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation reports that physical exercise reduces a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 50 percent and can even slow further deterioration in those who have already begun to develop the cognitive problems associated with Alzheimer’s.

Researchers continue to study the relationship between physical activity and the

Eat healthy. What you put into your body may also reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The brain operates at its best when it is fueled with a healthy diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein. A heart-healthy diet is also brainhealthy, and researchers have found a potential link between heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Researcher Larry Sparks of the Sun Health Research Institute in Arizona and formerly of the Kentucky medical examiner’s office studied brain tissues with a goal of finding early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. He discovered that those who had the telltale plaques of Alzheimer’s disease also had heart disease, suggesting heart disease may be a

forerunner of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association feels this link between the two will only grow stronger in the years to come, suggesting that a heart-healthy diet that reduces a person’s risk of heart disease may also reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s down the road. More information on a heart-healthy diet is available at www.heart.org.

Stimulate yourself mentally.

Mental stimulation can help the brain stay sharp, and men and women who find ways to stay mentally stimulated can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Embrace activities that require communication and interaction with others, and find time for additional tasks that can stimulate your brain. These may include studying a foreign language, reading, trying your hand at mentally stimulating puzzles such as crosswords or Sudoku, and other activities that emphasize organization.

Such activities are essentially workouts for your brain that can help it stay sharp as you age.

Remain socially active.

Staying socially active into older adulthood is important for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that research has indicated the brain functions better when men and women are not isolated from others. Memory and cognition are stronger when people remain socially active and engaged in their society, so retirees should look for ways to revive their social lives as a means to protecting their brains from the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease remains an enigma in many ways. But ongoing research continues to show that men and women can take measures to actively prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and improve their quality of life as a result.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

53

Be smart about antibiotic use

W

hen used correctly, antibiotics and similar drugs known as antimicrobial agents can alleviate infections caused by various bacteria and some types of fungi and parasites.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that these drugs have been used successfully for the last 70 years to treat patients with infectious diseases.

But antibiotics cannot treat

illnesses stemming from viruses, which include most colds and the flu.

As effective as antibiotics can be, antibiotic resistance is a growing problem. The CDC reports that at least two million people become infected with bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, and roughly 23,000 people die each year as a result of these types of infections. An April 2014 report from the World

Health Organization stated, “This serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country. It is now a major threat to public health.”

occurs, a stronger drug may be needed to treat an infection that was once taken care of by a milder medication.

The Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics says antibiotic resistance occurs when an antibiotic has lost its ability to effectively control or kill bacterial growth. The three main ways resistance develops include natural resistance to certain types of antibiotics, genetic mutation or through the acquisition of resistance from another bacterium. This resistance can occur spontaneously or through misuse of antibiotics or antimicrobials.

Prescription medications are not always the culprits, either.

Antibiotic use in livestock and food production also may contribute to resistance.

Become educated. The health resource Medscape, powered by WebMD, says in a recent survey of 796 clinicians, 42 percent of doctors have admitted to prescribing antibiotics 10 to 24 percent of the time even when they are not sure they are necessary.

Patient request is a large factor in such offerings. About 25 percent of patients ask their doctor or nurse for antibiotics. Patients who educate themselves about the proper application of antibiotics may be less likely to request them, and that can help prevent the development of a resistance.

When antibiotic resistance

Prudent antibiotic use can help prevent the recurrence of resistance. Individuals can help the process in a number of ways.

Confirm need. Only take antibiotics when a bacteria-,

parasite- or fungus-based illness is identified. These illnesses may include strep throat, urinary tract infections or ear infections.

Take a wait-and-see approach. Wait for lab results to come back for strep throat or other cultures to see if you need an antibiotic. Many viralbased illnesses will go away within two weeks’ time.

Adhere to dosage guidelines. When prescribed antibiotics for an infection, take them as directed, making sure you complete the dosage cycle. Do not stop simply because you feel better. Stopping early may not be enough to effectively kill the bacteria and may contribute to resistance in the future.

Antibiotic abuse and resistance are concerns that can be addressed by becoming informed and making smart medication choices.

54 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016

Can diet soda cause weight gain?

F

Diet soda may seem a healthier option than sugary drinks, but it may cause weight gain and contribute to obesity.

or decades, people have turned to diet soft drinks as a healthier alternative to regular soft drinks. However, consuming diet soda on a regular basis may have some serious health ramifications, including weight gain.

It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that diet sodas may be causing people to gain weight, particularly because these sodas are commonly consumed by people who are trying to lose weight.

However, artificial sweeteners found in some diet sodas may increase a person’s risk of obesity.

It’s not entirely what you are eating that can cause weight gain but what the body thinks it is eating (or drinking) that plays a role.

There are two factors at play with regard to the artificial sweetener conundrum. First, The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio has researched the potential link between obesity and artificial sweeteners.

Researchers have found that something in the chemical structure of these sweeteners alters the way the brain processes the neurotransmitter serotonin.

In addition to helping with sleep,

mood and other functions in the body, serotonin helps tell the body when it is full. When natural foods and sugars are consumed, serotonin signals to the brain to turn off your body’s appetite.

However, artificial sweeteners may prolong the release of serotonin, and your appetite remains in full force long after it should have abated.

Another component of artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, is that these chemicals can trick the body into thinking it has, in fact, consumed sugar.

That triggers the pancreas to produce the insulin needed to regulate blood-glucose levels. It also causes the body to store the glucose as fat. This can lead to low blood sugar, which may cause you to eat a sugary treat in response.

Having diet soda or eating a sugarless item once in a while won’t create any long-term effects.

But repeatedly relying on artificial sweeteners could affect appetite and change blood sugar levels for good.

These aren’t the only consequences to diet soda and other beverages. Drinking diet soda regularly may affect

cardiovascular health. According to the American Heart Association, research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference found people who drink diet soda every day have a 61 percent higher risk of vascular events than those who reported no soda consumption.

Regular soda isn’t a better alternative. It can contribute to weight gain and cardiovascular issues as well as an increased risk for diabetes. A 2011 review published in the journal Circulation stated that a positive association has been shown between sugarsweetened soft drink consumption and weight gain in both children and adults.

Nutritionists and doctors have advised that instead of adding artificial sweeteners to water and other beverages, flavor them with lemon or lime juice. Instead of drinking diet soda, opt for unsweetened tea or plain water.

Although diet soda may seem a likely option to help curb calories and prevent weight gain, such beverages may actually be having an adverse effect on a person’s weight.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

55

How to get going with grazing

A healthy breakfast of oatmeal and fresh fruit is a good breakfast for men and women adopting grazing as their approach to diet.

E

ating healthy is a goal for many people. For some, altering what they eat is all it takes to shed those extra pounds and improve their overall health, while others find changing what they eat isn’t helping them reach their goals.

One option that has its share of supporters and detractors is grazing, which involves eating five or six smaller portions throughout the day instead of the more widely accepted diet of eating three square meals per day. Those who stand by grazing claim it keeps a person’s metabolism going all day, helping to burn more calories while encouraging men and women to eat smaller portions. Those who question grazing point to studies questioning its efficacy, namely that it does not have the calorie-burning effects its supporters suggest. In fact, researchers in the United Kingdom have said eating throughout the day (a standard grazing diet has men and women eating five to six meals per day, with three to four hour intervals between meals) undermines the body’s ability to burn fat.

The debate over grazing does not figure to go away anytime soon, as many people have found it a successful way to lose weight and get healthier while many others have found it ineffective. For those who want to give it a shot, consider the following advice.

Choose healthy foods. Grazing can only be effective if you choose healthy foods. Snacking on foods like chocolate or potato chips every three

to four hours is a recipe for disaster regardless of portion size. When grazing, choose foods that are low in fat and high in nutrients. Avoid sugary foods as well as those that are high in sodium. Foods that are strong sources of protein and complex carbohydrates, including chicken breasts, fish, low-fat dairy products and whole grains, will help you feel full and keep you feeling that way until the next time to eat rolls around.

Don’t skip breakfast. A healthy breakfast is an essential element of successful grazing. If you skip breakfast, you’re more likely to overeat, which could establish a domino effect of poor eating as the day goes on. A simple breakfast, such as a bowl of cereal with fat-free or lowfat milk or some oatmeal with berries mixed in, is all it takes to start the day off on the right foot.

Stick to a schedule. When grazing, meals should be eaten every three to four hours. If you stray from that schedule, you could wind up eating larger portions or more meals than you should be consuming. Stick to your schedule and remember the portions are supposed to be smaller, so you should not feel skittish about pulling a snack out at a meeting in the office or if you have company over at your house.

Prepare meals in advance. A problem many people encounter when they first begin to graze is the lack of availability of smaller-portioned meals and snacks. Large portions and snacks with no nutritional value are the norm, so finding smaller meals and healthy snacks when you’re away from home will be difficult. The best way to counter that problem is to prepare meals in advance and take them with you.

Cook enough food for the week over the weekend and store it in easily transportable containers. In addition, bring snacks with you to the office so you aren’t forced to eat unhealthy fare between meals.

Recognize results aren’t immediate.

No effective weight loss plan produces results overnight, and grazing is no exception. You will not drop 10 pounds in the first week, but you might notice heightened energy levels throughout the day shortly after you begin to graze, especially if you choose the right foods. Give grazing enough time to get going before judging if it’s the right approach for you.

The topic of grazing is one that continues to inspire debate, but men and women who want to lose weight and keep the weight off should consider grazing as a healthy and potentially effective option.

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56 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • News Times Newspapers, Friday, October 28, 2016

The Many Faces Of October Foot Pain For many, foot pain can be aggravated in the month of October from an active Summer.

However, October is also a month filled with local charitable walks, like the Making Strides Breast Cancer walk on October 16th at Jones Beach. The office of Dr. Mary Carlson supports local walks and understands that these walks can cause foot pain. Let’s take a moment to break down some of the foot issues you may be experiencing. After such an event, does your foot have a firm bump on the outside edge of the foot at the base of the big toe? Is there redness, swelling or pain at the site of the big toe joint? Do you have restricted or painful motion. If so, this could be a bunion. In the case of Metatarsalgia, the ball of the foot becomes inflamed and you may experience sharp shooting pain or pain that worsens when walking or standing on it. Another common foot problem is known as Plantar fasciitis, who’s symptoms include stiffness and heel or arch pain in the morning or after resting that gets better after a few steps – but worse during the day. You may also feel pain after standing for long periods of time. All three, while common, can take you off of your feet.

The office of Dr. Mary Carlson in Williston Park can diagnose and treat bunions, Plantar fasciitis and Metatarsalgia. Her state-of-the-art office has on-site imaging, laser therapy, radiofrequency and more to get you back on your feet quickly. CSEA members are welcome.

Call her office today at 516-248-8188 or visit her website at drmarycarlsondpm.com.

Dr. Mary Carlson Dr. Mary Carlson is a graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and has spent her entire career providing superior care to every single one of her patients. Dr. Carlson and her office have created an environment that preserves the dignity of each patient, providing them not only with medical treatment, but respect. With FDA approved laser technology, x-ray and ultrasound imaging devices located on-site, Dr. Carlson is able to diagnose and treat most conditions right in her office. For inquiries and scheduling please contact her office at 516-248-8188 or online at www.drmarycarlsondpm.com.

Candy buy back The candy buy back program at Dr. Carlson’s office was so successful in the last few years, that she will be continuing again this year! The health and wellness of children is very important. Their goal is to stop obesity and diabetes in children. That’s why the office of Dr. Mary Carlson will be buying back your Halloween candy and donating it directly to local food pantries. This year, get $1.00 per pound when you bring in your candy to her office.

Why not keep the unhealthy sweets out of your system and make some money at the same time? Call today to learn more.

DO YOU HAVE PAIN IN THE BALLS OF YOUR FEET? YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM METATARSALGIA VISIT DR. CARLSON AND GET DIAGNOSED TODAY Ankle Sprains and Strains • Heel & Arch Pain Corns, Calluses & Warts • Ingrowing Nails Pediatric Footcare • Diabetic Care • Bunions & Hammertoes • Tendonitis • Routine Foot Care For Seniors • Fungal Nails & More

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Our Candy Buy Backk Program

$1 FOR EACH POUND OF CANDY RETURNED TO DR. MARY CARLSON Keeping kids healthy is important! That’s why we’re offering to buy your Halloween candy this year at $1 per pound. Call our office for details!

CSEA Members Welcome!

Dr. Mary Carlson, DPM D 516.248.8188 637 Willis Ave., Suite E • Williston Park, NY www.DrMaryCarlsonDPM.com

Save money and still get in shape

Committing to multiple personal training sessions as opposed to paying on a session-by-session basis is one potential way to save money when trying to get in shape.

T

he costs of getting fit can sometimes seem formidable. Men and women on tight budgets may feel that gym memberships, home exercise equipment or costly personal training sessions are simply beyond their means.

Such concerns can have long-term negative impacts on individuals’ health, which only highlights the need to find ways to save when attempting to get in shape.

While there is no shortage of ways to spend money when trying to get back in shape, there are even more ways to save when adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Buy in bulk. Many professional fitness services, whether it’s gym memberships or personal training sessions, offer greater discounts to individuals willing to make bigger commitments. Men and women who commit to a 12-month gym membership instead of going month-tomonth can typically save a substantial amount of money each month by making such long-term commitments. For example, a gym may charge $89 for a month-to-month membership, but only $69 per month for people who commit for a full year. That’s a savings of nearly 23 percent. Personal trainers also typically offer considerable discounts to clients who commit to a greater number of sessions than those who simply purchase one session at a time.

Join a gym at the right moment.

Many gyms capitalize on people’s New Year’s resolutions to get fit by offering steep discounts to men and women who sign up at the end of December or in January. Others may discount memberships in late winter when people want to

get in shape before the return of beach season. Signing up during the height of discount season or when gyms are offering special discounts, such as anniversary or holiday deals, can save you a lot of money over the course of the year.

Work out at home. If a gym membership is simply beyond your means, create your own workout area at home.

Visit a nearby sporting goods store and purchase some weights and go for jogs around the neighborhood to meet your daily cardiovascular exercise goals. If space is limited at home, embrace yoga.

Yoga provides both strength and balance training, and all you need is room for a yoga mat.

Investigate your health insurance.

Many health insurance providers offer gym membership rebates to their customers. If you have never had a gym membership in the past, you may not even know if your provider offers this benefit. Gym membership rebates typically require that policy holders visit their gyms ‘X’ number of times in a sixor 12-month span (i.e., 50 times in six months or 100 times in 12 months) in order to earn rebates. A $400 annual rebate on a gym membership that costs $69 per month cuts the yearly cost of that gym membership by nearly 50 percent. If your existing insurance plan does not offer such rebates, speak with your employer about including it when the time comes to renew the insurance offerings in the future.

Getting fit does not have to break the bank. Health-conscious men and women can find numerous ways to save on their journeys to living more active lifestyles.