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This was Tom’s day to start painting the house. When he stepped from the garage, he found his son playing basketball in the driveway with the neighborhood kids.

Tom pitched his paint brushes to the ground, and raced onto the court. As he flew across the lane for one of his patented, fall away jump shots, he felt a violent twinge in his back, and he tumbled to the cement in intense pain.

He hobbled off the court, but had to crawl into the house, where his wife helped him into a hot bath, and from there to bed, where he stayed for two days. That weekend Tom realized his body had to be as warmed to a task as his brain was.

Approximately 80 percent of us will experience lower back injuries during our lifetime. To stay one step ahead of your back, remember these tips:

Your Life Style Is Important

* Stay fit, and watch your weight. Extra weight on the stomach adds extra strain on the back.

* Exercise and stretch regularly to keep the muscles that support your back strong and flexible. Consult a doctor to develop a fitness program.

* Work on good posture. Stand straight. Maintain the natural “arch” in your lower back whether you are standing or sitting.

* Sleep on a firm mattress.

* Avoid sleeping on your stomach. It’s better to sleep on your side with knees bent, and a pillow between them.

* If you must sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees and a rolled-up towel under the small of your back to relieve pressure.

* Back injuries happen often in the morning when you’re still stiff with sleep. Don’t bend at the waist to put on your socks and shoes. Pull your feet toward you.

* Minimize time spent wearing high heels. Keep heels to a 1/2″ maximum, including western boots.

* When sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor or use a footstool.

* If you catch yourself slumping forward or slouching, correct your position by pushing the small of your back into the back of your chair. Consider using a lumbar support or pillow for extra support. (This applies in the car, too.)

* Shift your sitting position frequently. Stand and walk around to stretch your muscles at least once each hour.

* Stand up straight for dishes and ironing. Put one foot on a small stool a few inches high.

* Look for products ergonomically designed to reduce back strain.

It’s All In The Technique

* Before lifting a load, stretch by reaching upward several times, followed by simple back and side bends.

* If the load is too heavy or awkward, get help.

* Bend your knees and hips and squat as close to the load as possible, with your feet about a shoulder’s width apart. Never bend from your waist!

* Get a good grip. Lift the load using your thigh muscles. Arch your back inward by pulling your shoulders back and sticking your chest out. Keep your chin up.

* Keep the load close to your body. The closer it is, the less pressure it puts on your back.

* Lift slowly and smoothly. Don’t jerk. Keep your back straight.

* Don’t twist from the waist to lift something. Instead, turn your whole body in the direction you want to reach or look.

* To set the load down, squat, bending again at the hips and knees. Keep your lower back arched in.

* For one-arm loads, bend at the knee and waist, and keep your back straight. Lift with your legs.

More Back Saving Suggestions

* Whenever possible, push, don’t pull. Keep your back straight and knees bent.

* Move to an object. Don’t reach for it.

* If the load is above you, test its weight by pushing up on it. Then, be sure you have a firm footing and a solid grasp before moving it.

* Squat down or kneel to reach low objects. Bend at the knees to lift children.

* When working in a stooped position, stand and stretch regularly.

* To unload the trunk of your car, brace one knee against the rear bumper, pull your stomach in, and unload one package at a time.

* Take short rest breaks during highly repetitive or sustained work.

* For chores that could keep you bent over for a long time, get down on one or both knees and work.

John Myre is the author of the award-winning book, Live Safely in a Dangerous World, and the publisher of the Safety Times Reproducible Articles..

Some of those who are desirous of lap band surgery may not be viable candidates for it. As with any elective surgery, there are significant risks and that is why a competent physician will always study your history and require that you undergo a psychological evaluation prior to performing the surgery.

Some important considerations for the lap band procedure are your age and weight. To qualify, you should be between the ages of 17-60 and be at least 100 pounds overweight.

Your weight, age, mental health status and the likelihood that you will comply with the important post-surgery lifestyle requirements are important considerations for you to qualify for the lap band operation .

The mental health evaluation that a psychologist may provide in an effort to qualify you may include:

Psychological History

Your mental health history is extremely important in qualifying you to undergo this operation and benefit from it over the long term. For example, if you are a compulsive over-eater or have an obsessive-compulsive personality, you may not be able to undergo lap band surgery without encountering serious emotional problems later.

If depression or another psychological disorder triggers you to over-eat, thereby causing your obesity, you may also be ineligible for weight loss surgery. This is because after the surgery, you are still likely to over-eat, thereby neutralizing the procedures effectiveness.

In clarifying what contributes to your obesity, the psychological screening should help determine if the lap band procedure will work for you.

Assessment of Perfectionism

People who tend to be perfectionist will likely develop more post operative dissatisfaction than those who are not; this can lead to frustration and anger. A perfectionist who truly wishes to get in shape and
efficiently lose weight would be more likely satisfied participating in a more standard weight loss program.

Assessment of Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is not eradicated by lap band surgery. If you are sedentary and compulsively eat loads of junk food when you are depressed, feeling anxious or stressed-out, the psychologist may recommend that you forgo weight loss surgery until you get the assistance of a clinical psychologist to learn to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Diet and Exercise Assessment

The psychological evaluation must fist establish that you have diligently attempted more conventional methods of weight loss with limited or no success. This is to prevent your using the lap band to unnecessarily circumvent safer and less risky solutions to your obesity.

The data demonstrates that those who have diligently engaged in a sound diet and exercise program prior to seeking weight loss surgery, are those most likely to succeed with it. They are the ones most likely to comply with the prescribed lap band meal, exercise and lifestyle requirements after surgery.

Psychological Tests

To enhance the odds that your lap band surgery will be a success over the longer term, a psychologist will most likely administer 2-3 paper-and-pencil psychological tests to establish your state of mind and emotional viability for surgery. The tests may include, but are not limited to, The Millon Behavioral Diagnostic, The Inventory for Health Improvement and The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory.

These are simple True-False tests that you can complete at home; they will help determine your mental preparedness for the procedure. Once the psychological findings have been reported, upon your surgeons approval, you will then be able to start the preparation phase for lap band surgery.

If You Think the Lap Band Surgery may be the Best Option for You

If you are committed to losing weight and are willing to make significant changes in your lifestyle to do so, a local bariatric physician or psychologist will be able to orient you to the procedure or refer you to someone who can. He or she will review the associated risks with you and help you to evaluate if the lap band surgery is your best option.

The good news is that, with the right mindset, lap band surgery can help you to look and feel your best and achieve your goal of a happier and more fulfilling life!

Dr Shery is in Cary, IL, near Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Marengo and Lake-in-the-Hills. He’s a bariatric psychologist and has day, evening and Sat. appts. Call 1 847 275 8236 and make an appt orlearn more about counseling at: http://www.carypsychology.com

Specialty fitness dealers are always your best and safest way to shop for home fitness equipment regardless of your budget or fitness level. This article will provide you with on how to shop for home fitness equipment in Arizona. Whether you’re just looking for something simple or the next big thing, the following information will be beneficial to you.

You’ve already made an intelligent decision and decided that your home is the best place for you to work out. The next step is to decide what equipment you need. If your resolution is to get fit in the New Year and work on your strength training, here are a few things you should consider before you start shopping.

A home gym can be whatever you want it to be. It may just be a place where you exercise and lift weights, or it could be a compact equipment station (also called multi-gyms) designed to fit into a spare room, basement or garage so that you can do weight training at home.

There are endless options when it comes to choosing the right fitness equipment for your home gym. But the choices for weight training equipment basically fall into a few categories: portable, free weight, multi-gyms, and total gyms. Aerobic exercise equipment such as treadmills, rowers and stationary bikes are always options for a great cardio workout, but for now we are going to concentrate on strength training equipment.

Portable Equipment - Includes everything from dumbbells to workout benches, stability balls, steps, mats, ab machines and more. If you can pick it up and move it, it fits in this category. The main advantage of portable workout equipment is that you can fold it up (if necessary) and put it away when you’re through with it. Some equipment, like stability balls and mats, is even compact enough to be taken along on a trip which makes portable equipment a popular choice for home gym equipment.

Free Weight Accessories - This includes adjustable benches, power racks, barbells, dumbbells and plates (also called round weights). While some of these things may be portable, they are all categorized as heavy duty equipment that often times are part of a larger assembly. If the space you require for your home gym is small, free weight accessories are probably your best bet. You’ll be able to get a great strength training workout in with equipment that will test you to the max.

Multi-Gyms - There are several different types of multi-gyms available for home use. The first type is based on steel or composite bands and cords that create resistance. The second type is based on stacked weights, uses a cable and pulley mechanism and allows you to select the desired weight. The third type includes round weights that are manually fitted to barbell extensions. All of these are great options for a home gym. What you choose will depend upon the type of workout you’re trying to achieve and the amount of space you have in your home.

Total Gyms - A total gym uses an adjustable bench and a sliding seat platform that increases resistance based on your own body weight. While the total gym may require more space, it will allow you to incorporate more strength training exercises into your workout.

Bob Lachinet is the owner of Fitness 4 Home Superstore, a specialty fitness equipment dealer recently named the #1 choice for home fitness equipment in Arizona by BestFitnessDealers.com! Shop for the best home fitness equipment in Arizona - visit our site today.

How do you handle stress? One of the best ways to handle stress is with exercise. This article will provide you with tips that will help you manage stress with exercise so you can experience better quality of life. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for next big thing, the following information will be beneficial to you.

Life can get a bit crazy for all of us. Between work, relationships, and family pressures, we all have those days where we can get a bit overwhelmed. Yet all of this stress that builds up, is counterproductive towards a healthy lifestyle, as when we’re stressed, that seems to be the time where we actually do the worst damage to our bodies!

We all have stressful days, and after a long, hard day, the last thing anybody wants to do is exercise. Yet, that’s exactly what we should do! Getting in a good workout after a stressful day is a wonderful way not only to work off that stress, but also to keep up with your workout plan!

Stress is usually thought of as a psychologically concern, but it can affect your physically as well. Think about it. When you feel a lot of stress, does your body seem weak and sluggish? Do you feel like you can perform to your fullest potential?

We have all experienced aches and pains due to stress whether we know it or not. Your body can react to stress in many ways including:

- High blood pressure
- Lack of concentration
- Irregular breathing
- Cardiovascular strain

These are all serious issues that stress causes so it’s important to learn how to manage stress so you can maintain optimal health.

Everyone can benefit from exercise, especially if you’re trying to manage stress. It doesn’t matter if you’re out of shape, have little time or a physical disability. Exercising 20-30 minutes for 3-4 days every week will help you combat the effects that stress has on you physically. Since physical exercise requires you to concentrate, it will take your mind off of the problems that are causing you stress.

Along with helping to relieve stress, exercise also has a number of other positive benefits related to your physical and psychological well-being:

- Exercise improves blood flow to your brain. This brings in oxygen that may be needed when you are thinking intensely.

- Intense thinking causes neurons in your brain to function more intensely. As they do this, they can build up and cause “fuzzy” thinking. By exercising, you speed the flow of blood through your brain, removing the build-up and fighting off the “fuzzy” thinking.

- Exercise can cause the release of endorphins into your blood stream, giving you a feeling of happiness which can positively affect your overall sense of well-being.

In fact, a 2004 study by Georgia Tech found that the body naturally produces a chemical called endocannabinoid anandamide. This chemical helps your body deal with prolonged stress and pain from exercise. So what does this mean for you? It means that when you have a stressful day, a good workout can actually help you relax and quiet your mind and help you get in shape!

Bob Lachniet is the owner of Fitness 4 Home Superstore, a specialty fitness equipment dealer recently named the #1 choice for home fitness equipment in Arizona by BestFitnessDealers.com! Find the best exercise equipment in Arizona - visit our site today.

How do you handle stress? One of the best ways to handle stress is with exercise. This article will provide you with tips that will help you manage stress with exercise so you can experience better quality of life. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for next big thing, the following information will be beneficial to you.

Life can get a bit crazy for all of us. Between work, relationships, and family pressures, we all have those days where we can get a bit overwhelmed. Yet all of this stress that builds up, is counterproductive towards a healthy lifestyle, as when we’re stressed, that seems to be the time where we actually do the worst damage to our bodies!

We all have stressful days, and after a long, hard day, the last thing anybody wants to do is exercise. Yet, that’s exactly what we should do! Getting in a good workout after a stressful day is a wonderful way not only to work off that stress, but also to keep up with your workout plan!

Stress is usually thought of as a psychologically concern, but it can affect your physically as well. Think about it. When you feel a lot of stress, does your body seem weak and sluggish? Do you feel like you can perform to your fullest potential?

We have all experienced aches and pains due to stress whether we know it or not. Your body can react to stress in many ways including:

- High blood pressure
- Lack of concentration
- Irregular breathing
- Cardiovascular strain

These are all serious issues that stress causes so it’s important to learn how to manage stress so you can maintain optimal health.

Everyone can benefit from exercise, especially if you’re trying to manage stress. It doesn’t matter if you’re out of shape, have little time or a physical disability. Exercising 20-30 minutes for 3-4 days every week will help you combat the effects that stress has on you physically. Since physical exercise requires you to concentrate, it will take your mind off of the problems that are causing you stress.

Along with helping to relieve stress, exercise also has a number of other positive benefits related to your physical and psychological well-being:

- Exercise improves blood flow to your brain. This brings in oxygen that may be needed when you are thinking intensely.

- Intense thinking causes neurons in your brain to function more intensely. As they do this, they can build up and cause “fuzzy” thinking. By exercising, you speed the flow of blood through your brain, removing the build-up and fighting off the “fuzzy” thinking.

- Exercise can cause the release of endorphins into your blood stream, giving you a feeling of happiness which can positively affect your overall sense of well-being.

In fact, a 2004 study by Georgia Tech found that the body naturally produces a chemical called endocannabinoid anandamide. This chemical helps your body deal with prolonged stress and pain from exercise. So what does this mean for you? It means that when you have a stressful day, a good workout can actually help you relax and quiet your mind and help you get in shape!

Bob Lachniet is the owner of Fitness 4 Home Superstore, a specialty fitness equipment dealer recently named the #1 choice for home fitness equipment in Arizona by BestFitnessDealers.com! Find the best exercise equipment in Arizona - visit our site today.