My Website!

I have created a new website at:


http://thesmartlifeseries.weebly.com/


This website will include lots of good information (hopefully soon!).  It will include information on various exercises, diet, and other health related information.

50 of the Best Foods in the World

50 of the Best Foods in the World

The above link takes you to the article from aolnews.com.

Moving!

We are currently in the process of moving.  However, when we get settled, I will have some more videos of various exercises for you to try!

Keeping Weight Off

The article below makes some good suggestions about your diet and how to maintain a healthy diet.

Burning Calories over time...

Squats

This is a good instructional video (3min) on how to perform the proper squat.  It is a fantastic exercise for the muscles in your hips/knees.  If you do no other exercise for your legs, this would be the one I would choose.  Good luck!

Proper Squats
The link is to youtube.com

Healthy Fats for Your Salad

There is such thing as healthy fats?  Actually, yes.  There are quite a few fats that the average person needs a healthy helping of.  Check out the link below talking about how to include healthy fats in your salads.


Healthy Fats?

Foods for Longevity

Here is a list of some important foods to eat and why...

Click this link for the MSNBC.com article

Talk!

Thanks again to the Westlake Library for letting me give my talk!

Vitamin D and Longevity

This study explains some recent suggested health benefits of Vitamin D supplements.

Vitamin D article (link takes you to the MSNBC page)

Youtube Yoga

Morning Yoga <-- click on this link

This video is a short (5minutes) yoga routine to try.

The reason I posted this particular video is because I wanted to point out what a great resource youtube.com has the potential to be.  There is a lot of junk on youtube, but there is some really good information.  This particular youtube page has links to a number of great videos with all kinds of tips.

Fixing Form

Found this great (and short!) article on aolnews.com about how to perform some very simple exercises with correct form.  Especially if you are a beginner, and even if you're not, this is a good one to at least glance at.

Fixing Form <----Click Here to go to article.

To Fatigue

I came across a workout the other day at the gym.  The guy I was talking to suggests doing multiple sets to fatigue.  It is intense for the muscle group you work and you probably will be sore the next day (or two).  Have fun!

1. Take a weight that you can do about 30-40 times.
2. Do as many repetitions as you can keeping proper form.
3. Take a 2 minute break.
4. Increase the weight 25% and repeat.

Repeat the above steps until you can only do 3-5 reps.

Myths and Fact

Myths and the Truth

There are a number of old wives tales about various health related topics.  This quick article has a couple experts give you the truth behind them.




I also wanted to thank everyone who came to hear my talk (and those who bought a copy of my book) at the Westlake Library tonight.  I also wanted to thank everyone at the Westlake Library for giving me that wonderful opportunity.

Talk

I am giving a talk at the Westlake Library Tuesday!

FDA warns MS patients about risky stent treatment

FDA warns MS patients about risky stent treatment

Standing Heel Raises

The standing heel raises isolate mainly the gastrocnemius muscle and is very important for normal gait (walking).  This is definitely one of the "Look-at-me" muscles which I normally discourage people from focusing too much on.  However, this muscle group is crucial to every day function and should be strengthened regularly.

Try doing 30 repetitions.  If this is too easy, try holding weights in your hand to make it harder.


Good Luck!

Seated Heel Raises

The calf muscle is actually "muscleS".  The calf muscle is made up of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle group.  Both are involved in helping you point your toe and/or stand on your tippy-toes.  The Soleus is more active when your knee is bent. 

There is a machine at most gyms that you can sit in with your knees bent and lift weights to strengthen this muscle.  The video shown here is how you do the exercise in the comfort of your own home.  The video has a friend doing the exercise with weights on her knees.  You can do it with or without weight.

Start with no weight and do 30.  When you can do 30 repetitions easily, it is time to add more weight!

Good luck!

A Great Reason to Jog

Jogging Regularly Makes You Live Longer!

Super Foods!

In-Season Super Foods (from MSNBC.com)

You're Not Alone

1 in 5 have arthritis!

Dizziness with Standing

Dizziness article from msnbc.com

The Added Cost of Obesity

Obesity article from MSNBC.com

Smart Life in the News!!!

http://www.smithmountainlake.com/people/lakerWeekly/wb/308007

Advertisement for my books (with links).

    

  

There are thousands of different exercise books and self-help books.     Most of these are unwieldy and chock-full of stuff that is not helpful   to your general reader.  If people are looking for books giving them  advice to exercise, generally they are beginners.  My books were created to act as a workbook for people to follow. My books are different! The Benefits of The Smart Life Series “A Healthier Life at Your Pace” is your bare bones, no-nonsense book giving you only what you have to know.  There are many charts, tables, and images to guide and include the reader to make healthier decisions.  “Healthy for Life” provides a month-by-month framework for the reader to use to make slow, but lasting, lifestyle changes.  Each month includes goals, charts to fill out, and many opportunities to fit the plan to specific needs and purposes.  These books were designed with the average person in mind.  I feel that my books provide the reader with a unique process to help them make lasting healthy lifestyle changes. Reasons to buy these books! ·      These books are made for everyone to use. ·      These books are simple and easy to understand. ·      You get to customize your program. ·      Lots of free information through my various websites. ·      Many tips to help you become a healthier person. ·      Stick to the programs and get results! ·      New information always being added to the websites and through various emails/posts. ·      You can request to be added to a list of people that I send interesting health-related articles to. ·      Email me anytime, follow me on facebook, follow my blog. ·      Great for Physicians and trainers to give to their patients and clients!

Sean Simonds, PT, DPT, CSCS The Smart Life Series Email Me My Website My Books!! Special Announcements! Smart Life: Moving Through Arthritis Coming early next year! Additional Services Blog Smart Life Merchandise

Triceps with Suspension Bands

Just remember, the only joint that is moving is your elbow.  Your shoulder joint should not move through this motion.

Keep your legs/hips/back/neck all straight throughout the entire motion.

The Answer to “Natural Running”: Learn to Run by Watching Our Children?

Read this article in "Advance for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine"  I thought it was an interesting read.

The Answer to “Natural Running”: Learn to Run by Watching Our Children?

The New Health Care

Health care overhaul, year 2: What's here, what's coming

Heart Health Article

Heart Health Tips

My Business Card!

Pulley Rows with Suspension Bands

This is the first video in a hopefully long line of exercise videos.  It is my hope that these videos give you guidance in how to properly perform certain exercises.  I hope to include a variety of activities so that I can help a wide range of people.  At the very least, maybe these videos will give you some new ideas to incorporate into your existing programs.

This video is showing you how to properly perform pulley rows using suspension bands.  I have included a couple simple variations to help change it up.

Remember to keep your back/neck straight at all times, keep your feet planted, and start more perpendicular to the ground and move to a more parallel position as these get easier and easier.

As always, please send me any suggestions or questions you may have.  My work email associated with the Smart Life Series is:     SmartLifeSeries@gmail.com
You can also check the facebook page at:    facebook.com/SmartLifeSeries     for any updates.
AND if you are really into the Smart Life Series, there is now Smart Life merchandise available at:    www.zazzle.com/smartlife

SODA

More bad news for soda....


Soda-->Stroke, heart attack

Another Win for Fruits!

Oranges and Grapefruits

More fruits that help lower women's stroke risk.

Raw Milk Information

Raw Milk a Raw Deal, By Christopher Wanjek

Interesting information I didn't know before.

Why it is important to read the Nutrition Label!

Nutrition Label Information

This article talks about serving sizes and how some unhealthy food companies are trying to pull the fast one on you.  Read it and watch those Nutrition Labels carefully!

Triceps with Suspension Bands

Remember to keep the rest of your body as straight as possible.  The only joint moving is your elbows.

Suspension Band Rows

This is the most difficult position to perform this exercise in with these suspension bands.  To make it easier, secure the bands over a door and start more perpendicular to the ground vs parallel (shown in picture above).

Smart Life on Facebook!

The Smart Life Series now has a facebook account at:

facebook.com/smartlifeseries

Check it out!

Biceps Curls with Suspension Bands

Great way to strengthen your biceps.  The guy on the left is showing the starting position, the girl on the right is how you should look at the end of the curl.  If it is too easy, scoot your feet forward so you are closer to parallel to the floor.  

Chest Press with Suspension Bands

This is an example of the chest press with a set of suspension bands.  I don't know who the guy is or what type of bands he's using, but there are multiple companies that make the suspension bands.  Prices will vary.
It looks like he has it anchored to the ceiling, but you can just as easily put it over a door (that is closing) and do the same exercise.

Muscles being worked: abdominals, trunk stabilizers, pectorals, triceps, and deltoids.

Space Saving Tip

There is a relatively new piece of equipment called "Suspension Bands" that are a must-have for the space-saving home gym.  They use your body weight for resistance and provide a great full-body workout.  The system can be used outside or easily put over a door.  They are extremely space-efficient and cost-efficient.  They can be safely and effectively used by the novice and experienced exerciser.
Over the next couple weeks, I will post some images of some easy exercises to do with these and what muscle groups they are working.

Book Announcement

I have released my second book in the Smart Life series available now!


Smart Life: Healthy for Life (amazon)


Smart Life: Healthy for Life (direct from Publisher)