I’m Missing Exercise in Spokane!

Who, me?  Can’t be.  I’m the one who chooses the elevator instead of the stairs.  I purchased an  expensive eliptical  four years ago and have  used it only once!   Was I lazy?  Maybe.  Sure I had periods where I worked out.  But those periods never lasted very long.  And I can’t say I ever really looked forward to working out.   But that was then…..

And this is now….. I am actually missing exercise in Spokane!  How can it be?  Six  weeks ago I started working with a personal trainer.  It was hard work.  Really hard work.  But I stayed with it.  I liked it.  I looked forward to it.  What’s up with that?

It didn’t take very long to actually feel the results.  It wasn’t necessarily weight loss at first but a noticeable difference in my overall health.  For over one year I had been experiencing some  health problems, nothing serious, but definitely quality of life issues.

Annoying They Were…..

I had been having trouble falling asleep.  I would lie in bed for over an hour tossing and turning.  I’d also been taking a lot of Tums.  After nearly every meal and even in the middle of the night!  I was irregular.   My back hurt.  My knees hurt.  I was taking the elevator instead of the stairs.  I avoided walking down to my basement and not just because the eliptical was there.   I was turning into an old lady before my time.

And Then a Miracle….

After less than two weeks of working out in Spokane I was falling asleep in minutes!  Tums?  Didn’t need them anymore!  The irregular issue was gone too!   My back and my knees were feeling better!  I knew I’d have more energy after working out, but the fairly instant results to my other issues was staggering to me.

The “Old” Me Vs. the “New” Me

In my “former” life, I would do anything I could to avoid going to the gym.  When the dogs needed a walk around the neighborhood, I even tried to get out of that.  There was little exercise in Spokane for me.

Then a miracle occurred!  After just one week of working with my trainer, I was hooked.  I wouldn’t even consider skipping my workout.  Unfortunately it all came to an abrupt halt three weeks ago when I had some minor surgery.  My doctor wants me  to wait a full month before resuming my Spokane exercise.   I can feel the negative affects already.  Tums are back in my life!  It takes too long to fall asleep and my irregular problem has risen its ugly head.   My back is acting up again.

While  I was shocked that these  annoying ailments stopped when I started with my personal trainer, I’m even more  shocked that  they came back as quickly as they did!

What has stuck with me during my workout downtime  is that  I am doing fairly well with my eating.   Instead of a nice dose of carbs with my morning coffee, I am chosing fruit (well, most of the time).   Though my husband isn’t thrilled, I’ve knocked off making desserts at night.  I don’t miss them  and truly don’t even consider it.  Sure, I am far from perfect.  I ate french toast with powdered sugar  for dinner last night.  But I no longer eat half a loaf of french bread just driving home from the store.  That alone is progress!    I guess it’s just a change in thinking.  I’m not even aware of it, but it’s there.

I’m anxious to get back to exercise in Spokane.  I will probably find myself putting even more into the workouts than before.  That’s a good thing.  Never would I have thought I would miss working out.

You Can Too!

If you’d like to feel the way I feel, check out Zach Hunt at Physzique!  He’s considered to be the best trainer in the Spokane area and it’s true!  Anyone who can get me motivated to workout has to be good.  Take a look at this website and you’ll see just what it is that I am missing so much.

Diabetes Is On the Rise In Spokane!

According to the Spokane Regional Health District, Diabetes affects more than 25,000 adults in Spokane County and is the seventh leading cause of death.  Even more alarming, a study by the University of Chicago estimates that diabetes rates will double in the next 25 years.  It is already five times more common than in the 1940’s.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes affects the way your body uses food for energy.  In a healthy person, the pancreas releases insulin to help the body store and use sugar from the food you eat.  Diabetes happens when the pancreas does not produce any or too little insulin or when the body does not respond appropriately to insulin.

Type 1

Type 1 diabetics can’t make any insulin. The origins are not fully understood, though it can be caused by a genetic disorder.

Type 2

Type 2 diabetics have adequate insulin but the cells have become resistant.  Approximately 95% of all diabetes cases are type 2.  This is because it is considered a lifestyle disease caused by obesity, lack of exercise, aging (though chidren do get it) and, in some cases, genetic predisposition.

Spokane Diabetes Warning Signs

• Increased hunger
• unexplained weight loss
• frequent urination

Why Are More People Getting It?

Some researchers believe Americans’ increasing weight gain, environmental toxins, and the fact that as children we are not exposed to as many germs as in previous generations, making our immune systems overly sensitive.  A known risk for diabetes is the lack of vitamin D.  As residents of Spokane we must be diligent in checking our vitamin D levels since we may not be getting enough sunshine.

What Can I Do to Prevent It?

Research shows that maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if needed, exercise, and a healthy diet can prevent diabetes in adults and decrease the symptoms in those adults already diagnosed.

It’s just plain hard to get the exercise we need!  Gyms are expensive and let’s face it, they are boring.  Home equipment can do the job but only if you use it and they too get boring.  Walking and jogging are great exercise but Spokane weather often interupts even the best plans!

Lessen your Spokane Diabetes risk by starting a great workout.  A great workout begins with a great plan.  If your plan begins with Zach Hunt at PhysZique you will be well on your way!  Zach is known as the best trainer in the Spokane area.  Click here to see how Zach can help you achieve top fitness condition.

Dogs Will Be Dogs

That’s exactly what they get to be at SCRAPS’ Spokane Dog Park.  They can run around and act like the pack animals they are.  Without confining leashes, dogs act differently.  You’ll notice their owners do too.  People and pets just seem friendlier.

The Spokane Dog Park!

The SCRAPS’ (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services) Spokane Dog Park is located at 26715 E. Spokane Bridge Road.  The park sits just north of I-90 at the Idaho state line.

The park is open year-around, dawn to dusk.  With the mild winter Spokane has had thus far, it’s still a great time to visit the dog park.  When spring comes along, you’ll find activity picking up even more.

The 3 1/2 acre dog park includes an off-leash fenced area ideal for playing fetch and a nice wooded, natural area for walking.  There’s a paved path surrounding the grassy area, making it wheelchair accessible.  Plastic bags and waste receptacles are located throughout the park.

If you live downtown it may seem too great a distance  to travel just for your dog.  It’s worth the trip.  You’ll find dogs and their owners come from all over the Spokane area.  From Airway Heights, Deer Park and Five Mile come people looking to socialize as much as their dogs.  Given the high usage and great success of the park, SCRAPS says it hope to one day have three more off-leash parks in the county.

Spokane Dog Park Petiquette and Etiquette

Meeting and Greeting Petiquette

• Encourage dogs to greet slowly.
• Side glances are good.
• Curving the body away from the other dog is better.
• Smelling the rear end is always best.

Take Control By Managing the Situation

• Have your dog face you.
• Give your dog a treat for facing you.
• Allow the unfamiliar dog to sniff your dog’s beind.
• Have the unfamiliar dog face his owner.
• Allow your dog to sniff the behind of the unfamiliar dog.

Etiquette for Humans!

• Ask first before you give a treat to someone else’s dog.
• If your dog is a first timer, visit the park during quiet times.
• Do not allow your dog to mount other dogs.

Rules from the Spokane Dog Park

• You must maintain control of your dogs at all times.
• No more than three dogs per handler.  Dogs must be attended to at all times.
• Any dog exhibiting dangerous or agressive behavior must be removed immediately.
• You must leash your dog when it is outside the off-leash area.  You must carry the leash with you at all times.
• Dogs must be up to date on all vaccinations.
• You must clean up after your dog and dispose of feces in the proper containers.
• Any children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tips

In addition to the official park rules, here are some things to consider to help make the dog park visit successful for your dog and for you.

• If you are not sure how your dog will react to the conditions of the dog park, don’t put pressure on the dog by forcing it into what it may consider a threatening situation.  Come back another time if your dog seems unsure.
• Move away from the entrance area when you enter.  A group of dogs will likely come over to greet your dog.  Moving away from the fence will help ensure your dog doesn’t feel cornered, threatened, or overwhelmed.
• Always scoop your dog’s poop.  Bags are provided.  Use them!

Now That Your Dog Has Gotten His Exercise…..

While your dog is getting a healthy dose of exercise at the dog park, consider getting into top shape yourself !  Zach Hunt of Physzique is  well known as the best trainer in the area.  In no time you’ll be looking good and ready to meet that special someone at the Spokane Dog Park!   Click here to learn more about what Zach can do for you!