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APRIL 2023
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NEED HELP WITH YOUR GOLF SWING?
I’m the Guy for the Job!
If you’ve noticed me bouncing around the clinic lately, there’s a reason for my extra energy: It’s almost time for the 2023 Masters Tournament! I’m a huge golf fan, so it’s one of my favorite weeks of the year. I’m not sure how most people prepare for the Masters, but in my house, we start by refreshing Masters.com over and over until the organization announces the Champions Dinner menu. Then, we put together our shopping list, send out invites to friends and family, and start cooking! Some context for non-golfers: The Champions Dinner is a famous Masters tradition. A few days before the tournament each year, the previous year’s champion hosts a dinner for all of the past Masters winners. The champion plans the menu, and it can be anything they want. Usually, they choose foods representing their heritage, home state, or home country. Over the years, Alexis and I have re-created some amazing menus. We either cook the dishes ourselves — like we did when Tiger Woods won and served milkshakes, sushi, and fajitas to represent California — or order in from the experts. When Hideki Matsuyama hosted, we didn’t dare try duplicating his Japanese menu. We called a local restaurant for backup. I’m still waiting to see what 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler will serve. He’s from Texas, so my bet is on barbecue. Even my friends who aren’t into golf love coming over for the Champions Dinner. Later in the week, Alexis and I typically watch the Sunday round with my parents. They invite us over, we bring our friends, and my dad goes all-out making Georgia or Masters-themed food. There’s nothing like watching golf while snacking on egg salad sandwiches and pimento and cheese sandwiches, just like they serve at Augusta National Golf Course. Fun fact: By tradition, the
Masters doesn’t raise food prices with inflation. It might cost you $18 for a beer at a football game, but a pimento and cheese sandwich is still just $1.50. As you can see, the Masters is more than just a golf tournament to me. It’s a huge family holiday that includes watching one of my favorite sports. I’m obsessed. I have to credit my former boss, Scott Cameron, for passing that passion on to me. I was already a golfer when I met Scott, but his collection of items from the tournament took my fandom to the next level. He explained the rich traditions and nuances of the Masters, and ever since, I’ve been fascinated by everything from the cheap sandwiches to the fact they call attendees “patrons” instead of “fans” (because “fans” is short for “fanatics”). My love of golf is also a big part of my work here at Advanced PT Torrington. I’m a Level 2-certified medical professional through the Titleist Performance Institute, which means I’m qualified to assess a player’s golf swing. If you come to see me, I can break down your swing, explain whether your body has the prerequisites to swing a golf club efficiently, and identify strength and mobility restrictions that could affect your golf game. Whether you’re a current golfer dealing with an injury or want to try the sport but aren’t sure if your body is up to it, I can help. Just call my office and ask to schedule a TPI Assessment. Playing golf is a great way to get outside, enjoy time with your friends and relatives, and improve your fitness. The more golfers I can bring back to the green, the better! –Kevin Smith
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ADD MORE MOVEMENT TO EACH DAY GET IN BETTER SHAPE
Walk or bike to your destinations. We’re all accustomed to
Getting the movement our bodies and minds need each day can be challenging. Many of us work on computers for hours, only standing to use the restroom or refill our water bottles. But we need to do more than that to stay healthy. When we add more movement to our daily routines, our muscles grow stronger, which helps improve our balance, stability, and coordination. Our bones become more durable and our joints more flexible. It’s no secret that moving helps us live healthier, but going to the gym can be expensive and time-consuming. Thankfully, we can adopt simple daily routines to add more movement to our lives. Here are a few worth trying. Be active on your work breaks. If you work an eight-hour shift, you are entitled to a few breaks throughout your day. Try to use them to be active. Stand up and stretch or walk around once an hour if you work on a computer. Set reminders on your phone so you don’t forget. You can even utilize a standing desk to avoid sitting for extended periods. If possible, get out during your lunch break and walk instead of sitting down. Being active throughout the day will help prevent stiffness and fatigue while improving focus and productivity.
getting in our cars whenever we need to go somewhere, but maybe it’s time to walk or get the bike out instead. If you travel
a short distance for work, consider walking there or riding a bicycle if possible. The same goes for trips to the post office, grocery store, or other locations close to your home. You’ll add some extra movement and sunlight to your days. Take the stairs. If you work in an office building, skip the elevator. If you work from home and have stairs in your house or apartment, walk up and down the steps a few times. You can also take the stairs up to buildings instead of using walking ramps. This adjustment is one of the quickest ways to add exercise into your day, and it doesn’t take much! These little changes can go a long way, but remember that doing these activities once is not enough. They need to become a habit. Perform them every day when possible, and you’ll feel better physically in no time.
How Improved Balance Empowers Your Actions
Balance is essential in everything you do, every day, all the time. Most of the time, you maintain your balance without even realizing it. However, you may notice a decline in your ability to balance as you age or after suffering an injury. You can combat this decline by performing balance exercises, such as yoga, standing on one leg, or walking heel-to-toe. You’ll notice numerous benefits in all aspects of your life when you practice proper balance.
move more freely and easily, making everyday tasks like walking, running, and climbing stairs easier. This can also lead to improved overall fitness and physical health. Good balance can even help if you’ve been suffering from poor posture or back pain, as it improves posture and alignment.
Not all of the benefits of proper balance are physical, though. You can also experience significant mental benefits. Good balance helps reduce stress and anxiety and improves your focus and concentration. This can cause you to do better in work or school while enhancing your overall quality of life. You may also feel more confident or boost your self-esteem since balance can help with general fitness and physical health. It’s never too late to start improving your balance. Try doing yoga or performing balance exercises, and you’ll quickly notice various improvements to your mental and physical well-being.
One of the best benefits of having a solid balance is reducing the likelihood of falling and getting injured. When you have good balance, you’re less likely to trip and fall, which usually leads to severe injuries. Nothing is worse than slipping and breaking a bone or injuring your head, which is why keeping up with balance exercises is vital, regardless of age. Another fantastic benefit of improved balance is increased mobility and flexibility. With good balance, you can
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Every other month, new dieting fads seem to take the world by storm. Some popular diets aren’t beneficial, while others have incredible health benefits, so how do people know what’s worth trying? Luckily, one recent diet out there may be a little bit more credible than the rest: the Nordic diet. Nutritionists, scientists, and chefs decided to create this diet in 2004 to help slow obesity rates and unsustainable farming practices in Nordic countries, but it might help residents of the U.S., too! The Nordic diet emphasizes consuming food high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Fruits, vegetables, and seafood are common on Nordic diet menus, but what separates the Nordic diet from the others is that it uses canola oil, which has less saturated fat than olive oil and other processed options. You’re supposed to eat a decreased amount of sugar and twice the amount of fiber and seafood than a typical diet. Some phenomenal physical health benefits come with switching over to the Nordic diet. It helps reduce inflammation throughout the body and can even reduce your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Many people who tried the diet noticed decreased cholesterol and lower blood pressure while they followed these guidelines, even saying they lost weight or had an easier time staying in shape. TRY THE NORDIC DIET! Need a Nutritional Boost?
You may have seen the Nordic diet on the news after Noma, a three-Michelin-star restaurant known for its Nordic menu, recently closed in Copenhagen. Food critics and patrons rated this restaurant as one of the best in the world, but the owner found the grueling hours and intense workplace culture unsustainable. So, still wanting to work in the food industry, he converted Noma into a food laboratory. You can change and improve your diet anytime, but experts recommend the Nordic diet for its many health benefits. Make sure you pick up whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, and other items next time you go to the grocery store. You’ll be amazed how what you eat can improve how you feel.
TAKE A BREAK!
Cod and Asparagus Bake Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
• Oil for baking pan • 4 4-oz cod fillets • 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
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1. Get Help With Your Golf Game 2. 3 Ways to Move More During the Day The Many Benefits of Improved Balance 3. What Is the Nordic Diet? Cod and Asparagus Bake 4. How Chris Pratt Prepared for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FROM ‘PARKS AND REC’ TO MARVEL FAME Understanding Chris Pratt’s Physical Transformation
Many of us were enjoying the hilarious antics of Chris Pratt’s character on “Parks and Recreation” back in 2010. A few years later, Pratt had been chosen to star in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which was met with confusion from the fans. Some wondered how the chubby guy from a comedy sitcom would be able to transform into an action star. Even James Gunn, the director of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” was unsure about Pratt before his audition, stating, “Sarah Finn, our casting director, really deserves the credit for Chris because she kept putting his picture in front of me. I was like, ‘The chubby guy from “Parks and Rec”? Don’t be stupid.’”
landing the role of Star-Lord, Pratt posted a picture of himself shirtless on social media, and fans were amazed. He was in incredible shape, weighing 60 pounds less with six-pack abs. So, how did Chris Pratt get into such incredible shape? He had intensive workouts six days a week and a very strict diet. Marvel paired Pratt up with a personal trainer and a nutritionist who had him consume over 4,000 calories a day while drinking extreme amounts of water. He stopped drinking beer and avoided processed foods and sugar. His exercise routine was nothing short of intense. They often included sessions of P90X, running, swimming, boxing, and kickboxing. And he even participated in a triathlon. But Pratt hasn’t let his physique diminish over the past decade. He’s kept up with his routine and looks as physically fit as ever. Pratt didn’t just start his weight loss journey because of his career; he did it for his personal well-being and health. Most of us won’t be able to imitate Pratt’s fitness routine, but we can certainly take inspiration from it to fuel our own fitness endeavors.
Pratt weighed over 300 pounds when he was chosen for the role of Star-Lord, but he was still concerned about his physique. In one instance, the studio sent him a prop and asked for pictures of him with the prop, and he was nervous he would be fired for how he looked. Six months after
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