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Workout mistakes to avoid

Follow these tips to maximize your exercise routine When we exercise to lose weight, we may overlook an important weight-loss strategy: Food. “If we don’t eat, we decrease our workout or exercise potential,” says Marc A. Boults, a doctor of physical therapy and certified athletic trainer at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. For short workouts that…
The key to staying young

Maintaining social ties is important for seniors’ health We are sociable beings. As we age, our need for interaction only increases. When a spouse dies, or siblings and friends die, we need support more than ever. Keeping active socially is important to keep an individual healthy. “It almost works like a group therapy,” says Dr.…
Sweet tips for controlling candy consumption

Easter guidelines to keep kids from eating too many empty calories You were feeling generous when you bought those gargantuan Easter baskets, expecting that would be more than enough candy for the entire family. But you didn’t count on Easter baskets from the grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles. Nor did you anticipate the spring…

Editor’s Dose: A thank-you letter to nurses

FROM MID-FEBRUARY to about mid-April, my family was at the doctor’s office a lot. The late-spreading flu season (although none of us in our household ever actually caught the flu — thank goodness) must have carried with it many other viruses, because we’ve certainly experienced our fair share. In fact, a few nurses on staff…
Healthy Skin: May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

“C’MON, DOC. What’s a little sunburn?” is a question I frequently hear from the public. The answer is, if you’re lucky, that’s all it is. But a little sunburn is one of the easiest skin cancer risk factors to avoid. If left untreated, skin cancer, or melanoma, can progress to the point that it’s disfiguring…
Cautions for two of your favorite summer activities

SPRING IS THE TIME OF YEAR in Florida when temperatures begin to warm and the weather is perfect outside. With the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing, this beautiful weather also marks the beginning of swimming season for Polk’s residents. Swimming and boating are two of the most popular summer activities for people living…