April 20, 2012
Trail Trekking
According to the American Heart Association, nearly 70 percent of Americans aren’t getting adequate amounts of physical activity each week. Spring has arrived in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, so it’s the perfect time to get active and explore our beautiful region!
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state that adults need at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as hiking or swimming, per week to stay healthy. Children need to establish an active lifestyle while still young, and the National Association for Health & Fitness recommends a minimum of 60 minutes of activity per day. Going on a hike together can be a fun and interesting way to keep the whole family in shape.
Take a Hike!
Hiking has become increasingly popular as a form of exercise, and it has been shown to help increase cardiovascular fitness, boost weight loss, develop strong muscles, and even reduce mental stress. This spring and summer, get yourself and your family fit by discovering some of the spectacular trails the Sierra Nevadas have to offer.
In the Beginning
If you are new to hiking, start out slow. Find a safe, cleared path, such as the nearby Rock Creek Nature Trail in Tahoe National Forest. An easy, short hike like this one is a great way to introduce the entire family to trails, and a fun way to get to know local flora and fauna.
As you begin to feel comfortable on the trail, graduate to more challenging degrees of difficulty. Buttermilk Bend Trail offers a 1.25-mile at Bridgeport on the South Yuba River hike each direction—with a few steep sections—and beautiful views of the South Yuba River Canyon. This trail, originally built for mining purposes in the 1800s, is great for summer, leading to several swimming holes that provide a cool oasis during a dusty day on the trail.
The Empire Mine State Historic Park has several trails, including Hardrock Trail, an easy two-mile loop for hikers only. For families with young children, a hikers-only trail, which is free of mountain bikes and horses, can make exploring a little more relaxed.
Click here for more information about the hikes listed above
Trek around Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park offers trails of varying levels of difficulty all around the lake. One of the most popular is the Marlette Flume Trail, which boasts incomparable views of the lake and forests.
If you seek the motivation of a real reward throughout your hike, following the nearly four-mile Chimney Beach Trail down to the lakeshore could be just the jaunt for you. This route also offers the option of bringing along the family pet, as long as Scruffy is on a leash.
Frequent activity is the key to remaining healthy, and getting out and about with your family or friends can be a fun way to establish healthful habits. Speak with your physician about the best ways for you to get moving in the great outdoors.
October 21, 2011
How Much Weight Can You Lose Walking the Dog?
The great outdoors tend to be even better when you can share them with man’s best friend.
Northern Nevada and most states offer many safe outdoor settings to hang out and play with your pooch.
The great outdoors tend to be even better when you can share them with man’s best friend. In a recent study, people who walked their dog 20 minutes a day, five times per week lost an average of 14 pounds over a 12-month period! Northern Nevada also offers many safe outdoor settings to hang out and play with your pooch.
For dog-friendly park information in Northern Nevada and the Reno-Tahoe area, go to Living In Nevada Do Parks.
How many Calories Does Golf Really Burn?
Golf for Good Health
Sure, playing golf is a perfect way to enjoy a relaxing day off with friends, but golf is also a great way to get in shape, too. A typical 18-hole round of golf, using a cart, burns from 200-300 calories. If you want to step it up, ditch the cart in favor of walking the course. You’ll burn even more calories (325-475 calories) and depending of if you use a rolling cart or carry your clubs, will increase your muscle strength. The act of swinging also keeps your muscles and joints active, while calculating your drives, chips and putts gives your brain a workout, too.
For a detailed list of the calories you burn for other common activities, go to http://www.nutristrategy.com/activitylist4.htm. Or to learn more about the golf courses in our region, go to http://www.golfthehighsierra.com.
Golf Courses in Northern Nevada can be found at http://www.golfthehighsierra.com.
Hike Spooner Lake in Northern Nevada
Lake Tahoe, Nevada, near Spooner Lake
If you’re looking for a great way to get outdoors and keep your family healthy and active, try a leisurely hike. The two-mile loop around Spooner Lake lets you enjoy marvelous meadows, abundant aspens, and wonderful wildflowers while strengthening muscles and burning calories. This unique trail has interpretive displays placed along the way, which are great descriptive and educational tools. Should you want to step up your exercise, you’ll discover that Spooner Lake is an ideal starting point for other hiking experiences. It is a major trail head that leads to Marlette Lake, the world famous Lake Tahoe Flume Trail, and the Tahoe Rim Trail (www.tahoerimtrail.org).
For more information on area pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay rides and Apple Hill visit www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/NVpumpkins.php and http://www.applehill.com/ To learn more about the health benefits of sunlight, check out http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/articles/2008/06/24/host-of-health-benefits-attributed-to-sunlight.htm
October 20, 2011
Why Not Hit a Local Park?
Get out and play with the entire family!
See the links below for specific parks in the Northern Nevada, Reno-Tahoe area.
There are plenty of local and regional parks in our area to take advantage of, and a lot of ways for the whole family to get fit and have fun, too. Begin by thinking of what activities you and your family or friends can do together. Many parks offer a wide range of recreational outlets, including basketball courts, kickball areas or even soccer fields. Pack along a few fun items– such as a football, Frisbee, tennis rackets, croquet set or bicycles– and your day is set. Be sure to bring along some healthy snacks or a picnic lunch to keep your energy up and your body hydrated. Friends and athletics are a great way to set the stage for a longer and healthier life, while at the same time saving you a little money on electricity with the home TV in the off position.
For more information on local parks visit http://www.carson.org/index.aspx?page=621, http://www.visitcarsoncity.com/recreation/parks.php and http://renotahoe.about.com/od/parksrecreation/Parks_Recreation.htm
Snow Playground This Winter
Take advantage of a Winter wonderland
With an expected wonderful base of snow on the nearby Sierra this Winter, December should be a great time to head for the hills to enjoy the best sledding and snow-tubing spots. Mountain resorts and area snow parks offer great and relatively inexpensive snow playgrounds. To find the best places to have family friendly snow fun in our area, visit http://www.viamagazine.com/destinations/snow-play-sierras.
Sledding is another great way for friends and family to get outdoors, feel exhilarated and work up a sweat, but remember there are risks, so make sure you prepare yourself for the day and take the necessary precautions– like going to a licensed snow play area, wearing a helmet, and watching out for one another.
For more information on sledding and snow play safety, visit http://www.cvshealthresources.com/topic/sledsafety.
Explore the Black Rock
This desert playa is unlike any other around the world.
The Black Rock Desert is a unique and beautiful part of the historic emigrant trails through Nevada. The vastness of the Black Rock Desert playa allows for a multitude of diverse and healthy outdoor activities. Enjoy back country or emigrant trail hiking, motorcycle or ATV trekking, hunting, horseback riding, land-sailing, rock hunting or just camping out under the stars. Spend a little time studying how to stay safe and enjoy the Black Rock, then grab your gear and enjoy a wild time, outdoor Nevada style.
Also, remember that the Black Rock is part of nationally protected wilderness and a little forethought allows us a great opportunity to not only keep ourselves healthy but learn how to keep our surroundings healthy as well.
For more information on the Black Rock Desert check out http://blackrockdesert.org/friends/ and to learn about “Leave no trace” principles take a look at http://www.lnt.org/
Nevada’s Singing Mountain
Sand Mountain is a unique recreation area located just 25 miles east of Fallon, Nevada on Highway 50.
Its 4,795 acres of slowly shifting sand dunes provide challenge, excitement and awe for off-road enthusiasts, hikers and sand boarders.
Stay awhile, as camping is welcome, and you will not only have a healthy time from all the physical activity, but you will learn why Sand Mountain has earned the nickname—”Singing Mountain”
As with all recreation areas, learn the rules and safety instructions beforehand and your time there will be better for all.
Find out more about one of Nevada’s most interesting experiences at http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_programs/recreation/sand_mountain.1.htm
Here's to Your Health 