Cupping Therapy- What is it??

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist places special cups on the patient’s skin for a few minutes creating a suction seal. The suction and negative pressure inside the cups helps to loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, reduce inflammation, and sedate the nervous system. It has been shown to help with back and neck pain, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, and even cellulite.

While this form of therapy has only become popular in the United States in the past few years, it can be found in some of the oldest medical textbooks of the Western world including the Ebers Papyrus which was written in 1550 BC. Cupping was used by Hippocrates in ancient Greece for internal disease and structural problems.

A standard cupping treatment at Definition will start with a palpation evaluation while applying a small amount of lubrication to the treatment area. Next the cups will be placed and the air will be pulled out to create the required amount of suction. Cups may be left on the area for 5-15 minutes depending on how many prior treatments the patient has had and the amount of soft tissue in the area. Some larger areas (trapezius, hamstrings) respond well to a treatment called moving cupping where the cup has a lessened amount of suction and is dragged over the soft tissue areas helping to flush out toxins, lactic acid or stagnations.

Using the manual pistons on each individual cup, the pressure is released and the cups are removed. The therapist will then use some Swedish massage strokes to flush out the fluids and toxins loosened while the cups were in place. A final hot towel will be placed on the skin to cleanse & relax the opened pores. This whole process can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on the part(s) of the body being treated.
After a treatment, there may be some circular markings or bruising on the skin. These marking are painless and will generally go away within a few days after treatment.

Schedule your cupping appointment today!

Everyone needs a coach. Including You.

Why everyone needs a Coach

Everyone, at some point in their lives, can benefit greatly from working with a professional coach. You may be stuck in a rut in your career, need a different set of eyes in the gym, or be at a turning point in your life and need some guidance. It doesn’t matter the situation, a great coach can help. Recently, people have expressed some surprise when I told them I had hired a coach, even though this wasn’t the first time, which kind of took me back.

“Why WOULDN’T I use a coach? I have some of the same roadblocks and issues as everyone else!”

Curious, I started looking at the real reasons someone would hire a coach and there are 3 fundamental keys that an experienced, professional coach can bring to the table.

The first is the most obvious and the one that is mentioned the most.

1) Accountability:
The knowledge that someone has scheduled a time to meet with you, or is going to call you asking if you got a task completed, or just send a text seeing how you are doing, can move mountains for most people. This alone can be worth the cost of any coaching. While I won’t deny the importance of this point, I think it is clear to everyone so let’s move on, shall we?

2) Freedom:
Let’s face it, you are busy and have a ton of shit to worry about, the kids, work, did the dog piss on the rug? So here is a tip, find a coach you trust and who aligns with your goals and thinking and let them do their job. Personally, it is my job to worry about the health and wellness of others all day, so it is refreshing for me to put that responsibility for my fitness into someone else’s hands. I don’t have to worry about my workouts or my nutrition, just stick to the plan and trust the process.

Now not everyone thinks like this or functions like this but it can be a very liberating act in itself.

3)Leaving your comfort zone:
A coach will make you do the things you don’t want to do, but probably need the most and will see the most benefit from. The biggest feedback from people when they hear I have a coach is, “Why do you need a coach? You can do all this stuff, you can design programs, you’ve been doing this for over a decade, how are they going to help?

Excellent question and the answer is simple.

When I design programs for myself, it’s filled with stuff I like to do, not the stuff I probably need the most. The coach will have the bigger picture in mind, and not only help you see it but help you get there in the shortest amount of time. Shorten the learning curve. The biggest ROI.

So what do you think? What would be a reason YOU would hire a coach or mentor? What would you look to gain from working with a coach? Is it physical? Career-related?

A quick shout to my coaches, On the business side Eric Bach and Daniel Freedman. If you are starting or have started an online fitness business, these are the guys to take you to the next level. And they are patient, super patient…but I may have used all of it up.

On the Strength/lifting heavy shit/looking good naked side, Bryan Krahn and Scott Tousignant (yes, I need a team) who are currently helping this old dude get rid of his dad bod, and get my head right. It’s a process, trust the process.

WELCOME PATRICK!!

Who is this guy?
My name is Patrick Murphy, and I am an admitted coffee snob, former chef, and full-time fitness
professional.
My fitness journey started as a little guy (actually the littlest guy) on hockey rinks in Boston, MA.
Growing tired of getting tossed around and spending more time on my butt than on my skates, I
sought refuge in the high school weight room. Even though I had no idea what I was doing, I
quickly noticed that the changes were much more than just physical, with the mental and
emotional effects being profound. This lesson would stay with me throughout my life, and it is
something I try to instill in all my clients.

As I moved into the working world, keeping fitness in the forefront of my life again became
paramount. I worked my way up through the ranks of food service and made it to assistant chef
and even won “Best of Boston” in 1999. The reality was late nights, tons of stress and constant
food were killing me, literally. The gym was my only release, and a welcome one at that.

Moving to Florida in 2003, I knew I needed to leave the restaurant business or else I wouldn’t
make it out alive. I knew I had more to give and more to share with people. So I turned my
passion for fitness into a career.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN!
*Do you have a sport or activity that you are really into and would like to improve your
performance in? I can help! As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist I can create a
custom program designed for the demands of your specific sport or activity.

*Are you struggling with making time for yourself while juggling a busy career and
family/friends/social life? I’ve been there. Trust me. I take pride in simplifying what you actually
need….and I’ll give you a hint, you don’t need to live in the gym to get amazing results.
With 13 years of experience training people of all ages, backgrounds and goals, I am confident
that we can create a solution to your overall health goals, so come visit me and let’s talk about
your options…..and if you were to happen to bring me a delicious local coffee, your first workout
might be a little easier. Maybe.

Welcome, Sebastien!

Hey there, I’m Sebastien! Whether it’s kicking a soccer ball, throwing a football, or swinging a tennis racket, sports have always been a great way to release energy. As I grew up, injuries mounted and becoming a professional athlete no longer seemed like a possibility. Doctors were reluctant to help me and I was not able to continue with sports in high school. Although it was difficult to deal with at the time, in hindsight it shaped my current life.

This ordeal made me realize I want to help people as a future profession. My passion for sports led me to get my undergraduate degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida. From there, I enrolled in the University of North Florida’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. My goal is to be an expert on the human body and how the body goes through the healing process.

Another result from discontinuing sports was my newfound passion for playing the guitar. I love classic rock, blues, and jazz. When I was no longer able to continue running every day, I picked up the guitar. Over time, I taught myself to play songs I enjoyed, and learned to develop my own style. Today, I can’t imagine a day that goes by where I haven’t indulged in some sweet melodies on the guitar.

To bring this full circle- my experiences have helped me understand the importance of balance in life. Everyone has their own unique reasons for exercising. The key is to understand what your goal is, and how to provide the necessary balance to maximize your potential and surpass your goal!

GETTING QUALITY SLEEP!!

We​ ​all​ ​know​ ​we​ ​need​ ​quality​ ​sleep,​ ​that​ ​it​ ​is​ ​essential​ ​and​ ​that​ ​most of​ ​us​ ​need​ ​more​ ​of​ ​it.​ ​Do​ ​we​ ​know​ ​the​ ​sleep​ ​essentials?​ ​​ ​What​ ​happens​ ​to us​ ​when​ ​we​ ​don’t​ ​get​ ​enough​ ​of​ ​it?​ ​What​ ​happens​ ​to​ ​our​ ​mental​ ​and physical​ ​states​ ​when​ ​we​ ​are​ ​getting​ ​adequate​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​sleep,​ ​in comparison?​ ​Do​ ​we​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​get​ ​to​ ​sleep​ ​faster​ ​and​ ​optimize​ ​the precious​ ​hours​ ​we​ ​do​ ​get​ ​hitting​ ​the​ ​pillow?​ ​Hopefully​ ​by​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​this short​ ​read​ ​we​ ​can​ ​open​ ​your​ ​eyes​ ​on​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​closing​ ​them​ ​(see what​ ​I​ ​did​ ​there)

First​ ​let’s​ ​establish​ ​what​ ​“adequate”​ ​sleep​ ​is.​ ​For​ ​anyone​ ​over​ ​the​ ​age of​ ​18,​ ​7-9​ ​hours​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​an​ ​appropriate​ ​sleep​ ​range,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​time needed​ ​goes​ ​up​ ​as​ ​age​ ​goes​ ​down​ ​because​ ​younger​ ​children,​ ​toddlers​ ​and newborns​ ​need​ ​more​ ​sleep​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​body​ ​systems​ ​properly,​ ​although many​ ​parents​ ​will​ ​argue​ ​that​ ​a​ ​newborn​ ​doesn’t​ ​sleep​ ​anywhere​ ​near​ ​the 12-14hr​ ​range​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​this​ ​age.​ ​Clearly​ ​most​ ​us​ ​fall​ ​below​ ​this baseline,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​effect​ ​of​ ​continuously​ ​falling​ ​short​ ​of​ ​our​ ​necessary​ ​hours of​ ​sleep​ ​can​ ​wreak​ ​havoc​ ​on​ ​our​ ​minds​ ​and​ ​bodies.​ ​Starting​ ​with​ ​the immediate​ ​effects​ ​on​ ​the​ ​brain,​ ​let’s​ ​review​ ​the​ ​impact​ ​that​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​sleep has​ ​on​ ​our​ ​daily​ ​lives.

Lack​ ​of​ ​sleep​ ​can​ ​result​ ​in​ ​cognitive​ ​dysfunction​ ​to​ ​varying​ ​degrees. Consistently​ ​being​ ​short​ ​even​ ​1-2​ ​hours​ ​per​ ​night​ ​can​ ​interfere​ ​with learning​ ​and​ ​concentration​ ​skills.​ ​An​ ​interesting​ ​thought,​ ​considering​ ​that during​ ​my​ ​senior​ ​year​ ​at​ ​the​ ​University​ ​of​ ​North​ ​Florida,​ ​my​ ​classmates​ ​and I​ ​were​ ​averaging​ ​a​ ​solid​ ​3-4hrs​ ​of​ ​red​ ​bull​ ​soaked​ ​sleep​ ​a​ ​night.​ ​On​ ​a​ ​more serious​ ​note,​ ​this​ ​can​ ​be​ ​a​ ​problem​ ​as​ ​many​ ​teens​ ​fall​ ​considerably​ ​short​ ​of their​ ​requirement​ ​which​ ​can​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​difficulty​ ​with​ ​memory​ ​and​ ​retaining information​ ​in​ ​school.

Sleep​ ​deficiency​ ​can​ ​also​ ​cloud​ ​the​ ​decision-making​ ​process​ ​and​ ​grind creativity​ ​to​ ​a​ ​halt.​ ​This​ ​can​ ​be​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​issue​ ​at​ ​the​ ​educational​ ​level,​ ​and​ ​in the​ ​workplace.​ ​While​ ​it​ ​is​ ​true​ ​that​ ​some​ ​can​ ​grind​ ​and​ ​burn​ ​the​ ​midnight​ ​oil to​ ​get​ ​that​ ​big​ ​project​ ​together​ ​just​ ​before​ ​the​ ​deadline,​ ​the​ ​reality​ ​is​ ​that​ ​if the​ ​project​ ​had​ ​been​ ​given​ ​proper​ ​attention​ ​with​ ​full​ ​rest,​ ​the​ ​final​ ​product might​ ​have​ ​been​ ​better​ ​than​ ​expected.​ ​(see​ ​current​ ​writing)
The​ ​brain​ ​controls​ ​emotions​ ​as​ ​well,​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​and​ ​these​ ​can​ ​also​ ​be affected​ ​greatly​ ​by​ ​sleep​ ​loss.​ ​You​ ​may​ ​become​ ​short-tempered​ ​and moody,​ ​becoming​ ​easily​ ​agitated​ ​over​ ​unimportant​ ​or​ ​unnecessary​ ​issues. It​ ​could​ ​see​ ​its​ ​way​ ​into​ ​relationships​ ​with​ ​family,​ ​friends​ ​and​ ​significant others​ ​(who​ ​may​ ​also​ ​be​ ​suffering​ ​from​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​sleep,​ ​as​ ​sleeping​ ​with another​ ​person​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​disruptive​ ​things​ ​we​ ​can​ ​do​ ​to​ ​our personal​ ​sleep​ ​patterns).​ ​Long​ ​term​ ​loss​ ​of​ ​sleep​ ​can​ ​also​ ​mimic​ ​the symptoms,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​lead​ ​to,​ ​clinical​ ​depression.​ ​Anxiety​ ​and​ ​even feelings​ ​of​ ​hopelessness​ ​and​ ​suicide​ ​are​ ​all​ ​possible​ ​side​ ​effects​ ​of​ ​severe chronic​ ​sleep​ ​deprivation.​ ​(What​ ​a​ ​happy​ ​article​ ​Pat,​ ​thanks!) Now​ ​we’ve​ ​gone​ ​over​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​mental​ ​issues​ ​that​ ​can​ ​arise​ ​due​ ​to​ ​lack of​ ​sleep,​ ​let’s​ ​talk​ ​about​ ​how​ ​your​ ​body​ ​reacts​ ​to​ ​it. A​ ​consistent​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​sleep​ ​creates​ ​an​ ​increase​ ​in​ ​the​ ​stress​ ​hormone, cortisol.​ ​To​ ​keep​ ​the​ ​science​ ​part​ ​simple,​ ​higher​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​cortisol​ ​can increase​ ​fat​ ​stores.​ ​Combine​ ​that​ ​with​ ​a​ ​decrease​ ​in​ ​leptin​ ​production,​ ​a hormone​ ​that​ ​tells​ ​your​ ​brain​ ​that​ ​your​ ​stomach​ ​is​ ​full,​ ​and​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a recipe​ ​for​ ​storing​ ​fat​ ​and​ ​overeating.​ ​This​ ​can​ ​sabotage​ ​even​ ​the​ ​best training​ ​efforts​ ​and​ ​diet,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​reason​ ​sleep​ ​deprivation​ ​is​ ​a​ ​major risk​ ​factor​ ​in​ ​obesity.​ ​Your​ ​immune​ ​system​ ​is​ ​also​ ​compromised.​ ​Think about​ ​it,​ ​when​ ​you​ ​do​ ​get​ ​sick​ ​what​ ​does​ ​your​ ​body​ ​want​ ​most?​ ​Shut​ ​down, sleep,​ ​fight​ ​off​ ​infection,​ ​recover.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​can’t/don’t​ ​sleep,​ ​the​ ​illness​ ​lingers and​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​dog​ ​poop​ ​for​ ​a​ ​week.

So,​ ​we​ ​know​ ​what​ ​happens​ ​to​ ​our​ ​mind​ ​and​ ​body​ ​when​ ​we​ ​don’t​ ​give​ ​it enough​ ​sleep,​ ​so​ ​what​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​can​ ​we​ ​do​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​sleep​ ​that​ ​we do​ ​get?​ ​Glad​ ​you​ ​asked.
First​ ​we​ ​will​ ​start​ ​by​ ​getting​ ​your​ ​bedroom​ ​ready​ ​for​ ​sleep.​ ​Let​ ​me preface​ ​this​ ​by​ ​saying,​ ​if​ ​it​ ​is​ ​possible,​ ​the​ ​bedroom​ ​should​ ​be​ ​used​ ​for​ ​two things,​ ​sleep​ ​and​ ​sex.​ ​Sorry,​ ​that’s​ ​it.​ ​If,​ ​due​ ​to​ ​living​ ​situations,​ ​the bedroom​ ​must​ ​double​ ​as​ ​your​ ​office​ ​or​ ​dining​ ​area,​ ​so​ ​be​ ​it​ ​but​ ​I​ ​would​ ​try to​ ​change​ ​that​ ​as​ ​quickly​ ​as​ ​possible.
Bedroom​ ​set​ ​up​ ​in​ ​no​ ​specific​ ​order:
1)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Get​ ​it​ ​cold,​ ​65-68​ ​degrees​ ​is​ ​fantastic.​ ​Use​ ​fans​ ​if​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​regulate your​ ​own​ ​air​ ​conditioning.​ ​This​ ​tells​ ​the​ ​body​ ​that​ ​it’s​ ​time​ ​to​ ​sleep.
2)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Get​ ​an​ ​old-school​ ​alarm​ ​clock,​ ​like​ ​without​ ​a​ ​digital,​ ​light​ ​emitting​ ​face, and​ ​keep​ ​your​ ​cellphone​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bedroom.​ ​I​ ​know,​ ​crazy​ ​talk.​ ​In​ ​fact,​ ​no electronic​ ​devices​ ​besides​ ​the​ ​clock​ ​at​ ​all.​ ​No​ ​TV,​ ​no​ ​tablet,​ ​just​ ​no.​ ​Trust me​ ​on​ ​this​ ​one,​ ​falling​ ​asleep​ ​to​ ​CSI​ ​re-runs​ ​isn’t​ ​the​ ​way​ ​to​ ​optimal​ ​sleep. ***Bonus​ ​tip,​ ​when​ ​you​ ​wake​ ​up​ ​you​ ​won’t​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​instantly​ ​jump​ ​on social​ ​media​ ​and​ ​ruin​ ​the​ ​day​ ​before​ ​it​ ​starts!
3)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Get​ ​that​ ​room​ ​black​ ​hole​ ​dark.​ ​Buy​ ​blackout​ ​drapes,​ ​cover​ ​the​ ​windows with​ ​blankets,​ ​whatever.​ ​Just​ ​get​ ​it​ ​as​ ​dark​ ​as​ ​possible​ ​as​ ​any​ ​light​ ​that sneaks​ ​in​ ​will​ ​tell​ ​your​ ​brain​ ​that​ ​it’s​ ​time​ ​to​ ​wake​ ​up.
4)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​This​ ​one​ ​is​ ​tough​ ​for​ ​some,​ ​but​ ​Fido​ ​can’t​ ​sleep​ ​in​ ​your​ ​bed.​ ​I know…that​ ​face​ ​though….​ ​but​ ​no.​ ​Every​ ​time​ ​our​ ​fur​ ​children​ ​get​ ​up​ ​and move​ ​around,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​over​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​the​ ​night​ ​because​ ​they​ ​have been​ ​sleeping​ ​all​ ​damn​ ​day​ ​while​ ​you’re​ ​working​ ​to​ ​buy​ ​kibble,​ ​they​ ​can take​ ​you​ ​out​ ​of​ ​your​ ​deep​ ​sleep.​ ​I’ll​ ​bet​ ​that​ ​they​ ​wouldn’t​ ​mind​ ​their​ ​own comfortable​ ​bed​ ​anyway.​ ​Little​ ​spoiled​ ​fur​ ​child.
5)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Invest​ ​in​ ​high​ ​quality​ ​bedding.​ ​You​ ​spend​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​time​ ​in​ ​bed,​ ​make​ ​it​ ​as plush​ ​and​ ​comfortable​ ​as​ ​possible. 6)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Lastly,​ ​your​ ​mom​ ​was​ ​onto​ ​something​ ​when​ ​she​ ​was​ ​yelling​ ​at​ ​you​ ​to clean​ ​up​ ​your​ ​room.​ ​As​ ​we​ ​opened​ ​with,​ ​the​ ​bedroom​ ​should​ ​be​ ​for​ ​two things​ ​and​ ​those​ ​two​ ​things​ ​only.​ ​A​ ​messy,​ ​cluttered​ ​room​ ​doesn’t​ ​help​ ​with either​ ​of​ ​them.​ ​Clean​ ​it​ ​up,​ ​junior.

Now​ ​that​ ​we​ ​have​ ​your​ ​sleeping​ ​area​ ​set​ ​up​ ​perfectly,​ ​let’s​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​you, specifically.
1)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Try​ ​to​ ​get​ ​off​ ​your​ ​technology​ ​at​ ​least​ ​1-2hrs​ ​before​ ​going​ ​to​ ​bed. Electronics​ ​emit​ ​light​ ​that​ ​keeps​ ​our​ ​brains​ ​in​ ​“awake”​ ​mode,​ ​never giving​ ​it​ ​a​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​wind​ ​down.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​must​ ​use​ ​a​ ​computer​ ​at​ ​night, I​ ​suggest​ ​an​ ​app​ ​such​ ​as​ ​f.lux,​ ​which​ ​will​ ​dim​ ​the​ ​computer​ ​screen​ ​to warmer,​ ​softer​ ​colors​ ​so​ ​the​ ​transition​ ​to​ ​sleep​ ​is​ ​easier.
2)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Make​ ​late​ ​meals​ ​lighter.​ ​Digestion​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​more​ ​energy consuming​ ​activities​ ​in​ ​the​ ​body,​ ​so​ ​if​ ​we​ ​eat​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​meal​ ​closer​ ​to our​ ​bedtime,​ ​the​ ​body​ ​will​ ​be​ ​working​ ​to​ ​digest​ ​food​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​being in​ ​resting​ ​mode.​ ​In​ ​addition,​ ​taper​ ​drinking​ ​down​ ​as​ ​frequent bathroom​ ​trips​ ​will​ ​disrupt​ ​sleep​ ​patterns.
3)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Avoid​ ​caffeine​ ​and​ ​alcohol.​ ​This​ ​should​ ​be​ ​obvious,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​must make​ ​sure​ ​it​ ​is​ ​clear.​ ​Even​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​an​ ​old​ ​coffee​ ​head​ ​like​ ​myself, cut​ ​caffeine​ ​way​ ​down​ ​in​ ​the​ ​afternoon​ ​and​ ​try​ ​not​ ​to​ ​have​ ​any​ ​in​ ​the evening.​ ​You​ ​may​ ​think​ ​coffee​ ​isn’t​ ​affecting​ ​you​ ​anymore​ ​or​ ​that alcohol​ ​will​ ​help​ ​you​ ​sleep,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​can​ ​assure​ ​you​ ​that​ ​neither​ ​is enhancing​ ​the​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​your​ ​rest. 4)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Exercise​ ​earlier​ ​in​ ​the​ ​day.​ ​When​ ​you​ ​train,​ ​you​ ​release​ ​those wonderful,​ ​feel​ ​good​ ​endorphins​ ​that​ ​make​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​indestructible. Unfortunately​ ​exercise​ ​also​ ​releases​ ​the​ ​previously​ ​discussed cortisol,​ ​so​ ​try​ ​to​ ​finish​ ​up​ ​your​ ​workout​ ​at​ ​least​ ​2-3hrs​ ​before​ ​your normal​ ​bedtime.
5)​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Overall​ ​try​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​bedtime​ ​routine.​ ​Take​ ​a​ ​hot​ ​shower​ ​or​ ​bath (the​ ​rise​ ​and​ ​subsequent​ ​fall​ ​in​ ​temperature​ ​will​ ​help​ ​enhance drowsiness),​ ​read​ ​for​ ​a​ ​few​ ​minutes​ ​(paperback​ ​please)​ ​and​ ​try​ ​to​ ​go to​ ​bed​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time​ ​every​ ​night,​ ​and​ ​yes​ ​even​ ​on​ ​the​ ​weekends you​ ​party​ ​animal​ ​you.

Try​ ​implementing​ ​one​ ​or​ ​two​ ​of​ ​these​ ​tips​ ​at​ ​a​ ​time​ ​and​ ​monitor​ ​your​ ​sleep quality.​ ​Over​ ​time,​ ​as​ ​you​ ​see​ ​and​ ​feel​ ​your​ ​sleep​ ​improving,​ ​add​ ​a​ ​few more.​ ​I​ ​realize​ ​that​ ​sometimes​ ​getting​ ​“more”​ ​sleep​ ​just​ ​is​ ​not​ ​an​ ​option,​ ​but by​ ​utilizing​ ​some​ ​of​ ​these​ ​tips,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​make​ ​the​ ​precious​ ​few​ ​hours​ ​you do​ ​get​ ​as​ ​effective​ ​as​ ​possible​ ​in​ ​giving​ ​the​ ​body​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​and​ ​recovery​ ​it needs.

Patrick Murphy

What you should know about stretching.

How is stretching beneficial? Many people believe stretching increases your flexibility, loosens tight muscles, and prepares your muscles for a high intensity workout. This isn’t entirely true, maybe a little, but not really. If you stretch your muscles for a couple of seconds a day in hopes of achieving any of the previously stated claims, you’re in for a rude awakening. Your muscles don’t change, stretch, or grow in the course of a couple of seconds. Flexibility is determined by your nervous system’s tolerance to that range.

If you’re confined behind a desk all day then you may have short hamstrings. This is due to continuous contraction of the hamstring muscle. A result of this is experiencing tightness in that area. And No, the general ten second stretch a day doesn’t help solve your problem. Melissa recommends that you loosen those muscles up as often as you can. Instead of being trapped behind your desk all day you can sit with your legs straightened on the floor to give those muscles a break.

Is stretching pointless? No, you can still do short, frequent stretches that are within your range. This assists your body into exploring your movement ranges and then, very gradually, helps you become more mobile.

FREE FATHER’S (SATUR)DAY WORKOUT

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FREE Gut Health Demonstration

Definition Fitness of Jacksonville, LLC announced today that Dr. Robert H. Bodendorf, DMD will be discussing the power of the Gut on April 25, 2017 at their facility on 1950 San Marco Blvd, Suite 5 at 7:00 pm.

“I began developing an interest in trying to figure out what leads to true health when a critical family illness occurred in 2008, says Rob.   All roads converged on gut health and the mind-body connection.  I do not believe true health can be attained without healthy gut flora and the introduction of probiotic foods and the elimination of toxins in food that kill the microflora.”

Rob enjoys a discussion about why a healthy gut is important and will show how easy probiotic foods like sauerkraut and yogurt are to make.   He is a graduate of the College of Charleston in 1980 where he majored in Biology and a graduate of the Medical School of South Carolina where he obtained his dental degree.  Like many medical programs in this country, Rob’s formal education did not contain any classes about nutrition.  He is self-taught and is excited to share his learnings and experience with you.

Definition Fitness of Jacksonville, LLC is a health studio committed to helping people move better, feel better, look better.  Located in the heart of San Marco, the studio has served the community for more than ten years with state of the art personal training.  More information on this free demonstration is available on their web page at www.Defintionfitness.com.  Or you may call 904-398-6442.

Welcome, Pinky!

Hi, I’m Pinky and I’m happy to be part of the Definition Fitness family! I was born in Thailand but raised most of my life in the US. I am a very active person, so much that my friends call me a hummingbird! I love playing all sports from baseball, tennis, to volleyball but currently I have been more focused on running, biking, dragon boating, outrigger canoes, and mud runs. I’m also the strength and conditioning coach for my dragon boat team.

I’ve been doing personal training for 11 years and I love every minute of it! There’s no greater satisfaction than helping others live a stronger and healthier life! I focus on getting the body back into balance so that everyday functional movements can be achieved with ease. With my medical background, I have a particular interest in working with anyone with medical concerns (joints, post-surgery, injuries, etc) and being able to regain mobility and function.

I’m excited to be part of this team and I look forward to helping everyone reach their fitness goals!

Total Attention to You!!

What is Joint Mobility?

Joint mobility is the range of motion found when muscles surrounding 2 bones contract or relax creating joint movement causing adjacent bones to articulate, slide, glide, hinge or pivot with each other.

Without good Joint Mobility a person will be restricted in their joint’s available range of motion. Typical restrictions in joint range of motion are due to shortened or lengthened muscles. Limited range of motioned can also occur to conditions with the joint itself and can carry with it joint pain or stiffness.

What is Flexibility?

Flexibility is a muscle’s ability to lengthen or stretch to it’s appropriate length when needed, to allow a body part or parts to move through all available ranges of motion.

Flexibility is typically one of the most forgotten or overlooked aspects of health. Poor flexibility could lead to limited ranges of motion in one or multiple joint(s) up and down a person’s kinetic chain. In order for a person to be healthiest version of them possible, equal focus and attention must be given to flexibility.