Cook County Residents Among Unhealthiest in State

Nearly a quarter of Cook County adults lack physical activity and over a quarter are obese.

A recent study lists Cook County residents as some of the least healthy in the state. We rank 78th healthy out of 102 counties, according to The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report also provides a snapshot of health statistics for Cook County. Here are a few:  The survey was based on several factors, including length of life, quality of life, clinical care, health behaviors, socioeconomic factors and physical environment.

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Inexpensive, Addictive: Disc Golf is Close to Home

Local courses in Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox and Joliet make disc golf an attractive option and social sport that's fun to try alone or with friends and family of all ages.

There is a sport available for all ages that costs very little to play. You can play it in your own community, throughout the United States and in more than 20 other countries. You also can play it year-round regardless of the temperature or if rain or snow are falling. The sport provides an excellent upper- and lower-body workout with very little risk of injury. It doesn't eat up several hours of your day like a long baseball game or a round of golf where you're often waiting and waiting and waiting before taking your next shot. It can take you to some of the most scenic areas and invites participants to socialize with friends and family as well as an opportunity to meet others. Regardless of your economic class, you can play it. You'll …

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For Mall Walkers, Health Is Only One Benefit

Area seniors have discovered the key to good health, spirit and finding new relationships: mall walking.

Long before department stores open their doors and even before the food court starts prepping for the lunch crowd, indoor malls play host to dozens of walking enthusiasts. Patch woke up at 7:30 a.m. recently to walk alongside some of the mall regulars and found the most popular reasons why mall walking is great for the mind, body and soul. Walking for Health: A low impact form of exercise with maximum health benefits. Jim Dimer, from Orland Park, wouldn’t think of starting his day without a brisk walk through Orland Square. He completes a couple of miles every morning, 6 days a week, and has been doing so since ’94. “Mall walking keeps you going and revs you up,” says the spry gentleman, belying his age of 83. “I start my day by walking, …

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Fit Life

Working Out in the Workplace

Finding time to exercise before or after work can be challenging, so why not during the work day?

Bringing fitness into the workplace may be the simplest way to reduce obesity among Americans, while cutting down on spiraling company health care costs at the same time. Many insurance companies already recognize this trend. Humana announced a new wellness initiative this week- participation in the voluntary wellness program will earn incentive rewards for exercising, not smoking, and obtaining regular health screenings. Let’s face it – a fit employee helps a company save money. There’s a reduced risk of lifestyle diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and heart disease; less sick days, and more productivity. Companies have recognized that it’s in their best interest to promote wellness in the workplace. This all sounds great in theory, but …

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Fit Life

Different Types of Blues

While the reasons behind being depressed could be as simple as a reaction to lousy weather, other times it can mean more.

Emma, a southwest suburban resident, tried to kill herself by overdosing on pills when she was 20. She said that at the time, life no longer interested her. “I’m normally a pretty happy person,” Emma, whose name has been changed to keep her anonymity, explained.  “But I went through a very bad period in my life – I could not get out of bed and everything made me exhausted and anxious.”  Weary of fighting these demons, she said she just decided to give up the fight one day. Thankfully, Emma was not successful. Her experience unfortunately isn't uncommon. Many of us have moments when we feel like we’re in a deep, dark hole. The difference is that with some of us, it’s a momentary case of the blues, and we are soon back to our normal selves. …

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Fit Life

Grappling with Childhood Obesity

This week, Tina examines a complicated dynamic when parents try to help their

Stephanie, a 13 year old Tinley Park resident, fights constantly with her mom about her weight. She knows, deep down inside, that she is overweight. Obese, even. But the last person she wants to hear it from is her mother. Karen, Stephanie’s mother, is at a loss as to what she should do. No matter what she suggests to her daughter, it is immediately rejected. Stephanie’s weight has become just another territorial point in the age-old war between teen and parent. “We’ve been trying to work on her weight for several years now,” Karen said. “But in the last year or so, she’s become more difficult and puts a wall up whenever I try to tell her what she should be doing.” Parents often encounter resistance when they try to help children lose …

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Fit Life

Two Left Feet Vs. Zumba

This week, Tina takes gets her groove on with Zumba, despite rhythm challenges.

Looking for a high energy workout that burns tons of calories without being boring?  Why not try Zumba Fitness, the biggest craze to hit the group fitness arena since Gin Miller brought her now-iconic step to an Atlanta gym. In case you’ve been living under a rock, Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired dance workout.  Invented by Beto Perez in the mid-90’s, Zumba blends together the high energy rhythms such as salsa, merengue, and reggaeton, with easy to learn dance steps for a cardio workout that is more like a dance party than an exercise session.  This workout has become so popular with all age groups that they’ve even adapted it for seniors (Zumba Gold), children (Zumbatomic), and the pool (Aqua Zumba).  Various estimates claim you’ll burn…

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Fit Life

Top Seven Things Not to do This Year

Before the holiday, Tina suggests anti-resolutions for the new year.

Sometimes it's what you don't do that brings you success.  Start your new year off fresh by editing these bad habits out of your life. 1.     Don't keep doing the same thing. We all need to change things up occasionally in our lives to keep it fresh and effective and our workout is no different.  Especially if you are not happy with the results of your workout in the last year or so – why would you keep doing the same thing yet expect different results? Instead, analyze your current exercise routine.  If it's non-existent, then get it started.  Otherwise, try adding extra time to each session, adding in an extra strength training day, cross-train with a new class or workout, and/or add in intervals into your training. 2.      Don't keep …

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Fit Life

Fitness Trends & Busts: A Look at the Past and Future of Fitness

This week, Tina looks back (and forward) at the highs and lows of fitness trends over the years.

Fitness is a multi-billion dollar industry that produces a continual stream of fads and trends.  History has a way of repeating itself, and many of these fads get resurrected decades later – even when they did not work the first time.  But we still search for that magical bullet – the surefire way to finally lose weight and get buff. Who knows what the future has in store for the fitness world?  What if someone told you that by taking a magic pill daily, you'd have no need to exercise?  Would you trust them?  Would you do it? Because some of the past fads in fitness are not that far off from a magic pill, consider the "passive exercise" trend. The Vibrating Belt machine & Gloria Marshall's Figure Salons I can clearly remember my aunt's …

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Fit Life

An Exercise in Commuting

This week, Tina Tuszynski takes a look art ways to fit a worthwhile exercise routine into everyday busy schedules.

Busy schedules, family time, and a long commute can wreak havoc on a consistent exercise schedule.  Why not make the most of your time and turn your daily commute and errands into your exercise? Sherry, a Tinley Park dweller who commutes downtown daily, walks to the train station in the morning from home and then to her office once she arrives downtown.  She repeats the same routine at night, racking up around four miles round trip daily.  She'll additionally take a walk during her lunch hour. "I've got three children at home and my time is precious once I get home from work," she said.  "I wanted to lose weight several years ago, but found it difficult to fit the gym into my daily routine.  This saves me time and money." Consistency and …

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