“Rehabmart offers many different types of exercise equipment at discount prices. Visit the site to see great products!

Shout Out to All the Women...It's YOUR time!

May 8th through May 14th is National Women's Health Week.  According to the National Women's Health Information Center (http://www.womenshealth.gov ), this event is a week-long health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health.  It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women's health. The theme for 2011 is "It's Your Time." National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encourages them to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases.

As the National Women's Health Information Center points out, we all have a role to play in women's health. Women often serve as caregivers for their families, putting the needs of their spouses, children, and parents before their own. As a result, women's health and well-being becomes secondary. As a community, it is our responsibility to support the important women we know and do everything we can to help them take steps for longer, healthier, and happier lives.

This year's theme of "It's Your Time" is more timely than ever before.  All women are encouraged to take the time for themselves that they need to live a healthier life.  These steps include:

It is also now easier than ever before for women to take charge of their health, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, a landmark health care reform law enacted last year. This law gives Americans greater choice and better control over their own health care and includes changes that are especially meaningful to women. For instance, new plans must cover recommended preventive services, including mammograms, colonoscopies, immunizations, and well-baby and well-child screenings without charging deductibles, co-payments, or co-insurance. It also assures women the right to see an OB/GYN without having to obtain a referral first. To learn more about the new benefits and cost savings available, please visit http://www.HealthCare.gov .

Unresolved stress and a lack of sustained exercise are probably two of the biggest culprits in the development of disease and poor health.  While you should always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program, especially when you have been sedentary for a long time, there are some wonderful exercise tools available for women that can make this venture a lot more fun...which of course will help you stick with whatever program you decide upon.

                                         

Created by Health Mark, this wonderful machine provides not only an excellent work-out, but can also give you a relaxing massage afterward!  It is very fun to use and very easy on bodies that have been sedentary for a long time, or have structural weaknesses such as knee or joint problems.

Another fun exercise tool is the Digital Fitness Hula Hoop  available from Rehabmart. Re-live your childhood with this great old-fashioned fun that also includes a modern technological twist.  Now you can swivel off the pounds while enjoying a great low-impact aerobic workout that is fun for all age groups...start a hoop group with your friends and have a blast!  Specifically designed with an interactive voice system that reports your time and progress while displaying calories burned, this hoop from J-Fit also stores your results in memory so that you can compete with your previous sessions.

                                

Working out with the Digital Fitness Hula Hoop helps improve posture and tones several muscle groups including oblique muscles, hip flexors and glutes.  Another fabulous feature is the interior wave design which creates a massaging effect, helping to increase circulation.  The thick plastic tube also snaps together and can be easily taken apart for storage or travel.