Posts by Megan Johnson McCullough

Head, shoulders, knees, & toes...When a chain moves, all the links move as part of the system. The chain in our body consists of bones stacked on joints. Our kinetic chain might remind you of the old saying and kids' song, “Head, shoulders, knees, and toes…knees and toes.” The kinetic chain of the body for movement consists of the head, shoulders, hips, knees, and feet. When the chain is lined up correctly,...
10/18/2018 7:00:00 AM
When trying to lose or manage our weight, we are told to cut back on certain foods. Some of us take this advice to mean "eat less" of a certain food, while others take it to mean "don’t have it at all anymore." The problem with most diets is that the feeling of deprivation triggers cortisol. We are anxious and stressed that we won’t have the dessert, the dip, or the foods that once were part of our...
10/18/2018 7:00:00 AM
Balance is the body’s ability to be pulled in the right direction at the right time. The central nervous system (CNS), composed of the brain and spinal cord, accomplishes this task for us. This system is in charge or activating and relaxing the needed muscles with precise timing. The CNS is overstimulated every second of our lives, but has the multitasking power to take in information, be able to process...
10/12/2018 7:00:00 AM
Fresh off the grill in the backyard, at a summer cookout, while camping, hanging out at the beach, or at a baseball game, the classic hamburger or hotdog question arises. Most of us have a favorite and are on autopilot when the choice presents itself. These two items make BBQ season a year-round occasion. From a nutritional standpoint, neither one does any favors for the belt buckle, but it takes willpower...
10/12/2018 7:00:00 AM
Part of a healthy, balanced diet includes the consumption of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Dried fruit is considered by many to be a handy snack that meets this dietary recommendation. Dried fruit has had its water removed by a dehydrator or naturally, from the sun. Apricots, cranberries, raisins and dates are just a few examples of popular dried fruit choices. Sometimes they’re coated in a...
9/26/2018 7:00:00 AM
EndocrinologyOur bodies are fascinating functioning entities that are designed to endure and last. Machines don’t always function properly though, which means some fine tuning might be needed. If our heart is acting strange, we see a cardiologist. If we are having issues with our feet, we go see a podiatrist. But sometimes the answers aren’t so obvious when we know something just isn’t right with how...
9/18/2018 7:00:00 AM
It’s a choicePhysical activity is a behavior, meaning it is a choice to participate or not. For some, exercise has been a lifelong component of their daily routine. For others, the concept of physical exertion is not appealing. The exercise roller coaster that aims for consistency, can plummet from time to time even for the most avid gym-goer. One day “off” leads to another, time passes, body shape...
9/12/2018 7:00:00 AM