Adaptive Fitness Resource Guide soon to be released

Hey Team,

I'm excited to announce that I am nearing the final preparations and expect to release an Adaptive Fitness resource guide (e-book) by mid-late October.

This guide will cover Assessment, Nutrition, and most importantly exercise to improve functional tasks for individuals living with Stroke, Spinal cord injury, Amputation, or as Seniors.

I'm really excited to put all of this information together into a comprehensive resource guide for people living with disabilities to refer to that may not have access to accessible fitness centers or adaptive trainers.

As an Adaptive Fitness Specialist myself, I feel that there are not enough accessible gyms, or trainers to really push someone to their full potential.

I put this guide together in hope that more individuals living with disabilities will become motivated to live a healthier lifestyle to the best of their ability.

This resource guide is based on research and my own personal experience working with people living with disabilities.

If interested, Keep checking back or subscribe to my blog for updates on when the release will be you can also follow me on twitter @fitdp23.

Take care for now!

Keep Fighting, Never Give Up!

-Devon

2013 Super H Run Walk Wheel to benefit adaptive sports programs

 

Yesterday was such a great day for such a great event!

 

Early Sunday morning my daughter and I attended the annual Super H 5 K Run Walk Wheel to benefit adaptive sports programs in the DMV area.

 

It has been a couple of years since I last attended, I'm so glad I made it out this year.

 

It was really great to see some of the Therapists and patients that I used to work with at the rehab hospital.

 

This event really personifies the "Never Give Up" attitude that I so often express, people of all abilities going out and competing a 5K race with the benefit going to programs that will further instill the "Never Give Up" lifestyle.

 

It was awesome to see people wheeling the race in quad rugby chairs, hand cycles, crutches, walking, running...what a great collaboration of athletes

 

If you would like more info on the Super H race here is a link to check it out: http://medstarnrh.org/Ways+to+Give/Events/Super+H/default.aspx

 

 

Keep Fighting, Never Give Up

 

-Devon

 

6 Best commercials that bring awareness to disabilities

Hey Team,

 

Saw a great commercial the other day so I thought I would put together a list of my top ones.

 

I wish there were more television ads that bring awareness to disabilities and that demonstrate the capabilities of all of those living with a disability as these do.

 

Here are my top Six disability awareness commercials, enjoy and be motivated!

 

6.

 

 

5.

 

 

4.

 

3.

 

 

2.

 

1.

 

 

 

Am I missing one? Comment and let me know.

 

 

Keep Fighting, Never Give Up!

 

-Devon

Why Sleep is so very important for your health and recovery

Do you get the recommended 8 hours of sleep every night?

The majority of you I'm sure will answer no to this question, sleep tends to take a backseat nowadays and has become less of a priority.

I know that as we get older time is something we need more of, but seem to have less of due to work, family, and other obligations.

If your work, family, and obligations are important to you than so too should your health be. Maintaining proper health including the recomended amount of sleep will ensure that you can not only continue with your daily activities of living, but also live your life to the fullest.

In the fitness world sleep is just as important as diet and exercise.  

Muscle growth and repair does not happen during  training sessions, it happens during sleep.

When you fall into a REM cycle your body begins the repair process.

So...Sleep is instrumental in any gains made in the gym.

Read more on sleep to improve performance here:

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/alert/sleep-athletic-performance-and-recovery

The benefits of sleep go beyond just muscle tissue repair though....

The Huffington Post lists 11 health benefits of sleep including - lower stress levels, ability to maintain healthy weight, and improved performance to name a few.

A consistent sleep schedule of 8 hours will yield improvements in mental acuity and performance, it will assist in decreasing inflammation linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

For those recovering from  stroke or spinal cord injury, research suggests that regular sleeping habits has been shown to boost production of brain support cells, and specifically for post stroke persons to enhance motor skill learning.

In a recent post, I discussed the importance of consistency not just for exercise and diet but also in life.  I feel that this is especially true for good sleeping habits as well.

Better your health today by planning for improved sleep tonight.

Keep Fighting, Never Give Up

-Devon