Studies show that people usually gain 3 to 7 pounds during the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. While a little holiday weight gain may seem harmless enough, the problem is that most people have trouble losing that weight after the holidays have passed. Over time, those extra pounds really add up. Here are Read more

The role of structured exercise in the life of the patient with diabetes cannot be overstated. Time and again, research has shown the ability for an ongoing exercise program to improve cardiopulmonary factors, quality of life and diabetic markers for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes. But this begs the question: Is it more effective Read more

Have you ever thought to yourself “if I could just lose these last 10 lbs” or maybe “I wish I was in better shape”? Or, have you ever gone to the beach in the summer and been so self-conscious that you kept your T–shirton? Did you spend the day paralyzed with fear at the thought Read more

Now is the perfect time to ensure that you and your family are prepared to spend a fun, safe vacation or fun time by the water. Enroll in age-appropriate swim lessons and follow important safety rules whenever you are in, on or around water: Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards Always swim with a Read more

by Pam Speich, Registered Dietitian Water promotes healthy skin, helps prevent afternoon fatigue, and—when served cold—helps keep you cool.  Because being in hot weather increases fluid losses, it’s easy to become dehydrated in the summertime, especially if you exercise in the heat. To determine your fluid needs during the hot summer months, start by calculating your Read more

by Katie Allen, Senior Fitness Director   1. Young girls shouldn’t lift weights because it will stunt their growth. No studies have actually shown that weight lifting will stunt growth. In fact, when done properly lifting weights has a number of positive health benefits such as increasing bone density which is important for reaching your Read more

By: Ashley Cappel, Registered Dietitian Have you ever had a day when you just can’t seem to curb those cravings for sweets? How about a night when you find yourself raiding the kitchen cabinets? Rest assured–you’re not alone! All of us have specific hormones in our bodies that influence appetite. Two of the strongest hormones Read more

It all started with a body composition test using the InBody 270 machine at the Short Pump American Family Fitness. My results were not what I had hoped for. You see, I used to work out quite a bit (mostly cardio) and I try to eat well most of the time. I’m careful to balance Read more

Posted: Tuesday, January 9, 2018 We’ve recently made some updates to our website.  Should you have issues viewing our website, please follow the instructions below on how to clear your cache: Safari: Click Safari in the upper left-hand side of your screen. In the menu that appears, click Preferences. In the window that appears, click Read more

It’s January, and I know what you’re thinking: This is gonna be my year. Yes! I’m ready to hit the cardio hard, shed those extra pounds, and lift whatever it takes to sculpt, shape, and define a new me. I will make it work, and I won’t give up. You know what? Even if you’ve Read more