Lez-Be Healthy

A dyke's quest to remind her community their health is a worthwhile investment.

• • 1
  • Mar 24
  • Author

  Vegan Protein...what?!

  I have spent the last 15 years of my life eating vegetarian.  As I have increased my activity level I have decided to start eating fish again in an attempt to increase my protein intake.  Since eating vegetarian/vegan is a definite trend in a lot of my queer friends I think it is vital to ensure we are still getting all the nutrients we need.  Especially if we’re planning on increasing our activity level.

  This link gives lots of vegan options that are high in protein.  Yay!!

  • #food/nutrition
  • #protein
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• • Mar 23
  • Author

  Core Conditioning - Bicycle

  • #exercise
  • #core strength
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• • Mar 23
  • Author

  Core Conditioning - V Sit (maybe a little more advanced...)

  • #exercise
  • #core strength
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• • Mar 23
  • Author

  Core Conditioning - Bridges

  • #exercise
  • #core strength
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• • Mar 23
  • Author

  Core Conditioning - Hip Lift :)

  • #exercise
  • #core strength
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• • Mar 23
  • Author

  Core Conditioning - Superman!

  • #exercise
  • #core strength
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• • Mar 23
  • Author

  Core Conditioning - Plank

  • #exercise
  • #core strength
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• • Mar 23
  • Author

  Getting to the Core…

  I feel as though in recent years the term “core” strength has been buzzing around the health industry.  Despite the fact that I am certain this has been around for longer than I realized, it now seems like an unavoidable concept when addressing physical fitness.  And understandably so!

   

  Often times abdominal conditioning can be confused with core conditioning.  Abdominal strength should almost be seen as a subcategory to core strength.  Your core is not merely your abs but includes numerous muscles that run the entire length of your torso stabilizing your spine and pelvis and protecting your back.  Core conditioning exercise programs need to target the various areas such as those that run along your neck, back, front and side of the abdomen, obliques, hip flexors, hip adductors, gluteus.

   

   So why exactly would an individual want to strengthen their core?  I think for the average folk, on their average quest to healthy living, the major appeal of core conditioning is the avoidance of injury - specifically back injury.  Strong core muscles help maintain and support a proper posture therefore reducing the amount of stress on your spine.  As we take on more challenging physical activities core strength will assist in our success.   All movements originate from the core of the body and move out.  Power is transferred from the torso out to the extremities of the body, so a strong core will only benefit all other activities.

   

   And lastly, as per usual, HOW?!  How does one achieve this amazing core strength that will allow us to not only avoid injury but also develop into whatever degree of athlete/healthy human we want??  There are exercises that are specifically geared towards core strengthening.  The bonus is that most of these exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home, with minimal equipment – which is generally a goal of mine.  So I will be posting various core exercises following this entry however prior to doing any of them there are two things that should be kept in mind. 

   1.  It is beneficial to brace your abdomen during core training.  To correctly achieve this attempt to pull your navel towards your spine.  You should still be able to breathe evenly and easily. 

   2.  It is never a bad idea to ensure that you’re not doing further damage through these exercises.  So when in doubt, first talk to your doctor.

   

   

  http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/a/NewCore.htm

  http://exercise.about.com/cs/abs/a/corestrength.htm

  • #exercise
  • #core strength
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• • 1
  • Mar 15
  • Author

  GET MOVING DAMMIT! please…

  So up until now I have pretty much managed to exclusively talk about food.  Which is something I am very passionate about however, there is another important aspect of health.  Exercise!!  The word ‘exercise’, for me, makes me think of treadmills, and weight lifting, which despite the fact that it works for some, I know for a fact it doesn’t work for others.  Exclusively thinking of exercise as requiring machines or a facility not only eliminates certain people base on interests but also based on finances.  So, as we continue to discuss exercise, and more accurately physical activity, most of these activities will be possible both in those fitness facilities but outside of them as well. 

  In case the idea of exercise has yet to have you excited I’m going to start listing some benefits of being physically active.

  Just to really DRIVE the point home…

  1.        Improves your mood – can act as a mild anti-depressant and assist in raising self esteem.

  2.       Combats chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis

  3.       Helps you manage your weight.  (I’m trying to avoid making this blog strictly about weight loss however it is impossible to completely ignore the topic.)

  4.       Boosts energy level.  (Personal tidbit.  When I get home from work all sluggish, I find taking the dog out re-energizes me.)

  5.       Better Sleep!  Who doesn’t want to sleep better…

  6.       Improves sexy time.  Yep! If you add all the items above it simply leads to this conclusion! (1+5=6)  Don’t take my word for it…

  7.       Social outlet!  I know in my town there are Queer sports teams, and running groups, and yoga groups…

  8.       Live longer.

  Of course the items listed above are not going to be a part of everyone’s experience but here’s how I see it.  We are not meant to be stationary.  I find some of the levels of inactivity in those I interact with on a daily basis terrifying.  Working out/Exercising/Physical activity does not have to be a chore or something you dread.  I firmly believe there is SOMETHING OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE.  So go start trying new things whether its yoga, or running, or ultimate frisby, or dog walking, or soccer, or biking, or skiing, or hiking, or rock climbing or dancing (I could keep going but I’ll spare you).

   

  In closing, they say it takes THREE WEEKS to form a new habit.  I find this is the most important part of trying to introduce anything into our lives.  So however you decide to start introducing physical activity into your life, give it some time.  Be aware of where you’re starting, don’t push yourself too hard or expect too much because the last thing you want is to be discouraged and injured. 

   

  And lastly, pay attention to your own progress and improvements.  We all start somewhere; the most important thing is that you’ve started. 

  • #exercise
  • #physical activity
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• • Mar 11
  • Author

  World's Healthiest Foods

  This site lists almost every food imaginable.  If you click on each item listed it brings you to a page that explains in detail the nutrients, vitamins, health benefits etc.

  Its a great way to introduce new foods into your diet.  If you find an item you’d like to start cooking with a simple internet search will of course pull up tons of recipe options. 

  ITS THE WEEKEND!  COOK AWAY!

  • #food/nutrition
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About

Welcome to “Lez-Be Healthy” a page I’m hoping will provide a platform for members of the Queer community, as well as our Queer-Friendly peers, to start a dialogue about the significance that true health and well-being plays in our day to day lives and together strive to improve our own.

I feel as though health is something that should be celebrated, and is a gift that we give because we value ourselves. Our quest for health should not leave us feeling inadequate or guilty but alternatively excited and hopeful.

Health does not "look" a certain way. Health and well-being, in my personal opinion, should FEEL a certain way. By virtue of this very definition you own your sense of health. My hope is that this we'll be empowered by this autonomy and use it in combination with the resources and information available to us.

So, here’s my quest dearest lovely folk from over, under, at the end of the rainbow.

I want us to talk about health using terms and words that empower us and remind us that we are not on a quest for perfection - We're there already. We're on a quest to enrich our lives through a greater understanding of our bodies and what it needs to fire at all cylinders!

I also want to move our idea of health away from its current connection with consumerism. Health and fitness should be available to all despite our income so I will always be making an attempt to find affordable health-boosting activities!

Last but not least. Let me say that I am by no means a professional. I'm just a queer health enthusiast, who's trying to share her passion with her community.