Allegro Medical sells thousands of products and remedies designed to relieve, treat or prevent back pain.  Some products listed below are for those currently suffering from back pain, others are designed simply to reduce back stress for caregivers while moving and caring for patients. 

Note:  Back pain is so pervasive and its causes so varied that there is no simple answer on how to manage it.  I highly recommend that you consult your doctor or see a chiropractor in your quest for relief.  You may need a series of adjustments and/or some targeted exercises to eliminate or ease your back pain.

Popular Back Pain Relief Products

 Snappy Spa – The newest portable spa on the market, from the makers of the super popular inflatable Spa2Go Portable Whirlpool.  Snappy Spa is even better because it’s snappy! Connectors snap together with no special tools and it is insulated for maximum heat retention.  Talk about back pain relief! You can use this personal, portable spa anywhere.  Fits 4 adults.  Get Free UPS Ground Shipping, for a limited time.  Order today!

See all Relaxation Products

Kinesio Tape - The effectiveness of this tape is proven to relieve all kinds of pain, including back pain, but only if applied properly.  Rather than strapping your muscles, the philosophy of Kinesio Tape is to give free range of motion and allow the body’s muscular system to heal itself bio-mechanically.  Read more about Kinesio Tape in What the Heck is Kinesio Tape and why is Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Wearing it?

See all Kineso Related Products

Coccyx Cushion - Relieve your painful tailbone with one of our most popular products ever.  The coccyx cushion has a cut-out at the back, thereby reducing pressure on the spine and coccyx while sitting.  It can be used with most any seat at home, work or in the car.

See all Coccyx Cushions and  Seat and Back Cushions

Hinged Elevated Toilet Seat - Raises the toilet seat by 3″ to help you get on and off.  Great for arthritis sufferers, back pain, knee or hip pain.

See all Raised Toilet Seats and Bathroom Assists

Biofreeze  – For fast-acting long-lasting relief of minor aches and back pains.  Contains ILEX, an herbal extract from South America used around the world in various health & wellness formulations.  Contains no waxes, oils, aloe or petroleum.

See all Performance Health Products and  Over-the-Counter (OTC) Back Pain Relievers

ColPaC Cold Therapy Cushions - Available in shapes and sizes for all body parts, these ColPaCs are great for temporary relief of back pain.  Simply chill in the freezer and apply.  You can use them over and over.

Thermotex Infrared Heating Pad – TTS Platinum-  The mother of all heating pads for back pain, infrared pad uses a deep heat therapy system to increase ciculation and promote increased blood flow.  We just got this Platinum Thermotex back in stock and they are super popular.  Get ‘em while they’re hot… (I know, I know…)

See all Thermotex Products,  Heat / Heating Pads and  Hot/Cold Therapy

Confused about Hot or Cold Therapy? Read Arthritis Pain – Which is Best, Heat or Ice?

Deluxe Flexible Sock and Stocking Aid- Is your back pain making it hard to get dressed?  Don’t lose your independence.  Try one of our dressing aids.

Back Massagers - Relieve muscle tension and minor back aches with these soothing, invigorating massage products.  Many choices!

SafetySure Transfer Pivot Disk – Caregivers, listen up.  You must take care of yourself before you can take care of others.  Ensure you are both safe during patient transfers and avoid painful back injuries with this transfer pivot disk.

See all Transfer Boards and Discs, Transfer Devices and Mobility Transfer Products

Specialty Pillows - Back pain is easily caused or made worse by your sleeping habits.  Find relief in our large selection of pillows and get a great night’s sleep.  If you’re looking to reduce lower back pain and you are a side sleeper, I recommend getting a Leg Wedge Pillow as well.

Bedridden?  Take a look at our bed positioners and wedges

Cervical Traction Devices – Often used to relieve pinched nerves, these home traction sets are very popular and highly rated for reducing back and neck pain. 

Intelect TENS Unit - This portable, battery-operated TENs device is “used for the symptomatic relief and management of chronic pain and acute post-surgical or post-trauma pain”.   That’s a mouthful, but essentially it zaps your muscles with stimulating pulses that temporarily interrupt pain. 

See all Electrotherapy Products

Shoe Insoles and Heel Cups – Help relieve pain in your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back.

Abdominal Binders and Hernia Support - Support for your back, belly and nether regions.  See also Maternity Supports and Allegro’s Bariatric Back Support.

Anti-Fatigue Mats - Do you have back pain and fatigue from standing all day?  Get a cushy floor mat.  I have two of them in my kitchen.  I can cook for hours!

Still not finding your back pain remedy?  See all 300+ Back Pain Relief Products in our Shop by Condition area.  And please remember that Exercise and Fitness play a big role in reducing back pain.  It may help if you strengthen your core.

See your doctor before starting any exercise program or if you have questions or concerns about any back pain remedy.

As always, thanks for your business.

The Olympics motivate and inspire us.  All over the world skiers are opting for black diamonds, baby boomers are trading their skis for snowboards,  parents are enrolling their toddlers in ski school and amateurs are attempting the half-pipe.  I’m pretty sure hockey tickets just got harder to get too.

Are you looking to step up your game?

Skiers, Snowboarders and Skaters:  There are ways to guarantee improved performance on the slopes or the ice!  Practice is key, but even if you don’t have a mountain or an ice rink nearby, you can be well-prepared to for your next ski trip with a little homework. 

You cannot ski, snowboard or skate well without leg strength and balance.  Even if you have strong legs, you are useless without good balance.  Put some time and work into it at home and you won’t believe the difference in your agility, ability, control and confidence on the slopes.

 Not a skier, snowboarder or skater?  Doesn’t matter.  Here are 21 Reasons to Improve Your Balance

Balance is the ability to maintain your center of gravity over your base of support.  Starting out, you can practice balancing on a flat surface with some static balance exercises.  Stand on one foot and lift the opposite leg so your knee is parallel to the ground.  Kick that foot out slowly and then bring it back in. Do this on each side until you can do it without falling over.  Once you have mastered the static moves you can do more dynamic balance exercises by twisting and rotating with one foot off the ground.  This simulates the movements you will make when trying to correct or regain your balance on the snow or ice.

When you feel stable balancing on flat ground, you can advance to  balance products. Many start with a simple Balance Disc, but  Balance Boardsare the most popular among skiers, skateboarders and snowboarders of all ages. 

BEST Balance Products for Skiers, Snowboarders and Skaters

Bongo Board Balance Board – The hottest balance board on the market today. 

Indo Board Balance Board Training Package- Includes deck, roller, IndoFlo balance cushion and FREE instructional DVD.  Claims to be the easiest model to learn on.

See all Indo Boards

See all Vew-Do Boards

Twist Board -  Loosens your knees and waist.  Large, stable 17″ base.  Can be used with rocker boards for ultimate balance training.   

See all Stroops Agility Training

Fitter Classic 16″ Wobble Board – Plastic - Adjusts from basic to advanced with a simple twist.  For all ages and skill levels.  I like the Wooden Fitter Wobble Board, myself. 

See all FitBALL

Airex Balance Pad - Improve your balance while doing your regular workouts.  Great for lunges. 

See all Airex

Jumbo Balance Dome – Just like the ones in the gym. Large enough for your whole foot.  Use upside down or right-side up for two levels of difficulty.

See all SPRI

Serious about skating?  Ice skaters and Hockey players will want a Slide Board for off-ice training.

BONUS TIP!  You will see a difference in your shock absorption, power transmission and edge control if you add SuperFeet Insoles to your skates or ski boots.  Try the hotPINK Cold Weather Insoles for Women or the REDhot Cold Weather Insoles for Men.

Whether the Winter Olympics have you snuggling deeper into the couch or running for the lift lines, we hope you stay healthy and safe.  Stay warm with  Cold Weather Gear to Warm you Inside and Out.  Thanks for being an Allegro customer.

It surprised me to learn that more than 1 million people in the U.S. experience a significant slip, trip or fall each year.  And an average of 17,000 of them die because of it. 

According to the National Safety Council, 70% of slips and falls occur on level ground, by everyday people like you and me.

The risks of falling increase as we age.  Annually, about 30% of those age 65 and older fall at least once, and 15% fall twice.  Many falls result in broken bones or death.  Of course there are risk groups among children as well.  Infants are more likely to fall from furniture, while toddlers are more likely to fall from windows. 

The good news is that most falls are preventable.   What are you doing to prevent falls in and around your home?

Slip and Fall Prevention Products

Standers and Standing Aids

Walkers

Rollators

Mobility Scooters for Indoors and Outdoors

Canes

Grab Bars

Bed Rails

Toilet Safety Frames

Raised Toilet Seats

Shower Chairs

Bone Health

Balance and Core Strength

Ramps

Bed Alarms

Baby Gates and Railnets

Children’s Bed Rails 

 Nightlights

Don’t let slips and falls happen to your or your loved ones!  Take stock and put together your Fall Prevention Plan today.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a gym membership to slim down and tone up.  And no matter what your ability, age, weight or fitness level, Allegro has hundreds of fun and challenging products that will help you lose weight and keep it off. 

Remember two things – convenience and pacing.   Instead of the hassle and expense of the gym, schedule time every day to get some exercise at home or in the neighborhood.  I use DVDs to keep me motivated and mentored and I don’t miss the “social aspect” of the gym at all.

Here are convenient low-cost exercise & fitness products that will jump start your home workouts and get you losing weight fast.

Allegro’s Best Weight Loss, Metabolism-Boosting Products

ExerCycles-Pedlar Exercisers- Pedlars are a fantastic way to get your heart pumping and your fat burning, especially since you can work many of them with your hands OR your feet.   For under $50, these are a no-brainer compared to the cost of a gym membership.

Steppers – Climbers – Get the benefits of climbing stairs without going anywhere.  Convenient, eh?   Stair steppers work wonders and they are a low-cost, space saving addition to your home gym.  For a total body climbing workout, consider the Jacob’s Ladder Total Body Exerciser.

Exercise Bands – Tubes - You’d be hard pressed to find anything less expensive but more effective than exercise bands and tubes.   They add resistance to your workout, increasing your strength, stamina and metabolism. 

Exercise Balls – Foam Rollers - Get on the FITball and I promise you’ll see results.  You can get a total body workout, quickly, that will flatten your tummy, improve your balance, tone your legs and arms and get your heart pumping.  Don’t forget the air pump!  Choose among these DVDs, Video and Book Training Manuals to learn the Fitball techniques and to keep the ideas coming.  For all fitness levels.

Shop 400+ Exercise DVDs and Fitness Books

Body Balance – Core Exercise Products - Balance work and core strength is the foundation to any serious, long-term success whether you are an athlete or even looking to prolong your life and keep you body strong.  Gaining balance and core strength may be tough at first, but don’t give up. The rewards are immense.   For more about balance, read 21 Reasons to Improve Your Balance.

Exercise and Fitness should be part of your everyday plan to stay healthy and maintain a proper weight.  I know it’s hard.  Believe me, I know.  Just do a little every day and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel. 

For more ideas and products for Yoga, Pilates, Stretching, Aerobics, Rowing Flexibility Training and Weight lifting shop Allegro’s best fitness and weight loss products in our Exercise/Fitness Category.

As always, sincere thanks for your business.   Have a healthy day!

-v

New Weight Loss Products

Sunny Indoor Cycling Bike - How nice would it be to have your own indoor bicycle?  Pedal away the pounds with this fully loaded workout machine.  Fully adjustable seat and handlebars. 26 lb flywheel. Magnetic resistance guarantees smooth and quiet workout .

Magnetic Elliptical Trainer – This deluxe elliptical trainer is the ultimate value in home gym equipment with high-quality features such as large anti-slip platforms, a hand pulse monitoring system and high quality magnetic resistance with 8 levels of workout.   You’ll even get an elliptical training monitor to monitor your heartbeat and keep tabs on your time, speed, distance, calories, pulse, IPM and body fat!

See all Sunny Fitness Products

Designer Whey – The Biggest Loser Protein Powder - As used by Al Vincent on “The Biggest Loser”.  Packed with vital B Vitamins and Protein, this powder will keep you feeling satisfied and away from fatty snacks.

Optygen HP - This revolutionary formula is the result of human clinical trials and the latest scientific research on increasing endurance and performance. New features include Beta-Alanine as well the most potent Rhodiola available.

Get in shape on the disc!  It’s all the rage at gyms across the country.  Choose from the Fun Disc, Fit Disc, Trim Disc and Sport Disc and you’ll increase your balance, flexibility and core strength in no time.   If you play sports, disc workouts can make a huge improvement in your performance.   

Inversion Table - After a stressful day or to relieve sore muscles and back pain, nothing works like an inversion table.  Supports up to 300lbs. 

Let us help you build an affordable home gym.  Shop all Home Fitness Equipment for more ideas.  And for all your dietary supplements and weight loss/weight gain products, see our Dietary Products Category.  Have a healthy day!  And, as always, thanks for your business.

Its effects may be gradual, but yoga, when practiced regularly, will rock your mind, body and spirit.

Why Yoga?

The longer you go without stretching, repeating the same basic muscle movements every day, the more likely you will lose your range of motion and be unable to move freely.  Yoga can help balance your body and keep it free of aches of pains.  Even women in nursing homes who regularly participate in yoga classes have fewer complaints of aches & pains than women who are sedentary.  It has also been proven to reduce medication requirments in those with asthma and has long been know to be more effective than splinting patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.  If you have arthritis in your hands, you can reduce tenderness, pain during activity, and improve range of motion.

One of the major benefits of yoga is its effect on anxiety.  Because yoga practice involves breathing and meditation, yoga practitioners are more likely to be calmer and less likely to react negatively to outside circumstances.

Getting Started in Yoga

First you need to do a little research and decide which type of yoga will best suit your personality, lifestyle and current level of fitness.  I have taken yoga classes at yoga studios and at the gym, and I also have several yoga tapes for home practice.  I enjoy both and choose whatever works best for my schedule and mood.  I use my tapes every morning before breakfast.   AllegroMedical.com’s most popular yoga DVD is Everyday Yoga – Hips and Knees DVD.   It includes 5 different daily yoga practices that can be performed Monday through Friday, to keep it fresh.

Note to those who think they can’t do it:  Even after practicing yoga for years I am by no means a pro at this, and if I can do it, anyone can.  It’s how it makes me feel that keeps me going.  I’ll never be able to bend like a pretzel, but hey, I do what I can and that’s enough.  Remember, it’s called yoga ‘practice’.

To find a class in your area, check out the Yoga Journal Directory or your local paper.  If you’re just starting out, a hatha or vinyasa class would probably be best.   You can try other ones down the line.  I have friends that swear by the “hot yoga” classes. 

Yoga Equipment, Videos and Clothing

Yoga Mats - Also called sticky mats.  You can sometimes rent or use a mat at a yoga studio or gym, but really you will want your own mat for hygiene reasons.

Yoga Starter Kit - This has everything a beginning yoga student needs, including yoga blocks, a tote bag to take to class, a sticky mat, straps and a postures poster for reference.  You can also buy these essential yoga props, yoga foam blocks, yoga straps, a yoga mat and a small pillow or blanket separately.

Yoga Balls - Besides the essentials, there are some fun exercise balls and a FitBall Yoga DVD you might want to try at home. 

See all Yoga Videos/DVDs

See all Exercise Books and Videos

Pants – A pair of shorts or sweatpants will do, but you might look for special yoga pants that are fitted but give full range of motion.  Some are fitted at the top but slit at the bottom so you can check your alignment.

See all Yoga Equipment

See all Exercise/Fitness

The effects on your body from yoga are quite different that those you’ll find from traditional exercise.  Yoga is slow, dynamic, static.  Effort is minimized and awareness is internal.  The parasympathetic nervous system and the sucortical regions of the brain dominates.  Traditional  exercise is the opposite.  It involves maximum effort, muscle tension, cortical brain domination, forceful movements and external awareness.  Yoga carries a low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments.  Less so with exercise.

If you can, do both.  If you want to get started on something that will unite your mind, body and spirit.  Something that helps you find harmony, then I suggest yoga.

Namaste (I bow to you).

Whatever gets you moving . . . congratulations!  Seriously.   Any exercise is beneficial as long as you are working to your fitness level and doing it ’right’. 

Alas, nobody’s perfect and we sometimes hurt ourselves.  Here are some products designed specifically for the prevention and treatment of sports injuries. 

Injury Prevention Products

Stretching.  The most common sports injuries are caused by not stretching  your muscles before exercise.  The ProStretch and ProStretch Doubleare among our most popular products, and for good reason.  They reduce your risk of injury, improve lower extremity strength, balance, proprioception and flexibility.  Plus they make your legs look and feel fantastic.

See all ProStretch and Stretch-Rite

 Agility.  This 101 Agility Drills book will guide you through the routines to help you stop, start and change direction of the body rapidly and in a controlled manner.  Coaches and athletes, listen up.  It’s not too early to prepare for fall sports.  Agility training will prevent injuries and give you a leg up on the competition.  Some agility products include the Dot Drill Mat, Agility Dots, Agility Rings, Agility Ladder, Running Parachute and Stackable Steps.

Flexibility.  Get on the Ball!  I promise that flexibility will be yours if you consistently work out on the ball.  We have many brands and sizes to fit every budget and every exercise goal.   Get a FitBall Exercise DVD for overall fitness, the  Strength Training on the Ball Book to get even stronger, or how about a Pilates on the Ball DVD for a great workout and (for me) a lot of laughs.

Balance.  Shop our huge selection of balance products.  I can’t stress enough how good balance will change your life.  No matter how old you are, you can improve your balance.  Read 21 Reasons to Improve your Balance.

See all Exercise/Fitness Products

Injury Treatment Products

Cold Packs. Keep one in your freezer at all times for aches, pains, sports injuries and muscle pulls (or to wrap around something in the cooler on the way to the picnic).  Always put a layer of dry terry towels between you and the ColPac! 

Not sure when to use heat or ice?  Read Arthritis Pain – Which is Best, Heat or Ice?

See all Hot/Cold Therapy

Spa Therapy.  Bubble your troubles away.  Yes, it’s true.  You can have a portable whirlpool spa right in your house, or on your patio, or in your backyard – at a fraction of the cost of a traditional hot tub.

Treat all your sore muscle aches & pains with products from Allegro’s Muscle Pain Category.

Wound Care.  Hey booboos happen, even to adults.   Be prepared for cuts and scrapes with first aid kits, bandages, dressings, gauze & prep pads.  We have it all in our Wound Care Category. 

Therapeutic Bands and Braces.  These brilliant little gizmos absorb shock and support your tendons so you can relieve your pain and still live your life.  See our popular products for knee injuries and elbow/forearm support.

Shin Supports.  These wraps alleviate shin splints and relieve calf & muscle pain.  Too bad we didn’t have these around when we were running concrete stairs and bleachers in high school.  Good times.

Ankle Supports.  Ankle and foot injuries happen all the time.  Check out our Ankle/Foot Orthotics products if you are having ankle pain, weak ankles or just need support for your feet.  We have lots of specialized insoles and heel cups,  ankle braces, splints and supports and products to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis.

Back Supports.  These are used for both prevention and treatment of back pain and injury.  Choose from traditional back supports, abdominal binders, posture aids, hernia splints and more.

See all Orthopedic Products and sort by popularity, price or product name.

If you’ve been reading my blogs you know that I try to stay fit without a gym membership.  I like the freedom and it saves me money.  I hike and walk, mostly, but I also do Yoga and Pilates indoors, along with some weight lifting and balance training.  Here are a few of my favorite exercise products for the home gym or back yard. 

Summer Fitness Products

 Bongo Board Balance Board – Our #1 most popular fitness product.  Used by snow boarders, skateboarders and anyone who just wants to get strong and have fun!  Read 21 Reasons to Improve your Balance. 

See All Balance Products

 Sunny Elite Eliptical Trainer – A full-on, brand new eliptical trainer in your home for only $365?  I’m totally serious.  Check it out.

See All Elipticals

 Door Gym Upper Body Toner – If you don’t have much money, space or time, this is for you.  Oh, and you can’t be more than 200 lbs.   With this one low-cost product you can do perfect push-ups, pull-ups, sit ups, dips and crunches.

 Fitball Hop Balls – You might think that we only sell these for kids.  Not true!  If you weigh under 600 lb. then grab a rubber handle and bounce off those love handles.  Fun for the whole family.

See All Exercise Rolls & Balls

 Thera-Band Resistance Bands – Buy these stretchy fat-melting arm-toning magic tubes by the yard and make them whatever length you want.  Each color provides a different resistance level.  There are hundreds of exercises you can do.  Very popular in gyms.  Also available as  FitBall Pre-Cut Bands.

See all Exercise Bands & Tubes

 ProStretch – Unilateral Calf Stretcher.  For stretching your calves (no, not the farm animal kind).  This is one of our most popular products.  Has been for years.   All workouts begin with a stretch.  Might as well make it a good one.

See all Stretching Products

Lex Loops Exercise Band –  I’ve never used these but they must be good because they’ve been profiled on The View and in Good Housekeeping magazine as a great tool for helping you shed pounds and tone up. 

 Pedal Exerciser Stationary Bike – It’s only $29.95. Such a great bargain for something that does so much.  Must be why it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars! You can pedal with your arms or legs, in a seated position.  A good workout  for all fitness levels ages and abilities.   Tension can be controlled to adjust pedaling resistance.

See All Pedlars & Exercisers

 AquaBell Travel Weights –  Take your dumbbells with you on vacation.  That didn’t sound right.  Anyway…these hand weights collapse to fit in your suitcase and then you just fill them with water, to whatever level you want, and you have hand weights!  Get the Aqua Bell Combo Set complete with ankle weights.

See all Wrist, Ankle & Free Weights

Order today! There’s still time to work off the winter jiggle.

See all Exercise & Fitness Products

1.  Fitball Exercise Balls – One of our most popular products, these burst-resistant balls are the ones you see in commercial gyms.  You can do all kinds of things with this ball, including fall off of it if you’re not careful.  Don’t ask me how I know this.  For the young at heart (or for a little more stability) consider the FitBALL Hop Balls.   With a weight capacity of 600 lbs., who says these are only for kids?  There is a lot of bounce in these balls.  Is there still some bounce in you?  See all Exercise Balls/Rolls.

2.  Thera-Band Resistance Bands - Just like the ones in the gym, now you can have your own at home.  Pull ‘em, stretch ‘em, take ‘em on a trip.  They’ll make your body stronger and more flexible.  Plus, they’re inexpensive, fun and durable.  See all Exercise Bands – Tubes.

3.  Drive Pedal Exerciser Stationary Bike – Okay, I lied.  This is not under $20, but it is under $30 and it’s such a great price, I had to include it.  Great for arm and leg toning.  Sit in a comfortable chair while you exercise!  Totally portable – stores under a chair or bed.  See all Cycles/Pedlars.

4.  FitBALL Balance Disc - Sit on it while at your desk, kneel on it, use it for lunges or simply stand on it and you will be strengthening your core and improving your balance.  Best of all, you’ll be moving.   See all Balance/Core Products.

5.  Digital Speed Jump Rope – Not your ordinary jump rope, oh no.  This one counts your calories and tells you how much fat you’ve burned and how long it took.  Instant gratification.

6.  Thigh Trimmer – Remember these?  Well they’re still around and ready to trim you thighs.  Go for it!  You’ll be able to crack walnuts when you’re done with this thing.

7.  Soft Dumbbells - These underarm flab busting chest lifters are the perfect addition to your nightly workout in front of the tv.  And they’re soooo cute!  2 lbs each.

8.  Hand Grip - One for each hand, these will improve your grip and strengthen your hands.  Maybe if you use these your golf club will stop flying away from you.    See all Hand Exercisers.

9.    ProStretch – Unilateral Stretching Device – Relieves tightness and helps prevent injuries.   For me, it just feels goooood and keeps me flexible. 

10.  Lex Loop Exercise Band - No cardio involved.  Use these exercise bands to  improve your strength and flexibiltiy.  Hailed on “The View” and in Good Housekeeping Magazine, they say you can slim down, get stronger and look younger in just twenty minutes a day, three days a week. Sign me up!  Includes instructions and exercises.

So there you have it.  No excuses to get moving!  Get all these things and you’ll have your own home gym!  See all Exercise/Fitness for more ideas.

Have a great day.  Now, move it!

1.  Break ‘em down; and

2.  Make a plan. 

Here’s an example:  Let’s say you resolve to be a better athlete, have a better body, or “get stronger” this year.  Those alone are not resolutions that will bear fruit.  Besides being too vague, they are “results” rather than “actions”.  So, let’s break it down and make a plan.

Improving the strength of your “core” – your abdomen and back – will make you stronger and more toned (and make those back problems disappear).  Breaking it down even further, if you improve your balance, you’ll strengthen your core and add speed and agility to the equation.  So, improving your balance = strengthening your core = having a better, more toned, athletically superior body.  See?  Now you just need to get a plan.  Read up on balance, check out some balance products.  Get them.  Set aside some time everyday to use them.  Believe me, you’ll know when you are improving.  You’ll stop falling off the dang balance trainer when you try to stand on it.  Before you know it, you’re stronger, you’ve maybe lost some weight, you’re faster and you feel better.  If you play sports, you’ll notice a distinct edge over your opponents when it comes to flexibility, agility and speed.

Moving on.  Here are some other examples of resolutions that work:

• Lose Weight.  If you want the end game to be weight loss, then think about what is causing you to keep the weight on.  Break it down and get a plan.  Drink a lot of soda pop?  Cut it out and replace it with a flavored, unsweetened water.  Can’t control your portions?  Go on a plan that measures them for you – Jenny Craig or NutriSystem for example.  Can’t stop eating sugar?  Go without any carbs/sugar for 48 hours and your cravings will be pretty much gone.  Then follow a low sugar plan.  Research, prepare, plan and do.  And one more thing about weight loss…  go slow.  Lose the first 2 lbs. and go from there.  Don’t say “I need to lose 20 lbs, or 50 lbs., or even 10″.  Say, “I need to lose 2″… and then 2 more, and then 5 more, etc. 

• Get in Shape.  Many of you will go out and buy a gym membership in the next couple weeks, thinking that is going to make you get in shape.  Not so.  Think about who you are and where you are and how you like to spend your time.  If there’s a good chance that you won’t get to the gym because of proximity or time constraints, then you’re already doomed.  Start simple instead.  My gym closed a few years ago and I decided to just work out the old fashioned way at home.  I got some hand weights (I use them while watching TV) and some Therabands, a Fitball, some Yoga, Cardio and Pilates gear, along some good walking and hiking shoes and now I can do my routines without worrying about getting to the gym.  There are all kinds of exercise/fitness products to use at home.  You can even put together your own home gym.  The thing is, you have to have a plan.  I do a quick 15 minute Yoga routine morning and night and I always take a walk.  That is the very least every day.  Other than that, I like to do the Pilates mat routines on the weekends along with hiking (or cardio if it’s too cold out).   Get a friend or significant other to walk with you.  Todd is a great inspiration to me.  He pushes me to hike and bike, and I push him to stretch and meditate.  What a team.

• Get a Life.  If you’re watching too much TV, not expanding your mind or learning, or maybe you’re not socializing enough then you probably should get a life.  Break it down.  What do you love?  What do you watch on TV?  These will give you hints as to how you can get a life.  If you love to travel then you should plan a trip, learn a language, take classes to prepare for an adventure (SCUBA certification, sailing, trekking).  If you love the cooking channel then get your bottom to a cooking class, or take a course online and be a gourmet chef at home.  Anything you enjoy thinking about or dreaming of can become part of your world.  Want to join a rock band?  Get a Wii!  Then besides playing the guitar you can fish, drive race cars, play tennis, improve your memory, work out… a million things.  Do you love pets?  Become a foster parent to your favorite breed or volunteer at an aminal shelter.  Love kids?  Become a scout leader, a Big Brother or Big Sister, read to kids at the library, rock babies at a local nursery.  Want to learn to sew?  Check out local classes and get going.  Just do it.  It’s addictive.  I’ve taken classes on caligraphy, stamp making,  SCUBA, painting, scrapbooking, sewing, Spanish, Italian, Yoga and more.   This year we’re going to take sailing lessons.  In Phoenix there are classes and groups for absoultely every interest.  If your town doesn’t have a group that you’d like to belong to…start one!

What ever it is that you resolve to do this year, you can do it!!  Did you know that spending only an hour per day on something, anything, will make you an “expert” within 2 years?  Think what you can get done in just one year.

I hope you have an excellent New Year.  Thanks, as always, for being an Allegro customer. 

If you have a resolution to share, along with a breakdown and a plan, please leave a comment!   Good luck.

-v