Clinton Township Newsletter

2 1 A p r i l 2 0 1 4 "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!' " ~Robin Williams m i r a C l e s o F e x e r C i s e By Gigi Bruggeman As a personal trainer, I consider myself very lucky to be able to witness the small miracles that take place in individuals who participate in an exercise program. Making exercise part of a daily lifestyle has many benefits. As always consult with your physician before beginning an exercise program. Exercise can help lower blood pressure and improve choles- terol levels. By taking part in an exercise program weekly, the heart becomes more conditioned and can help lower blood pressure readings by being more efficient. Also, exercise helps increase the good cholesterol also known as "HDL" and over time helps lower the total cholesterol reading. Exercise can help individuals who are considered pre-diabetic or have diabetes II from having to take medication and/or can help lower the dosage over time. Exercise helps regulate internal factors that affect blood glucose levels. By making exercise a part of your daily routine, blood sugar levels become more regulated over time. Exercise can help reduce and/or stop back aches, knee pain, shoulder pain and help control arthritis pain. By doing the correct strength exercises and stretches, an individual will be able to decrease joint pain by building up the muscles around the affected area. Exercise can help relieve the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and slow down the progression of these conditions. Individuals who participate in a regular exercise program can be more functional with daily activities and help slow down the progression of symptoms. Exercise can help with bone density which can slow down or prevent the onset of osteopenia and osteoporosis. As we get older, we start to lose bone density. Strength training, weight bearing exercise and stretching exercises can help improve bone density, help with posture and keep the muscles strong and lean. Exercise can help people recover faster after surgery. The more strength, flexibility and overall conditioning an individual has, the faster the recovery after surgery since their muscles are stronger and in better shape. Working on core and balance exercises have been proven to help with walking after knee surgery. Exercise helps with balance issues as seen in older individuals and people with Cerebral Palsy. Working with various pieces of exercise equipment designed for balance training can help individuals with posture and walking abilities. Exercise can help individuals lose weight, feel more energetic and even sleep better. This is one of the most often mentioned positive outcomes of daily exercise from individuals with whom I have worked. They have higher levels of energy during the day and experience deeper sleep at night which can help reinforce the weight loss process. Exercise has been proven to be a mood lifter. I have seen clients come into the wellness center tired, stressed, or in a bad mood. By the time they leave, they have a smile on their face. Exercise is also beneficial when dealing with difficult life situations, like losing a loved one, divorce and helping take care of sick loved ones. Bring this article in to one of our Wellness Center locations and enjoy a complimentary guest pass to try us out! Hunterdon Health and Wellness Center locations: Whitehouse Station – 537 Route 22 East, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 Clinton – 1738 Route 31 North, Clinton, NJ 08809 @comcast.net email us at: UPS/Clinton • GrayRock Village Mall 1802 Rt. 31 n. phone: 908.638.3500 email: store4525@theupsstore.com www.theupsstorelocal.com/4525/ Ask us about the many things we can do for you! Proud to Print CTNL every month! * n e W * a d o p T - a - T r a i l V o l u n T e e r o p p o r T u n i T y The Hunterdon County Division of Parks & Recreation are forming an Adopt-a-Trail Program to help keep our parks clean, safe, and ready for use by everyone. In order to accomplish this, we are seeking citizen volunteers and/or volunteer organizations (scout troops, civic organizations, etc.) to adopt a specific trail and to agree to periodically walk and inspect the trail. Volunteers will walk the trail at least once a month for ten months of the year, conduct litter clean-up, remove debris, do minor shrub and vine pruning, and report any need for additional work that may have to be performed by the County (such as fallen tree removal). So if you love nature and enjoy working outside, please Adopt-A-Trail! Interested participants and those who have already signed are invited to join us at an introductory meeting at the Arboretum, 1020 Rt 31, Lebanon, on Thursday, April 17 from 7:30- 10:00pm. To sign up, contact Recreation Leader, Patrick Eckard at peckard@co.hunterdon.nj.us or call: 908.782.1158. 1 4 T h a n n u a l e a r T h d a y C e l e b r a T i o n ! Saturday, April 26, Time: 10:30 am to 4:00 pm Deer Path Park • Ages: All • Pre-registration is not required Join the Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation as we celebrate the one, the only, Planet Earth! The celebration will be held at Deer Path Park located at 120 West Woodschurch Road in Flemington (Readington Township). We are continuing our theme from last year, a round robin of carnival-like games and fun challenges all made from repurposed or recyclable items. Let's go green! Loosen up your arm for the tin can alley, see how many ringers you get at the wisteria ring toss, flick your wrist for our frisbee golf challenge and much more. Enjoy the live animal shows presented by Eyes of the Wild and Mercer County Wildlife Center. Meet youth members of local 4-H animal clubs and their rabbits, ducks, sheep, goats and more on the Great Lawn. Float around the Deer Path Pond in one of the Parks' canoes after a short safety talk presented by members of the Hunterdon Canoe Club. Try your hand at make-it-take-it recycled crafts. Grab a bite to eat at the food concession run by Boy Scout Troop 288. Maybe the kids would like to throw a line into the pond and see what is biting? Let's celebrate Planet Earth and the natural beauty it has to offer. Hike a trail or take the children to the playground. Don't miss this chance to get outside with family and friends and reconnect with our Mother Earth!

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