Trending Tuesday

Exercise equipment I am using: Clip on Aero Bars by Profile Design
At 6’4″ my body acts as a huge sail when attempting to go fast on a bicycle.  This makes cycling a very inefficient process.  In an attempt to reduce the wind resistance I feel during this part of the upcoming 1/2 Ironman, I borrowed a pair of aero bars from a fellow Aligned Life’r.  Aero bars allow you to place your body weight onto your elbows, tuck your arms in front of you and flex your body forward.  This tucked in position allows for less drag and creates a more streamlined body position.  I began to experiment with this set up this week and was impressed with how much faster I could go, especially on long, straight stretches of road.  If you are looking to improve your efficiency and times in cycling this year, give these relatively cost effective tools a try.  Game on!

Rehab tool I am recommending: Voodoo Floss Band
If you have been struggling with joint pain and are having a hard time coming up with self care strategies to get results, give this product a try.  Voodoo Floss Bands have been around for about five years and are used to restore movement to a joint that is filled with scar tissue.  The scar tissue typically restricts movement and can cause pain.  The unique aspect of this product is to be able to create compression while simultaneously working through the range of motion that is reduced.  This combination helps to break up the scar tissue and restore the movement all at once.  Sometimes it works so well, it is almost like Voodoo (hence the product name).  I have found over the years that this product is very productive for elbow and knee conditions specifically.   The best part is that you can provide the therapy to yourself and it only costs about $20!

Quote I am pondering: “One of history’s few iron laws is that luxuries tend to become necessities and to spawn new obligations.” ~ Yuval Noah Harari in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
This week I had two different conversations with people who are considerably smarter than I am.  I love having these discussions because it allows me to understand the direction I should be aiming in my life.  Both of them, despite being very successful, have not accumulated very many material possessions.  For example, their garages are empty, except for their cars.  Mine on the other hand looks like we are outfitting a gym, preparing for the zombie apocalypse with a side order of luggage and holiday traditions (ugh…).  My rationale is that we live a very full life, enjoy the company of others often and like to be self-sufficient whenever possible.   Their thoughts on my accumulation strategy is that I will spend far more time caring for and storing these items than I should.  They also believe that the key to a happy life is desiring less and by being minimal in material possessions they experience less stress on a daily basis.  After pondering this approach I believe they are completely correct.  This week, take a look around your home and try to identify items that are no longer serving you.  Upon doing this, immediately get rid of those items.  You will feel lighter for it!

Have a kick ass week everyone!
In Health,
Dr. Devin Shea, DC

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