A new DVD from Dr. Lisa, women’s health champion and co-host of the award-winning talk show The Doctors, orders up funky dance moves, strength exercises, and power stretches. “Yoga Blast is a fun blend of my favorite exercises. These workouts fit into any busy lifestyle, and can help people feel more flexible, empowered, and energized,” she says. Here’s a sampling:

Target: Cardio
Exercise: Push-Turns with Side-Steps Combo

Push-Turns

1. To pivot body counter-clockwise, stand with feet hip-width apart. Step left foot to front, swinging weight to left hip and then back to center.
2. Continue by stepping left foot to left, back, and right, swinging weight to left hip with each step.
3. To pivot body clockwise, stand with feet hip-width apart. Step right foot to front, right, back, and left, swinging weight to right hip with each step.

Side-Steps

1. Take large step to left side. Bring right foot to left foot.
2. Take large step to right side, bringing left foot to right foot.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Target: Strength
Exercise: Lateral Stretch

1. Stand with feet turned out and knees bent, then raise arms until palms are parallel to the ground.
2. Keeping lower body steady, shift torso from side to side.
3. Keep tail bone lengthening down and focus on drawing the belly button toward spine for support.
4. Do for 30 seconds side-to-side, pulse in the middle, then repeat 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes.

Target: Stretch
Exercise: Funky Chair

1. Stand with feet together, knees bent, and hips dropped low as if sitting into a chair behind you. (Beginners can use wall for balance.)
2. Bend right leg and rest on left knee. Legs will create a figure-4 pattern.
3. Raise and rotate arm(s) inward and alongside ears.
4. Fold forward at waist, sweeping arm(s) toward floor and then up to frame head. Balance checks: keep abdominals pulled toward spine, and pulse gently in position.
5. Build up to holding position for 30 seconds. Repeat on other leg.

Photo courtesy Lisa Masterson.

5 Minute Fitness with Dr. Lisa The Saturday Evening Post

* keeps blood glucose in check
* lowers blood pressure
* improves cholesterol and triglyceride levels
* may lead to taking less insulin or diabetes pills
* helps you to lose weight and keep it off

– American Diabetes Association

Check out these new resources to help people better manage their diabetes and prevent its complications.

Created by a leading fitness expert, Kathy Smith’s Project: YOU! Type 2 is a DVD program that combines meal plans with home workouts for varying fitness levels. For details, visit kathytype2.com.

For a thorough discussion of how to prevent, control, and live well with diabetes, the Post recommends Mayo Clinic: The Essential Diabetes Book. The easy-to-understand edition offers the latest guidelines on diagnosis as well as valuable self-care tips such as how often and when to test blood sugar levels.

Workouts, Meals, and Tips for Living with Diabetes The Saturday Evening Post