Thrive Carolinas, Author at Thrive Carolinas

The Return of the Presidential Awards: The Push-Up Challenge

June 23, 2026

Exercise, Fitness, Health, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Running, Weight Management

Why are push-ups considered one of the best exercises? Push-ups are a highly effective bodyweight exercise that strengthens the chest, shoulders, triceps, core, and stabilizing muscles. They can improve strength, cardiovascular fitness, glucose metabolism, and overall functional fitness without requiring any equipment. By Nancy A. Palermo, MD The Presidential Fitness Award is given to those who can perform at least 25 push-ups (women) or 50 push-ups (men) in 60 seconds. One of the best things about push-ups? No gym. No equipment. No excuses. Yet many adults struggle to perform even a single push-up. So why should we make push-ups part of our daily routine? Because a single push-up can trigger measurable changes in the body related to muscle strength, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and even brain function. Imagine what 10, 25, or...

Dr. Palermo sharing summer wellness and fitness tips for staying active while traveling

Motivation to Stay Active This Summer

June 23, 2026

Monday Motivation, Motivation

Summer often brings a welcome change of pace. Vacations, family gatherings, long weekends, and time outdoors can make it tempting to put healthy habits on hold until fall. In this week’s Motivation, Dr. Palermo reminds us that staying active doesn't require a perfect routine or even a gym membership. In fact, some of the best summer movement happens when we embrace flexibility and find ways to stay active wherever life takes us. Don't Let Perfect Be the Enemy of Consistent One of the biggest mistakes people make during the summer is assuming that if they can't follow their normal routine, they shouldn't do anything at all. The truth is that movement doesn't have to be complicated to be effective. A walk on the beach. A morning hike. Exploring a new...

Crispy shrimp toasts topped with homemade Yum Yum sauce, sesame seeds, and green onions

Shrimp Toasts with Homemade Yum Yum Sauce

June 23, 2026

In The Kitchen

Looking for an appetizer that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together with simple ingredients? These Shrimp Toasts are crispy, savory, and packed with flavor. Wild-caught shrimp, sesame oil, green onions, and tamari are blended into a flavorful spread, then baked on toasted baguette slices until golden and bubbly. Finished with a drizzle of homemade Yum Yum Sauce, these shrimp toasts make a perfect party appetizer, game-day snack, or entertaining dish. Why We Love This Recipe High in protein from shrimp Quick and easy appetizer for gatherings Crispy, crunchy texture with savory umami flavor Can easily be made gluten-free using GF bread and tamari Homemade Yum Yum Sauce skips many of the additives found in bottled versions Shrimp Toasts Ingredients 1/2 pound wild-caught shrimp, peeled 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil 2 green...

Person performing a plank exercise as part of a daily core strengthening routine

The Return of the Presidential Awards: Abdominal & Core Work

June 23, 2026

Blog, Exercise, Fitness, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle Medicine, Nancy's articles

What are the benefits of daily core exercises? Daily core exercises help improve balance, posture, stability, and athletic performance while reducing the risk of lower back pain and injury. Strengthening the abdominal and core muscles also supports healthy aging, mobility, and overall fitness. By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Summer is here, and many of us will be showing off our abs. Of course, we want to feel more confident and look good, but having a strong core goes beyond showing off the six-pack. Having a strong core is important for balance and stability, and most sports and physical activities depend on it. Core exercises can help to define your abdominal muscles, but optimizing your diet is paramount if you want them to be more defined. Strong core muscles...

Dr. Larson explaining body composition analysis and health metrics beyond weight

Why the Scale Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

June 16, 2026

Monday Motivation, Motivation

When most people think about their health, they focus on a single number: their weight. But that number alone tells only part of the story. In this week's Motivation, Dr. Larson explains how body composition analysis can provide a more complete picture of health by looking beyond the scale and examining what your body is actually made of. What Is Body Composition? Body composition refers to the proportion of different tissues that make up your body, including: Muscle mass Body fat Water content Bone mass Visceral fat (fat surrounding internal organs) Two people may weigh exactly the same but have dramatically different body compositions and therefore very different health risks and metabolic profiles. That's why understanding body composition can be far more valuable than simply tracking weight alone. How Body Composition...

Grilled Mediterranean chicken kebobs with peppers and onions served with tzatziki sauce

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs

June 16, 2026

In The Kitchen

As grilling season returns, these Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs remain one of our favorite healthy dinner recipes. Marinated in extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, these colorful skewers deliver bold flavor while supporting a Mediterranean-style eating pattern. One reason Mediterranean cuisine continues to rank among the healthiest eating approaches in the world is its focus on simple ingredients: lean proteins, vegetables, healthy fats, herbs, and fresh citrus. These kebabs bring all of those principles together in one easy meal. Perfect for backyard cookouts, meal prep, or weeknight dinners, these chicken kebabs pair beautifully with a cucumber tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, or grilled vegetables. Why We Love This Recipe High in protein and naturally gluten-free Rich in Mediterranean herbs and heart-healthy olive oil Easy to prepare...

Why You Need to Pay Attention to Body Composition

June 15, 2026

Comprehensive Lab & Diagnostic Tests, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Recent research continues to highlight the importance of strength training for health and longevity. As we learn more about the role of muscle in metabolic health and chronic disease prevention, it becomes clear that building and maintaining muscle should be a key part of any wellness plan. However, as we build muscle, we can no longer rely solely on the scale to measure progress. The weight we have been striving for may be far less meaningful than our overall body composition. What Is Body Composition? Body composition refers to the percentages of fat mass and lean mass that make up your total body weight. Fat mass includes: Subcutaneous fat (the fat beneath your skin) Visceral fat (the fat surrounding your organs) Lean mass includes: Skeletal muscle ...

PCOS Has a New Name: What PMOS Means for Women’s Health

June 9, 2026

Dr AF-Functional Medicine, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

Written by: Dr. Amy Fletcher Edited by: Thrive Carolinas For years, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, has been one of the most common yet misunderstood hormone conditions affecting women. Now, the condition has a new name: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS. While the name may sound more complicated at first, the change is meant to make the condition easier to understand and more accurately describe what is really happening in the body. PCOS was never just about ovarian cysts. In fact, many women with the condition do not have true ovarian cysts at all. The older name often led people to think of PCOS as only a reproductive or gynecologic condition. But we now understand that this condition affects multiple systems in the body, including hormones,...

Dr. Fletcher discussing the transition from PCOS to PMOS and women's metabolic health

Motivation: Understanding the Shift from PCOS to PMOS

June 9, 2026

Monday Motivation, Motivation

In this week's motivation, Dr. Fletcher discusses an important development in women’s health: the evolving conversation around Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and the proposed shift toward the term Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). While many women are familiar with the term PCOS, the condition has long been recognized as much more than an ovarian disorder. The proposed name change reflects a growing understanding that this condition affects multiple hormone systems throughout the body—not just reproductive health. Why the Name Change? The traditional term "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" focuses attention on the ovaries, but many experts believe that description fails to capture the full complexity of the condition. Women with PCOS often experience challenges related to: Insulin resistance and metabolic health Hormonal imbalances Weight management Inflammation Cardiovascular risk factors Fertility and...

Healthy Waldorf chicken salad with apples, grapes, walnuts, and BBQ-seasoned chicken

Cleaned-Up Waldorf Salad

June 9, 2026

In The Kitchen

Need a dish to bring to a gathering? This Cleaned-Up Waldorf Salad is always a crowd-pleaser. It's packed with lean protein, crisp fruit, crunchy vegetables, and heart-healthy walnuts, all tossed in a lighter dressing made with Greek yogurt and avocado mayonnaise. One of the best meal-prep strategies is cooking protein in advance. A batch of seasoned chicken tenderloins can be used throughout the week for salads, grain bowls, wraps, and quick dinners. In this recipe, we use homemade Southernly BBQ-seasoned chicken to elevate a classic Waldorf salad with extra flavor and nutrition. BBQ Chicken Ingredients 2 lbs organic chicken tenderloins 2–3 teaspoons Southernly BBQ Seasoning (recipe below) Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. Season chicken tenderloins with BBQ seasoning and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 25–28 minutes, or until...

Women’s Care

Women’s Care

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Author: Thrive Carolinas

The Return of the Presidential Awards: The Push-Up Challenge

Motivation to Stay Active This Summer

Shrimp Toasts with Homemade Yum Yum Sauce

The Return of the Presidential Awards: Abdominal & Core Work

Why the Scale Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs

Why You Need to Pay Attention to Body Composition

PCOS Has a New Name: What PMOS Means for Women’s Health

Motivation: Understanding the Shift from PCOS to PMOS

Cleaned-Up Waldorf Salad

Where is a Patient to Go? Planning Unplanned Medical Care

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebobs

Monday Motivation: Garlic & Gut Health

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Women’s Care

Women’s Care

Women’s Care

Author: Thrive Carolinas

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