Exercise Archives - Thrive Carolinas

Yoga & Learn September: Non-Negotiable Habits for Longevity

September 2, 2025

Blog, Dr NP, Exercise, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Yoga

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Edited by Thrive Carolinas When it comes to longevity, the latest biotech buzzwords, telomeres, senolytics, miracle pills, and Silicon Valley “hacks” can be tempting distractions. But the truth is simple: the fundamentals matter most. Research consistently shows that practicing core habits every day, such as regular movement, adequate rest, whole foods, and meaningful connections, can add 7–10 years of healthy life. Healthspan and lifespan don’t come from shortcuts. They grow from small, consistent actions. Why Fundamentals Beat Fads The global wellness industry is now a $4.2 trillion market, growing nearly twice as fast as the global economy. Yet, as a population, we aren’t getting healthier; we’re getting more confused, overwhelmed, and frustrated. Each week brings a new “best” diet or lifestyle trend. With so many competing voices,...

Why 10,000 Steps a Day Isn’t the Magic Number

August 4, 2025

Blog, Dr NP, Exercise, Fitness, Group Fitness, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD You’ve probably heard the popular health advice: “Get 10,000 steps a day.” But is this daily step goal rooted in science? The Origin of the 10,000-Step Myth Surprisingly, the 10,000-step recommendation didn’t come from medical research; it originated from a Japanese pedometer marketing campaign in the 1960s. Since then, it’s been widely adopted by health apps, fitness trackers, and wellness guidelines—despite lacking clinical evidence. What the Research Really Says A 2023 meta-analysis published in The Lancet reviewed multiple studies from 2014 onward, analyzing the impact of daily step counts on chronic health conditions. The researchers found that significant health benefits occur at much lower step counts than 10,000. In fact, just 7,000 steps per day was associated with the following risk reductions (compared to 2,000 steps/day): ...

Why You Need to Pay Attention to Body Composition

January 21, 2025

Exercise, Fitness, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Coaching, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Weight Management

Understanding your body composition is essential for long-term health and fitness. While many focus on the number on the scale, this approach can be misleading—especially if you're building muscle through strength training. Recent research highlights the importance of strength training for health, longevity, and metabolic well-being. However, body composition, not just weight, is a more accurate measure of your progress and health. What Is Body Composition? Body composition refers to the fat and lean mass percentages that make up your total body weight. Unlike weight alone, body composition breaks these elements into key components: Fat Mass: Includes subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and visceral fat (around internal organs). Lean Mass: Comprises skeletal muscle, bones, organs, fluids, and other non-fat elements. Understanding your body composition can give you a more...

Group Classes: A Prescription to Tackle the Mental Health Epidemic

September 17, 2024

Exercise, Fitness, Group Fitness, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Yoga

In May of this year, the Surgeon General, Dr Viveck Murthy, gave an advisory on our epidemic of loneliness and isolation. He laid out a framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection in this rather extensive, wordy PDF. He details recommendations that individuals, governments, workplaces, health systems, and community organizations can take to increase connection in the lives of individuals and communities across the country to improve mental and physical health. It turns out we were already doing all of the things at Thrive, but let’s think about how they might help our overall health. We are still struggling with the downstream effects of the COVID epidemic. One of the most noticeable impacts on society is the decline of mental health. We struggled before the pandemic due to...

Getting to know Dia Steiger

November 14, 2022

Exercise

While Dia's not new to Thrive, she might be new to you! If you haven't had an opportunity to take her class yet, you're missing out! What excites you about teaching at Thrive? Thrive offers a personalized approach to healthcare and wellness; the small, intimate yoga and fitness classes perfectly complement that approach. What should students in your class expect? My classes are a slow, vinyasa flow with a focus on alignment. This moving meditation enables the student to get out of the head and into the body…to pay attention to the present moment. What are your hobbies and interests outside of Thrive? I try to get outside as much as possible; some of my favorite hobbies are hiking, biking, and gardening. Do you have any children or fur...

Dia Steiger Yoga

Get To Know Yoga Instructor Suzanne Bergen

October 12, 2022

Exercise, Fitness, Thriver Spotlight, Yoga

Suzanne might not be new to Thrive, but her energy to expand our yoga and fitness staff and class schedule is a new role for her. We couldn't be more excited for her to step up and lead this department! Get to know a little more about Suzanne in this spotlight! What is your name? Suzanne Bergen What are your hobbies and interests outside of Thrive? Being the Director of the Charlotte Tunnel to Towers Climb, I love stair climbing for a good cause! Of course, I love my family (triple boys and husband Joe!), traveling, our beach house on the South Shore of Boston, connecting with friends, and getting inspired by Tony Robbins! What excites you about teaching at Thrive? I believe in Functional medicine, movement, and nutrition...

suzanne bergen

Getting to Know: Yoga Instructor Ashlee Lincoln

October 11, 2022

Exercise, Fitness, Yoga

Thrive is excited to welcome Ashlee Lincoln to our team as a Fitness & Yoga Instructor!! We've brought on a few new fitness and yoga instructors, if you haven't noticed. Learn a little more about our wonderful new instructors, and don't forget to sign up for their class!!! Name: Ashlee Lincoln What excites you about teaching at Thrive? I love the holistic approach that Thrive provides to its patients. Personalized, functional healthcare is a big part of my own story. I believe practicing yoga can play a big part in our wellness, and I'm excited to help contribute to individuals' overall health journey. What should students in your class expect? Expect a powerful vinyasa flow that allows you to build strength and body awareness while also...

YOGA as Medicine

September 20, 2022

Exercise, Group Fitness, Health, Healthy Life, Lifestyle

Yoga has taken the western world by storm. In a 2012 “Yoga in America” survey by Yoga Journal, it was estimated that over 20 million Americans regularly practice yoga. Now that number is estimated to be over 37 million. The first U.S. yoga studio opened in California in 1947. Now Yoga studios are popping up in all communities. In the US, you can perform yoga in heat, with rock music, and even in the company of pets, goats, or children. Westerners, however, still regard the practice of yoga as an alternative form of exercise. Initially, they are drawn to the physical attributes of the practice, yet with time they recognize the mind-body benefits that go well beyond physical fitness. There is a lengthy menu of yoga...

Yoga

Why Strength Work Needs to Be a Priority at Every Age

June 28, 2022

Exercise, Fitness, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Healthy Life, Lifestyle Medicine

By: Nancy Palermo “Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.” In 2020 the Baltimore Sun did an article on an 84-year-old grandmother, mother, and retired secretary, Ernestine Shepherd, who won the Guinness World record for the oldest female competitive bodybuilder in the world. This record won her the title of “6-pack Granny” What makes Ernestine’s story so amazing is she did not start working toward this goal until her mid-50s after the death of her sister. Prior to that she rarely visited a gym. Ernestine’s story is a great reminder that it is never too late to get in shape, and you are never too old to build muscle. There are many reasons we want...

muscle strength training

3 Benefits of Strength Training for Women Over 50

June 14, 2022

Exercise, Fitness, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

You probably know some of the benefits of strength training, such as how it increases your physical strength and helps you lose weight faster. What you might not know is that those benefits increase as you age. In fact, strength training can help women over 50 improve their metabolism, fight muscle deterioration, and maintain good bone health. Let’s discuss the health benefits as well as how to get started with a strength training routine. Improve Your Metabolism The higher your muscle mass, the faster your metabolism will be. One of the best ways to increase your muscle mass, and thus speed up your metabolism, is strength training. Good metabolic health is crucial to a number of health functions, most famously maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight....

strength training

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Yoga & Learn September: Non-Negotiable Habits for Longevity

Why 10,000 Steps a Day Isn’t the Magic Number

Why You Need to Pay Attention to Body Composition

Group Classes: A Prescription to Tackle the Mental Health Epidemic

Getting to know Dia Steiger

Get To Know Yoga Instructor Suzanne Bergen

Getting to Know: Yoga Instructor Ashlee Lincoln

YOGA as Medicine

Why Strength Work Needs to Be a Priority at Every Age

3 Benefits of Strength Training for Women Over 50

Where is a Patient to Go? Planning Unplanned Medical Care

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Monday Motivation: Garlic & Gut Health

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