Susan Rudnicki

Licensed Psychologist | Certified Personal Trainer

“We design our lives as distinctly through the choices we don’t make out of fear as by the choices we do make with conviction.”
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March 30, 2012

Participatory Versus Earned Trophies: Implications for Children’s Future

Kid holding a soccer trophySpring sports season is underway. As the season wears on – we see the ups and downs of children’s reactions to wins and losses. In some sports leagues, all of the kids receive a trophy, regardless of the champions. Is this really the best lesson to teach children?

Think about the differentiation between intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation comes from the pleasure one gets from the task itself rather than from receiving external or outside rewards. One of my advisors at Brandeis University (my alma mater) is a well-known social psychologist who researches predictors of creativity. As an undergraduate research assistant to one of her thesis students, we traveled throughout the Boston area, taking pictures of various artworks designed by student artists that were created either for classes or for pure self-satisfaction. Result of the study revealed that the judges’ ratings of creativity were higher for artwork produced as a result of satisfying an internal desire. How does this relate to kids’ trophies? Read More ›

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February 9, 2012

Ten Life Lessons

The new calendar year is approaching, an ideal time for introspection. I stumbled across a wonderful memorial service given by an alumnus, Peter Gwillim Kreitler, of the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut on the occasion of his 50th class reunion. He shared ten life lessons he and his peers had learned while at the school. He opened his delivery by stating, “We have been given a birth we did not request and a grave we cannot escape. The time in between defines our lives, defines who we are as men and women.” He inspired me to identify ten life lessons that have been poignant throughout the yearly chapters in my life. Read More ›

Posted in Family, Fatherhood, Inspiration, Motherhood, Society | Leave a comment
December 9, 2011

Antioxidant Rich Foods

Antioxidant-rich berriesWherever we turn we seem to be reading or hearing something about antioxidants. So what is really so great about them? Antioxidants help prevent the cold and flu by keeping your immune system strong, which is particularly important during this time of year. They also help destroy free radicals that play a role in cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases, while promoting the growth of healthy cells. Below is a list of foods high in antioxidants. Read More ›

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November 1, 2011

Childhood Obesity: Illuminating the Internal Will for Change

Food as a reinforcement method may contribute to childhood obesity“You got an A on your test, let’s celebrate with ice cream.” Sound familiar? More children are overweight today as compared to previous generations. The childhood obesity rate has tripled since 1980, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Georgia’s statistics are quite concerning, with an alarming 37% of children ages 10-17 considered to be overweight. Consequently, children today are at greater risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Parents who reward good behavior with junk food may unknowingly be contributing to these disturbing health statistics and the obesity epidemic in America. Read More ›

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September 9, 2011

The When, What and Why of Eating Before a Workout

Eating before a workoutIf you have been searching for a hard and fast rule about what, when, and even if you should eat before working out, unfortunately there is none. There is no secret to timing your meals in order to get the most out of your workout — the best combination of when and what to eat varies from person to person. But… making the right “fuel for fitness” decisions for you and your body can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your workout. Read More ›

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July 28, 2011

What’s The Ideal Workout Plan For You?

People frequently inquire about best exercise plan. The answer to this question cannot be answered with a unidimensional response; to do so would be short-sighted. An important piece of information to consider when answering this seemingly simple question is to understand personality profiles, which are multidimensional and complex in nature. Generating an exercise “treatment” plan for each personality type would provide a means for individuals to exercise in ways in which they feel comfortable while simultaneously challenging them to address their limitations. Read More ›

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