Exercise: Why YOU Should Do It
June 29, 2008
Hundreds of Thousands of Americans spend millions of dollars each year on diet pills, “magical” exercise devices, and misrepresented health and fitness products, when in all actuality a good set of dumbbells and a brisk walk may be all you need to get in better shape than you’ve ever been in.
What can you do with nothing but a set of dumbbells, you ask? Provide resistance to your body’s movements - also known as weight lifting. That’s all weight lifting is - resistance. The terms “weight lifting” and “resistance training” have become one in the same because they are describing the same activity - moving your body under more resistance than it normally has to handle.
In fact, you’ve just stumbled upon the basic secret of exercise in general! Whether you are talking about resistance training, Pilates, Yoga, cardiovascular activities, or any other form of exercise, all of these programs have one thing in common - performing more activity than you would get sitting on the couch. WHY should you exercise, though?
People Walking: How Some People Enjoy Their Exercise Walking
June 6, 2008
People walking regularly for exercise often walk for more than just that. They are those who have found their sweet spot in walking.
When exercise begins to feel more like enjoyment, you can bet the person who walks will sustain the program against all odds — and lose weight successfully.
It’s such an obvious thing to make your walking exercise enjoyable for greater motivation. Yet so many people walking go out of their way to make it feel like a chore, if only to feel as if they are doing a mighty lot for weight reduction.
How do you add variety and fun? Here are some suggestions that have come to me from persisting "walkers":
* Walk with a friend
* Pick nice destinations or road loops
* Walk at sunrise or sunset ?- enjoy the view
* Walk at busy hour if you love looking at people
* Have fun building a "walking wardrobe"
* Wear a pedometer for the thrill of it
* Walk in a totally new neighborhood
* Take the postman’s beat, or the policeman’s beat
* Walk along the shoreline
Doing vs. Performing: The Difference Between Exercising and Getting Results
May 19, 2008
Back when I was young and living on my parents’ farm, there always seemed to be plenty of tasks that were reserved for the low man on the totem pole. And you guessed it. That low man was me. Picking up and piling sticks seemed to be one of my dad’s favorite tasks for me, and quite frankly, it was one of my least desired jobs to do. Funny how that works. Anyway, every time my dad would tell me to go out and complete one of these undesirable tasks, I would respond with the requisite whining, complaining, and carrying-on that usually comes from a young person who is having to do something he/she doesn’t want to do. Nonetheless, I would slump off and begin my task, usually in a half-assed manner. Then I would rush in and tell my dad I had completed my task. He would go out, check it, and 9 times out of 10, he would make me go back and redo, complete, or what-have-you some of aspect of my job. He would always tell me, "It is much easier to do it right the first time.” This is a lesson that did not sink in until some years later. Now, however, I fully embrace my father’s philosophy, in part, because on a daily basis I see the same issues/attitudes I had as a young person showing up in how people approach their exercise programs.
How to Supercharge Your Energy Levels through Exercise
April 28, 2008
Your energy levels will depend on several factors, including genetics, nutrition, sleep habits, and emotional stress. Some of these you have no control over But there is one VERY important factor that you do have control over and that is your ability to take part in physical exercise.
Need a source of vast power and energy?
Look no further than your gym.
The link between physical fitness and energy is so strong, that doctors have lately been prescribing exercise as treatment for chronic fatigue, depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and insomnia, for instance.
If sufferers of the most stubborn kind of fatigue can be energized with exercise, imagine what can do for those of us who experience ordinary, every-day fatigue.
* Feel Great At Mid-Afternoon *
Your brain thrives on oxygen. Blood transports oxygen to the brain, so the greater blood flow to the brain, the greater the oxygen supply the brain has. As you increase your heartbeat with a vigorous workout, more blood surges through the brain, more oxygen gets absorbed by your brain cells, and you feel more mentally alert and energetic.
How to Get The Most From Your Home Workouts
April 6, 2008
A recent study found that home workouts may do even more good than workouts at a gym. This is good news for people who are time crunched and find it’s too much trouble to make it to a health club.
So how do you get the most from your home workouts? Follow these suggestions:
1. Have A Plan. Know exactly what it is you want to accomplish and how you intend to get there. Plan out the exercises and the amount of reps and weight you will use. If time is a factor, make sure the volume of your workout fits the alloted time. If you can only squeeze in 10-15 minutes, then make the most of it. Use compound moves for the large muscle groups. Use an exercise log and refer back to it. It’s a great way to track your progress.
2. Have What You Need. Make sure you have available any equipment you intend to use and that you know how to use it. If you have never used resistance tubes, then practice with them in advance so you get a sense of the tension they provide. If you plan to use a stability ball, make sure you have the right size for your height. See a chart here.
Arthritis Exercise ? One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 3)
March 15, 2008
There are three main types of exercises to include in a basic exercise program:
- Range-of-motion exercises - These lessen stiffness and help with improving flexibility. “Range of motion” refers to the area within which the joints move naturally or on a daily basis. Although these range-of-motion exercises can be performed every day, it is recommended that they be done at least every other day.
- Strengthening exercises ? There are two types of strengthening exercises; isometric or tightening the muscles without moving the joints, and isotonic, moving of the joints for strengthening muscle movements. It is recommended to do these sets of exercises every other day, unless you are suffering from more than mild joint pain or swelling.
- Endurance exercises ? The objective of these is to increase stamina. They also help with improving your inner personal / mental strength and with improving weight control and sleep. Some of the most popular endurance exercises are stationary bike riding, walking and water exercising. And unless you are suffering from more than mild joint pain or swelling, a 20- to 30-minute workout or two to three short 10-minute bouts during the day is what is recommended, an average of three times each week. Be kind to your body, and it will be kind to you.
Arthritis Exercise ? One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 2)
February 24, 2008
Even when you cannot make it out to walk or to an aquatics or yoga class, there are exercises you can do daily to improve flexibility, strength and conditioning when you suffer from arthritis. You can flex your legs while sitting in a chair facing forward, simply by moving your leg outward while keeping your foot on the floor and holding it there for a few seconds, then retracting it until your foot is behind you, then alternating to the other leg. Interlocking your fingers and slowly flexing your wrists to the left and the right for a few minutes a day can help tremendously to increase flexibility and reduce pain in the wrist area.
For your upper back, you can stand upright in front of a table, then lean over and place your hands on the table and tuck your chin back toward your collarbone. Once positioned as such, lift your upper back upward and simultaneously take a deep breath. Hold that position for 5-10 seconds and then relax while exhaling. While doing this, lower your spine slowly as you move both shoulder blades forward as if toward each other. Repeat this exercise for 10-15 repetitions.
Arthritis Exercise ? One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 1)
February 2, 2008
Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving stiffness in joints, strengthening muscles thereby reducing stress on joints, keeping bone and cartilage tissue strong and healthy, and increasing flexibility. A recommended 30-minute minimum of daily activity is the norm. Before starting any exercise program, it is vital that one speak to their doctor to ensure there are no unseen risks, however you will find that most doctors recommend exercise for their arthritis patients either on their own initiative or when asked.
The types of exercises suggested vary; however, with all types of exercise the warm-up is the starting point. Warming up is best started with applying warm compresses to the joints, followed by mild stretching. Range of motion exercises, such as dance, are a very good start, as are low-impact aerobics. These can relieve stiffness and increase flexibility. Never discount the effectiveness of walking as an exercise. Walking is a great exercise to improve the arthritic condition, and carrying weights as light as one pound and using your arms as you walk can involve the whole body. The "trick" is to make walking interesting enough as an exercise to stay motivated. Try walking in different settings, alternating walking with dance on different days, and of course including a partner can be much more interesting than going at it alone.
Mom, How F.I.T.T. Is Your Workout?
January 14, 2008
Moms don’t have the time or desire to mess around with complicated workouts that don’t get results. If you want real Mommy Muscle you need a plan that’s based on principles not infomercials and advertising.
Some things you can just count on over time. These certainties are the fundamentals of life. Let’s test it. I predict if you have a stroller age baby - they will cry today. Do you want to challenge my prediction?
I doubt it. Why am I so confident? Because my prediction is based on a fundamental principle of infant development. (One you undoubtedly know well.) A baby crying is a principle aspect of their life. It’s a reliable and fundamental behavior that allows us to make informed decisions about a baby’s condition and needed care.
I’ve noticed when it comes to fitness development; many people tend to ignore principles. Perhaps it’s because we’re constantly exposed to books, magazines, fast talkers and beautiful photography that pitch exotic opportunities to transform our lives. Maybe it’s because fundamentals are boring and unsexy. After all we don’t see them advertised. Besides, who wants to hear the way to get in better shape is to take a walk, when the T.V. is tempting us with a tan, toned model smiling at her beautiful boyfriend while taking her fat burning pill?
The New Lover Approach to Starting an Exercise Program
December 24, 2007
Approach a New Exercise Program Like a New Lover
How many times have you decided to get back to some type of exercise program? You’ve bought gear, new shoes, new clothes, whatever is needed. You’ve set aside some time, and off you go. A nice heart pounding workout or two and wham, you’re right back to the couch, watching TV and thinking about starting an exercise program. What went wrong?
Nine times out of 10 what happened was you simply tried to do too much too soon. It’s just like dating. If you met someone you liked and wanted them to like you too, what would happen if you started calling them multiple times every day, leaving clever messages on their answering machine, and buying them cute gifts and cards. How might they react to being smothered with affection. It’s an almost guaranteed way to drive that once interested suitor into performing a disappearing act.
