Category : Article
Posted in Article on April 29, 2012
It can be really difficult to get your kids to exercise these days. They are so involved with video and computer games as well as their homework, that they don?t seem to think about exercising at all. As a parent you need to come up with some inventive ways of getting your kids outside into the fresh air.
The first tip that I can give you is to make exercise fun and more of a game. This can be done in several ways.
Going for a scenic hike
Playing a game of soccer, volleyball or baseball with your kids
Going for a family bike ride
Going camping for a weekend
Jumping rope
Using an outdoor trampoline
Swimming at the pool or beach
For example if the entire family goes on a camping trip your kids can go looking for firewood, swimming and even fishing. This provides them with exercise and fun at the same time.
Back at home even building a new picnic table or tree fort is exercise. You don?t have to think about running or doing pushups and jumping jacks to get exercise. The more fun and less like a regimented exercise the activity is, the more likelihood your child will enjoy their time and want to do it again.
It really is important to get your children into the habit of exercising regularly. Obesity in children in the Western world is at an all time high. This is mainly due to lack of exercise both at home and because of cutbacks in the education system. Many schools today offer very limited programs when it comes to sports.
Other easy tips to encourage your kids to exercise more are to get them to take the stairs instead of using an elevator. As a family when you visit the mall park your car further away so everyone has to walk further to get to the entrance.
Get into the habit of going for a family walk or go swimming together on the weekends. Depending on where you live you can go ice skating or cross country ski-ing and even skateboarding together. This way you are actually practicing what you preach to your children and this can make a huge difference.
Setting limits for television, video, computer and cell phones is sometimes a necessity in order to get your children active again. As your child becomes more active they will sleep better, have more energy and will probably lose a few pounds in the process too.
Posted in Article on April 24, 2012
Obesity is defined as having too much body fat. The body consists of water, fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. When there is too much fat, you are at higher risks for health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
When you are obese, you magnify your risk for heart disease. When there is excess body fat it raises your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It raises your blood pressure and can lead to diabetes. In some cases for people with diabetes, they have doubled their risks for a major heart attack or stroke.
Obesity is caused by having more calories consumed, than are burned with physical activity, whether from daily activity or exercise. When there is a great deal of calories consumed, with too much saturated fat and cholesterol, the levels of cholesterol in the blood rises. This increases the risks for heart disease.
Determine If You Are Obese:
Body fat is measured by waist circumference and by body mass index. The high-risk waistline is more than 35 inches for women and more than 40 inches for men.
The body mass index assesses the body weight in comparison to the height. It is a method to measure the body’s composition in correlation to the body fat. It is calculated by taking the body weight in pounds divided by the height in inches squared then multiplying it by 703.
The National Center for Health Statistics has the following levels for mass body index calculations:
18.5 is considered underweight.
18.5 – 24.9 is considered healthy.
25.0 to 29.9 is considered overweight. This is generally 10over the ideal body weight.
30.0 or greater is considered obese.
Extreme obesity is defined as a body mass index of 40 or greater.
Here are some suggestions to reduce or prevent obesity:
1. Add physical activity to your daily routine. Adults need to have at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity three or four times a week. Children need to have at least 60 minutes the same amount of times a week.
2. Reduce time watching television or sedentary activities including time on the computer or playing video games.
3. Create opportunities for physical activity at work as well as home.
4. Promote healthier choices of food serving five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables every day.
5. Reduce the portions of the food consumed. Avoid “supersized” meals and value meals with larger portions.
Taking steps to avoid or reduce the chances of obesity has many benefits for everyone. The fact of living a healthy longer life is incentive to work on the weight issues leading to heart disease and other health related issues. Americans have the highest rate in the world for heart disease based on the amounts of people that are overweight.
Posted in Article on April 22, 2012
Depending on where you live and what your lifestyle is, you might be able to get in better shape and improve the planet at the same time – by commuting smarter and healthier.
The United States is a car-based country. The vast majority of individuals who are of an appropriate driving age happen to own an automobile, and many children spend hours and hours saving up for that very first car. While much can be said for the car in terms of convenience and accessibility, our constant attachment to our cars contributed heavily to the United States?
Posted in Article on April 16, 2012
Exercise and nutrition do go hand in hand. If you suddenly begin exercising strenuously without adequate nutrition you are going to start feel weak and sick before you know it. This is why it is important to eat properly and keep hydrated before, during and after your exercise routine.
Before starting your exercise program make sure that you have eaten something. A small amount of protein with some complex carbohydrates is a good choice. This snack will help fuel your body and provide you with energy while exercising.
Being properly hydrated is crucial for anyone at any time but especially when doing some form of physical exercise. You should always try to carry a water bottle with you and sip on water every 10 minutes or so. Being hydrated will help prevent your muscles from becoming too sore and helps reduce painful muscle cramps.
If you feel shaky after exercise your body may be requiring some food. So eating another small snack is advisable. Try eating a piece of fruit such as an apple or handful of grapes. This should be enough to see you through until your next meal.
Eating healthy during the day will also help your body get the most benefit from your exercise. If you are attempting to lose weight then cut back on sugars, starches and fats. Instead you want to concentrate on eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Protein is important and should be eaten in small portions. It is recommended that you eat lean, low fat choices of protein such as chicken, turkey, fish and avoid eating too much red meat.
The top tips for both fitness and nutrition can be summed up into the following points:
Always drink enough fluids before, during and after exercising
Eat a small snack before working out
Eat fresh foods as much as possible
Always take the time to warm up and cool down to avoid injury
If adding a low impact exercise to your lifestyle is a new concept then pick something that you will enjoy. Many types of activities can be classed as low impact. Walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, ice skating and golfing are just a few of your choices.
Pilates and yoga may sound easy to do but they are low impact workouts that can be very strenuous and good for your body. Don?t forget too that you don?t have to stay with one exercise. Pick a variety and do them once a week or a couple of times each month. This way you are less likely to get bored and will stick with your new exercise plan.
When it comes to working out most people envision gyms and having to use all types of exercise equipment. This is absolutely not true! It is possible to get a great workout in just by performing some simple but effective moves. All of which require nothing more than the use of an exercise mat.
Circuit training is very popular and is the perfect way to get a full body workout in over a short time period. Doing quick sets of different movements allows you to exercise all your different muscles groups.
When starting any exercise you want to spend the first five minutes warming up. This can be done by doing some arm circles, some jumping jacks and a few knee bends. Once you have this completed you can start on your circuit training routine.
The ideal circuit training routine will focus on one exercise for the abdominal area, one for the lower body, one upper body movement that pushes and one for the upper body that requires you to pull. Each set of movements should ideally be repeated ten times in each circuit. The number of circuits that you complete will depend upon your physical condition. At first you may only be able to perform one circuit. That’s fine just work up to adding in another one when you can.
Sample Routine
First 5 or 10 minutes spent walking, doing arm circles and jumping jacks
Push Ups or Chair Dips x 10
Squats, Lunges or Walking x 10
Sit Ups or Leg Raises x 10
Inverted Rows or Pull Ups x 10
If you require a break in between circuits you can continue walking in place until you catch your breath and then start another circuit.
Perform a cool down that includes walking to allow your heart rate to come back to normal. Then perform some leg and arm stretches along with deep breathing exercises.
During your circuit training routine take the time to sip on water to prevent your body from becoming dehydrated. If you feel shaky afterwards this is a sign that your body requires some food so snack on something like a banana or other piece of fruit.
To make your routine fun you can aim to start at 10 reps of each exercise per circuit then on the next circuit decrease the number to 8, the next to 6 and so on until you reach 0. Doing this really makes the time go faster and allows you to perform more reps than you thought possible.
The 3 Day Chemical Breakdown Diet has been called by many other names such as the 3 day heart diet, the Mayo Clinic Diet, and the Cleveland Clinic Diet. Don’t be fooled by any of these names because it is simply a very low calorie fad diet. There’s no magical chemical breakdown in the 3 day chemical breakdown diet.
That said, the 3 day chemical breakdown diet is useful for losing about 5 pounds in a very short amount of time. It is a modified fast that allows you to have about 750 calories a day. Of course, this isn’t sustainable over time, but if you are looking to lose a small amount of weight in a very short period, it can be a godsend.
On most sites promoting the diet, you will find warnings that you must follow the stated rules because the foods work in concert to break down fat. There is absolutely no scientific evidence for this. Instead, as I mentioned before, this diet works because it has very low calories. Any 750 calorie diet will do the same.
Still, the 3 day chemical breakdown diet provides a nutritious balance of foods for the 750 calories that you do get. If you are going to try to go on a modified fast, you can do worse than the 3 day chemical breakdown diet.
Here’s the meal plan on the diet:
Day 1:
Breakfast
1/2 Grapefruit or Juice
1 Slice of Toast
1 tbsp. Peanut Butter
Black Coffee or Tea
Lunch
1/2 cup Tuna
1 Slice Toast
Black Coffee or Tea
Dinner
2 Slices (3 oz.) of any Meat
1 cup String Beans
1 cup Carrots or Beets
1 small Apple
1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream
Day 2
Breakfast
1 hard-boiled Egg
1 Slice of Toast
1/2 Banana
Black Coffee or Tea
Lunch
1 cup Cottage Cheese
or: 1/2 cup Tuna
5 Saltine Crackers
Dinner
2 Wieners
1 cup Cabbage or Broccoli
1/2 cup Carrots
?? or Turnip Greens
1/2 Banana
1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream
Day 3 on the 3 day Chemical Diet looks like this:
Breakfast:
1 hard-boiled Egg
1 Slice Toast
Black Coffee or Tea
Lunch:
1 Slice Cheddar Cheese
5 Saltine Crackers
1 small Apple
Black Coffee or Tea
Dinner:
1 cup Tuna
1 cup Carrots or Beets
1 cup Green Beans
?? or Cauliflower
1 cup Cantaloupe
?? or 1 small Apple
1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream
Do you have a big date Saturday night? Go on the 3 day chemical diet on Tuesday and watch the results. You’ll finally be able to fit into your skinny jeans. Want to knock them dead at your 10 year high school reunion? You’ll make them wish they had voted you prom queen when you go on the 3 day chemical diet.
But, as a lifestyle solution, the program is simply too limited in calories to be sustainable. Women need a minimum of 1200 calories a day over the long haul just to function.
You’ll be hungry on the 3 day chemical diet. And, that is manageable for three days. But long term, you should try a more balanced diet plan.
When it comes to losing weight you must consider every aspect of your body. Just working the lower body is not enough to be able to get you the body you are looking for. A great workout for the upper body is the one arm dumbbell. When you work just one arm at a time, you will find that you get a better work out because you are using more energy to focus on the muscles you are using. The muscles that you use when you do this are the lats (back muscles), the upper arm muscles and even your abs. The great thing is that all you really need is one dumbbell of your weight choosing or you can use two which can make it easier.
How to perform one arm dumbbell rows
1. You will want to get into a seated position to make this more like an actual row.
2. Start by leaning forward with your arm extended and the dumbbell in your hand
3. As you pull your arm back, you will also lean back until you are in a straight seated position with your torso at a 90 degree angle to your legs. It is easiest to think about rowing a boat while you are performing this exercise.
4. Keeping your arm straight, you will extend them back out and lean forward again to prepare for the next repetition of this exercise
Tips for getting the best result from one arm dumbbell rows
To get an extra little work on your muscles when you do this exercise, you can twist your wrist at the end when you are fully seated
Another way to get an extra burn and keep yourself on your toes is to alternate arms. It helps to have a dumbbell in both hands in order to keep you from not breaking your rhythm
You will want to make sure that you keep your abdomen held in as you do this exercise and be conscious of your posture throughout the exercise
Just as important as your exercise is to make sure that you breathe properly as you exercise. The best way to do this is to inhale as you pull back as there is more room for your lungs to expand. Then exhale as you lean forward again as this will help to get the air out of your lungs
Make sure that you do not rush through your movements.
If you are trying to get toned, it is a good idea to use low weight dumbbells and high repetitions.
If you are trying to build muscle, you will want to use heavier weights even though you will not be able to do high reps.
You will want to do 3-4 sets of these exercises to get the best results. This can be done either back to back, which is extremely hard, or if you are working on your upper body, you can just do the next set after you have completed the other exercises you are doing in your workout .
The gym craze has been alive and well for years when it comes to people who are looking for ways to get fit. In many ways, a gym is an ideal arena for those who require inspiration to get them to move around, as a gym is a little space carved out on the face of the planet that is specifically geared toward fitness. A shrine to good health, as it were. Not to mention, a gym has more equipment and offers more amenities than most average people couldn’t afford to have in their own home. After all, how many people do you know who are able to outfit a house with a gym, sauna, free weight room, cycle room, and juice bar?
So for those who would like to live healthily, a gym membership is often a step in the right direction. There’s only one main problem standing between many people and the gym, namely, the cost. Even the most bare-bones gym isn’t cheap, and if you’re looking to join the gym that offers the juice bar alongside the elliptical machines, you’re looking at a possible investment of several hundred dollars in membership and startup fees.
For most of us who are looking to live on a budget or have monetary concerns that are more pressing, a gym might not be an option. The good news? Living healthily and being fit doesn’t necessarily have to be a huge monetary commitment. It certainly can be, but it’s more important to make a mental and physical commitment to wellbeing, rather than throwing a wallet at a gym. Even the most expensive gym won’t get you fit if you never go.
For those who would like to work out but keep their pocketbooks lined, here are two big tips on getting fit while saving money that we all know, but might not consider seriously enough.
Run outside. Seems obvious, but you don’t need access to a treadmill to get your cardio in. Many people end up preferring to run outside, as it’s a chance to enjoy some fresh air and the great outdoors. If you have knee problems that preclude you from running on cement, try the outdoor track at your local school. It’s totally free and is specifically designed to be kind to you joints.
Body weight training. Instead of relying on expensive weights or gym memberships, try push ups, sit ups, lunges, crunches, and other exercises that use your own body weight as resistance as a way to stay fit.
Many people think that they don’t know how to exercise for a long life, but really any activity that increases your heart rate and gets your blood pumping is an exercise that can be included in a healthy lifestyle. The key to maintaining a healthy exercise routine and sticking with it is to find an activity that you enjoy and making sure that you do it with consistency.
When you are learning how to exercise, you will find that there are a great many resources on the topic of exercise that you can use to help you understand how activity affects your body. The most important part of exercise that is stressed in all of these resources is consistency. You must find an activity that you like so that you will be sure to do it every single day. For some, running is the activity that they enjoy. For others, it might be riding a bike around their neighborhood. There are so many activities to choose from that there is bound to be one that you will enjoy.
Some of the key points to understand when you are learning how to exercise is how to remain safe. Running, for instance, can be very hard on the joints and you should learn how to lessen the impact on your joints so that you don’t injure yourself while taking part in your favorite activity. If you injure yourself while exercising, it can put you on the sidelines for a while and keep you from getting your daily exercise.
Stretching and cooling down are an important part of your exercise routine. When learning how to exercise, you should be sure to include a warm up period and a cool down period before and after your exercise routine to prevent injury during your workout. A good warm up will prepare your muscles for the strain that you are about to put on them and a cool down will bring your muscles down to a normal state after you have worked them with your routine.
Finding an exercise that you love is a great discovery. Moving your body and experiencing increased strength and endurance will make you wonder why you waited so long. The bottom line is that exercise feels good. There will be an increase in your energy levels during the day and this will mean that you are more productive in your work and daily life.
You can also lose weight with your exercise routine. When learning how to exercise, you will be expending more calories than you typically are and your body will burn them for the energy to use in your new activity. You may even be able to lose weight without a heavily restricted diet as well.
Explore all of the activities that you can take part in when you are first learning how to exercise to find the one that will keep you coming back again and again. This is the best way to stick to a routine and gain some consistency in your exercise efforts. The benefits that you gain will far outweigh any extra time that is given to exercise.
Posted in Article on March 27, 2012
If you want to lose belly fat, exercise with a stability ball. This $30 piece of fitness equipment which is available at most sporting goods stores, may be the key ingredient in your search for a flat stomach or washboard abs. Researchers at Sacramento State University in California found that people who worked out with stability boards had twice the muscle fibers in their stomachs compared to people who did crunches alone. Do a lose belly fat exercise routine with a stability ball.
For beginners, these three lose belly fat exercise described here can help to get you started.
First, sit on the ball and place your hands on the ball for balance. Alternatively, place your hands behind your head which makes it more difficult but a better strength exercise. Slowly begin to roll your hips in a circle towards the right, making small circles and then, as you get comfortable, larger circles. Do 10 to 20 circles then repeat the exercise to the left. While it sounds simple, this exercise will be working all of the muscles of the stomach making it a perfect lose belly fat exercise.
The next lose belly fat exercise is called the Seated March. Sit on the ball with your spine straight and your abs in. Begin a slow march, alternating lifting the right foot and then the left. As you get comfortable with the movement, lift the knees higher and march faster. You can also add a bounce on the ball if you feel comfortable. Repeat this exercise for 1 to 2 minutes.
The final beginner’s exercise I’m going to outline here is the Seated Balance. You will sit on the ball with your spine straight and your abs in. Place the hands on the ball if you are a beginner or behind your head if you have more confidence and lift your right foot off the floor, holding it in the air for at least 5 seconds. Lower and repeat on the left side. Repeat 5 to 10 times. Keep your abs in to help keep your balance.
All of these beginner’s lose belly fat exercise routines have you sitting on the ball. As you gain confidence with the stability ball, you will begin to do exercises that have you starting from the floor, from your knees, and even from lying on top of the ball. The manual that comes with the stability ball should describe many different exercises with illustrations to help you get the gist of what you are supposed to be doing.
If you are under 5’1, get an 18 inch ball. From 5’1 to 5’8, get a 22 inch ball. And, for those over 5’8, you’ll want to use a 26 inch ball.
The stability ball will give you many lose belly fat exercise ideas.
