December 1st, 2008 — exercise
Although most of us recognize that we have to stretch before we exercise there is a lot of confusion out there about how to actually go about it. If you’re not stretching the right way, you could actually be setting yourself up for an injury. Here are some great tips on how to stretch properly and get warmed up for your next workout.
1. Develop a routine.
Your stretching exercises should take about twenty minutes. It may seem like a lot, but that is about the time needed to get completely warmed up. If you are taking an exercise class that has a built-in warm up section, you probably won’t have to do quite this much, but it is important to develop a 20 minute routine of stretches. You may need to consult with a personal trainer, since there are many disciplines that will require a different type of stretching. For example, the stretches for someone that is going to go lift weights will be slightly different from someone that will be running on a treadmill.
2. Never rush.
Stretches are not hard and fast, you’ve got to take your time and work into them. Start off very slowly and gradually increase your pace. It is best to really use that twenty minutes to get your muscles warmed up and your tendons flexing properly. If you are mostly sedentary, it may take a little bit longer at first to get everything working the right way. Take the time that it takes and don’t worry about taking too long. You are still moving around and burning calories, so it’s not taking away from your exercise routine.
3. Hold your stretches.
When you go into a stretch position, you can’t immediately snap out of it. Hold each stretch exercise for a count of ten seconds. One thing that is vital to remember here is that you should never, ever bounce. A stretch is a fluid movement, not a bouncing one. Bouncing is definitely a great way to cause an injury and harm your muscles. Try breathing slowly to help you reduce the urge to bounce.
4. Burning is bad.
If you feel burning or pulling during your stretches, you may not be doing them properly. While it is normal to feel a little pull as you get warmed up, too much is a sign that your body isn’t ready for that particular stretch yet. Start by running in place for a few minutes to get your blood pumping and your muscles ready. Then you can start your other stretches. If at any time you feel a burn or actual pain, stop and return to your resting position. Working through pain is never recommended.
5. Don’t forget you have two sides.
One of the most common mistakes made in stretching is failing to stretch both sides of your body adequately. We all have a side that we favor and a side that is not as flexible. Focus on both and make sure you do the exact same stretches for both sides, for the exact same amount of repetitions. This will help your entire body get warmed up the right way and help prevent injuries.
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November 26th, 2008 — exercise, wellness
If you are finding that you don't have enough time to exercise due to a busy work or home life, there are techniques that you can use throughout the day that will accelerate your weight loss. Most of these can be done just about anywhere and only require a few extra minutes.
1. Take the stairs.
If you work in a building with an elevator, try taking the stairs at least once a day. It may take a little bit longer, but you'll be burning fat while you walk. This of course may not always be feasible, but try to do it at least once a day. You'll have even better results if you completely stop using the elevator.
2. Suck it in.
It sounds silly, but sucking in your stomach throughout the day can actually help tighten your abs and whittle your waist. No one even has to know you're doing it. Just suck in your stomach for five minutes of time throughout the day. This can really help if your exercise options are limited and many women have managed to lose whole dress sizes after just a few weeks.
3. Start fidgeting.
Fidgeting actually does burn calories, particularly if you're someone who always sits stills. We're not advocating driving your co-workers insane with constant movement, but fidgeting with your feet under the desk can make a difference.
4. Use housework.
Housework can actually burn more calories than running and as an extra bonus, your house will be spic and span. Try to set aside thirty minutes a day to vacuum, dust and sweep. You'll be getting a good workout and you'll be getting your heart rate up.
5. Get creative.
If your options are pretty limited, try finding ways to exercise on your lunch break. Walk around outside or at a mall. You'll burn more calories than you would simply sitting at a table.
6. Try leg bends.
You can really work on your lower body without anyone noticing by practicing leg bends under your desk. This is great if you're frequently on the phone and bored out of your skull. Simply unbend your knees and raise up your legs - hold the position for a few seconds and lower them back down. Try several repetitions of this throughout the day.
7. Ask about a company gym.
If you work for a large company, they may be willing to put in a gym for employees. You can then exercise on your lunch break, before you come in for the day or before you leave. Since having fit employees generally means an increase in productivity, most will be willing to consider the addition.
8. Get a desk treadmill / pedal exerciser.
One of the latest innovations is a little treadmill that sits under your desk. You can work your legs all day long without making a sound and you'll stay healthier. Most are quite small and operate on leg power only. This is a discrete way to get your exercise during working hours.
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November 21st, 2008 — alternative ideas, exercise, motivation
There are literally hundreds of different ways that you can get exercise, but not all of them are suited for you. Each one of us has different likes, dislikes and capabilities. The problem facing most people who try to adopt an exercise plan is choosing one that does not fit their body's needs. By aiming too high or picking the wrong plan, you can easily doom yourself to failure.
In order to avoid this, you're going to need to find your exercise niche. It make take a lot of trial and error, but there are exercises that will keep you motivated and will help you have fun while you're losing weight. Exercise is hard enough, there is no need to torture yourself while you're at it.
Let's look at just a few of your options:
Aerobics -
When it comes to burning fat quickly, it's hard to beat aerobics. However, it can be difficult, especially at first. If you are interested in this type of exercise, but you have some physical issues that make it too hard, it's ok to start slow. Go with a low or no impact work out and pick an instructor that you can actually like. It may not be easy, but the right teacher really makes the difference when it comes to sticking with your exercise plan.
Spinning/Stationary Bike -
If organized aerobics are not your style, you can still get your heart pumping in private with a spinning machine or stationary bike. In many cases, you can even get one for your home where you can exercise in private. This is usually a lot easier for those who have issues with their knees or backs and it is a great way to get started.
Organized Techniques -
Tae Bo is a great example of a technique that incorporates several different elements. The classes are usually quite fun and focus on building upper body strength as well as losing fat. If you need a high energy workout that will keep you coming back for more, this is a great choice.
Weight Lifting -
While weight lifting this isn't the best for weight loss, it can be a good place to start. You'll need to add some sort of aerobic element however to keep burning fat. It is important to lift in order to build lean muscle mass however, so everyone can benefit from this type of exercise.
Walking/Running -
If you want to do your own thing, one of the best ways to get started is by walking. You can gradually increase the distance each day until it becomes easier to make it. Running is usually pretty tough to start with, especially if you are really out of shape, but you can try walking for five minutes, running for ten, walking for five, etc... By changing it up, you'll be building up your endurance levels.
There are numerous other techniques and it is a great idea to explore several to see what is really right for you.
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November 21st, 2008 — activities, exercise, goals, gym, rewards
When you're first starting out with your exercise plan, it is all too easy to get discouraged. Working out is not always easy and if you don't take the right approach, quitting can be all too simple. However there are some techniques that you can use to make sure that you actually start to enjoy your workouts.
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Wear Clothes That Fit
First, you'll need to pick a gym that appeals to you and where you feel as though you fit in. Most cities have more than one gym so you can try out of a few on guest memberships to see which ones you feel comfortable with. If you can't find one where you fit completely in, try to schedule your workout for times when you won't have to worry about interacting much until you can build up your confidence.
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Find an Affordable Gym
Second, you'll need to pick a gym that doesn't cost too much. Some memberships can be pretty expensive and it is too easy to justify quitting when it's taking up a large chunk of your income. Try to find a gym that offers discount rates or see if there are guest packages that you can take advantage of.
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Do What You Like
Third, you'll want to find a gym that offers the types of exercises that you're interested in. Whether it's a spinning class, yoga or simple aerobics, having the classes you like at the gym will help you stay motivated. In addition, you'll also want to pick the classes with teachers that you like. This helps make it easier to go through the routine.
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Reward Yourself
Fourth, it is important to set up a rewards system with yourself. For example, if you go to the gym for five days straight, you can treat yourself to a special manicure, a video game or a movie. Just make sure that the rewards are not food related. By setting it up so that you have a tangible reward, you can train yourself to look forward to exercising.
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Make Sure the Gym is Nearby
Fifth, the distance to the gym is very important. Again, you want to avoid making it easy to justify not going. Whether it's close to your house or on the way to work, make sure that it is convenient enough so that you can't make excuses.
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Mix It Up
Sixth, variety is the spice of life. It is too easy to get bored when you do the same exercises over and over and it won't help if you have hit a plateau. Look for a gym that offers several different options so that you can change up your workouts. This can really make a big difference in how you look forward to exercising.
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Set Reasonable Goals
Lastly, you'll need to set reasonable goals for yourself and stick with them. Try rewarding yourself like we mentioned above when you reach them. Start small so that you don't get discouraged. Whether it's losing five pounds, or being able to spend ten straight minutes at top speed on the treadmill, set little goals to give yourself a reason to keep trying.
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October 30th, 2008 — Weight Loss Journal, activities, alternative ideas, exercise, gym
As summer winds to a close, it’s time to start thinking about what you plan to do to keep fit over the winter. If your current exercise plan requires you to be outdoors, or if you live in an area where extreme temperatures or weather events make it hard to travel to a gym, it’s important to put together a plan that will allow you to keep fit, no matter how bad the weather gets.
Many people make the mistake of forgetting to make their plans, and end up completely off their fitness tracks just a few months into winter. If you don’t want this to happen to you, the key is making sure that you are prepared. It doesn’t take long to come up with alternative plans and if you’re already to go, it won’t be any big deal to implement your plan when bad weather hits. Here are a few ideas to get you going.
1. Consider indoor swimming.
This is a great way to stay fit in winter, and if you live in an area where it is very cold outside, there is nothing quite like getting in a nice heated pool. Swimming is great cardio exercise and there is no impact, so it is perfect for those that are either coming off of an injury, or for those that aren’t quite ready for strenuous exercise. Even though it’s joint friendly, you can still get quite a workout by swimming a few laps. Most towns should have at least one indoor swimming pool and larger cities will have gyms that offer this feature.
2. Walk inside.
If you are into walking to keep fit, transferring your walks indoors will ensure that you are able to stick with your exercise plan no matter how cold it gets. Consider signing up at a gym that has an indoor track, or you can always walk for free at a local mall. Walking is a great way to get your heart pumping, and it’s also one of the easiest ways to get exercise.
3. Start a gym membership.
If you need to use exercise equipment, or you want the structure that a class can bring your exercise plan, you may want to consider signing up at a nearby gym. The one downside is that you may not be able to get to the gym if there is bad weather, but you can also set up alternative plans for those days ahead of time.
If you don’t want to work out at a gym, but you would still like to get a good workout, consider picking up a few pieces of workout equipment and making a small home gym that you can use anytime, rain or shine. You can even get great deals on equipment at local garage sales or even consignment stores.
Winter doesn’t have to mean an end to all of your hard work and great progress. By planning ahead, you’ll be able to stay on your fitness track all year round.
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October 20th, 2008 — activities, alternative ideas, exercise, gym
If your budget is keeping you from making a commitment to exercise, there are numerous free or low cost methods currently available. You don’t have to purchase an expensive membership at the gym, or buy expensive equipment for a home gym in order to get fit. Let’s go over some of the best free to low cost ways that absolutely anyone can get their exercise.
1. Tag along.
If you must workout at a gym, find a friend that already has a membership. Most gyms will allow members to bring a guest and this will allow you all the same benefits, but you won’t have to pay a dime. We do recommend doing something nice for your friend to say thank you, but if you are really on a budget, this is a very easy way to get a full gym membership without having to pay a dime.
2. Search yardsales.
Lots of people buy expensive exercise machines that they never, ever use. You can find some truly remarkable deals on equipment simply by browsing through a few yard sales. At this point, most people will be willing to sell that expensive exercise equipment for pennies on the dollar, since it’s just sitting around reminding them that they aren’t using it. Just make sure that doesn’t happen to you!
3. Try circuit training at the park.
You don’t have to go to a gym to workout, you can do it just about anywhere. Take a trip to a nearby park and use the benches for your stretches, run around on the hiking paths and then break up your workout with little bursts of different activities. This is a very easy way to get out and enjoy the day while you are saving money.
4. Get a trial membership at the gym.
Most gyms will allow thirty to sixty day trials for new members to get an idea of whether they want to become full members. You can get in quite a lot of exercise during that time and they may even have a special offer that will make your membership cheaper when your trial is done.
5. Walking is free.
As gas prices go up, it’s becoming harder and harder for people to make ends meet. Try walking more and driving less. Not only will you be getting free exercise, but you’ll also be saving money while you are at it. Now, granted, you can’t walk everywhere, but if it is less than two miles, strongly consider using foot power instead of car power.
6. Checkout workout videos from the library.
Most libraries will have a pretty decent selection of workout videos that you can checkout and use at home. This is a very cheap way to try out new videos or you can just keep checking your favorites out time and time again.
These are just a few examples of easy ways that you can exercise cheaply. Get creative and see what options are available in your area. Remember, walking is always free and so is jogging.
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October 19th, 2008 — Weight Loss Journal
Good morning readers! I hope everyone is doing well and not cheating on their diets. Spend the day doing something fun - go biking or swimming! Take advantage of the day!
Proudly announcing the Carnival of Weight Loss.
From the Readers:
Much thanks to the carnivals this week:
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October 6th, 2008 — Weight Loss Journal, carbohydrates, exercise, heart
While there are many schools of thought on the subject of what time during the day is optimum, it generally boils down to whether or not you are capable of fitting in a workout during that specific time. We’re all on pretty tight schedules these days and sometimes, it is just not possible to fit a workout in at a specific time. However, there may be a few reasons to consider when it comes to picking your best time for exercise, and this may have bearing on how quickly you lose weight.
The majority believe that early morning workouts are best, especially if you have not yet eaten. This means that your body is forced to dip into its reserves and burn more fat, simply because it has not gotten any new fuel yet for that day. This is especially true for high aerobic workouts that require a lot of activity and get your heart rate going.
By exercising that early, you are pretty much guaranteeing that you’ll be burning fat, but this method may not always be safe. For example, your blood sugar levels are going to be very low during this time period. If you go from sleeping to suddenly working out very strenuously, this is going to play havoc with your blood sugar. We definitely do not recommend early morning workouts to those with blood sugar issues or diabetes.
While you can check your blood sugar levels, there is no guaranteeing that they won’t plummet to a dangerous level while you are working out. This is also something that those new to exercising will need to consider. Your body already has an idea of what to expect from your morning routine. If you suddenly throw something new in there that messes up its daily plan for your blood sugar, you may experience some problems.
If you do decide to exercise in the morning before eating, work into it slowly so that your body can get used to it. Keep a snack handy that is full of simple carbohydrates in the event that you do have a blood sugar drop. While this method of exercising can be very effective, it is certainly not for everyone.
The bottom line is, the best time to exercise for you is going to depend on many different factors. Your schedule certainly has a lot to do with it, and you’ll be more apt to keep exercising if it is not inconvenient. You have to look at the big picture when figuring out the optimum time for your workouts and realize that although an early morning workout may work for others, it may not be the best solution for you.
If you are in good health however and have the time available to exercise first thing in the morning, these early morning workouts may be the key to helping you lose weight more effectively. Just remember to put your safety and health first and you should be just fine.
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September 30th, 2008 — caffeine, hydration, sodium, water, wellness
As summer gets closer, many of us are taking our exercise routines outside. It's a great time of year to get out and enjoy nature, but this is also the time of year when the risk of dehydration becomes very real. If you have ever been seriously dehydrated, you know how awful it feels. You become weak, disoriented and you may even do serious harm to your body. It is vital to avoid dehydration during exercise, but luckily, it's also pretty easy!
1. Avoid caffeine.
The number one reason that many of us become dehydrated is due to an excess consumption of caffeine, especially right before exercise. Coffee and tea are the most common culprits since they are incredibly high in caffeine, but soda can be just as dangerous. When you know you're going to be exercising, replace any caffeinated beverage you would normally drink with water. This is one of the easiest ways to make sure that you don't get dehydrated.
2. Listen to your body.
If you start feeling a bit dizzy during your workout, or you feel like you are "whiting" out, this is a big signal that your body is depleted. You need to stop immediately and get some water. Yes, it's a pain, and yes once you get going with exercise, you really don't want to stop, but you need to stop. Sit out and get a bottle of water. Once you feel better, get back to it, but at a slower pace. If you were really affected, you may be done for the day. Don't beat yourself up though. Just take more precautions next time. If you feel that your face is getting really hot, or you look very red and overheated, you need to stop exercising and take a break.
3. Increase your water consumption.
It goes without saying that the more you sweat, the more water you lose. Unlike the winter months, when we really only sweat when we exercise, during summer, you may actually be sweating all day long. You're going to need to up your water intake, especially on days when it is very hot. Just remember that too much water is a bad thing too. Add no more than two or three extra glasses of water, and never drink more than half a gallon in one sitting to be on the safe side, much less if you are small.
4. Avoid diuretics.
If you are taking any diuretics to help you lose weight and you are not under the care of a doctor, you are at serious risk for dehydration. If you are on prescribed medication, you will need to discuss your exercise plan with your doctor and work out how to stay hydrated. It is also important to avoid foods that are natural diuretics, such as celery or coffee. Both can seriously deplete your fluids and you may not even realize it. Always use caution when exercising if you have been taking a diuretic.
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September 21st, 2008 — Meals, Weight Loss Journal, exercise, food, nutrition, weight loss, wellness
In this edition of the Sunday roundup I've pulled several posts from blogs on a myriad of subjects but mostly I found posts on the subject of losing weight. Hopefully they will help you on your way to a healthier and better life. Have a happy and healthy weekend!
The Fitness Health Network Presents:
From WL Readers:
From the News:
What was your favorite article on health from the last week?
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