Keeping Us Healthy, Does Exercise Work?

Studies have shown that exercise can improve an individual’s physical, as well as mental and emotional well-being.

The onset of diabetes in people at risk can be reduced through moderate exercise.  Exercise may also be a big factor in reducing one’s risk of breast cancer, colon cancer and heart disease. Although studies have shown varying conclusions, exercise may also be beneficial for people suffering from osteoporosis. Exercise alone will not lead to reduced blood pressure or cholesterol, and it is not the only means of losing weight.

Through the years, exercise has been glorified as the be all and end all of one’s physical well-being.  It’s been said that walking 20 to 30 minutes a day will improve one’s health. A few minutes of walking here and there, just as long as you reach the 20 to 30 minute minimum is enough to keep you healthy.

• However, you choose to do this, will help you lose weight, keep your blood pressure under control and decrease the possibility of developing osteoporosis.

There is no doubt that exercise is beneficial to everybody. Exercise can be a fun activity, give you energy and put you in a good mood. However, there are certain findings that one has to consider before going into a fitness program.

• Walking and other forms of moderate exercise help reduce the risk of diabetes in people whose blood sugar is starting to rise. These people are usually obese and/or leading a sedentary lifestyle. This was the conclusion reached by researchers who conducted a large federal study wherein participants were assigned randomly to an exercise and diet program, take a diabetes drug or serve as controls.
• Despite all their efforts, the group who exercised and went on a diet lost very little weight. However, they were able to maintain a regular walking program and not all of them went on to develop diabetes.

People who change their lifestyle, from being sedentary to being moderately active, by means of walking, reaps the benefit of increased heart protection. In comparison, a more intense fitness regimen showed only slightly greater beneficial effects.

• It is an accepted fact that exercise may reduce the risk of heart disease. People who take part in an exercise regimen are very different from those who do not.
• Education seems to be a key predictor of good health and longer life, in general. Active people also tend to have more education. People who have an active lifestyle tend to be leaner and less likely to smoke.
• They eat differently compared to those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. With all these findings, it is therefore impossible to conclude whether exercise prevents heart disease or whether people who are at a lower risk of getting heart disease are the ones who are more likely to exercise.

Studies, similar to those done on heart disease, were conducted on the correlation of exercise and cancer, and these produced the same results.

• People who exercised are less likely to develop breast and colon cancer. However, they have not established whether that is cause or effect.
• There is no evidence to suggest that exercise alone will cause a decrease in blood pressure.  It does not make much difference in cholesterol levels either.
• Weight loss can aid in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels but losing weight involves having a nutrition regimen too.

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Achieving Fitness Goals: Building Your Fitness Dream Team

When it comes to attaining fitness goals, where should you go for help? Who would make the best fitness training buddy? Here’s our take on how to build your fitness dream team to help you achieve your fitness goals.

There are three main companions you can have for your fitness dream team: a personal trainer, training buddies, and a training pet – yes you read that correctly. We’ll discuss each one in turn so you’ll know how to find the best of each.  A personal trainer is a fitness training professional. The one who’ll teach you how to workout correctly when you first set out to conquer your fitness goals, but you don’t need one every time you workout.

A weekly or fortnightly schedule is enough to get you going on your fitness plan. However, if your fitness plan involves exercises that need individualized supervision such as yoga or Pilates, you might need one more often.

If funds are tight, you might want to get a virtual trainer instead. Many pro trainers have their own exercise videos, whether for cardio, aerobic, strength, or individualized workouts.

Once you’ve settled on a personal trainer, it’s time to find good fitness training buddies. The rule of thumb is to always have more than one. That way, you’ll always have someone in case the other fails to show or drops off. Ideally, find one who shares the same fitness goals as you. Get one who is at the same fitness level so you could encourage each other, and then get one who has a higher fitness level to challenge yourself. If you do multiple types of exercises, i.e. aerobic and weight training, it is ideal to have one buddy for each activity.

• You can find fitness buddies from your family, friends, the office, a sports club, the gym, or your local YMCA. You can even find fitness training buddies online. You can find a buddy to join you in your fitness workout from just about anywhere, really.
  

  Your Canine Training Buddy Will Commit You Daily To Your Fitness Goals

• For dog lovers, you’ll be delighted to know that your pet can help in your fitness program. Dogs are great fitness workout companions. They don’t complain, they’ll follow you wherever you go, protect you, and keep you company.
• If you’d like to get a dog as a fitness training buddy, try a Labrador. It is versatile, dependable, intelligent, and has good disposition. It’s also energetic so you might have to keep up with it instead of the other way around. You may also want to try German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Jack Russel Terriers, or Collies as all these breeds love to run.

However, make sure your pet is trained first, and be mindful of their needs, as they can’t tell you what they’re feeling.  They might have blistered or scuffed paws, be dehydrated, or tired, so stay sharp. Bring extra water and a drinking cup, and maybe some doggie treats.

Having all these people (and pets) with you makes attaining your fitness goals easier, not to mention more enjoyable.

If you enjoyed this article, please take the time and take our fitness survey so we may continue to research articles of interest. Click Here to take survey

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How Your First Personal Trainer Meeting Supports Your Fitness Goals

How can a Personal Trainer help you achieve your fitness goals? They can show you the correct and safe way to achieve the results you desire. Take the first step and schedule time with a personal trainer at your gym.
See if there is a complimentary free consultation at a local gym. There may even be an open house. If you are interested, take the first step and schedule yourself at the gym reception. It is a smart way to start your workout plan. And you will be working with a certified instructor – usually from the American Council on Exercise, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America or American College of Sports Medicine. Your personal trainer, should be from one of these (or other well-known) organizations. This shows that he or she has, and it satisfied the requirements for certification of personal training. Ask whether they are also CPR / First Aid certified. This is useful to keep you informed and ensure that you deal with someone properly certified. Click Here to take survey

• Be prepared during your meeting with a list of questions for the training you will receive. You will also answer questions concerning your health and fitness. Some facilities even request an okay from your personal physician.

• Your personal trainer can determine the best equipment and exercises to achieve your fitness goals. You may only tour or sample exercise during their first meeting.

When you begin to exercise and follow your fitness routine, start slowly. Listen to your body! Take the opportunity to work with a personal trainer. Do not forget, if it hurts or you are unsure, STOP!

Holistic Fitness Find The Right Fit

Create a comprehensive and systematic approach to your holistic fitness. Many people who are overweight or lack energy struggle with their chosen exercise routine.
There are many choices to get in shape, lose weight and tone: cycling, swimming, jogging or yoga. One of the most important aspects of a healthy life is selecting activities you enjoy.  If you love something, you will be able to participate and integrate it into your lifestyle.

Why you torture yourself? The trick is finding an exercise that is effective and fun. Whatever your choice, start slow and make sure you have enough skill. You may need to book a session with a personal trainer or private lesson with instructor. Take the time and select a good trainer who is good for you, understanding your goals and current fitness level.

• A holistic approach incorporates your weight loss and fitness goals.  In addition to your fitness goals, notice your stress. It may be the reason why you have too much fat around your belly. Stress hormone cortisone fluctuates during the day. Many people nowadays have stress and eat later at night. You are familiar with the results: weight gain, thyroid problems, sleep disorders, an increase in the production of cholesterol and heart attacks.

Holistic fitness addresses both your nutrition and exercise choices. Eat healthy, the right foods and remember to eat enough food if you want to lose weight. Eat too little and the body stores more fat to protect itself from starvation.

Other resources of interest:
http://www.holisticfitness.com/index.html
http://holisticfitness4u.com/

Tips for Yoga Beginners

If you are impressed with the many benefits of yoga and plan to include it in your exercise routine, then you are definitely on the road to leading a healthier and fuller life. However, often yoga beginners in their enthusiasm forget to consider a few facts that are essential to reap its benefits. This often leads an individual to lose interest and give up. So, if you are a yoga beginner, here are a few points that can help you easily move into a regular yoga routine and begin to reap its many benefits.

Choose a good instructor to gain the benefits of yoga
It is advisable for a yoga beginner to learn it under the guidance of a good and qualified instructor. A good instructor will understand the needs as well as the limitations of your body and accordingly suggest the poses that are appropriate for you. A good way of choosing the right instructor is to ask your friends, colleagues, or relatives who practice yoga regularly. Find out about how long the instructor has been practicing yoga and how long has he/she been teaching it. Choosing the right instructor can make it easier for a yoga beginner to enjoy the benefits of yoga and sticking to a regular schedule.

Practice yoga on an empty stomach
As a yoga beginner one thing that you should consider is the time of your session. The best time to practice yoga is early in the morning on an empty stomach. If not, yoga should be practiced at least 2 hours after a meal.

Wear loose clothes for your yoga session
Yoga beginners should pay special attention to the clothing that they wear during their session. Clothes should be comfortable and loose. They should neither be too tight nor too baggy.

Choose a good quality mat
Most yoga poses are done while sitting, kneeling, or standing. Performing it on a hard surface or a too soft surface is not advisable. Invest in a good quality yoga mat which can be easily found in the market.

Warm up before attempting yoga poses
A yoga beginner should always warm up before going into the more advanced poses. Although being a little sore after your first class is normal, excessive strains or aches after a yoga session means that you haven’t been warming up properly. Also make sure that poses progress from easy movements to more difficult ones. This will reduce the chances of injuries and also help you gain more benefits from yoga.

Focus on your yoga poses
Yoga is as much for the mind as for the body. So, focusing on the poses is very important. You should always try and get rid of any extraneous thoughts while going into a pose, holding it, or releasing it. Furthermore, distraction can lead you to overstretch your body and injure yourself. Click Here to take survey

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