How To Look And Feel Better With A Good Health And Fitness Program

Ryan Cote asked:


Spring has sprung and it’s an ideal time of year to spring into action about your health and fitness. During the winter, we often put on a few pounds eating comfort food and avoiding the cold. As the warm weather arrives and we shed our heavy winter coats, everyone wants get rid of that extra weight so we can look and feel our best in our tank tops and shorts.

An ideal way to lose a few pounds is to start a regular health and fitness program and do it at least four times a week for a minimum of thirty minutes. Choose an activity you enjoy so you will look forward to exercising. Consider that working out benefits not just your physical, but your mental and emotional health as well. In fact, aerobic exercise and weight lifting helps your body to produce endorphins, naturally making you feel happier. According to Harvard psychiatrist John J. Ratey, M.D., working out increases the level of important antidepressant chemicals in your body such as norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. As the levels of these chemicals go up in your body, you get an overall feeling of well-being.

A regular exercise routine not only burns fat and increases muscle, it relieves stress and depression. In fact, a Duke University study revealed that for certain people exercise can combat feelings of depression as well as certain medications – without prescriptions and side effects.

Another benefit of engaging in a regular workout routine is improved sleep. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is essential for our optimum health. According to a recent Stanford University study, people who exercise four times a week for a minimum of thirty minutes showed a large improvement in the duration and quality of sleep.

If you are looking to lose a few pounds and improve your overall perspective, a good health and fitness program is a fun, easy way to feel and look better today.



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Are you a Bride in search of the Best Health and Fitness program that is right for you?

Natalie Pyles asked:


Are you a Bride in search of the Best Health and Fitness program that is right for you?

Intelligent fitness tips for brides who want to be ready for the biggest day of their life

Your wedding day is fast approaching, and naturally, you want to look your absolute best as you head down the aisle. Before you freak out about what to do with your “trouble areas” and start thinking of all the reasons you **** working out, remember you can do this without a no-nonsense personal trainer or pricey gym membership. It just takes a little discipline, focus and a few smart fitness tricks!

Walk if you can’t run!

» Myth: You have to spend hours running on a treadmill to really get in shape fast.

» Fact: Walking every day is a smart and easy way to kick off your daily workout routine. Keeping a steady stride will help you burn calories, lose weight and relieve any pre-wedding stress.

» Go!: Try to shoot for at least 30 minutes of walking a day when possible, and do this at least 5 days a week. According to the American Council on Exercise, beginners can tone down the initial pressure by limiting both their pace and the distance they walk. This means you can break up the walking into manageable chunks throughout the day and still reap the benefits. Start off with a 5-minute morning stroll around your neighborhood; then increase your time and distance gradually throughout the day. Take a 10-minute walk during your lunch break and a 15-minute walk in the evening after work. Remember that keeping a steady pace is more important than the speed in which you walk. Your goal is to elevate your heart rate slightly (if you can’t talk while you walk, you’re going too fast).

Don’t skip stretching!

» Myth: As long as you break a sweat, you’re getting a full workout.

» Fact: Giving your body a proper warm-up and cool-down isn’t just a necessary part of any workout; it has plenty of additional benefits. Stretching before and after a workout not only increases overall flexibility and boosts circulation, but according to the staff at the Mayo Clinic, it can also improve your posture and relieve stress.

» GO!: Since most types of workouts cause the muscles in your body to flex and contract, you’ll want to stretch before and after each, and at least three times a week, to maintain a balance – especially if you don’t usually exercise. There’s an art to stretching properly. Breathe consistently and deeply, but be careful not to push your limits. It’s normal to feel a little tension, but you never want to prolong or hold a painful stretch.

Snack smart!

» Myth: You must avoid the vending machines at work at all costs.

» Fact: Smart snack choices can be found among the usual junk food offerings. You just have to know what to avoid.

» Go!: You’re busy and sometimes need to snack on the go – we get it. But if you must hit the vending machines, start by seeking out snacks that are low in fat, sodium, calories or carbohydrates, and beware of portion sizes. Live Healthy America ranks classic favorites like Doritos, Skittles and Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts among its top five “just don’t do it” vending snacks. Avoid these and grab something from its best-bets list: Baked! Lay’s Original Chips, Planters Sunflower Kernels and Smartfood Reduced Fat Popcorn.

Don’t believe everything you read about water!

» Myth: Drinking bottle after bottle of water will help you lose weight.

» Fact: There is such a thing as drinking “too much” water, and doing so can cause cramping and sodium deficiencies among other complications.

» Go!: People often say that drinking lots of water can help with dieting and intense workout plans. But if you dig a little more, you’ll find that some medical and health care professionals disagree. While keeping hydrated can help cleanse the body, drinking too much water could lead to decreased sodium levels in the blood. Stay hydrated, but be careful not to overdo it.

References: Idea Fitness, LSJ.com News

Forwarded By, Natalie Pyles

Health & Fitness Expert, Nutrition Specialist, Bridal fitness, Author, and NSA Speaker



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