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Feb 13, 2011

Some Fitness Tips which help you a lot!!!


Strength Training Tips
  • Include some type of strength training in your weekly exercise regimen no matter what your fitness goals are. Resistance training provides many health benefits. Read articles that discuss the benefits further.
  • Don't take the all or nothing approach. It's better to do a little training than none at all. So, even if you can only fit one strength training routine in a week, you'll still benefit from it.
  • If you're a woman, don't be afraid of strength training. You won't bulk up (unless you are really trying to). And, resistance training is easy to start. With professional guidance and direction, you can quickly learn how to train properly.
  • Be sure you are training with the proper resistance size. Ideally, you should choose a size that fatigues you after 10-12 reps.
  • Focus on correct form. If you are unable to use proper, safe form when performing an exercise then you probably are using weights that are too heavy. Choose a size that allows you to train with correct form.
  • Concentrate on the muscle(s) you are working during a specific exercise and don't allow your other muscle groups to assist with the exercise.
  • How long you rest between sets is important. For building muscles and getting bulkier the rest time should be longer. For more muscle endurance and leaner, sculpted muscles the rest time should be shorter.
  • The frequency of your strength training depends on whether your goals are to get bigger and stronger (less often) or whether you want to get leaner and more defined muscles (more often).
  • Try the periodization technique which progress you every week over a 4-week timeframe. Try a plan of starting with lighter weights and more reps, and each week increasing the weight size appropriately and decreasing the number of reps.
Walking Tips
  • Bend your elbows. This will cause your arms to swing faster which in return will help your legs to move faster.
  • Keep your stride short. Don't take long strides that feel awkward.
  • Think heal-to-toe. Push-off with your heal. Toes should leave the ground last.
  • Keep your abs pulled in and tight.
  • Include interval training walks that include periods of very brisk walking followed by slower, recovery times.
Exercise & Workout Tips.
  • Replace your sneakers often. At least after every 250 - 500 miles of walking/running.
  • Stair climbing is a low-impact alternative to running.
  • Choose exercises that you enjoy doing. You'll be more inclined to stick with a fitness regimen when it includes things you like to do.
  • Change your fitness routine every 4-6 weeks to prevent a workout plateau.
  • Strive to include total body workouts. These include: cardiovascular exercises, strength training (both upper and lower body), core training and stretching/flexibility.
  • Measure your exercise intensity. There are several methods: heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, talk test.
  • Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of an elevator.
  • Stretching and flexiblity are very important aspects of good physical fitness, so don't overlook them. Ideally, you should stretch before each workout (both cardio and resistance exercises) and after each workout. If you can't do both, then make the after stretching a priority.
  • When stretching before a workout, it's best to stretch after you've gotten warmed-up for about 5 minutes (your muscles will be looser).
  • When working out on cardio equipment (e.g. elliptical trainers), don't lean heavily on the handrails. This will reduce the amount of calories you burn.
Weight Loss & Diet Tips
  • Exercise is not enough. You must also include healthy eating habits.
  • Make a list of all the benefits regular exercise provides you. Everything from feeling healthier, sleeping better, preventing depression, feeling stronger, etc. Post this list somewhere that you will easily see it everyday so that it can serve as a reminder why you should workout.
  • Eat breakfast every day. People who eat breakfast consume fewer total calories during the day then those that don't.
  • Don't waste your calories on drinks. Drink low-calorie or no calorie drinks instead (preferably water).
  • Try to take at least 20 minutes to complete a meal. This is how long it takes for your brain to recognize that your stomach is full.
  • Use a lot of spices and seasonings when cooking low-fat/low-calorie meals. They can make your meal taste so much better and therefore make you feel more satisfied.
  • Decrease your caffeine intake. Too much caffeine can decrease the burning of stored fat.
  • Consume at least 64 ounces of water per day, plus an additional 16 ounces for every hour of moderate-intensity exercise.
  • Each day fill a container(s) with your daily water supply so you'll always know how much you've drank and ensure you drink the required daily amount.
Running Tips
  • If you are new to running be sure that you have been walking for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week about 3 months before you try to transition to running. 
  • Do not bounce or overstride. Don't let your foot get ahead of your knee. Run from the hips down with the upper body straight up and used only for balance. 
  • Breath in through your nose and out through pursed lips.
  • Choose shoes appropriate for running and that fit well -- they don't cause any discomfort or blisters.
  • When running in colder weather be sure to wear a hat. A large amount of heat can be lost through your head.
  • Replace your running shoes at least every 400-500 miles.
Holiday Tips
  • Create a plan ahead of time. Before the holidays sneak up on you, create a plan for incorporating fitness and good nutrition into your daily routine. Evaluate your holiday and then determine how much time you will realistically have available to devote to working out and/or eating healthy meals.
  • Schedule your workouts. Mark them on the calendar and set-aside time to complete them. Consider them as important as any other appointment or event you have marked on your calendar.
  • When at a party, start by eating some of the healthy offerings. For example, vegetable sticks (without dip), fruit pieces, plain chicken pieces, etc. Then move on to some of the less healthy (but yummy) offerings. You will be less likely to overindulge on these foods if you have already filled-up on some of the healthier items. Yet, you will not feel deprived or unsatisfied.
  • Avoid wasting calories on alcoholic beverages. The average alcoholic drink contains 150-200 calories per glass. Indulge in just 2-3 drinks and you’ve drunk the equivalent calories of an entire meal. If you partake in these beverages, choose wisely. For example, instead of having a full glass of wine, try mixing half a glass of wine with sparkling water or with a diet cola. This will help cut your calories in half.
  • When shopping, don't search for the closest parking space. Park far away and take advantage of the walk you get.
  • Don’t put your fitness goals on hold until the New Year. If you can’t exercise as often during this time period as you normally do, adjust appropriately. Don’t use the excuse that since you don’t have time for your full workout you just won’t workout at all. Instead accept your limited availability and simply reduce the frequency and/or duration of your exercise. It’s much better to cut your fitness time in half than to completely eliminate it.
  • On the day of a party, be sure to eat regularly all day long. If the party is in the evening, eat breakfast, lunch and a snack before hand (just as you would on any other day). Once you are at the party, go ahead and indulge in some of the fun, delicious foods. Since you have eaten meals earlier in the day, you probably will find that you aren’t tempted to go overboard and eat everything in sight. However, if you starve all day long attempting to save up all your calories for the party, you will be so famished by the time it begins that it will be difficult not to overeat.
  • On days that you really lack motivation or simply do not have time for your complete exercise routine, commit to do just 10 minutes of exercise. You’ll probably end up doing more than that once you get started. Even if you only end up completing 10 minutes, that is still a lot better than zero minutes.
  • When presented with a large variety of food options, it’s tempting to want to eat everything. Rather than eating one large slice of chocolate cake or a huge plate of meatballs, select a sampling of bite size pieces of several of the desert or appetizer offerings. This way you get the enjoyment of trying many different foods without overeating.
  • Exercise at home. You’ll be more inclined to follow-through on your exercise commitment if you don’t have to drive somewhere to do your workout. Plus, you won’t waste any time on driving, parking, the locker room or waiting to use equipment. Working out at home requires very little equipment (even can be equipment-free) and is quite inexpensive.
  • When running errands or shopping, be sure to pack some healthy snacks to have on-hand. Then after you work-up a big appetite, you won’t be tempted to grab something at the mall food court or the fast food restaurant on the way home.   
Bridal Tips
  • One of the most important things to remember if you are trying to lose weight is too start early. For example, don’t try to lose 20 pounds two months before the big day. The key is to plan ahead so that you can lose the weight (or just firm up) gradually. 
  • Be realistic with yourself. If you’ve never been a size 6 in your life, then it is probably unrealistic to think you can magically transform just because you are getting married. Set attainable goals.
  • Brides typically are short on time and long on to-do lists. This leads many to try unhealthy fitness programs or starvation diets. Don’t be tempted by diets that promise quick, drastic results with little effort from you. 
  • It’s very easy for brides to say “I don’t have time to exercise” or “I’m too tired to exercise”. But diet and exercise should always go hand in hand. Without activity your body can’t burn as many calories. If you are very short on time, try to exercise in small 10-minute bursts throughout the day. And, keep in mind that little things help too, like taking the stairs or parking at the outer edge of the mall parking lot. 
  • Eat regularly -- don't skip meals. Not only is skipping meals unhealthy, it often leads to binge eating. That often means eating very fattening foods and/or overeating all at once. To avoid this try packing light snacks to keep on hand throughout the day. Good examples include carrot sticks, cheese strings, peanut butter on crackers, etc.
Misc Tips
  • Track your workouts. Keep a daily or weekly log to track all of your workouts so that you can ensure that you are progressing in the right direction and keeping your body challenged. Track such things as frequency, duration, intensity, weight sizes, sets, reps and how you felt during and after your workouts.
  • Have back up plans for all of your workouts. For example, you may plan to workout for an hour after work by doing both cardio and strength training. Then your boss asks you to say late. Your workout time is now limited to 30 minutes. Know ahead of time exactly what workout you'll do in that shortened time period so that you don't waste precious workout time or worse decide to forego it all together.
  • Avoid highly processed foods whenever possible. Stick to whole foods. Complex carbohydrates are fine, just avoid the over-processed, simply carbs.

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