Archive for the ‘fitness’ Category

If you have decided to begin working out at a gym, here’s a good video to get you started with the proper form for using exercise machines.

Today I’d like to share with you an article by one of my favorite health and fitness experts, Lori Shemek.  Enjoy!

Your 5 Quick No-Fail Action Steps to Exercise Success – The SMART Program

By Lori L. Shemek, Ph.D.

Most of us start an exercise program and soon give-up. Why? When we first begin we are all pumped-up ready to follow our goal(s) without fail. One problem is that initially we may have too much exuberance. This leads to over-training resulting in injury. But most commonly, it is our inability to stick with the program due to injury, external/internal events and more. If I told you there was a blue-print, a map, that told you everything you must do in order to be successful in your exercise endeavors, would you want to learn about it? Well, look no further. Here I have put together a simple list of necessary elements that are vital to your successful health goals. The program I’ve created is called the S.M.A.R.T Program. These five actions will literally create fitness success in your life.

The S.M.A.R.T Program

S – Schedule

Schedule your exercise. There is much research showing that by writing down the date and time you will be exercising will ensure success. By scheduling your work-outs, you are creating neuronal pathways in the brain that set-up this expectation that you will be exercising on a certain day and at a certain time. After roughly three weeks, you will have literally created a habit! The act of scheduling also conquers the objection to “I don’t have enough time to exercise” Treat your scheduled exercise with the same regard as you would a doctor or dentist appointment.

M – Motivation

Motivation can be hard to come by when we are faced with all of the external and internal pullings of our lives. This is why, if you are to remain motivated – you must always remember the reason why you wanted to exercise in the first place. Go back to that place when you were first energized and ready to conquer the world! Keep the reasons “why” imprinted in your brain and habitually go to it when motivation wanes.

A – Action

Just Do It! I know it can be difficult to get moving at times, but just remember this..energy creates energy. The more you move your body, the more energy you have – even while exercising. By moving your body you will profoundly change your life. You will have the leg strength to move your body easily through life, you will have a heart that will not have to work as hard, and you will have powerful lungs. So, from now on, do not think about whether or not you’ll exercise – put your shoes on and Just Do It! Let me repeat: Just Do It!

R – Rest

Do you know why most people quit their exercise programs? Injury and fatigue. These people are so energized in the beginning, that they go to the gym twice a day, they run way to many miles, they pump way too much iron etc, and then they get injured, discouraged and quit. Rest is vital to a well-rounded exercise program. By over-doing your fitness, you are depleting your energy stores rather than building them up. This has an overall effect that targets your motivation and action. Important: Start out slow and easy, then gradually build-up your endurance.

T – Tenacity

Did you know that some of the most successful people in the world share a common characteristic? They are tenacious. They persist until they have achieved their goal, even when they feel like quitting. You must believe that you hold the power to do anything that you set your mind to. When you feel like giving up – ask yourself if there isn’t something else you can do. Can I put more effort into making my fitness goals a reality? Have I tried another strategy? Will quitting help me accomplish my goals? Remember that trials will come, difficulties will arise and you will want to quit. Reject all thoughts of failure. Tomorrow is another day and as long as you get back on the horse, you will succeed..because you are tenacious.

Your health and your quality of life depend upon your actions. As long as you follow the S.M.A.R.T. Program tenets – you will achieve success!

“Our decisions – not the condition of our lives – determine our destiny.” ~Tony Robbins

Living a healthy life is easy once you have the knowledge. If you would like to learn more about how to easily integrate the S.M.A.R.T Program into your life or any other area of health and nutrition, please visit us here: http://www.dlsHealthWorks.com/ and while you are visiting, please sign-up for your FREE Health Tips. Here you will find everything you need to create optimum health in your life.

Lori L. Shemek, PhD, CNC, CLC, is Founder and President of DLS HealthWorks. Lori has devoted the past 20 years practicing and teaching others how to easily CREATE OPTIMUM HEALTH in their lives. Lori is the Co-Author of “A Practical Guide On Aging Parents And Nutrition.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lori_L._Shemek,_Ph.D.
http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-5-Quick-No-Fail-Action-Steps-to-Exercise-Success—The-SMART-Program&id=3187222

I just found out about a new circuit training program I want to tell you about.

It’s called Sizzlin’ Circuits and it’s from Angie Tousignant, wife of Scott Tousignant, who is the genius behind  Fat Loss Quickie.

This comprehensive diet and exercise program is designed to target your thighs, butt, and waistline.  The videos are fun to follow and the meal plans take the guess work out of deciding what to eat.

When you order Sizzlin’ Circuits, you get:

• 3 workout videos
• 2 cardio videos
• Meal plan and recipe videos
• A workout journal
• 3 motivational audios
• An online support community
• And more

And the number one best thing about Sizzlin’ Circuits?  It costs less than $10! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a complete program offered for such a low price – I hope they keep it that low!  Check out the Sizzlin’ Circuits website and see if you think it will help you!

Are you considering hiring a personal fitness trainer?

There are different reasons that people have for deciding to hire a personal fitness trainer.  Some beginners would like to have someone show them how to get started or how to use the equipment.  Others hire a personal fitness trainer to take them to the next level.

Whatever your reason, there are some questions you should ask before hiring your own personal fitness trainer:

• What is your goal?  Do you want to lose weight?  Build muscle?  Increase your stamina?
• Will the trainer customize a program for you or does he have a  program he likes to use with all his clients?
• Do you want to meet your trainer at the gym or have her come to your home?
• Does he recommend the use of supplements?  What are your views on this?
• Do you also want dietary advice and, if so, does she offer that?
• Do you want to schedule just one or a few sessions, or are you looking for an ongoing program?
• What is the cost?

Ask people you know to recommend a personal fitness trainer, or ask around at the gym if you go to one.  Take your list of questions with you and talk with a few different candidates before deciding on someone.  Don’t be intimidated, especially if you’re a beginner!  Trainers became trainers to help people!  The important thing is to find the right personal fitness trainer to help you meet your specific goals.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please sign up for regular updates.  Thanks!

Here is a yoga demonstration to go along with the yoga article from Wednesday.

Be sure to check out these yoga resources!

I enjoyed reading this article so I thought I’d share it with you.  Hope you like it!

What Yoga Has Taught Me So Far

By Robyn Chubey

Being a Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor and having dabbled in gymnastics and dance, fitness competitions and figure skating for a number of years I thought I was pretty fit, and pretty flexible, and pretty strong. But I noticed when I started yoga, that things I thought I knew had a funny way of turning into “sh!t I didn’t know that I didn’t know”… Pardon my Francais.

Here are some of the things that Yoga taught me in month 1 of practicing:

1) When I took off my shoes, I wasn’t so good at balancing.

2) My hips have a way of pulling and pushing themselves wherever the easiest place is to “not” have to stretch. Even if that place causes me to overstretch something else.

3) Feeling frustration does not make it any more possible to accomplish something; in fact it makes it harder.

4) Trying to compete with someone else, or the irrational ‘lil voice inside my head, will likely lead to physical injury. At the very least it leads to spiritual injury.

5) Faster is not better.

6) Being still and quiet is not as easy as it sounds.

7) Remembering to breathe should be automatic, but it isn’t.

It’s totally possible to be amazing at doing one thing, and then be incapable of doing something very, very similar.

9) Time goes by very slowly when in a deep stretch.

10) The mind wanders, and it is very difficult to rein it in.

And, now, here are some of the things that Yoga has taught me at month 6 of almost daily practice:

1) I didn’t need those shoes, obviously, and now they throw me off balance.

2) My hips are phenomenal things that completely express most of my favourite poses, and if I gently and politely ask them, they will slowly start to give in a bit.

3) Feeling frustration is natural, but it should simply be noted and then let go with a big sigh to make room for other things. It still does nothing to help anything.

4) Competition is great, but is not required on the yoga mat.

5) Speed is very important in a race, but yoga does not have a finish line. If I move slowly, it’s much easier to spot the place and space that needs attention.

6) Being still and quiet is still not as easy as it sounds.

7) Remembering where to breathe in Yoga for me is like remembering when to breathe when singing a very lyrical song. You need to practice the same tune over and over, and then where the breath belongs becomes second nature.

Challenging poses are now my favourite poses.

9) When the time feels like it is going the slowest, I use it to maximize how much gratitude I feel for myself, my abilities, and all the good in my life. Then it feels like it flies by.

10) My mind is still on one side, and really rambunctious on the other. If I give the rambunctious side something to do, like say a mantra, the still side can stop for a moment and take a rest.

Through all this time, one other of my favourite things I’ve learned about yoga, is that unlike so many other activities that you cannot really jump into at a later age, you can undertake this practice and make it’s expression beautiful at any age – and any skill level.

If you would like to read more from me, please visit me at http://www.charmedchatter.blogspot.com
Live, Love, Laugh, and Do Yoga…
Namaste.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robyn_Chubey
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Yoga-Has-Taught-Me-So-Far&id=5137621

If you are ready to try yoga at home, check out these resources.