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Article #164: Fitness and How to Succeed

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If you have browsed through your favorite our bodies to know that we don't need
bookstore lately in search of help in that energy we have the ability to change
succeeding in your quest to live a that programming through moderate
healthy lifestyle or where to start out consistent exercise spread over 3 to 5
on your fitness program, you probably days a week.
walked out more confused then when you As an important note please do not get
walked in. Looking to the internet in discourage by all of the charts that have
many cases is not much more help due to been published showing that for example
the massive amounts of data to sift you burn 200 calories after doing a
through much of which is geared toward specific exercise for 30 minutes. The
those that mother nature still favors. truth is that your body continues to burn
Lastly much of the information you find calories at an increase rate long after
does nothing more than explain why we you have stopped exercising and as
should be working out and staying active, previously mentioned your body will learn
something we have all heard and are well to burn more calories on daily basis.
aware of at this stage in life. If cost is a concern one of the most
For those of us that mother nature does effective and efficient exercises is
not favor quite as much as before we walking. With a good pair of walking
turned 40 we can read all of the fitness shoes you are ready to go. From walking
articles that we want, sign-up for through the neighborhood, walking on the
various programs, getting a training track at the local school or walking
coach and any number of other options, through the mall during bad weather you
but something the marketing gurus fail to have an unlimited number of options. In a
mention is that biochemically speaking we number of cities malls have started
are not programmed to succeed. Mother opening their doors long before the
Nature has started turning off those stores open to allow patrons to do their
longevity signals, the rebuild/repair walking without the added challenge of
signals and no amount of training is dodging shoppers.
going to change that - sorry. The good Please do not forget or discount strength
news is that we can turn these signals training. In order to maximize your
back on and once we have our bodies in an benefits gained from exercise it is
anabolic (rebuild/repair) state we can imperative that increase your upper body
succeed and in grand fashion. The key to strength. Most exercising provides great
turning those signals back on is DHEA benefits to all of the large muscles
which has been proven in numerous IRB located in our legs, but does little to
certified tests to have a profound impact increase our upper body strength. If you
on the aging process and most importantly are wondering why the importance of upper
returning our bodies, biochemically body strength/training keep in mind that
speaking, to a more youthful state. To do 65% of your muscles are above your waist.
this properly please see a use with the Research has shown that for most people
direction of your health professional to their upper body muscles are the most
have your DHEA sulfate levels tested. underdeveloped muscles they have. As such
While a very powerful and critical moderate training on alternate days
component to any fitness program anyone provides the most benefit as it gives the
40+ DHEA is not a quick fix and please do muscles the time required to rebuild and
not approach it with this mentality. repair themselves after being stressed.
However, take note that it does work and It is important to note that we are not
as mentioned previously there is a lot of talking about large amounts of weight as
data to support this claim. As an example most people could benefit significantly
a year long study with postmenopausal from weights ranging from 3lbs to 10lbs.
women clearly demonstrated increased bone Get help! If you are a do-it yourself
density, improved glucose tolerance, type person this is one area that it is
enhanced feelings of well being, strongly recommended that you seek the
decreased body fat, increased muscle guidance of an experienced trainer. There
mass, improved liver functions and NO are numerous details about training that
side effects. can only be taught by and experienced
Once you shift your body from a catabolic trainer and most importantly having that
(downward spiral) state back into an feedback during the workout process is
anabolic state of rebuild/repair you are critical. Being able to correct bad form,
ready to get to work. posture, and/or little details of a
First and foremost avoid being a weekend particular exercise is very important
warrior. Those individuals that spend a prior to developing bad habits.
couple weekends a month working out Stretching is often an overlooked but
really do more harm than good. In short very critical component for the success
their bodies simply don't ever have an of any fitness program. Strength,
opportunity to increase strength, flexibility and reduced chances for
flexibility and/or stamina and in short injury are benefits of proper stretching
they are putting themselves in a position both before, after and during your
whereby they are much more susceptible to workouts. Yes, during your workout.
injury. Consistent exercise spread Moving through the complete range of
throughout the entire week is much more motion for a given exercise not only
beneficial. stresses the muscle, but provides the
Set goals. Whatever your goals for taking stretching of the muscles that is
up a fitness/wellness program put them in required for full range of motion. Many
writing and just as importantly put them times people feel that the stretching
somewhere that you will see them often. part of the workout is optional, they
Share them with a friend; find yourself don't schedule time for that part of the
an accountability partner; a workout workout and when sporting some sore
partner; or your spouse. By taking this muscles stretching isn't any fun, but
small step you have just greatly your success greatly depends on this
increased your odds of success. Clearly often overlooked component.
defined goals are a critical step towards Rest and Relaxation are just as important
success in any devour. Along the lines of if not more important than the exercise
setting goals, make your goals achievable part of your routine. It boils down to
and realistic. One of the biggest the fact that your muscles do not grow
contributors to people failing when while you are in the gym. That is where
starting out with a new workout regimen they are being stressed, broken down and
is discouragement - we are wired to like tore down due to the stressors of the
success. Set some realistic short term exercises that you are putting them
goals that can be stepping stones towards through. Once you have torn your muscles
your bigger long term goals. Remember it down, they need time to rebuild and
is important to see progress and the best repair themselves. For young athletes
way to measure that progress is to have over training is often one of the biggest
goals. reasons they are not performing at their
Moderation is the key. Moderate maximum potential.
consistent exercise is proven to Armed with the above tips you are much
stimulate your metabolism, promote weight more likely to succeed. Remember to get
loss and most importantly reduces your the important nutrients that your body
risk of injury. Remember that you are needs to maintain an anabolic state,
actually reprogramming your body, over maintain a consistent moderate workout
time, to use the calories that you take pattern, find a workout routine that fits
in daily for energy, rebuilding your your schedule and provides adequate
muscles and not storing it as fat. When stimulation for both your upper and lower
we are sedentary our bodies learn that we body, get help from a professional
don't need a lot of that extra energy, trainer/coach, remember to stretch both
the muscles are NOT working and as such before and after your workouts, and
it is much easier to simply store those lastly relax.
calories as fat. Just as we can program






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