Archive for June, 2012

Staying healthy and staying in shape are not necessarily the same thing, nor do they require the same amount of attention or work. Of course, staying in shape is extremely important and being healthy does make it much easier to get into shape once the time comes, but finding the perfect methods for balancing the two objectives is never an easy task and requires an ample amount of time and consideration. Luckily, others have already put in all the hard work and pulled together the tips below.

Food is absolutely the quickest way to align a healthy and fit life, but also the easiest way to obscure the boundaries. Many meals and supplements that are advertised as being good for fitness are actually very un-healthy. However, most honest health foods will have a positive impact on your shape and tone. Thus, it’s best to stick with the foods that are organic and good for the body; rather than experimenting with various mixtures and surprises. Some sort of milkshake or something similar can be alright in the mid-afternoon, but never use it as a replacement for a full, healthy meal.

When to sleep and when to hit the gym is often a tough battle between people who are just beginning to workout. The truth is, you should sleep according to your normal schedule; don’t alter it for a better workout routine. Instead, mold your exercising and such around the times you usually go to sleep and wake-up.

You should do some light exercise before sleep; it helps you sleep more deeply  and get there faster, but likewise, it’s often good to workout not long after you start your day. This doesn’t mean workout just as you awake, but rather, after you have eaten a good breakfast, prepared for a full session, and are completely aware. Never start exercising if you are tired or not fully alert.

It’s good to map tough workouts on a constant schedule, but don’t push your body beyond your known limitations without first preparing yourself. Go at a steady pace and have good goals laid out along the way. Attempting to rush into a state of physical perfection will not only ruin a healthy lifestyle, but often will result in disappointment because you won’t achieve it as fast as you are imagining. It is best to take a comfortable, steady stride and know what your different long-term and short-term goals are. If you stick to this schedule and workout properly, these goals will become accomplished before long and everything will work out perfectly.

In either situation, healthy or fit, it’s best to avoid alcohol under most circumstances. As adults, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a drink on occasion and this isn’t going to hurt anything. It is actually believed to be healthier to have a glass of wine once a week, but you should never attempt to do any exercising or lifting once you’ve had a drink. In all circumstances, safety is extremely important and can be easily forgotten once you’ve had a drink. Never allow yourself or a friend to work out if the two of you aren’t fully alert and coherent. Each glass only makes that bar tougher and tougher to lift, not a good thing when disaster strikes.

These little lines may be hard to walk at times and the two lifestyles often seem to contradict one another at the oddest times, but if you look closely and pay attention, they are both aiming for the same thing. In the end, you should be healthier, happier and in a better shape than before. Never sacrifice good health for anything and if you follow these guidelines thoroughly, there will be no problem living on both sides of the coin.

Improving your fitness also includes elements that will improve your overall health. If you have avoided exercising for a few years, it can be difficult to get back into a regular routine. Follow these tips to improve your fitness and your health.

The type of exercises you should do depends on what your final goal is. If your goal is weight loss, you should alternate strength training with cardiovascular exercises. You can also use some flexibility and stretching exercises to prepare your muscles for a workout.

To keep you from getting bored with your exercise routine and to prevent your body from getting accustomed to repetitive movements, you need to change the types of exercise you do. Luckily, there is no end to the variety of exercises that are available. You can join a gym to participate in exercise classes, use their weights or find a good trainer. You can also purchase exercise equipment and DVD’s to exercise with at home. You can go swimming, ride a bike, jog, hike and walk for effective cardiovascular exercise. You need to get your heart rate up and keep it elevated for 20 to 30 minutes per day, at least three or four times a week.

Although you need to exercise your muscles, avoid pushing them too hard. A build up of lactic acid will create muscle soreness. Some muscle soreness is to be expected but if your muscles get too sore, you may not be able to work out again for a while. In addition, you may not want to work out again if it is too painful. Improving your physical fitness takes time. Do not expect to see results overnight.

Consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet will improve your overall health and give you the energy and nutrition you need to work on your physical fitness. It is also important to remain hydrated. Your diet should consist of lean sources of protein, vegetables, fruit and healthy complex carbohydrates. Keep track of your calories because the most effective weight loss comes from burning more calories than you consume.

Measure your progress by recording your weight and the circumference around your waist, thighs and biceps at the same time every week. Also, pay attention to the way your clothing fits. Several different measurements are required to accurately track your progress. If you only check your weight, it will probably take longer for you to notice results because you are replacing fat with muscle, which weighs more. Do not get discouraged if it takes a month or longer to see any measurable results. Some bodies are especially resistant to change so just be patient.

Reward yourself for even the smallest improvements. If you start to notice that your clothing is getting loose, celebrate by buying a new dress or a new pair of jeans. If you have been especially effective in maintaining your healthy diet, skip one of your tough workouts in favor of a more relaxing yoga class.

You can improve your fitness routine regardless of your age or time limitations. It can be hard to get back into a regular routine but following the tips in this article can help you get started.

Walking is a form of exercise that nearly anyone can do, and it is a good place to start your pursuit of good health. If you have never done any extra activity to exercise, use the information in this article to guide you from a small beginning to a great finish.

If your body is totally out of shape and you struggle with extra weight, even walking a short distance may be difficult in the beginning. Your most important objective should be to just get on your feet and start moving. Even if you can only walk to the street and back, do it every day until you can walk around the block. Each day you walk your body gets a little stronger, and you should be able to see progress after just a week or two. If weather becomes a problem, walk in a nearby mall or join a gym with an indoor track.

You probably will not continue walking if your feet hurt, so invest in comfortable shoes. They do not need to be top of the line or the best brand, just make sure they have good support and a roomy toe-box. Walking shoes are different than running shoes, so start with a good pair of walking shoes. If you need running shoes in the future, your walking shoes will still get a lot of use for every day wear.

If you live in a densely populated area, you may not have access to a favorable walking situation. In this case you could consider joining a gym if there is one nearby, or buying a treadmill. Make sure to try out any treadmill you are considering so you can decide whether or not it is practical for you. Many people have unused treadmills sitting somewhere in their home because they do not like the feel of them.

Hiking is a great form of exercise and is an advanced form of walking. If you are in the beginning stages of walking, do not attempt to hike up and down hills for more than a short distance. Some parks have designated hiking trails and provide benches for resting along the way. This is an enjoyable way to spend some time with a friend in a natural setting.

Once you have built up your endurance for walking a few miles, you could try jogging or running a short distance interspersed with walking. Even if you can only manage a faster speed for a short distance, it is a starting place. Try to increase that distance as much as possible every day, and you will soon be running a mile or so. This level of exertion burns more calories, so you should also begin losing weight as you increase your endurance level.

If you are not sure how many miles you are walking or jogging, a pedometer can measure the distance for you. Once you have worked your way up to walking one hour or more, the distance you are walking will be more important.

Consistency is very important for any type of exercise, and walking is probably the easiest program to stick with. Nearly everyone needs to walk somewhere every day, so use the tips in this article to expand your walking into better health for you.