When Billy Blanks put Tae Bo on the map in the late 90′s and early 2000′s, every gym realized they had to offer at least 16 kickboxing classes. Then, people started watching Tae Bo for entertainment and we realized the whole thing was stupid. Goodbye, Kickboxing. Then, word got out about spinning – a fancy name for riding a stationary bike along with a bunch of other people riding stationary bikes at varying speeds. It can be a good workout if done correctly, but the fad passed. It was cool for a while. Then it wasn’t. Then, we moved into Zumba. We may still be there. “Why workout when you can dance and flail your arms around,” Zumba supporters argue. People will later find out that mildly dancing for a half hour might not be as great a workout as it’s touted to be. So, what can you do if you’re disenchanted with kickboxing, spinning, Zumba and all the...
Posts Tagged ‘ exercise ’
Winter Fitness for Women
Winter isn’t all that great. Between cold weather, reduced exposure to sunlight, involuntarily reconnecting with family members you haven’t exactly missed, spending your hard-earned money on other people’s gifts and being confined to the indoors, we’re almost tempted to meet spring with astounding applause. But one of the worst parts of winter is definitely the feeling that you’re preparing for hibernation. Everywhere you turn, there’s food. Connie at work made a 7-layer peppermint chocolate cake. You don’t want to be rude, so you take a slice. Jeanine made a hearty batch of her meaty chili. You have two bowls because it’s so cold outside. Then there are Christmas cookies, Grandma’s special eggnog, four course ham dinners and sitting down in front of a cozy fire and not moving for hours on end. In spring, we’re rewarded with 15 extra pounds and jeans that don’t fit comfortably. Every year we vow to do better next winter. Guess what. It’s almost...
Fitness & Style Go Together
Working out is one of those things that we all know will help us but can be tough to get into. Most people just need that push to get started, which, for a lot of people, can be found in great fashion choices. You don’t need designer bags or diamond rings, but you can looking great can help motivate you to exercise to feel even better. Look good feel better: You may be the type of person who puts on a huge sweatshirt and baggy sweat pants to work out in. I’m not knocking that style at all. You should definitely go with what makes you most comfortable. I personally think that looking good and feeling good go hand in hand. You can get an outfit designed for athletic use that will turn heads and serve a purpose. It will have a positive effect on your psyche too. While you’re working out, it’s always nice to be able to...
Bicycling: A Rekindled Trend
Bicycles have been around since the 16th century. Once the automobile became “preferred transportation,” bicycles were looked upon as toys for children. At the present a trend is emerging, bicycles are regaining popularity. In fact, around the globe bicycles are gaining popularity. A headline from the Moreland News read, “Bikes have outsold cars by more than two million in the past decade, figures released by Australia’s Cycling Promotion Fund show.” Evidently, the residents of Moreland Australia are not only commuting while saving money on gas but also having fun bicycling. The Daily Prime News reported on a bicycle manufacturer in Taiwan, “Taiwan’s assembled-bicycle exports in 2010 exceeded five million units, up 17% from 2009, generating export value of about US$1.35 billion. “ With reports such as this, there is no doubt bicycling is gaining global popularity. Bicycle Share Programs Here in the United States the upward trend of bicycling is clear. Across the nation, new intercity bike sharing programs are...
Family Vacations: It’s the Little Things That Count
In a recent survey commissioned by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, kids were asked about their favorite part of family vacations. Here’s what they said: * going to new places (27%) * spending more time with parents (18%) * staying in a hotel (14%) * playing in a swimming pool (11%) * not going to school (11%) Moms surveyed said that they want to take the kids on a nice vacation to: * provide new experiences (79%) * relax and have fun (66%) * get away from the stress of work, school and home (63%) * spend one-on-one time with them (44%) Grand sights or theme parks are only part of the vacation experience. As this survey shows, what happens around the main events is often the stuff of the best family memories. For a trip that gives kids and parents happy memories, get everyone in on the planning and keep these tips in mind. Recommend on...
Ten Minutes to Feeling Good Every Day
Start the Day off Right – Ten Minutes to Feeling Good Every Day As the days begin to grow shorter and shorter, it’s likely you’re finding your to-do list has reached a length of world-record length proportions. With so much on your plate, it is easy to forget to take care of yourself. Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, recommends you take at least 10 minutes each morning and dedicate them to doing something good for yourself. She’s developed several simple and easy tips that can boost your mood and productivity before even stepping out the door. “Ten minutes may not seem like it will make a difference, but it’s plenty of time to get your day started off right,” says Bonci. “It’s important to remember that living a healthy lifestyle is a life-long commitment – that doesn’t necessarily need to take a lot of your valuable time.” Confidence is Key: Say to yourself...
Losing Belly Fat
Almost everyone knows the best way to lose abdominal fat is to eat right and exercise regularly. There is an immense amount of research showing the fastest way to burn off the fat from the belly is with a combination of weight training and aerobic exercise. A good example is the research published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. I this particular study, researchers compared the success of two exercise and diet programs. Subjects participating in the study were assigned to one of two groups. Group one consumed a diet based on the traditional food guide pyramid (50-55% carbohydrate; 15-20% protein; less than 30% fat). Exercise included a cardiovascular workout 4-6 days per week at 50-75% of their maximal heart rate. Each workout lasted 30-60 minutes. Group two consumed a higher protein and lower in carbohydrate and fat diet. Their exercise regiment included alternating days of resistance and cardiovascular interval training at six days per...
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