Keeping Fit

Keeping fit is necessary for a healthy life.Most people come to learn this after falling ill or getting some complication that can only be fixed through exercising.A few people adopt it for it's real benefits.
Exercising should be a way of life,as natural as eating and drinking.The sooner we get our bodies used to working out the better.One thing is for sure,the benefits of a daily work out schedule are much more than having no schedule at all.
In this ever evolving society,fitness has been endorsed by doctors,scientists and the world at large as a necessary component of a healthy life.This has not only created business opportunities but it has also led to obsessions i.e. the obsessions of young girls with maintaining a slim figure whereas men are obsessed with having muscles.Here are some of the exercise programs that are common in our society:

Yoga - This is a whole body fitness regime from ancient India. It was created thousands of years ago by the sages to keep physical as well as mental fitness maintained and improving. It includes various postures and breathing techniques to calm the body. This is also a step to increase connection with spiritual aspects of the self.

Pilates Classes - This is similar to Yoga in its approach to fitness. They help you improve body posture; strengthen core muscles and work to strengthen overall the body. The main emphasis is given on strengthening muscles and body balancing.

Weight Loss - As obesity is growing, more and more people are aware of weight loss benefits. Gyms are offering many weight loss exercise programs on demand. This helps to reduce weight and helps a return to healthy living. These programmes may include cardio exercise, fat and calorie burning exercise, body toning exercises and workouts for strengthening muscles.

Body Toning Programs - These help you achieve a flat and firm stomach, buttocks, thighs, and toned muscles. These exercises are generally done lying on a mat and work well.

Tai-Chi and Karate Programs - Earlier these were considered for self-defence only, but now they are important workouts to strengthen muscles and tone-up your body. They offer exercise through the dynamic of physical combat that serves both the body and mind.

Swimming - This has been a great way of gaining health for ages. This is a whole body exercise which strengthens your body and is a lot of fun in the water. Every one enjoys swimming, and its good for every one of all ages. This is often helpful for people suffering from back pain or arthritis.

Cycling - This is also a good exercise for those who cannot take up heavy exercise. It allows you to maintain the level of speed and effort thats right for your own pace. This firms up muscles in legs and improves heart and lung functionality, a great fitness program for all, especially for ladies, and elders.


9 tips for your fitness toolbox:

Tip 1) TUMMY TONER

In addition to your workout regime, eat smaller portions. Your stomach is only about as large as your fist. So no need to stuff yourself with a large plate full of food.

Tip 2) TRY A TRAINER

Get advice or help from a trainer from time to time. Some online trainers are pretty affordable like around $2 week at eDiets.com. Or search your favorite online engine for free fitness forums and chat away.

Tip 3) PRACTICE YOUR POSTURE

Practice improving your posture daily, no matter whether you are sitting at your work desk, sitting at home in the family room or at the table, or standing and walking.

Stand up straight! Chest out and up. Shoulders back. Keep good posture.

Tip 4) VARIETY

Vary your routine during the week. Alternate days that you do cardio work on days when you don't do your other workouts.

Tip 5) ROUTINE

Also vary your routine. Research shows that a body can adapt to the same routine over a 4 to 6 week time frame. When you vary the routine, the body works harder, trying to adapt once again. At least increase the intensity or amount of sets you do. But "change" something.

Tip 6) WARMING UP & COOLING DOWN

Don't forget to warm up with some stretches before diving into your exercises in both cardio and strength training. You only need about 5 to 8 minutes. And target the muscle groups that you'll be using.

A warm-up period helps your body by passing along lots of blood, full of nutrients, to areas that are about to be exercised, resulting in the warming up of the muscles and the lubrication of the joints. No matter whether you are working out at home, in a fitness center or outdoors, regardless of weather, you need to warm up before beginning all exercise activities in order to prepare your body for your workout. So improve your performance and reduce your risk of injury with a warm-up period.

The period of 5 to 10 minutes at the end of your workout is the cool-down period. It allows time to lower your heart rate before you dash back off to work or other activities after your workout sessions, and reduces your risk of muscle soreness and injury that could come from your workout. This cool-down period should include 5 minutes of cardio exercise like stationary biking or walking, and should proceed at a reduced pace from your previous exercise activities. At the end, you should focus on about 5 minutes of slow, focused stretching, when your breathing goes back to where it was before your workout.

Tip 7) FOCUS

From Aesop to the old Kung-Fu movie, here's a tip: focus on the muscle group you are working on during your workout, Grasshopper. Look at a wall if necessary, to maintain your concentration and proceed slow and steady.

Tip 8) KEEP A JOURNAL

Keep a diary, journal or some type of record of your progress. Note which exercises you're using for which muscle groups, the number of repetitions and intensity. Track your diet here, too, if you'd like. Then set goals for yourself and update them regularly.

Tip 9) R&R

Don't forget that "All work and no play…" saying. Rest and relax. Work different muscle groups on alternate days.

Important Do's and Dont's:
-Before starting to work out make sure you get a full physical from your doctor and a letter stating it is ok for you to do physical activity. Many gym and aerobic centers will require this before letting you start.
-Depending on how long it has been since you last did regular exercise it is recommended that you start off slow and gradually build up your workout to harder levels.
-It is generally recommended to start off at the gym with just the treadmill and the lifecycle for the first week or 2. This is to wake the muscles up and to slowly get you prepared for a harder workout.
-You will generally want to find a speed on the treadmill that is a pace you can keep up with little discomfort and do it for 20 minutes. After this take a 5 minute break, stretch a little and have a drink of water, then go back and increase the speed just a bit then do another 20.
-Remember that pushing yourself too far is taking a gamble that you may not be able to live with. In a casino you can put everything you have on the roulette table and maybe you win and maybe you lose, but in the gym if you push too hard you can die, so take things slowly.
-Many people make the mistake of getting back into an exercise program and going all gung ho an trying to get back in shape in just one hour, well let me tell you this will not work. The only thing this will do is make you very sore the next day and you will not be able to workout that day, and it will make you lose interest fast in the gym. Discomfort in ok pain is not.
-Depending on how long it has been since you last worked out, I recommend working out 4 or 5 days a week. This may seem like a lot but if you were trying to win a poker tournament you would go to a casino or an online casino and poker room to practice almost every day right? So you will have to do the same with the gym.
-Working out 5 days a week does not necessarily mean you have to go to the gym every day. I recommend the gym 3 times a week and the other day or 2 you can just go for a long fast paced walk around your neighborhood. Try to vary the things you do so that you do not work out the same parts of your body 2 days in a row.
-Most professionals will tell you that if you work out your arms and chest on a Monday do not exercise those muscles again for at least 48 hours. This is to give the muscles time to heal and grow. It is this straining and resting of the muscle that makes it grow not just the working it out. If all you did every day was work the same muscle group in a few days the muscle would be more likely to tear in a painful experience and the only thing you will be able to do for several months will be playing in an online casino from your laptop in bed.
-You should consult your gym administrator before taking up any exercise program. You should discuss any health issues with him/her in detail before signing up for a program.
The lives of big personalities and successful icons have been seen to have fitness branded in their tight schedules.The late Aaliyah was famous for doing push ups every day hence her flat belly;The president of the U.S.A. has been seen to engage in exercises;Most of the videos of famous musicians are filled with scenes of people working out.Moreover,a work out program has been seen to help convicted felons in directing their anger and frustrations elsewhere,hence the popular gyms that are part of our penitentiaries.
The benefits derived from exercising range from helping with the good flow of blood,facilitating the right intake of water,strengthening muscles,releasing tension,maintaining youthfulness and the list goes on.You can only enjoy the rewards by trying it out and i assure you it is worth it.Like i always say:"A work out each day keeps the tensions at bay."