In the past few weeks I have overheard people talking about their New Year’s resolutions. It usually sounds like, “In January I am going on that low calorie diet to lose 20 pounds,” or, “I am taking a few months off now, but in January I am going to workout hard!” This sounds great, but these changes are usually short … Read More
Melt Away Fat With Strength Training
As we age we lose approximately a half a pound of muscle per year and coincidentally we gain approximately one and a half pounds of fat per year after the age of thirty. Fat accumulates on your body when you eat more calories than your body burns. Muscle is the bodies most efficient calorie burner. The more muscles you have, … Read More
Limber Up Before You Play
Many people don’t realise how stretching can not only improve athletic performance, but also how it prevents injury. Take golf for instance – just a little stretching every day can improve your swing, limbering up the muscles required from your shoulders through to your trunk rotation. When biking, too, looser muscles make you more agile on the trails, and let … Read More
First Lose The Weight, Then Keep It Off
A lot of us can lose weight, but not many can let our new eating and exercise habits become part of our everyday life. Many of us have dieted to lose weight, but few have managed to keep it off. This is not to say that diets are not effective, for they may work to kick start weight loss and … Read More
Don’t Be Intimidated By Fitness Clubs
If you have made the commitment to get into shape but have put off joining a fitness club because you feel that the atmosphere may be intimidating do not wait any longer. You do not have to be in shape to join a fitness club! If you feel that you might not “fit in” to a fitness club atmosphere then … Read More
Common Workout Time-Wasters
Finding the time to exercise while balancing a career, family, school and other demands can be difficult. Many of us deal with this dilemma by using time management techniques. We purchase day planners, prioritize, organize, delegate and make lists, all in an effort to fit in that workout. Too often this struggle ends up as wasted effort. I’ve noticed that … Read More
Stability Balls Great For Stabilization – Part 2
This is the second article of our two part series designed to help you become familiar with the stability ball. Last week we introduced lower body exercises designed to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstrings. This week the emphasis is on exercises designed to increase the strength and flexibility of the trunk muscles. Side Crunches Sit on the ball with your … Read More
Stability Balls Great For Stabilization – Part 1
Stability balls can improve muscle tone, increase muscle endurance and strength, restore or improve flexibility, enhance spinal stability, help you lose weight, and improve your balance, posture and coordination. Stability balls are especially effective in targeting your abdominal and lower back muscles. Many common exercises, such as the ones listed below, are enhanced by using a stability ball because the … Read More
Exercise Tubing for an Effective Workout – Part 2
Exercise tubing has many advantages. This product is an inexpensive and versatile way to get into shape. It is fun, easy to use and is great for people of all fitness levels, from those who are just starting out to those that are advanced. Exercise tubing can help you improve your muscle tone and flexibility and increase your endurance and … Read More
Exercise Tubing for an Effective Workout
If you are looking for a great way to stay in shape and are bored with conventional exercise methods try exercising with resistance tubing. Exercise tubing has recently become very popular because it is easy to use, produces great results and is inexpensive. Exercises with a rubber tube can be performed in a gym, or at home and you can … Read More
Improve Your Mountain Biking Performance
If you are looking to improve your cycling performance you need more than just strong legs. While a strong lower body is essential for power, as you begin to ride longer, more challenging trails, you will soon realize the importance of also having strong back and core muscles. A weak back and mid-section will limit your stability, balance and control … Read More
Shin Splint Exercises
“Shin splints” is a condition that results with pain in the middle to lower 1/3 of your shins. They are caused by the sudden and strenuous contraction in the calf of your leg, particularly in such activities as jumping on a basketball court or starting a race. What can you do if you are susceptible to shin splints? The best … Read More
Exercise and Hypertension
Overview of the Disease Blood pressure is defined as the amount of pressure exerted by blood on blood vessel walls as it passes through the vessel. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is the highest pressure on the walls right after one single heartbeat. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is the lowest pressure on the walls right before a heartbeat. Hypertension, also known … Read More
The Benefits of a High-Fibre Diet
Many of us have heard about the benefits of dietary fibre, but likely aren’t getting enough of it, and may not even be sure why we need it! Studies have shown that a diet high in fibre helps to reduce the risk of digestive and bowel diseases, stabilize blood glucose levels and lower cholesterol, and even aid in weight loss. … Read More
Jumpstart your day with breakfast!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! It provides you with vital energy that is required to jump start your metabolism after the long night of fasting. By adding breakfast each day you will be less inclined to snack on those high calorie and high fat foods during those “sleepy” afternoons. Following are some healthy breakfast ideas and … Read More