April 27, 2024

Try Running!

February 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Try Running!

Running is an effective total body workout. With one exercise you’ll strengthen your cardiovascular system, as well as your muscle endurance.

Here’s how to start:

Incorporate running or jogging into your day. If you’re out taking the dog for a walk, add in a few 10-30 second jogging intervals. Watching your child’s sports baseball? Do running intervals around a neighboring field.

Hit the trails. Running on dirt provides a unique experience. If you appreciate the quiet and prefer to not navigate around cars, take your jogging or running workout off the road. Start with running intervals according to terrain.

Head to the hills. Neighborhood hills with little traffic work well for a focused jogging or running workout. Begin by performing running intervals uphill and then walk down the hill.

Treadmills work. Love them or hate them, treadmills provide a workout opportunity regardless of weather, time of day or ability. Choose your speed, choose your duration and go.

*Always consult your physician before beginning exercise.

 

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Are you lifting too heavy?

February 25, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Effective exercise is more important than load of exercise.

How heavy is too heavy? Regardless of the number of reps you’re logging or particular move you’re attempting, sometimes the weight is simply not safe or appropriate for you.

Are you lifting too heavy? Here’s how to know:

Unable to load and unload the weight properly. You should be able to lift the weights off the rack and move, with proper mechanics, into your starting position. The same applies to racking the weight after your set is complete.

Unable to maintain proper form. You should be able to stabilize your body against the weight throughout the entire range of motion.

Unable to control the speed of the exercise. You should be able to stop the move at any time during your range of motion. Controlling the weight, rather than using momentum, is key.

 

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No Pain, No Gain?

February 23, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Pain should NOT be included in your workout!

Every exerciser will benefit from being able to differentiate between pain (injury, radiating pain, limited range of motion, numbness, tingling) and muscle fatigue (muscle burn, feeling tired.) Pain should not be a part of your workout. If you’re having pain with exercise, STOP! Discontinue that exercise, regroup and try a different exercise or mode of exercise entirely.  The following 4 statements provide a general definition of pain and should NOT be experienced during or after your workout. Common sense is paramount. If an exercise doesn’t “feel quite right” during a workout, it probably isn’t.

Sharp, shooting, stabbing pain in your muscle or around your joint.

Sudden loss, restricted or change of range of motion.

Pain that is nauseating, leads to dizziness or instability.

Pain that worsens with exercise.

 

 

 

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Set a Healthy Tone to your Week

February 21, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Set a healthy tone to your week with #HealthyWayMag Fitness Chat every Monday 5pmP/8pmE! Pick up exercise ideas and inspiration. Chat with others, get motivated and excited about your fitness journey.

 

Here’s how to join:
Log onto your Twitter account and follow @HealthyWayMag to see the chat questions. Questions for discussion will be posted as Question 1, “Q1″, Question 2, “Q2″ and so on. Contribute your answer and experience via answers to Question 1 noted as “A1″, designating your answer to Question 2 as “A2″ and so on. Interact with others, chat, exchange ideas, training tips and have fun!

Monday February 22, 2016 #HealthyWayMag Fitness Chat is Sponsored by StrideBox.com:

StrideBox.com delivers fuel, nutrition and monthly motivation in a box right to your front door. As a monthly subscription service, their mission is simple, “perform better, be healthier, and have more fun.” The box also makes a great gift for the runner in your life. It’s suitable for all ages and is packed with products to sample designed specifically to boost your training and your fitness. Products vary from month to month. Inside the box you’ll discover bars, gels, food, apparel, and gadgets just to name a few. Rest assured, knowing you’re sampling the best of the best products on the market. Order your box TODAY at www.stridebox.com! Follow them on Twitter @StrideBox.

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Expand your Fitness Horizons

February 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Try new exercises on a regular basis!

Our body (and our mind) likes unaccustomed exercise! Expand your fitness horizons by trying new exercises every 4-6 weeks. Here are 3 ideas to get you started:

Ask your friends what physical activities they enjoy. Tag along!

Revisit your childhood activities. Did you love a particular sport or physical fitness activity growing up? Try it again.

Research. Google search sports and fitness for your home town and see what activities pop up.

 

 

 

 

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How to Stretch During Your Day

February 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Stretch during your day!

Decrease lower body tension and muscle aches that come with sitting in your office chair for hours on end. Here’s how:

Stand up behind your chair. Hold on to the chair for support with your left hand. Bend your right knee and hold your right ankle behind your body with your right hand. Keep your torso upright. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then slowly release. Repeat the same stretch, holding on to the chair with your right hand. Bend your left knee and hold your left ankle with your left hand. Stand up tall and breathe, hold for 10-30 seconds, slowly release.

 

*Always consult your physician before performing exercise.

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Invest in an Exercise Band!

February 16, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Use an Exercise Band!

For just about $20.00 you can buy an exercise band at your local sporting goods store. Exercise bands are portable, adjustable and effective! Band thickness determines the difficulty. Choose the band intensity based on your fitness ability. Read the box for recommendations. A few additional points to keep in mind:

Safety is always the first priority, so be sure to read all instructions. For example, don’t put your body weight or lean on the band, don’t stretch the band more than three times resting length and always double-check the anchor point. Also, be sure to check the band integrity at regular intervals. Any holes, thinning or splitting means the band should be replaced immediately.

Effectiveness is insured by keeping tension on the band throughout the range of motion. What does this mean? Keep the band taut without slack to keep tension on your muscles.

Enlist the help of a Fitness Professional to outline exercises appropriate for you. The sky is the limit on the number of exercises at your disposal with an exercise band. A Fit Pro will also provide instruction how to properly anchor the band for each exercise. 

*Always consult your physician before beginning exercise.

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Do Jumping Jacks!

February 15, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Do Jumping Jacks!

Jumping jacks are a great high intensity cardio option if you’re short on time, short on equipment and short on space. Perform your desired number of jumping jacks, followed by jogging or walking in place for recovery. Repeat until your desired workout time is complete.

Vary the motion by adding a squat, moving only one arm at a time, moving forward, crossing your legs during the in-step, lowering your arms only half way, just to name a few. This workout is limited only by your creativity.

 

*Always consult your physician before beginning exercise.

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Dining out? Always do this before you go…

February 13, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Research your options!

Planning ahead is key to a healthy lifestyle, and that means be informed. If you’re heading out to eat, one easy action sets you up for a healthy meal success. Seeking out information ahead of time takes the guess-work out of making nutritious food choices. So how do you do it?

Look up the menu online. Look up the menu online ahead of time to plan for a healthy meal. Firstly, you won’t get caught up in making a fast, pressured decision. Secondly, you won’t be distracted by others choices. Finally, you won’t be swayed by spontaneous cravings.

 

 

 

 

 

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Motivate with Group Fitness

February 11, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Join Group Fitness!

Exercising along side others is motivating! Group fitness may just be the answer to keeping your workout motivation up. Here’s why you should consider group fitness:

Groups are energizing. Even if you’re not enthused to workout, there will someone else who is.

Groups are inspiring. Witnessing some one else push hard and work toward a goal will inspire your own effort.

Groups are learning opportunities. There undoubtedly will be someone in class who is more fit or more skilled than you. Learn from them!

Groups are encouraging. A “good job” or “way to go” from a fellow fitness enthusiast goes a long way when you’re having a tough day.

 

 

 

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