Why YOU Should Work Out

Life is busy. Between work, school, kids, relationships, shopping, and community events, there is a lot to keep up with in life. Each of us depends upon our body to get us from here to there yet we don’t always give it what it needs to stay healthy. Taking care of your body is a choice that has lifelong benefits. Here’s are a few reasons you should work out on a regular basis:

You will look better: The majority of people that work out do it primarily so they will look better. This is a very legitimate reason. The better we look, the better we will feel about ourselves. Looking good will increase your confidence in a variety of different settings—from this weekend’s date to tomorrow’s job interview. Looking good never hurt!

Release energy: Each of us needs an outlet of some kind. Video games and movies are good, but they don’t have the same kind of effect on your body that vigorous exercise does. All of the emotional stress we stuff into the body can be released through physical activity. This can help us feel more calm throughout the rest of the day—despite the kids wanting to be fed and the boss that is demanding more sales.

Decreased risk of disease: Some types of cancer are found more commonly in those that aren’t physically active. Those who do not engage in frequent exercise have higher blood sugar and insulin levels. This can lead to diabetes and coronary heart disease. Exercise can have a good effect on your metabolism and other body functions.

Less strength-related embarrassment: From personal experience, I can tell you that it stinks to go help a neighbor to move the piano when you have the arms of a pre-adolescent child. Although this isn’t a very scientific reason, increasing your strength can help you to perform a variety of tasks better, allowing you to go help your neighbor move the piano without fear. (It is important to note that your aim shouldn’t be to become Superman or Arnold Schwarzenegger, but to be constantly improving your strength).

Increase your flexibility: Contrary to popular belief, strength training can actually increase your flexibility. Your range of motion can actually be increased through working out each of your muscle systems on a regular basis. It may not give you the ability to do the splits, but bending down to pick up that pen you dropped shouldn’t be quite the problem it was before.

Overcome obesity: Although exercise isn’t the only component to overcoming obesity (a lot of it has to do with diet), it is a major one. Being inactive causes a lot of your muscle mass to convert into excess body fat. Unfortunately, low activity is often connected to eating more—two negative factors working against you.

Increased productivity: Everything you do takes a toll on your body. Working out increases both your physical strength and your stamina, giving you the energy you need to do more. Your increased productivity can take you places that your Nintendo never could.

 

About the Author

Stepehn Sharpe is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers can help you if you want to enroll in online master’s degree programs.

 

Take the Zzzz’s out of your Workout with Zumba

If you are finding your regular workout is becoming a bit dull, or you are looking to start getting in shape then you may wish to consider Zumba. Dance as a way to get fit is certainly not a new idea, and people have been shaking and shimmying off the pounds with salsa, tango, ballroom, belly dance, and even pole fitness and burlesque at gyms and dance studios up and down the country for years now. Zumba is the new kid on the block and this Latin-inspired, fast-pace workout, has spread like wildfire.

What is Zumba

Image via Wikipedia

The aerobic dance form combines elements of belly dance, samba, salsa and merengue and turns them into a cardio workout that tones you up while you look cool (at least once you’ve get the steps down). The atmosphere at Zumba classes is quite different to your average aerobics session, as they have a real party atmosphere. In fact Zumba makes a great evening out with friends, I find that I have so much fun the it really feels more like a fun night out with the girls than a work out, and I’ve learnt a whole host of sexy new dance moves. Most classes are run in large groups, there tends to be a mix of people in terms of age, fitness level and experience. While some people will go in groups of friends, others will go alone so if you can’t round your mates up, you will be made to feel very welcome. You can read more about Zumba at zumba.com.

Refreshes Parts other Dances Can’t

As Zumba targets all of your muscle groups and works squats and lunges into the routines you will most certainly ache then next day but that soon wears off. Zumba teaches you to have better posture and works on your rhythm at the same time as it works on your abs, glutes, arms and thighs. I found that after a few weeks of classes I had started to notice a difference in my body.

Types of Zumba

I find that a regular Zumba class is enough fun to keep me interested, but if you feel that even this is getting a bit too repetitive there are lots of different Zumba variations you can give a try.

Zumba Circuits

If you are looking for something even more high energy then you might enjoy Zumba Circuits where you move between exercise stations to fast paced salsa music.

Aqua Zumba

This is a good choice if you are looking from something that has a lower impact as it takes place in water so puts less pressure on your joints. If exercise in public is not for you then there are now a range of Zumba DVDs that you can use at home and there is even a game for the Wii which is great to play at parties too.

I hope that this intro to Zumba has tempted you to give it a try. I’m Caitin and I am a dance and fitness nut. I’ve been Zumba dancing for about 10 months now. It took me a few lessons to really get into the swing of things but then I was hooked. I write for www.poledancingpoles.info when I’m not or hanging upside down on my pole which is my other dance passion. Let me know how you get on at our blog or on twitter at @poledancepoles. Zumba classes are offered at most gyms now, so it should be easy to find a class near you and get started.

Tachycardia: A Symptom of Anxiety Attack

The different anxiety attack symptoms mainly emanate from the body’s nervous system.   Others even think that anxiety sufferers are experiencing the same symptoms because of the fact that it all emanates from the nervous system of a person.  This is not always the case.  The uniqueness of each individual has made the symptoms of anxiety attack vary from one person to another.   There are literally hundreds of anxiety symptoms that vary in intensity, duration, frequency and severity.  Therefore, it is tantamount to say that no two individuals are suffering from exactly the same symptoms of an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety is an excessive worry and fear about an object, event or situation. The occurrence of the symptoms of anxiety attack all come from the body’s nerves.  This is why those people who have bad cases of nervous system are more prone to have anxiety attacks. This is why one of the most common symptoms of anxiety attack is heart palpitation.  This faster heart rate that occurs during an anxiety attack is medically known asanxiety tachycardia.

When anxiety tachycardia occurs, the beating of a person’s heart every minute reaches up to 200.If you suspect that you are suffering from the same symptom, consult a doctor.  For anxiety sufferers, tachycardia usually occurs as a symptom of an anxiety attack and not as a symptom of any other heart diseases.  This is the most common reason why anxiety sufferers rush to the emergency room thinking that they are having a heart attack.

Fortunately, anxiety tachycardia can be stopped using some relaxation techniques.  It is also good if an anxiety sufferer indulges in yoga.  Yoga provides good relaxation techniques to an anxiety sufferer.  People with an anxiety disorder may also choose to have a short vacation or a weekend getaway to a place that is very relaxing.  This way, the person’s mind and body will be refreshed.  The person’s energy will also be replenished as well.  When a person was able to relax well he will have more strength to deal with stressful situations.  Relaxation methods do not always mean that the individual will be sleeping all day to be able to relax.  Relaxation may also mean doing the things that provide happiness to the anxiety sufferer.

The different symptoms of anxiety are due to the adrenaline flowing through the bloodstream. This adrenaline will then result to varied unusual physical symptoms.  The adrenaline flow increases when a person starts to become afraid of the physical symptoms of anxiety.  If this occurrence persists for a considerable period of time an anxiety attack will happen.

5 Great Alternatives to Hitting the Gym

There’s a good reason so many of us just can’t muster up the sticking power to make committing to the burden of a gym membership worth our time and money, and isn’t that we’re scared of exercise

It’s more that, to a lot of people, the atmosphere of a gym simply isn’t conducive to enjoyment. It can be intimidating, or simply unpleasant depending on where you go, with mirrored walls and a crowded mass of lycra clad limbs lending the setting a nightmarish air.

Whilst exercise is important for our health, that doesn’t mean it should be joyless. If anything the very opposite is true. So, here’s a round up of some top alternatives for those of us who’d rather be anywhere than the gym, even when we’re exercising;

Going For a Run or Hike

This might sound obvious, but the fact of the matter is that a high number of new gym members head straight towards (and stick to) the treadmills.

One of the chief enemies of exercise, especially cardio vascular activities, is boredom. Surely, the risk of boredom is higher on a treadmill, rooted to the spot with no scenery to distract you or prompt your mind to wonder onto subjects other than the ache slowly taking hold of your muscles…

Join a Sports Team

Many people find the gym experience hard to enjoy due to the fact it can be very solitary. Indeed, manufacturers of entertainment devices such as MP3 players have developed special models for use at the gym, to help members zone out and ignore the space around them.

This is probably the factor the drives so many people to hire a personal trainer, not so much for the advice and motivation or the dressings down, more for the company. With this in mind, even if you aren’t much of a sports fan, if you’ve suddenly decided to get fit, consider joining up to a sports team rather than joining a gym.

DVD

Alternatively, you might be perfectly happy exercising on your own. Perhaps for you lack of companionship isn’t a problem, but rather, you’d actually prefer more privacy. In that case what better setting for your work out than the seclusion provided by your own front room. Exercising along to a DVD can be an excellent, cost effective way to add structure to your regimen.

Invest In Your Own Equipment

When you think about it, gym membership often amounts to little more than paying over the odds to rent exercise equipment, much of which you could very easily buy yourself at a fraction of the cost of even a months membership, let alone a 12 month contract.

Even if you do love the gym environment, if you are turning up just to utilise dumbbells, resistance bands and an exercise ball, you’re going to be able to buy those items and have them for your own private use whenever you want, at a cheaper price than you pay for the privilege of effectively renting them out for an hour or two a week.

Jane Newman writes on a range of topics pertaining to health and fitness, from easy workouts to choosing health insurance quotes.

Best Online Health Resources

While there is no substitute for the advice and diagnosis of a qualified medical professional, or the treatment you receive in a hospital, doctor’s surgery or alcohol treatment facility, the Internet is full of resources.

You can use these resources to improve your health and educate yourself on diseases and medications. You can also find information on hospitals, doctors, drug and alcohol rehab centers and more. However, you can’t always trust everything you read on the Internet, so the next time you want to look something up about your health, turn to these resources first.

WebMD.com

The easy-to-use symptom checker of WebMD has given valuable information to many concerned people all over the world. The website allows you to narrow down your symptoms by body part and also provides tons of information on diseases, conditions, symptoms, drugs and supplements.

That’s not all – you can also learn about preventative medicine, healthy living, how to eat in a healthy fashion and take part in communities devoted to particular conditions from ADHD to Sleep Conditions. Myriad features and articles give you information on common health worries and conditions as well as on how to stay healthy.

NHS.uk

The website of the United Kingdom’s National Health Centre offers a wealth of information on symptoms, diseases, medications and treatments. While it is a UK resource it is an excellent source of information on various medical issues.

Bear in mind that medications will be listed under their United Kingdom trade names and may not be available in the United States. You can also use the symptom checker to try and find out why you are feeling unwell and check out articles that go into detail about health issues that have recently featured in the news.

MayoClinic.com

The Mayo Clinic is internationally renowned for the skill and expertise of its medical professionals. In addition to a symptom checker, the website also offers expert information and advice on diseases, medical conditions, drugs, supplements and healthy living.

The section on tests and procedures is great for those who will soon be undergoing a medical procedure or a test and want to know what they can expect from their visit to their healthcare provider. They also host blogs from experts in such areas as pregnancy, stress, nutrition, diabetes, cancer, depression and Alzheimers, where you can receive up-to-date information, advice and even join in the conversation with your own questions and experiences.

While you should always talk to a qualified professional if you have worries about your health, the Internet provides amazing resources that can empower you to make better decisions, ease your mind and help you take more control of your own health.

This post made possible by guest blogger James Tennant, a writer with varied interests, including drug and alcohol rehab centers and alcohol detox facilities.

Yoga: A Healthy Exercise for Everyone

Yoga is one of the oldest forms of exercise with a history that dates back thousands of years. Unlike some forms of exercise that focus on physical endurance and movement, yoga is focused on the mind, body and spirit connection. Yoga is one of the easiest exercises to learn, requires little equipment or training and can be performed in almost any setting. Not only does yoga focus on mediation and relaxation, it is also very useful for conditioning the cardiovascular system, toning muscles and maintaining flexibility. If you are looking to incorporate more stretching exercises like yoga into your workout routine, try some of our recommendations for the most beneficial yoga poses for men and women.

About Yoga

Yoga originated in India around 3000 B.C. The word “yoga” is developed from an ancient Sanskrit language and roughly translates to the phrase: to unite, the mind, body and spirit. In the U.S. and other western locations, yoga is mainly practiced as an exercise, but traditionally, yoga has always had a spiritual component. For many, yoga serves as more of a lifestyle than an exercise. There are many different varieties of yoga – all of which have their own intensity and focus. Some of the most popular yoga varieties are Ashtanga, Iyengar, Vinyasa, and Bikram yoga.

The Health Benefits of Yoga

Researchers at the University of Maryland examined yoga’s health benefits and determined that it was especially effective at reducing stress and increasing flexibility. The university also reported that some varieties of yoga provide as much of a physical health benefit as aerobic exercise. In some cases, yoga outperformed aerobic exercise in regards to improving an individual’s balance and strength. Yoga was also was effective at decreasing pain levels among seniors and menopausal women.

Yoga Poses for Women

While yoga encompasses a number of styles and poses, there are a few poses – child’s pose and warrior pose – that are especially helpful for women. Child’s pose works to strengthen and stretch the hips, quadriceps and core. This pose can be useful to relieve back pain and menstrual cramping and also helps to open up the hips and relieve tightness in the lower back. The warrior poses, which consists of several variations such as warrior I and warrior II poses, focuses on stretching the hips, inner thighs and chest. The arm movements used in the pose help to strengthen the quadriceps, abdomen and shoulders. This is one of the best poses to build strength in the mid-section and uses the body’s weight to tone the arms and shoulders.

Yoga Poses for Men

While some men may not feel like yoga is a “manly” exercise activity, some might be surprised to learn how effective yoga can be as a conditioning exercise for other athletic activities. The plank pose and the boat pose are a couple of the best yoga poses to help men develop strength and power. The plank pose is a great option for strengthening the upper body. Basically, the plank is a modified push up that targets the arms, back, shoulders and core. Boat pose targets the core muscle groups and uses an elevated, modified sit-up technique.

Post by Holly Adams, a writer for Coupon Croc. Beginning a new fitness regime? Use Office Shoes discount codes and save on every pair you need, from active to formal.