Fitness Nuggets

Why Does The Summer Naturally Promote Fitness?

We often wonder why we seem to be trimmer and more healthy during the summer. Consider these 5 elements of summer life that improve our overall well-being: 1. More time in the fresh air outdoors with benefits such as additional Vitamin D from being in the sun. 2. Engaging in physical activities more frequently, such [...]

We often wonder why we seem to be trimmer and more healthy during the summer.

Consider these 5 elements of summer life that improve our overall well-being:

1. More time in the fresh air outdoors with benefits such as additional Vitamin D from being in the sun.
2. Engaging in physical activities more frequently, such as walking, biking, swimming and outdoor games such as volleyball.
3. Lighter meals with more fruits, vegetables and salads because of the heat.
4. Revealing clothing that makes us more self-conscious about our overall fitness and appearance during the summer. Let’s face it, seeing ourselves in shorts is often inspiration to pass up that extra brownie!
5. Taking a spontaneous day off from work to enjoy time out with friends or family during the popular summer months.

Unfortunately, we often let go of these great lifestyle changes when the cooler weather arrives. By the time the holidays come around, we are once again hidden in bulky sweaters and chomping on butter cookies.

Why not keep the summer lifestyle the entire year for an improved level of fitness and optimum overall health all the time?

By engaging in physical activities, eating healthy foods, taking some time off once in awhile to relax and checking out our bodies every week, we can stay fit all year long.

Are You Too Busy To Exercise?

Life is hectic, whether you are working, going to school or jugging family responsibilities. As a result, you may think it’s not possible to fit an exercise and fitness program into your busy schedule. Think again! Here are some tips for boosting your physical activity during the day: 1. Go the distance. Walk the stairs [...]

Life is hectic, whether you are working, going to school or jugging family responsibilities. As a result, you may think it’s not possible to fit an exercise and fitness program into your busy schedule.

Think again!

Here are some tips for boosting your physical activity during the day:

1. Go the distance. Walk the stairs instead of the elevator; choose the furthest parking spot wherever you go and walk to get there; walk to deliver messages; and just find ways to keep moving throughout your day. By avoiding lazy habits, you’ll boost your activity.
2. Try standing instead of sitting. When you talk on the phone or watch television, stand instead of sitting. You may even decide to stretch while you’re up.
3. Get up and move. If you have a job sitting down, stretch your arms, roll your ankles and stand up throughout the day to use your muscles and get your circulation going.
4. Enjoy life. Take a few minutes to be a kid again and have fun. Throw a ball, run to the corner, shoot some hoops or walk around the park for ten minutes to get moving and relieve stress.
5. Find an activity you like. Running, walking, going to the gym, workout DVDs, yoga classes, bowling and stretching at home to great music are all ways to increase your fitness level.

No matter how busy you are, fitness can fit into your life everyday. It all comes down to how important getting in shape really is to you. If it’s important, you’ll find a way…even small daily improvements add up for big health gains…so get moving!

How To Get A Dosage of Fitness On Vacation

Instead of choosing a summer vacation filled with laying around, drinking creamy concoctions and eating calorie-filled snacks, plan an adventurous getaway filled with fitness. Consider these 6 options to look and feel great after your summer vacation: 1. Plan a camp trip and schedule walking tours and hikes of the scenic surrounding areas. 2. Stay [...]

Instead of choosing a summer vacation filled with laying around, drinking creamy concoctions and eating calorie-filled snacks, plan an adventurous getaway filled with fitness.

Consider these 6 options to look and feel great after your summer vacation:

1. Plan a camp trip and schedule walking tours and hikes of the scenic surrounding areas.
2. Stay in a waterfront destination where you can rent a boat for kayaking, rowing, white water rafting or sailing.
3. Go backpacking up a mountain to try real life rock climbing and catch picturesque vistas.
4. If your summer vacation isn’t complete without the beach, plan snorkeling excursions, try surfing and go swimming.
5. Do something for someone else and volunteer your vacation time at a local organization.
6. Help build a house or assist someone with household chores to burn calories.

Instead of bringing home extra weight, you’ll return from your summer vacation feeling fit and energized.

5 Important Exercise Facts

Exercising everyday is the best way to attain overall good health and fitness. Fitting exercise into your busy day, however, can be a challenge. Make the most of your workout time by acknowledging the following 5 exercise facts: 1. Always warm up before exercising and cool down afterwards. This protects your heart and muscles from [...]

Exercising everyday is the best way to attain overall good health and fitness. Fitting exercise into your busy day, however, can be a challenge.

Make the most of your workout time by acknowledging the following 5 exercise facts:

1. Always warm up before exercising and cool down afterwards. This protects your heart and muscles from possible injury.

2. Exercise takes time to achieve results. Just as you did not gain weight overnight, you will not become fit in a week. You need to exercise regularly to see and feel results.

3. Lose weight slowly. Your goal is to lose 1-2 pounds every week for healthy, long term results. Engage in exhilarating workouts rather than exhausting routines that discourage you.

4. Be consistent with your efforts. Even if you decide you only have time to exercise 10 minutes everyday, stick with the program. When you put off exercise to work overtime or handle personal issues, you lose fitness ground you worked so hard for.

5. Fitness can be fun. If you don’t like the gym or workout DVDs, go bicycling, hiking, play basketball or take a yoga class. When you enjoy exercise, you will make time to do it.

By avoiding basic exercise errors and remaining consistent in your efforts, you will be more fit and healthy everyday.

How To Sleep Your Way To Better Fitness

Can you really sleep your way to better fitness? While a healthy diet and regular exercise are key to fitness success, you also need to get enough sleep to fuel your weight loss routine. A lack of sleep causes impaired concentration, mimics the symptoms of impaired glucose intolerance which even leads to hypertension and diabetes. [...]

Can you really sleep your way to better fitness?

While a healthy diet and regular exercise are key to fitness success, you also need to get enough sleep to fuel your weight loss routine.

A lack of sleep causes impaired concentration, mimics the symptoms of impaired glucose intolerance which even leads to hypertension and diabetes. Your weight loss efforts are negatively effected when you lose sleep due to lack of energy to properly handle body processes.

Consider these ways to get enough sleep every night for improved overall fitness:

- Make your bedroom an oasis where you do nothing but sleep.
- Don’t eat heavy foods two to three hours before going to bed.
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcoholic beverages for at least three hours before bedtime.
- Minimize stress with a warm bath or meditation to calm down before bed.
- If you have ongoing trouble getting to sleep, visit your doctor to find out why.

Yes, you really can improve your fitness level with a good night’s sleep every night.