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Exercise and Fitness
Fit Tip: Make Exercise Nonnegotiable
Whether getting fit is a new goal for 2009, or one you've had for years, the only way to make that happen is to keep regular exercise in your schedule. I know when you're pulled in multiple directions by life, work, and family, it is easy to rationalize that you just don't have the time to work out. Constantly making excuses can turn into a bad habit though, so make exercise nonnegotiable.
Fit Tip: Trade Your Office Chair For an Exercise Ball
I really don't believe we evolved to sit all day long. Sitting creates tight hips and hamstrings, causes a tight neck and shoulders, and often leads to back pain. If you suffer from these ailments, ditch your regular office chair and replace it with an exercise ball ($27).
Fit Tip: In a Time Crunch, Don't Skip Exercise
On those days where time is of the essence, exercise can be the first thing we cut from our hectic schedule. In the future, make your appointment to the gym or to run outside nonnegotiable and find ways to make time for exercise. Remember exercise does not always involve taking a big chunk of time to head to the gym — it's perfectly acceptable to break it up into smaller chunks of time.
Fit Tip: Keep a Diet and Exercise Journal
Now that it's December and 2008 is only a couple weeks away, I'm sure New Year's resolutions are on your mind. Many people have the general goal to be fit, or to exercise more, but they are not quite sure how to make that happen.
Might I suggest keeping a diet and exercise journal?
Exercise, Weight Loss, and the Fat Burning Zone
Much has been made of late about exercise and its relation to weight loss. There was the Time cover story The Myth About Weight Loss and a recent article on the topic in the New York Times, which recommended working out in the fat burning zone.
You see the phrase on all types of cardio machines: the fat burning zone, aka the "weight loss zone," means working out at a lower intensity to burn fat as fuel.
When Did You First Start Working Out?
A little workout nostalgia — I was just thinking back to when I first started exercising, thanks in large part to my dad. Outside of required gym class or a sports team, I was trying to remember when fitness became important to me, and landed right at about eighth grade.
Around the end of middle school, beginning of high school, I started to pay attention to other girls and the way my own body was shaping up.
Why Exercise Won't Help You Lose Weight . . . Sort Of
There have been a lot of reports in the last year confirming that contrary to popular belief, not all exercise leads to significant weight loss. If you want to shed pounds, it mostly comes down to diet. It’s no surprise that changing your diet can help you lose weight, but for decades, many people believed that exercise was the best pathway to a slimmer, fitter you.
No Equipment Necessary: Balancing Windmill
Squats are essential in your strength-training tool belt if you want to tone your booty and thighs. Here's a variation that will also challenge your sense of balance and strengthen your core.
This is a four-part exercise.
Fit Tip: Hydrate Before You Exercise
While the debate on the merits of eight daily glasses of water continues, we know one thing for sure, nearly every cell of the human body contains water. Without water, cells don't function properly and they certainly don't function to their full potential during exercise. This is why it is important to hydrate before exercise.
Fit Tip: Hydrate Before Exercise
At my gym, you are required to bring water to a spin class, because an hour of profuse sweating means you are going to have to sip regularly to stay hydrated. But here's a thought: Make sure you start you workout well hydrated. This will seriously improve your performance and help your precious bottle of water last a little longer during your workout.
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