John T Timmerman asked:




Success within the workforce is dependent on things like motivation, dedication, consistency, cooperation and teamwork. To achieve these traits, businesses often look to professionals in motivational speaking, business consulting, and team building counseling. Recently however, more light has been shed on the benefits of regular exercise and a nutritional diet on work performance.

Exercise does many things to promote a high level of performance. Probably the biggest benefit is that it keeps an employee healthy and decreases absenteeism. After all, an employee cannot be productive if he/she is out sick. Along the same lines, exercise can help with overuse injuries that occur at work. Conditions such as chronic low back and neck pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel, sciatica, and general muscle pain can be caused from repetitive movement and stress on a certain area. If properly designed, a regular exercise routine can work to strengthen the areas that are under stress all day. This will reduce the use of disability claims and sick time. Also, exercise increases hormone production in the body which in turn heightens the mood. A good mood and a clear mind allow an employee to concentrate on the business tasks at hand. A recent study of 200 people at 3 major corporations revealed that an employees quality of life, mental performance, and time management was 15% better on days when they exercised.

Many major employers are utilizing unique new programs in efforts to reduce employee illness, and thereby reduce costs. For example, the use of preventative care programs is growing, as is the use of employee education programs aimed at better managing the effects of diseases such as diabetes. In addition, the internet is playing an important role in providing information and tools for employers to utilize when teaching their employees about the benefits of healthy living.

Kum Martin asked:




One of the most common beliefs is that exercising burns calories. However, how many of us know that what types burn the most calories. We all know that the best way to lose fat and weight is through exercise. Also, it has a various other benefits than weight loss and keeps the body active and also activates the brain.

There are different exercises targeted at different parts of the body, like the upper body has different set of exercises compared to the lower body. So, it totally depends on which part of the body you want to lose weight from first.

Mostly people lift weights for weight loss and also follow certain types of exercise for that. However, a healthier pattern is to follow an exercise regime that benefits you and your body. One of the exercises that burns a lot of calories is cardiovascular exercises. This is the exercise you should be looking to incorporate in your exercise plan on a daily basis if calorie loss is your aim. Even a treadmill can be programmed for cardiovascular exercises. However, everybody follows a different pattern when it comes to cardiovascular exercises.

Any exercise like swimming, cycling, walking, skipping or any kind of aerobic exercise for that matter is a cardiovascular exercise. There are some exercises which burn a lot of calories, for instance swimming. But this type of exercise makes you hungry and you immediately tend to eat a lot compensating the calorie loss.

So, when looking to see which exercise burns the most calories, make sure that you also find out how to compensate the loss of calories after you finish the exercise routine. There is no point in doing an exercise if you are going to gorge on food. It will undo all the hard work.

Meri Raffetto asked:




A teenage girl is participating in a weight loss camp. As she is doing relay races she begins to experience fear and stops exercising, breaking down in tears. The coach encourages her to keep going. It is the only way to break through and get the weight loss results she desires. This fear grows into a full blown panic attack. This is a true story of what happened on the popular reality television show. What the coaches didn’t realize is this young girl has a very real condition called exercise resistance.

Exercise resistance was first coined in 1996 by Registered Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist, Francie White. Francie defines it as a conscious or unconscious block against becoming regularly active. This block leads to an inactive lifestyle for both children and adults. Is this just plain laziness or is there something more to it?

Working in the health field I can assure you it is very real. Many people struggle with this condition usually resulting from past embarrassment or shame around physical activity. For example, the kids who are always picked last for the team, being teased for not being a good player, or perhaps embarrassment among young girls in the locker room if they matured earlier than others. When we experience emotional pain from something consistently, especially starting at a young age, we will avoid it at all cost.

It is also common to see this condition with dieters. When strict exercise regimes are prescribed people can become resistant when they don’t enjoy it. This type of exercise becomes something they have to do to get the desired result, instead of being something that is enjoyable. In some cases the child who was picked on for not being good at sports grows up and begins dieting as an adult. This just reinforces the negative experience even more! Soon it is hard to imagine any sort of physical activity as being enjoyable. In my line of work I have seen staggering amounts of people who fall into this category.

For some, it manifests itself as not being able to be consistent with physical activity or not starting at all. It can also show up in a more serious way with feelings of fear and panic attacks similar to what happened to the young girl in the television show. If you are beginning to recognize some exercise resistance patterns in your own life or see it in your children, there are some helpful strategies to overcome this issue.

1. Explore the history of what may have created this block. What feelings come up for you when you think about exercise? When did this begin? Early childhood, teen years?

2. Think about any movement that was once fun and had nothing to do with formalized exercise or sports. Did you enjoy riding your bike as a kid? Running as fast as you can? Dancing? Swimming? Exploring new places while walking? This will help you to devise an activity that you connect to as being enjoyable and not emotionally painful.

3. Avoid starting an exercise program because you have to. Internalize your reasons for activity so that you want to do it because you enjoy it. We often become resistant to anything we have to do in life. We look forward to things we want to do.

4. If you have a child who is overweight you can help them now. Introduce enjoyable movement without formalized sports or exercise programs. Go for walks, hike, ride bikes, canoing, skiing…make it fun activities with no emphasis on burning calories or exercise. Putting the focus on weight loss and calorie burning is a sure fire way to make a child become resistant. Focus on movement as fun.

5. For children who struggle with team sports, get them involved in some solo activities that they can excel at such as bike riding, skiing, rock climbing, or even hiking. They will get positive reinforcement around these activities that will help them build their confidence with team sports.

Jeff Ochoa asked:




Almost everyone wants to be healthy and fit and almost everyone knows that exercise is only thing that can make this happen. You will agree that only regular exercise and a sensible diet will help you achieve that fit and healthy target for yourself.

Do you know that there is a recommended amount of exercise that you must do in order to stay fit? Well, it doesn’t have to be at least an hour a day. But any amount of exercise will do and you could just increase the amount or frequency in the days to come.

For starters, exercising keeps you healthy, increases your life span and helps you prevent or improve conditions like heart disease, a stroke, diabetes, back pains, osteoporosis and obesity. And dig this! Regular exercise makes your heart muscle strong enough to “pump” the blood in your system, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce your risk heart attack or stroke.

Diabetes is a disease that is growing and afflicting millions of people. But do you know that just one hour of brisk walking could reduce your risk of getting it? Back pains especially for older people can be prevented or at least alleviated by doing exercises that can strengthen muscles particularly the abdomen and enhances flexibility. Maintaining a good posture as well will do wonders to your back. Bone loss or osteoporosis is a condition that often afflicts women that can only be prevented by taking in plenty of calcium, vitamin D and exercise. Yes, the right posture will help you stay healthy.

For maximum benefit, choose an exercise like dancing. You could also lift weights, jog, climb stairs or even walking. Obesity is a problem that could be easily solved by exercising. Sure, there might be other alternatives but exercise is the simplest and cheapest way to lose weight! You see, there are a lot of “side benefits” and virtually no side effects in exercising. Experts also agree that regular exercise can help boost your immune system and fight certain types of cancers and other ailments.

Aside from the physical benefits there are psychological benefits as well in exercising. It relieves stress and fights off depression and anxiety. During your workout certain chemicals known as endorphins are released in your body. After your workout or exercise you feel a sense of euphoria which can ward off any feeling of depression or anxiety.

Let’s go and have some fun exercising!

Louise Forrest asked:




You know that exercise is good for you… there is no real reason that you need to be reminded. There is a chance, however, that you did not fully realise the potential that a simple exercise program has to make you not only look but feel great from the inside out. Have you tried to start an exercise program but have lost the will to carry on due to aching muscles, no free time or just pure laziness? If so, now is the time to get back on track and get yourself fit, healthy and full of energy.

The problem most people have with sticking to an exercise routine is that it starts out so easily and turns out to be difficult. You know the feeling, that elation and excitement that comes of knowing you are about to start something that could change your life. You buy the equipment, the books, the healthy foods and the vitamins, and for a day or two no one could make you stop doing situps if they tried. Oh, but then comes the muscle pain, the tiredness and the bittersweet longing for a candy bar! Most diet and exercise regimes die out in their first week of existence, which is a shame. So how can you stop yourself from succumbing to the never ending cycle of ups and downs with your exercising habits? The key is to not take too much on at one time.

Big programs like exercise need to be taken more seriously than they often are. Using your body in a physically demanding way is hard work! There is no way you can handle a heavy exercise session every day after getting little to no exercise for months or years beforehand, so do not expect to climb Everest before you can get upstairs without being winded. Little steps will get you there, so clarify your goals and be prepared to stick with an achievement plan that is long term and perhaps slow to start.

You will not have to spend a fortune on exercise equipment to do it, either, so keep that in mind! The simplest methods are often the most successful, maybe because you realise deep down that it is all up to you to get results, and not the machine. Use techniques that you are familiar with, such as pushups, situps, jumping jacks or jumping rope just to get the ball rolling. By using these simple techniques, particularly movement oriented ones such as skipping rope or dancing can make the program an awful lot more enjoyable and easier to endure than an hour or so of deep knee bends or leg lifts. Everyone has a different sort of personality and with that should come a unique exercise program.

Once you have decided on your own brand of exercises to get fit and feel healthy, you will be able to find your natural tolerance for the exercise and can adjust the workout length accordingly. You may find that fifteen minutes is your threshold, you may find that one hour suits you better. The point is, monitor the workout carefully so that you are getting the right amount for your needs and are not overworking yourself. Keep it simple, keep it casual, and you will not need to quite after just a few days for pure exhaustion! Exercise is the best, natural way to feel great about yourself and prolong your life, so stop making excuses and go do it already! If you are up for it, why not start an exercise group with some friends? You may find that their encouragement helps get you through the rough patches.

Jennifer Linsdale asked:




The stepper exercise machine can be one of the best cardio workouts you can get with any exercise machine – period! The stair stepper (as its otherwise known as) is based on the very intense exercise mode of climbing stairs. The workout is intense, and climbing stairs works the big muscles in your legs and buttocks, requiring that your heart pump a lot of blood, and in turn giving your complete cardiovascular system a supreme workout.

Unlike some other exercise machines such as a treadmill or an elliptical trainer, the stepper exercise machine offers no possibility to take a rest during an exercise routine. Sure, you can slow the machine down a bit, but you’re still hauling your body up a level with each step, so the possibility to slack during a workout is practically nil. Only the toughest, most dedicated exercisers use a stepper exercise machine as their primary exercise machine. But, the benefits are huge if you can make this part of your exercise routine.

The stepper exercise machine can be one of the best home units you can buy. It can be small in size and the home units can offer some form of portability, compared to the home versions of treadmills and elliptical trainers. Of course you can find lightweight renditions of these big home machines, but they can be cheaply made, lightweight versions of the real thing.

And we know that cheaply made just doesn’t cut it when shopping for quality and durability. The cheap, lightweight treadmills and elliptical trainers don’t last long compared to the stair stepper which can be lightweight in construction due to its small size and have quality construction as well.

You can store a home version stepper exercise machine in your home – the stair stepper doesn’t have a big “footprint.” Since it’s fairly lightweight in construction, the stair stepper machine can be moved around with your home with relative ease – meaning you probably won’t be getting a hernia while moving it from the closet to the workout room!

And, the stair stepper machine is not expensive to buy compared to those other units mentioned earlier. I don’t have to spend much time telling you that spending less money is a good thing! On the other hand, when I spend money, I want to be sure I’m buying quality. When you shop for anything, be it jewelry, home appliances or home exercise equipment, don’t look for the absolute cheapest item. Make sure you are getting a good value for your money!

My advice? Spend time shopping for a stepper exercise machine, test exercise each machine that you’re considering buying and once you have it in your home, make sure you exercise every day!

Suganya Shekar asked:




Exercise band work outs, otherwise known as resistance band exercises or stretch exercises, are an answer for those who have busy routine or always on a business or work-related trip and do not get enough time to carry out exercises. A host of benefits is associated with exercise band work outs, just few to mention are strengthened muscular and skeletal system, enhanced bone density, improved metabolism and posture, and controlled cholesterol and BP. Apart from these, work outs using exercise bands or flex bands are regarded as effective to minimize the chances of developing heart-related diseases and certain types of cancers. Discussed below are some of the top exercise band work outs.

Bicep Curl: Targeted to improve the size, stamina, and strength of biceps, this exercise must be performed by grasping an end of exercise band in your hand and standing with the exercise band’s middle portion under your feet. Now begin the exercise by arms by your side. Then bend your arms in order to lift your hands towards the shoulders. Then come back to the starting position. Triceps Extension: As the name suggests, this exercise is focused to enhance and strengthen triceps muscles. First of all, tie the band’s centre to a high object, and hold its ends with both hands. While doing this, your elbows must be bent as well as parallel to the floor. Now straighten your elbows but at the same time keeping your upper arms still. Then return to the starting position. Standing Chest Press: As in the case of wrist extension, tie the center of the band to a stationary objective and hold its ends with your both hands. Now stand with your back while bending your elbows and shoulders slightly abducted. Then push yourselves towards the front and then straighten your arms. Now return to the starting position. Overhead Triceps Extension: It should be done by holding one end of the band in your hand and other end under your feet. Then by keeping your hand behind, bend your elbow with exercise band. Then straighten your elbow so that it is pointed towards the ceiling. Now return to the starting position. Wrist Extension: A work-out designed to enhance the functioning of your outer forearm muscles, this should be worked out by sitting down on a chair with one end of the band under your feet and the other end wrapped around the hand. By resting your forearm flat on the thighs, pull your wrist and then come back to the starting position.

Elliot Bigman asked:




As we get older our bodies become more fragile and we may feel like we don’t have the strength or stamina to get out and exercise. However, even in the face of old age, it’s important to get our bodies moving to preserve and improve our health. Some people over the age of 65 are just giving up, assuming that they’ll never again see the good shape they were in during their younger years. The truth is they are dead wrong!

As our bodies age, we do not recover from physical exertion as quickly as we once did. Do you remember how resilient you were when you were young? Perhaps you could run for miles, play tennis for hours, lift weights or even chop wood in your parents’ backyard! Nowadays, many of those actions might seem unthinkable to you. Challenge yourself to revisit a more youthful state of mind. Sure, you may not be able to run a marathon, swing an ax, or pump iron like you once did, but there are many activities you can still perform to keep your body feeling young and healthy. As mentioned before, it takes a lot longer to recover from stress being placed on your body now than it used to. With that said, you simply have to increase your physical fitness level over time.

It’s important to talk to your doctor first to make sure you’re fit for the physical activities you wish to perform. Ask your doctor for help formulating or modifying your exercise regimen according to your needs. Remember, exercise will supplement the coverage provided in your Sarasota health insurance plan, keeping you healthier longer and thus keeping health care costs and insurance premiums to a minimum. If you don’t have health coverage, stop what you’re doing right now and contact a Sarasota health insurance agent to discuss your options for Sarasota health plans.

Good Exercises for People Over 65:

Walking: Walking is an excellent way of getting exercise for people of all ages. It can be as easy or as intense as you desire. Start by walking for about 15 minutes at a slow pace, and then slowly increase your walk time to 30 minutes and then up to an hour if you’re motivated. Not only is walking easy, it also has relatively low impact.

Yoga – Stretch your physical AND mental muscles while at the same time learning great ways to relax, improve mental focus, and relieve stress. Yoga is recommended for all ages, and most yoga schools offer special modified classes just for seniors.

Swimming – Swimming is not only great exercise, it’s fun! A simple, healthy way to relax, swimming strengthens the muscles, including the heart, and relieves the discomfort of back pain and swollen joints. Even severely handicapped individuals can benefit from the effects of swimming.

Exercise is very important part of a healthcare strategy you also need regular wellness checks and the advice of a doctor, for that you need a good health plan. The choices are many but the best is Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Having experienced, knowledgeable agents has made them the Number One agency representing Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. They can help you make choices about health plans or Medicare Supplements. Call or click today and let them help you. http://www.ncinsuranceplansonline.com.

Michelle Starks asked:




A lot of us want to have a good body shape and one way of achieving that fabulous weight is through fat burning exercise and healthy diet. The role of exercise is to help you burn fats but do remember that exercise alone would not be effective if you doesn’t change your food intake. Eating fat burning foods with exercise will cause weight loss. Here are the most effective and easy exercise for men and women.

Abs exercise tones up your internal organs that help them function well thus helping to lose weight. This activity is suitable for people who experience constipation and back pain. Legs exercise. Your legs would look good if there is no layer of body fats under the skin. Firm legs look great when muscle is firm.

Arm exercise. You need to train all three muscle groups in your arm, the triceps, biceps and shoulder muscles. Some of women are afraid of working out their arm muscle because they thought that they will gain big arm muscles, this is not true. You need to have special training program to achieve that. Simple exercise will help lose fats and tone your muscles.

Cardio exercise. This kind of fat burning exercise is very effective in shedding that excess fats. You can do walking for about 45-60 minutes a day, swimming, aerobics and other activities or sports that make you heart beat faster thus pumping your blood to make you whole body active.

These are simple exercises you may want to try but just a reminder that doing exercise will not help you lose weight if you forget your food intake. Watching what you eat and doing fat burning exercise regularly will let you achieve that good shape body you are dreaming of. To know more about fat burning exercise, you may want to check the fat burning exercise program that will provide you a step by step ways on how to achieve your weight goal.

Jesse K. Taylor asked:




Getting enough oxygen is vital to the health of your body. Aerobic exercise can help to increase the oxygen levels in your body, thereby improving your overall health. Although the thought of aerobic exercise may conjure up images of running, biking, and swimming, a workout does not have to be strenuous in order to benefit the body and increase your oxygen intake.

One popular form of passive aerobic exercise is the chi machine. The swinging motion of the chi massager boosts oxygen intake while allowing the body to relax. This passive form of exercise is an ideal alternative to more strenuous movements that can exacerbate the symptoms of patients with chronic illness or other physical conditions.

The relaxing swing movement of the chi exercise machine sets the mind and body at ease. This movement extends the full length of the body, starting at the feet and moving up the spine to the head and neck. Just like more strenuous forms of aerobic exercise, the chi massager improves oxygen intake, energy levels, and the flow of circulation throughout the body.

Regular exercise using a chi machine can benefit the body on many levels, including physical, mental, and emotional. The reported benefits of chi exercise include weight loss, improved skin clarity, increased energy, improved circulation throughout the body, improved posture, and relief from back, neck, and joint pain. Many users also claim to sleep more soundly, experience less stress, and feel a greater sense of overall well-being.

In a study reported in Positive Health magazine in July of 2006, the healing effects of chi exercise extend to the mind, body, and emotions. According to the study’s results, 76% of participants reported improvement from pre-existing physical symptoms, 70% reported mental benefits, and 56% reported emotional benefits. The study included 145 individuals who used the chi exercise machine daily over a 30 day period. Most of the participants experienced improvement on multiple levels.

To get the most out of your chi machine, follow these basic guidelines for using your machine effectively. Drink a full glass of water before and after using the chi machine. This aids the body in flushing out toxins that are released during aerobic exercise. As you position your body on the floor with your ankles in the cradles, try to keep your body aligned as straight as possible. Let your arms rest at your sides or extend your arms above your head for a full-body stretch. Take deep breaths during the exercise and allow your mind to enter a relaxed or meditative state. If your chi machine has multiple speeds, choose the speed at which you feel most comfortable. Begin using the machine once a day for five minutes or less and increase slowly as your body adjusts to the exercise. After each session, lie still for a couple of minutes to allow the full impact of the chi energy to take effect. You may feel a tingling sensation during this time. Rise slowly to a sitting position and let your body adjust before standing.

Your chi swing exercise machine can be used as a stand-alone treatment or to augment the effects of other therapies. Please note the contraindications for chi machines or consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning this treatment. Prepare to be amazed by the powerful benefits of this subtle but effective form of aerobic exercise!