Responsibility for Health

Responsibility:

What you may ask, does responsibility have in common with
fitness, weight loss, and nutrition?

Everything, it all starts with personal responsibility.

We have somehow become a society that is not responsible for
ourselves. Numerous examples from the past few years abound:

Ø Someone drives away with a cup of coffee, spills it; it’s the restaurant’s fault.
Ø Over 60% of us are overweight; it’s the fast food industry’s fault.
Ø Prescription drugs have moved up to the number 4 killer in the United States, it’s the drug industries fault. (although we take them)
Ø Most recently a doctor tells an obese person to lose weight or die He’s insensitive.

The list goes on and on. What we seem to have lost sight of is,
it really doesn’t matter who is at fault, if we are overweight,
unhealthy, and die prematurely, we lose no matter who caused it.

We have simply got to become more aware of our environment, what
is causing the obesity issues today, and take personal
responsibility to resolve those issues on a personal level.

The diet and drug industries are counting on you doing just the
opposite. They are selling over $35 Billion per year in diet
supplements, diet drugs, diet foods, and numerous other
products. They obviously aren’t working because obesity in
America has increased 20% in the last decade.

The stuff doesn’t work but it is profitable.

There really is no secret pill. You need to understand the
body’s caloric requirement at your current fitness level to
maintain your current weight. You then eat less and exercise
more to burn calories to reduce weight. Any calories we take in
that are not burned are stored as fat.

It doesn’t matter what pill you take, what you inject into your
body, or how much expensive prepared food you eat, sooner or
later it comes down to logic and numbers.

The body was not designed to run on a single kind of fuel, be it
fat, carbs whatever. We need a varied diet to regenerate our
bodies and remain healthy.

We simply refuse to accept that fact. In my books “Living to be
Younger” and “Living Better”, I cover these subjects in detail.
There are no false claims and wild promises. You learn exactly
why losing 30 pounds in 30 days is not only nonsense it’s
unhealthy.

Stop wasting time and money chasing a magic bullet solution.
If there was one, we’d all be the ideal weight.

Take responsibility for your health and wellness and become an
Educated consumer. Learn what your body needs, how to provide it properly and naturally and take charge of your life.

When our bodies first came into the world from the original designer do you
Think they were meant to need diet pills, shots, or expensive processed foods?

Of course not they need a varied diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, and we need to
Move them around some.

by: Martin Harshberger,

What Is Pilates

Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that engage the mind and condition the total body by using a popular exercise regimen that uses special stretches and machines. Named after Joseph Pilates, Pilates exercise system has proven itself invaluable not only to the fitness user, but to the professional trainers as well. Pilates, a technique of exercise and physical movement intended to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body.


With regular practice of specific exercises joined with focused breathing patterns. Pilates works several muscle groups simultaneously through smooth, continuous motion, with a particular concentration on strengthening and stabilising the core.
Pilates focuses on the quality of movement rather than quantity, which makes one feel refreshed rather than tired after a session. Pilates takes a balanced approach so that no muscle group is overworked and the body works efficiently.
With the aging of our people and the increasing trend toward mindful, moderate health practices, Pilates is more likely to find itself with a wait list at the YMCA, and in your local public schools, shaping the fitness ideals of our next generation.


Practiced loyally, Pilates yields many benefits such as:

· Increased lung capacity and circulation through deep breathing.
· Strength and flexibility, particularly of the abdomen and back muscles, coordination-both muscular and mental, are key components in an effective Pilate's program.
· Posture, balance, and core strength are all heartily increased.
· Bone density and joint health improvements as you become more aware of your body. Pilates teaches balance and control of the body.

Pilate's equipment today is not much different than that of earlier days. Because of the nature of the equipment the inimitably designed pieces truly act as a complement to the challenging mat exercises.

Pilate Moves

The Hundred - This movement strengthens the torso by requiring the back muscles to work in synergy with the abdominal muscles.

Roll Up -This movement strengthens the abdominal muscles.

One-Leg Circle -This movement opens up the hip, increasing flexibility.

One-Leg Stretch -This movement strengthens the abdominal muscles with the opposition effect of keeping the back flat on the floor while changing legs.

Single Straight-Leg Stretch -This movement strengthens the abdominal muscles by the opposition of keeping the back flat on the floor while changing legs.

Key to remember is that you should consult a physician before starting any exercise programme. Always keep water close to you and drink before you get too thirsty

by: David Chandler

Exercise for a Healthy Heart

Do you exercise every day? If you want to live a long, healthy life, maybe you should.

A recent study by Timothy Wessel, a physician at the University of Florida, indicates one of the strongest risk factors for developing heart disease is inactivity – even more so than being overweight. During the four-year study of 906 women, Dr. Wessel documented those who were moderately active were less likely to develop heart disease than sedentary women, no matter how much they weighed. The study concluded: “These results suggest that fitness may be more important than overweight or obesity for cardiovascular risk in women.”

In January, the updated U.S. Dietary Guidelines strongly urged that everyone should take part in “at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity” on most days, above whatever activities they do at home or work. To loose weight or to avoid gaining weight as we age, 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous exercise is recommended. And those who have already lost weight and are attempting to keep weight off need 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise.

A study of 9,611 adults by the University of Michigan Health System, found that people in their 50s and 60s who participated in daily exercise were 35 percent less likely to die within the next eight years than their inactive couch potato counter parts.

Convinced that it’s time to add exercise to your day?


The Basics - Making Exercise a Life Priority:
- If you’re not use to exercising, check with your doctor before beginning any strenuous fitness routine.

- Start slow. If 30 minutes of exercise is too much, start with 15 minutes and add a few minutes each day.

- If you don’t have time for 60 minutes of exercise, break it up into two 30-minute sessions throughout the day.

- Schedule a specific time to exercise everyday – then keep to your schedule!

- Take part in more intense activities that can improve your heart health, such as: running, dancing, swimming, cycling, and climbing stairs.

- Find exercise that you enjoy. You will be more likely to continue and improve your daily performance if you look forward to a favorite activity.

- Wear proper clothing and footwear. This has two functions. Clothing and shoes that are suited to your activity will enhance performance and offer the right kind of support for your body and feet. They will also place you in a better frame of mind for exercise. When you wear your favorite running outfit and slide into your special running shoes, your mind says “it’s time to get out the door and put my feet in motion!”

- Add everyday activities to increase your overall fitness level, such as gardening, housework, walking to the store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and raking leaves.

- Always drink lots of water.

- If you feel discomfort or pain after an activity, use ice therapy immediately to reduce swelling and numb pain. Always have a cold pack in your freezer, ready and waiting. Most aches and pains attributed to exercise respond well to icing and will melt away within 24 hours after applying ice for several 20-minute sessions. Using cold therapy reduces down time, getting you back on schedule fast. (If the pain does not lessen within 48 hours after using ice therapy, is intense or becomes worse, see your doctor.)

Exercise every day…take care of your heart…live long!

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury.

by: Louise Roach,