exercise
You don't have to lift weights like you're preparing for the Olympics to reap all of the benefits of weight bearing exercise. And you don't even have to have weights; you can use your own body weight as resistance. While cardio training does burn more calories per hour, with resistance and weight bearing exercise, your metabolism is about 20% higher for the first 48 hours after resistance training. What that means is that it's kind of an "after-burn" effect from weight bearing exercises, so your body will be burning even more calories while you are watching TV, sleeping, at your [...]
So, ever since your very first PE class in elementary school, you've heard that stretching is important; right? Most of us don't really dedicate enough daily quality time to stretching. If you look at animals, you'll notice that a total body stretch is the first thing they do when waking up. They also keep stretching throughout the day. Most physical therapists and stretching experts agree that everyone has imbalances and mobility restrictions. We sit too much and don’t put our bodies into enough various positions. Stretching helps tremendously with flexibility, range of motion and injury prevention. It keeps our muscles [...]
Endorphins can be your own private "narcotic!" They can affect us like codeine or morphine, but without the addiction. Understanding this can then help you increase a sense of euphoria in your life. Endorphins are neurotransmitters, chemicals that pass along signals from one neuron to the next. They originate in various parts of your body and interact mainly with receptors in cells found in regions of the brain responsible for blocking pain and controlling emotion. While endorphins block pain, they're also responsible for our feelings of pleasure, and these feelings of pleasure exist to let us know when we've had [...]
You don't have to lift weights like you're preparing for the Olympics to reap all of the benefits of weight bearing exercise. And you don't even have to have weights, you can use your own body weight as resistance. While cardio training does burn more calories per hour, with resistance and weight bearing exercise, your metabolism is about 20% higher for the following 48 hours after resistance training. What that means is that it's kind of an "after-burn" effect from weight bearing exercises, so your body will be burning more calories for you while you are watching TV, sleeping, at [...]
Still one of my favorite national parks in the United States, Joshua Tree sits just about a 90 minute drive from Los Angeles, and is truly "other-wordly" feeling when you're there. Joshua Tree National Park is characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, which is higher and cooler. Keys View looks out over the Coachella Valley. Hiking trails weave through the boulders of Hidden Valley. The park offers visitors endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Depending on the number of hours you [...]
Here's 5 "don'ts" to keep in mind the next time you are at the gym. 1. Don't try to strike up a conversation with somebody behind you while jogging or running (or even walking) on a treadmill. I saw somebody once fall off, tumble and end up about 5 feet away from the treadmill they were running on by trying to strike up a conversation with somebody behind them while they were jogging on the treadmill. Stay focused on your treadmill cardio and keep your eyes and head forward at all times. 2. Don't wear cologne or perfume while you're [...]
Here are my Top 5 ways to Eat Healthy while traveling this summer: #1. Choose a hotel or Airbnb that's near a grocery store. This is really the best way to have easy, convenient, and low cost access to fruits and vegetables and salad bars. You can also stock up on healthy snacks like nuts, granola bars and dried fruit. #2. Drink plenty of water. The body needs water for almost all of its functions. Drinking lots of water will flush your body of toxins and help you eat less. It'll also help to reduce cravings, and reduce any jet-lag symptoms or [...]
And since so many of us have our necks in a constant forward-down position looking at our phones and devices, the muscles become overactive and weak, leading to stiffness and soreness, and also possible cervical vertebrae issues. It's important to include neck exercises and stretches in your fitness routine. Here's a few: Strengthening Exercises Chin Tucks 1. Start by standing flat against a wall. 2. Proceed to tuck your chin to your upper chest by bringing it straight down. 3. The back of your head should stay in slight contact with the wall. 4. Repeat for the desired repetitions. Manual [...]