"We do not stop exercising because we grow old; we grow old because we stop exercising." Dr, Kenneth Cooper

Starting and sticking with an exercise program can be difficult. To make it easier, think about how you will look and feel as you improve your level of fitness

Below are some of the benefits of becoming physically fit,

You Look Better:
•Your muscles are firmer and your waistline gets smaller.
•Your skin even looks better due to better circulation.
•You feel strong, attractive, and capable.

You Feel Better:
•You don't huff and puff going up the stairs.
•Your have increased energy to go places and do things.
•You will lower your blood pressure and improved your cholesterol.
•Your work performance improves due to increased brainpower

What are you waiting for? Start exercising today to improve your fitness level. The more you exercise, the more you will see improvements in your physical performance, even if you only start out by making small lifestyle changes. A balanced program includes cardio (gets the heart pumping and the sweat dropping), weight or resistance training, and stretching. In addition, eating healthy and exercising properly will give you the most improvement and benefits.

Cardio Bunnies

I was getting ready to go to the gym yesterday and put on this new workout top I had recently purchased from Target. I wasn't having a flat belly day so I took it off and changed to something that was much more loose and not at all tight fitted. I don't really like wearing tight clothes when I am working out. So I arrived at the gym feeling bloated and not at all having a positive body image.

I started by jumping rope for about 5 mintues and then started an upper body workout. I did some pullups and barbell should presses, then continued with supersets of bicep curls and rear deltoids. While I was working on my biceps, this girl at the gym walked up to me and asked me what type of workout I do, and if run because I am in great shape. I am often puzzled by that question because there I was lifting weights and yet I am asked if I run? I basically told her that I hate to run and detest running long distances. My running only consists of sprints and do 20 or 30 second sprints with a 1 minute recovery.I also told her that I don't particularly like doing cardio. Of course she told me that she was a runner, ran to the gym and loves cardio. Surprise, Surprise! My thought was stop with all the cardio and lift some weights to gain some muscle tone, don't be afraid you will not get big!

Tomorrow is National Start Walking Day

April 7, 2010 is National Start! Walking Day
This is the day that adults nationwide can make the pledge to Start! walking and to become active and heart healthy, especially in the workplace.
Wear your sneakers to work.
Physical inactivity doubles the risk of heart
disease, our nation’s No. 1 killer. Start
walking at work and start reducing your risk.
Let this be your first move toward
adopting a heart-healthy work style.
You could gain about two hours of life
expectancy for every one hour of
regular, vigorous exercise. So lace up
your sneakers and make a pledge
to live a longer, healthier life.
StartWalkingNow.org

Organic or Non-organic

When I lived in California I found it easier and cheaper to buy organic fruits and vegetables. One time I was actually able to find organic strawberries on sale and cheaper than regular strawberries. Unfortunately in Maryland I find it extremely difficult to find fresh organic produce. I use the guide below whenever I am unable to find organic produce.

According to the Environmental Working Group, these are the fruits and vegetables least likely to be contaminated
Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mangos
Asparagus
Sweet peas
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Papaya
Watermelon
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Sweet potatoes

Make Exercise Fun!

Here are a few suggestions to vary your workout and make it more interesting.

If you are at home, listen to music or watch television (listening to music is not recommended if you are an outside runner). If you get bored exercising at home, go to the gym. Watching other people training and socializing can help you work out.
Exercise in a park, along a trail, or in a new location.
Exercise with a friend.
Challenge yourself by trying to exercise "harder" than you did the last time.
Do an activity you do not usually do.
Exercise in a public place (where you can look at others).
Make a day of it -- bring everything you'll need (within reason) for a day of hiking, biking, swimming, etc.
Take an aerobics, swim, or dance class.
Consider getting a dog so you have a built-in excuse to walk every day.
Join a running or walking club

Enjoy!

March is National Nutrition Month

The theme for March 2010 is "Nutrition From the Ground Up."

National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

Words that pop into my mind when I think about the phrase "nutrition from the ground up" include home grown, fresh organic, fruits, vegetables, natural, healthy, grass-fed, home-made, home grown, unprocessed, foods that can be pronounced.

Yeah for Daylight Savings Time!

Last night we put the clocks 1 hour ahead so today is officially Daylight Savings Time! One more hour of daylight and another sign that spring is in the air. More daylight means more sunshine and I love the sun and warm weather. I am really looking forward to going to the track to run sprints and bleachers. In a recent study, people got bigger boosts in physical and mental energy when they exercised outdoors, compared to inside. Research has also shown that people become more active as the days get longer.

Time to get off that couch and get ready for tank tops, shorts and sandals!