4th May 2012

Five ways to lose weight this weekend!

If you’re tired of having a penchant for really ‘letting go’ in the diet, exercise and general health stakes at the weekend, pathetically mumbling to yourself that you’ll ‘start the diet again on Monday morning’, why not designate the weekend to losing weight and keeping fit?

If that sounds like an appealing plan then to help you in your quest to have knocked a few pounds off the scales on Sunday night rather than have gained a few, below are five ways to lose weight this weekend.

Go to a nightclub

Dancing the night away in a nightclub will go a long way in your quest to be slimmer. Just make sure that your healthy dancing antics aren’t humbled by knocking back buckets full of high calorie alcoholic beverages.

Have a lie-in

According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who don’t get enough sleep consume an average of 300 more calories than those who do get enough sleep. Make sure that your extra calorie consumption doesn’t come through lack of sleep by having a lie-in!

Eat Brunch

Instead of eating greasy fry-up for breakfast as an attempt to thwart the repercussions of last night’s eight pints, followed by a stodgy lunch of fish and chip several hours later, opt for having a mid-morning brunch instead.

Brunches tend to be lighter than lunches and are there to be enjoyed as you will have more time at the weekend. Try to make your brunch as nutritious and as filling as possible so that you don’t have a tendency to snack during the afternoon. Poached egg on wholemeal toast makes a tasty and nutritious brunch.

Go shopping

As it we need any excuse! Walking around the shops carrying bags laden with new clothes, toiletries and shoes will do your quest for weekend weight loss and world of good, although it’s a shame the same can’t be said about your bank balance!

Clean the house

Why not ‘kill two birds with one stone’ by cleaning your house this weekend? Cleaning is one of those underestimated keep fit activities, with people being widely oblivious to the fact that spending just half an hour mopping the floor can burn up to 300 calories and scrubbing the bathroom can burn almost 150 calories.

Of course, not only will putting in some extra elbow grease result in an ultra-sparkling kitchen, but the more effort you put in the more calories you will burn!

 

3rd May 2012

The psychological benefits of yoga on teenagers

In a multi-millennial journey from being a spiritual practice of ancient India to becoming considered as being the ultimate antidote in the corporate fast lane, one cannot deny that yoga has come a long way.

In carrying out so many different moves and stretches it is easy to understand the physical benefits one gains if practising yoga regularly. Whilst it is widely accepted that any type of exercise is good for one’s mental health as well as their physical health, the psychological benefits of yoga remain a lot more ambiguous and uncertain.

The psychological benefits of yoga became slightly more ‘concrete’ when the findings of a pilot study were published in a recent edition of the Journal of Development & Behavioural Paediatrics. The study was aimed at researching the effects yoga had on adolescents suffering from mental health disorders such as anxiety and stress.

According to Science Daily, the study showed significant improvements in the psychological outcomes of 51 eleventh and twelfth grade students registered for physical education at a Massachusetts high school.

The students completed a series of psychosocial tests before and after undergoing a ten-week yoga program. The tests assessed the moods of the teenagers and self-regulatory abilities, such as anger management and mindfulness.

The research findings on the psychological benefits of yoga on teenagers proved that the youngsters who had been part of the yoga program had performed better in the psychological tests, such a showing a significant increase in positive emotions. Whilst the teenagers who had stayed in regular physical education classes tended to score worse in tests examining mood problems and anxiety.

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1st May 2012

What is water walking and what are the benefits of water walking?

The benefits of water are almost endless – It keeps us hydrated, alert and top form. It can help keep out skin looking radiant and can help prevent a multitude of illnesses and diseases.

Exploiting water for fitness gain through swimming, which is, of course one of the best exercises known to man, is another unique benefit of water, but have you ever thought about water walking?

Below we explore some of the benefits water walking can have on one’s health.

Can build up muscles

Whilst aerobic forms of exercise carried out in water are accomplished much slower than on land, the water provides excellent resistance and this resistance can help tone and develop various muscle groups.

Benefits the joints

According to the medical publication “Arthritis Today”, unlike many land-based exercises such as running, walking in water can actually benefit the joints. This is because water provides buoyancy and supports the weight of the body, which in turn minimises the about of shock and pressure on the joints.

Anti-aging properties

Water has many therapeutic properties which can have a good effect on the overall look and elasticity of our skin. Water walking eliminates toxins from our bodies, and in having a detoxifying effect, can leave our skin radiant and glowing.

Socialising

As water walking requires a swimming pool, or even a river or the sea, it is a form of exercise where one can meet people and socialise. Many fitness centres put on water walking sessions and classes which can be a great way to meet new people and truly master the art of water walking!

If you really want to give your performance a boost, you should consider the benefits of a magnetic therapy bracelet from Trion:Z. You can buy one here.

 

30th April 2012

The benefits of a mini exercise bike

Mini exercise bikes are quickly becoming a buzz word in the world of health and fitness, with the advantages being multiple. If you are unsure what the benefits are of owning such a device, then read on as we explore the marvels of a mini exercise bike.

Don’t require much space

Conventional exercise bikes, similar to conventional bikes, are bulky, heavy items which require a lot of space in a home or an office. If you simply don’t have this space, mini exercise bikes can be a great alternative. These clever exercise machines are light and compact and will easily fit inside a cupboard or under the bed, meaning you can discreetly store them without taking up valuable space.

You can burn calories in the luxury of your own home

Instead of having to wait for a dry day, being limited to cycling at times when it is light outside and dangerously competing with cars for road space, with a mini exercise bike you can cycle at your leisure, anytime of the day in the comfort of your own living room.

With a mini exercise bike you will burn the same amount of calories that you would risking life and limb cycling on the road and the same amount as you would burn by pedalling on a bigger stationary exercise bike.

With a mini exercise bike you can also exercise whilst carrying out other tasks, such as being on the telephone, on the computer or watching TV, effectively ‘killing two birds with one stone!’

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26th April 2012

Equipment free exercise at home

Many people tend to join a gym with the belief that they couldn’t possibly get in shape at home through lack of equipment. While fitness equipment such as exercise bikes, treadmills, trampolines, benches and weight machines are great for losing weight, toning the body and getting fit, you can achieve all the goals mentioned above using equipment free exercise at home.

Read the following advice on equipment free exercise at home.

Dancing

Not only is dancing fun, adrenaline-pumping and enjoyable, but it is also a fantastic form of exercise. People of almost any age can dance and all it requires is some music. As dancing is a highly active cardiovascular activity, when we dance we burn calories, which, of course if done regularly and done in-conjunction with eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, can result in weight loss.

Although there is other health benefits of dancing other than weight loss and increased fitness. Dancing can increase flexibility, which is an important component of maintaining good health. Dancing can also increase muscle strength and endurance, meaning your stamina and fitness levels will gradually improve.

As dancing is a social and enjoyable activity, which you can do to your favourite music, it can also increase your mood, release tension and stress and be an instant energy booster!

So what are you waiting for? Crank up your favourite album and dance the morning away!

Fitness DVDs

Many stay-at-home exercisers keep fit by following an exercise DVD. From Cindy Crawford showing you how you can get a body like hers, to Davina McCall revealing her body secrets, there is literally hundreds of fitness DVDs available that you can work to in the comfort of your own home.

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