Fitness Friday

WebFit Tip October 26, 2007

Breakfast is important to everyone’s overall health and performance. It is an early-morning refueling stop for your body. After eight to 12 hours without a meal or a snack, your body needs to replenish its glucose, also called blood sugar, the main energy source for the brain.

Studies show breakfast eaters tend to have more strength and endurance, and better concentration and problem-solving abilities. So make sure to start your day the healthy way - with breakfast!

Chocolate: A Health Food?

Ah, chocolate.   Everyone's favorite food. That one thing everyone dies for and craves for.   The dark, aromatic treat that emanates passion, romance, and happiness.   But what made it so appealing and well-loved by everyone?  2,600 years ago the Mayans from

Mexico

had already been drinking chocolate.   Cacao beans, for them, were the ultimate status symbol.   In 1500s, the Aztecs
adopted the

Mayans' love for chocolate and associated it with Xochiquetzal, the goddess of fertility.   A drink, called chocolatl, which was made of chocolate mixed with some spices and herbs, was a popular drink back then.   Under the Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican era, chocolate was a luxury item among the European nobles.   The
well-known traveler

Christopher Columbus introduced cacao beans to Ferdinand and Isabel of Spain.   Later, Hernando Cortes brought more of these to

Europe

and the rest is history.

Why Weightlifting Should Be Part Of Your Weekly Routine

No matter how old you are, weight lifting should be a large part of your exercise program, according to the American College of Sports. A simple strength training program is easy to fit into your weekly schedule, and can help you stay thin while reducing the risk of bone loss later in life.

Building muscles by lifting weights does more than make you look and feel better. Stronger muscles mean you’ll have more energy. Plus, your body burns more calories even at rest when your muscles are stronger. The changes in your metabolism may allow you to lose weight even without making any changes to your diet.

Weight training has also been shown to increase your bone density more than other fitness activities. Since many women (and some men) are at risk of osteoporosis, it is important to
build strong bones when you’re younger, but age shouldn’t stop you from starting an exercise program. Studies have shown that older women may actually reverse bone loss by lifting light
weights.

WebFit Tip October 19, 2007

Training in the morning induces an increase in the body metabolism more than at any other time of the day. People who do morning training sessions start the day with more energy. The production of endorphin helps you get into a better mood.

Not Just Dairy: Other Sources of Calcium

Are you feeling tired most of the time?

Does your mood swing swift from one frame of mind to another?

Perhaps, you lack proper nourishment.  To other people, food alone does not suffice your body’s need for a healthy well-being.  Nowadays more individuals are into food supplements or vitamins to fill in the nutritional gap they are
experiencing.

Calcium is one great example of a nutrient which is normally less in an individual’s diet.  Because of this, more individuals are experiencing brittle bones and teeth.

How To Keep Fit In The Workplace

You can participate in exercises at work to help yourself. Some exercises you can do while working are: Ankle rotation, back stretches, and tightening and relaxing the abdominal muscles.

1. A foundation for fitness. 

You can contribute to your fitness
by using a healthy diet and exercise plan. You do not have to
start a fad, crash diet or spend hours daily at the gym. To
stay fit, cut fatty foods and high sugar foods from your diet,
snack on greens and fruits and take long walks every few days.
Many people can maintain a healthy body by eating salad for
lunch and taking a refreshing jog every other day.

Fit Tip October 12, 2007

Here are a few not so serious thoughts on fitness:

1. Diets are for those who are thick and tired of it

2. Desperation is shaving before stepping on the scales

3. If you drink like a fish, drink what a fish drinks

And, the serious fit tip of the week: Instead of driving everywhere, try and walk whenever possible. Walking at a moderate pace burns over 200 calories per hour!

Anti-Aging Benefits Of Stretching

In many exercise programs, be it weight lifting for building and toning muscles or cardio vascular exercises for increasing stamina and to lose weight, most people do not perform enough stretching exercises even though stretching exercises can be performed by anyone at any age unless that person has some physical restriction to stretch. What is worse, many people do not even stretch before and after exercising. Unknown to most

people, stretching also has anti aging benefits.

•Benefits of stretching exercises for muscle growth 

Stretching is an important aspect of exercising and should be a part of any exercise routine and program. There are many wonderful benefits when you perform regular stretching exercises. Stretching exercises not only help you to warm up and cool down before and after your workouts, it can and will

actually help your muscles to grow bigger and stronger too.  Don’t believe me? Then read on.

Foods That Fight Health Problems

Research shows that most people who eat the widest variety of foods are more likely to meet their nutrients requirements and remain healthy than those who get stuck in the food rut.  Nutrients work together to keep your heart healthy, your blood pressure normal, your bones strong and your memory sharp. Many of the foods hold key to longer lives, cancer cures or smoother skins. Join me in exploring foods and their benefits that fight
host of diseases and health problems.

WebFit Tip October 5, 2007

A simple 100 calories can be the difference in weight maintenance versus weight loss. The average American gains about 2 pounds a year, which translates into 19 calories a day. Small changes in decreased daily intake or increased daily activity can make a big difference over time.