Overcoming Roadblocks

When it comes to fitness, there are all kinds of roadblocks that can try to deter us from what we are attempting to accomplish.  Whether it’s losing weight, toning up or just becoming more active…there is always something ready to stand in the way of our efforts. Let’s consider some of the common roadblocks that we face.  The first is getting started.  Believe it or not, many people struggle with starting an exercise program or regime. Not knowing where to start can prevent some people from doing anything at all.  They feel stuck and so they remain there (after all, … Continue reading

Tips for Beginners

It’s a New Year.  Are you ready to embrace a new you?  It starts with getting off your duff, no matter how tired you are from staying up last night or how stuffed your belly feels from all the goodies you ate. There is always a good reason to not start.  But there are even better reasons for why you should. There is something about immediately starting off the New Year right…taking those first steps (no matter how small) toward your goal of becoming a fitter person.  So even if that means you take a 10 minute walk, something is … Continue reading

Use Smartphone to Lose Weight

If you’re anything like me, your smartphone has become a third arm.  Of course, I feel like I can justify this because I have a son in the military.  But the truth is that it would be attached to my side anyway. So why not make good use of it?  It already allows me access to my email, Facebook, the weather and so much more.  I might as well see if it can help me lose weight. A new study finds that a standard weight loss program can be more effective when you incorporate your smart phone.  With so many … Continue reading

5 Tips for a Fitter Thanksgiving

Hosting the Thanksgiving meal this week, I have a lot to do. And I will be honest…exercising is not one of the first things on my mind. In fact, if I could have my way, it would be skipped this entire week. At least that’s what the “old” me would have done. I would have gone into this week thinking, “I already know that I will be eating more than I usually do come Thursday, so why bother to workout?” The thinking is that I will just start again on Monday. But like I said, that is what the old … Continue reading

10 Fall Fitness Tips

The color of the leaves show me that the fall season is alive and well. But so are we, and we should take full advantage of that. One fall fitness tip that I have is to take advantage of the weather. This is the perfect time of the year for walking or cycling. Park trails and hiking areas allow for not only physical activity but beautiful scenery. A second fall fitness tip is to look into signing up for a Zumba or aerobics class. Or try something adventurous like a dance class. A third fall fitness tip is to involve … Continue reading

All You Need Is 30 Minutes a Day

When it comes to exercise, is more of it better? You may sometimes question whether or not the recommended 30 minutes a day of exercise is beneficial. I know a few people who don’t believe this because they don’t feel satisfied unless they have gotten in 45 to 60 minutes of exercise. For some reason, the 30 minutes can feel like it’s not enough. Well, a small study says differently. Whether you exercise for 30 or 60 minutes a day, you end up losing the same amount of weight. I think it’s the mindset that if you work out more, … Continue reading

You Can’t Always Fix Everything

It’s a frequent miscommunication, one written about many times: one spouse just wants to vent their frustrations, and the other hears it as “please fix my problem.” It’s most common that the women are former and the men latter, but I’ve heard of the situation reversed; it all depends on personality. Jon and I can sometimes fall into this trap as well. It starts off very sweet: Jon would like to be able to solve my problems for me. That’s something we’d all like to do for the people that we love. But because that’s impossible, it’s important that we … Continue reading

6 Ways to Begin a Healthier Lifestyle

The warm weather is finally upon us. You can’t help but notice how great some people look in their shorts. You are now feeling motivated to get healthy. How do you begin? By following these 6 suggestions, you will at least be on your way. Every successful story has a beginning and perhaps today is your day. The first tip is to get out and walk. You don’t have to go and spend a lot of money on a gym membership. You don’t have to invest in workout equipment. Just start by walking. Walking is a great way to break … Continue reading

Increasing Strength with Lightweights

Weight lifting has never been something that appeals to me. Yet I would still like to increase my strength. Although I use my lightweights for some parts of my exercise program, it wasn’t until recently that I learned how much they actually help with increasing strength and building muscle. Repetition is the way to that. Apparently, some Canadian researchers conducted a study in which they found that heavy weights aren’t the only way to do it. Lighter weights can work just as well. The key is to reach the point of muscle fatigue. I had never heard the phrase “muscle … Continue reading

Beginners in Fitness

For many people, this is the time of year when they start thinking about getting ready for the warmer months. The thought of starting a fitness routine may be in your mind but it could be that you don’t know where to begin. With so many different types of exercise and a variety of formats to choose from, it can be confusing to get started. It may even lead to some feeling so overwhelmed that they never move forward. Let’s be clear on one thing…if you are a beginner, you shouldn’t try to incorporate intense exercise into your fitness plan. … Continue reading