What Is Pilates

There are a countless number of exercise programs on the market that make empty promises with little results to show from the intense workouts. Pilates, however, is not one of those who offer empty
promises.

The Pilates program offers low impact exercises, which balance the body as well as the mind. The program focuses on the core postural muscles. These muscles are what keep the body balanced and provide support to the spine. Pilates teaches awareness of breathing and alignment of the spine.

Pilates was built on the idea of muscle control. Each movement is regulated and there are no sloppy, uncontrolled movements. Every Pilates exercise must be performed with exact control of all body parts to avoid injury and produce positive results.

Pilates does not focus on intensity or multiple reps, but rather proper form and effective results. Precision is also key in Pilates. Every movement has a purpose. Every instruction is important to the success of the program. Leaving out any details forsakes the intrinsic value of the exercise.

The focus is more on doing one perfect and precise movement instead of halfhearted ones. This precision becomes second nature and carries over into our everyday life. Concentration is just as important as control and precision. Pilates demands intense focus. Beginners learn to pay attention to their bodies and build very small delicate fundamental movements and controlled breathing.

Centering plays an important part in Pilates. By centering parts of the body such as the abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks, also known as the powerhouse, the body is able to draw energy and flow it outwards to the extremities.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Aerobics For Weight Loss

The word aerobic literally means "with oxygen" or "in the presence of oxygen." Aerobic exercise is any activity that uses large muscle groups, which is maintained continuously for a long period of time and is rhythmic in nature. Aerobic exercises utilize oxygen as the major fuel for sustaining activity for relatively long periods.

In general, aerobic exercises are those activities that require large muscle work, elevate the heart rate between 60 percent and 80 percent of the maximal heart rate, and is continuous in nature, lasting 15 to 60 minutes in duration. An aerobically fit individual can workout longer, more vigorously and recover quickly at the end of the aerobic session.

Aerobic exercises typically fall in two categories:

Low to Moderate Impact aerobics; These include walking, swimming, stair climbing, step classes, light water aerobics, rowing and cross-country skiing. Nearly anyone in reasonable health can engage in some low- to moderate-impact exercise. Brisk walking burns more calories than jogging for the same distance because it takes more time to walk than jog that distance and poses less risk for injury to muscle and bone.

High-Impact aerobics; Activities which belong to this group include running, dance exercise, tennis, racquetball and squash. High-impact aerobics should be performed on alternate days. People who are overweight, elderly, out of condition or have an injury or other medical problem should do them even less frequently and only with clearance from their doctor.

Here are some of the many aerobic exercises you can do and because of the variety in which you can choose from, it can eliminate boredom.

Walking

Walking is a popular form of exercise because it requires little in terms of equipment or facilities. Walking an extra 20 minutes each day will burn off 7 pounds of body fat per year. Longer, moderately-paced daily walks are best for losing weight.

Jogging/Running

In jogging or running, an individual is able to cover greater distances in a shorter period of time. Therefore, a greater numbers of calories can be burned per time spent.

Choreographed Aerobic Exercise

Choreographed aerobic dance is a very popular form of exercise throughout the world. Aerobic dance helps in toning up the muscles of the body and many people find it fun to do as well.

Step Aerobics

Step aerobics incorporates the use of a step or bench typically about one foot wide and three feet long and about six inches high. Instructors use many moves that require participants to step up and down from the platform.

Water Aerobics

Water aerobics incorporates a variety of movements from both swimming and land aerobics to develop vigorous routines that are aerobic in nature. It utilizes the resistance to movement that water creates to elevate heart rates. It is a good way to lose weight.

Swimming

Swimming is a very popular form of regular exercise. Due to the resistance of water, the amount of energy required to swim a certain distance is greater than that needed to run or walk the same distance. In other words, swimming can burn more calories than running per time spent.

Stationary Cycling/Bicycling

Stationary cycling or bicycling are excellent forms of aerobic exercise when done continuously. Like swimming, cycling is a non weight bearing activity that builds muscular endurance and strength and improved flexibility of selected muscles of the legs and thighs.

Jumping Rope

Jumping rope can be a great aerobic workout as long as it is performed at a slow to moderate pace and is done continuously for a relatively long period of time (15 minutes or more).

The key to effective weight loss is through use of a healthy exercise program which is performed on a regular basis while following a healthy diet & nutrition plan. Aerobic exercise is good for weight loss because it uses more calories than other activities and helps raise your metabolic rate.

Raising you metabolic heart rate helps your body burn calories at a faster pace. It is an effective way to lose fat only if you are motivated enough to do it frequently.


This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

How A Lack Of Activities Can Prevent You From Living A Healthy Life

Did you know that a lack of activities, can prevent you from living a healthy life?  A lack of activities in your life, may cause fatigue or make it difficult for you to sleep at night, causing you to feel tired in the mornings. As we age our body will start to change and the need to make certain changes in our lives become more prevalent.

Having a good night sleep can help you to think clearly, and boosts your energy while controlling your weight. A good night sleep, can help your immune system become stronger, which can assist in keeping you healthy.

Researchers have proved that a good nights sleep is necessary for our health, to include discovering  that a lack of sleep reduces the growth hormones in our bodies, which can change muscles to fat. Getting enough sleep at night is very important, yet its second to staying active.

Without the right amount of sleep, our body will release insulin or glucose into the bloodstream, which slows down our metabolism. This action causes the body to gain weight, rather than control weight.

When a person feels exhausted, they will feel weak and fatigued, and are not able to enjoy any physical activities, which can lead to additional problems. Having the right amount of sleep balances out our bodies giving us more energy, which can result in a more active lifestyle.

To improve your health, try walking each day.

Start a walking program in the morning to help wake you up, and boost your energy.  In addition, walking can help you burn fat and calories. After walking, you may notice a big change in how you feel the rest of the day.

Walking will help to loosen our muscles, reduce stress and depression along with anxiety, helping us to sleep more sounder, and deeper at night, allowing us to wake up in the morning and feel happier and more rested.

Start out walking at a slow steady pace for as far as you're comfortable.  Each day pick up the pace a bit and walk further. Just remember when walking that you want to work up to a steady brisk walk to make you sweat but not to the point where you are out of breath.

Take a short walk before and after meals to calm your nerves, and burn calories too, it will give you energy, and relieve that stress from the long day at the office.

If you decide to start a walking program for yourself, it is a lot more fun if you have someone to go with you, so try talk to that neighbor you don't know and maybe they will walk with you. Just think about it; you will become acquainted with someone new, while talking about new things and relieving stress, while getting in your exercise as well.

After walking, be sure to cool down. When walking at a vigorous pace your heart rate will go up and the cool down will help to bring it back to normal.  You can cool down, by walking a bit slower and relaxing.

A few extra tips to consider:

To get the proper rest, so that you can feel more alive and active, try reducing your intake of caffeine, nicotine, harmful chemicals, such as over-the-counter meds that can keep you awake, alcohol and so on.

Try to avoid drinking any of the above after 8 p.m. in the evening. Nicotine as well should be avoided if possible, yet if you must smoke try to avoid smoking after 8 p.m.

If you can't go to sleep at night instead of getting up and turning on the TV try pacing around the house. Do some stretching, while shaking your arms and legs. Walking around the house may relax you even more, especially since everyone else will be  in bed. :)

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.