Even though at least 176 million people suffer with endometriosis, the general public is not fully aware of the disease, what it is, treatment options we have, or other information. Continue reading →
Staying on top of preventive healthcare is especially important as you grow older. Taking steps to prevent illness and catch disease early leads to lower healthcare spending and better outcomes among older adults. However, many seniors don’t understand what preventive care they need and how they can pay for it. Continue reading →
Let’s get down to business. Your heart is more than a muscle. No doubt, you are reading this because you want to know how to get your heart and body as strong as possible and realize the benefits you can expect to see and feel from regular participation in a heart healthy centered exercise program. The good news is that by participating in a regular, daily habit of physical activity not only will your heart get stronger and function more efficiently, the muscles, joints, tissues and other organs will benefit as well.
The heart is not only the physical center of the body but the emotional center as well. When you are stressed, anxious and generally emotionally distressed, the heart and surrounding anatomy ‘respond’. This response may present with an accelerated heart rate, increase in blood pressure, and tightening of the chest and shoulders. This is why controlling stress, eating well, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting good sleep are all vital components of a cardiac health program, physical activity will only take you so far. Continue reading →
It seems like everyone is talking about self-care lately — but how many of us know what self care actually means? It’s such a broad concept, and that can make it hard to pinpoint exactly what it means to practice self care.
During this time of year when people are setting resolutions and intentions for the next year, I’d love to make 2019 the year when we resolve to embrace and practice self-care. I believe that in caring for ourselves, we open up a new world of love and possibilities. But to practice self-care we have to really understand what it means and how it affects and involves all aspects of our lives. Continue reading →
2019 promises to be the year of the jump rope and we’ve got the world’s leading jump rope expert Buddy Lee with a brand new book 101 Best Jump Rope Workouts.
Jump rope is ranked as one of the most efficient exercises for improving cardiovascular health. Variations in jump speed, jumping patterns, jump techniques and jump progressions all lead to making jump rope one of the most effective and versatile exercises on the planet. Continue reading →
One of the best things you can do for your brain and for your future health is to feed your brain the nutrients it desperately needs. When you feed your brain only what you most desire, fast food, baked goods and other nutritionally deficient foodstuffs, you fail to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the brain. The brain requires specific nutrients for the regeneration of brain tissue and maintenance, as well as foods and substances that positively impact neurotransmitters, the brain’s chemical messengers. Continue reading →
You’re off to the gym. You’ve eaten, picked out your clothes, your music and consulted social media with its near legion of motivational pics and often impossibly high standards to psyche yourself up for the impending workout/onslaught. It’s on, bro! Let’s do this! Continue reading →
In the world of Tactical Athletics, many mistakes are made by members of the military, police, and firefighting communities on both ends of the fitness spectrum. There are a few different segments within the community that tend to mirror society’s issues.
There are those who quit training after boot camp or police/fire academies and start to gain weight and get injured on the job. There are those who go hardcore everyday with little to no recovery cycles. And there are those find the right balance of workouts to help with job performance, mobility, recovery, longevity, and probably most important – stress mitigation. With the later being the optimal goal for the tactical athlete, here is a list of ways to ensure better tactical fitness success: Continue reading →
As humans age and their bodies change, people often find themselves getting less exercise than they did when they were younger. There are a variety of reasons for this, including decreased mobility, disability, safety concerns, or lack of motivation. However, exercising can actually become more important as you age.
Keeping up an active lifestyle can help increase your energy, independence, and heart health, not to mention the benefits to your mood and memory. If you’ve been avoiding exercise because of foot pain, for example, consider investing in a pair of supportive sandals or sneakers before getting started.
Below you’ll find just some of the many benefits to exercising in your senior years, as well as how to overcome some of the common obstacles. Continue reading →
It’s summertime. And that means more outdoor activity, less restrictive clothing, and quite simply, more of a visible you. Hollis Lance Liebman, author of Complete Physique has the following tips for anyone who wants to look feel and look their best hitting the beach this summer. It’s a great time to reset your fitness at every level.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE With the inviting sun and fun weather, it can sometimes be difficult to get to the gym for the usual routine. You can renew your mental and physical spirits by getting back to basics by simply taking it outside. Pushups and bodyweight squats, along with running or biking can all be performed amongst the elements. Additionally, bands, Swiss Balls and other portable peripherals can add variety and fun to a sometimes stale and stagnant workout.
WORK YOUR ENTIRE BODY Sure the chest and arm muscles receive a lot of attention, but keep your workouts in balance. A flawless upper body that sits upon stilts is not a good look, nor is it optimal for total body fitness. The often neglected muscles such as the calves, forearms, posterior deltoids, hamstrings and even your core, will definitely detract from you being all that you can be. You’ll not only look more balanced, you will actually be more balanced in your daily performance in life.
EAT SMART FOR MUSCLE TONE Many fat-loss programs require drastic caloric restrictions and extreme amounts of cardiovascular exercise. The problem is that most also do a pretty good job of wasting away your muscle mass at the same time. Regardless of what your fat loss goals might be, losing muscle tissue is never a good idea–it slows your metabolism to a crawl. Instead of following a low-calorie diet, follow a dietary plan that will enhance your ability to both build and preserve muscle, and rev up your metabolism in the process.
STRETCHING IS ESSENTIAL, BUT DON’T GO BALLISTIC Have you heard of ballistic stretching? It’s a kind of stretch in which you move into a position and then bounce to stretch the muscle. An example would be bending to touch your toes and then bouncing to reach them. Ballistic stretching can do a lot more harm than good, tightening the muscle and leading to injury. During and after your workout are ample times to stretch as your muscles and warm and pliable, unlike at the onset of your routine when your muscles are cold and restrictive.
PLAN TO LOOK GREAT…AND FEEL EVEN BETTER! The desire to look great in your swimsuit may be what’s inspiring you to get in shape, but remember that the results will be more than just cosmetic. As you build muscle and stamina, you’ll be able to excel at classic summer sports like beach volleyball, swimming, and surfing. The active habits that you form this summer will inspire you to stay fit year-round!
HOLLIS LANCE LIEBMAN has been a fitness magazine editor, national bodybuilding champion, and author. He is a published physique photographer and has served as a bodybuilding and fitness competition judge. Hollis has worked with some of Hollywood’s elite, earning rave reviews. Visit his web site, www.holliswashere.com, for fitness tips and complete training programs.
