Cardio Myths Vs. Facts

Those of you who love to hear your elliptical gearing up at the end of a long day can agree that nothing beats cardio. And of course you know how fantastic it is for your heart and that it's a great calorie burner, but there are some cardio myths out there masquerading as fact. We want to make sure that you have all the correct information to work with so here are five of the biggest cardio myths:

MYTH: For weight loss, cardio is the one & only answer.
FACT:  Of course if you’re pushing yourself on that treadmill or elliptical day in and day out, you will drop weight and you will drop it fast. Cardio alone, however, burns away both fat and muscle, which of course you don’t want.  Make sure the weight you lose is the right kind of weight. You need those muscles!

MYTH: Cardio workouts have to be at least an hour long to matter.
FACT: All body movements burn calories, not just the ones that keep your heart pumping for over an hour. To burn them more efficiently, in fact you should introduce high-intensity interval training to routine which can elevate your metabolism so that you could still be burning up to 38 hours after your workout. Even 10 minutes at a high intensity is beneficial. And a recent study suggests that short, infrequent bouts of slow running can do your heart good.

MYTH: Cardio on an empty stomach torches maximum body fat.

FACT: The idea that if your body doesn't have available food calories, it'll dip into the body's stored supply, thus losing inches & lbs, is simply untrue. Fat burn is consistent whether you’ve eaten before a workout or not. In fact, your body needs energy which comes to you in the form of food. Having a pre-workout snack will actually help you perform better, thus burning more fat in the end.

MYTH: It's important to stay in the "fat-burning zone" if your aim is to burn fat.

FACT: This one is half true. But it's total calories burned (those pesky calories out) that matter for weight loss. A higher intensity workout gets more of those lbs off.  

MYTH: You can skip a legs' strength workout if you've ran or biked.
FACT: Although it may seem like you're working your legs and glutes, you aren't getting any muscle building benefits by running or biking. Building up these large muscles in your body help boost your metabolism so you need to do strength moves along with your cardio. And as an added bonus, strength workouts will make you a better runner and cyclist.

Original: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/cardio-myths-debunked?cid=Synd_Popsugar_CardioMythsStopBelieving_Content-Fitness_August14_CardioMythsStopBelieving

Get in the Habit of Fitness

1. Exercise even when you don’t have the time. 15 minutes of exercise is better than 0.

2. Invest in a fitness tracker to help determine your activity level outside of the gym.

3. Chang it up. Don’t do the same workout day after day. Find an exciting new way to get your fitness in.

4. Tired? Instead of skipping a workout, focus on how great you'll feel after. 

5. Don't wait for an occasion to get in shape. Waiting until an anniversary, reunion, etc. will just create unrealistic expectations and make you feel unsuccessful even if you have been extremely successful. Make fitness your lifestyle & not just a phase.

6. Eat REAL FOOD. Everything in moderation! It’s healthy food not diet food.

7. Limit the time you spend drinking to the weekend. No weeknight beers or happy hours.

8. Even if you can’t make it to the gym, doing workouts at home is better than nothing! Look up some exercises on Pinterest or do a DVD. You won’t regret it.

9. Workout even when you’re sore. Light-cardio can actually help soreness.

10. Focus on how you want to feel rather than how you want to look.

11. Don’t set unrealistic goals to yourself. Be proud that you made it to the gym rather than push yourself to run 10 miles.

12. Get enough sleep! It is crucial to get the proper amount of rest so that you can get the results you want.

13. Be proud of the results you’ve achieved. Don’t beat yourself up for the results you haven’t. remember fitness is a journey & not a destination.

Original: http://article.riffsy.com/article/12-habits-of-people-who-always-stay-fit-number-5-is-so-smart-1

Fit Tip: Add a Jump Rope, Try Plyometrics

Plyometric workouts have long been known as one of the most efficient and effective ways to train, because they simultaneously burn calories and build muscle. Plyometrics or “plyos” are a type of exercise that encourages muscle development, power, speed and endurance. It can even build bone mass. Get all of these benefits by adding plyos to your fitness routine with these tips from Life Fitness:

What are plyometrics?

Plyometric exercises use explosive, fast-acting movements to develop muscular power. In other words, they are high-impact movements that involve jumping. 

Why try them?

By implementing plyos into your cardio and strength routines, you’ll help transform fat into lean muscle while increasing your heart rate and burning calories.   

What types of exercises are considered plyometrics?

Plyos include anything that involves jumping. Start with something less complicated like picking up a jump rope, skipping or high knees. Gradually add squat jumps, split lunge jumps or box jumps. Even try good old-fashioned burpees. You’ll see gains in strength and confidence in no time.  

How do you get started if you are new to plyometrics?

• Make sure you warm up properly.  Use 10 to 15 minutes to get your joints warm, muscles moving and heart pumping. 
• Start with the basics on a soft surface, such as carpet, a rubber mat or grass.   Check your surroundings to make sure there are no obstacles in the way. 
• Start at a slower pace, lesser range of motion and fewer repetitions. As you improve, build up to a faster speed, larger movements and more repetitions.
• If you feel any pain, stop.
• Take a day or two between sessions for muscle repair and recovery.  Listen to your body at all times. 

Fit Tip: Couples Who Sweat Together, Stay Together

Valentine’s Day might be in the rear view mirror, but you don’t have to stop planning fun dates with your loved one, like sweating it out together at the gym. Exercising with a special someone is not only a way to partake in some friendly competition, but a way to stay accountable to your training goals.

Lift and spot. Whether at the gym or at home, strength training is an important part of a healthy workout routine and is often more effective when done in pairs. Lifting weights with a loved one should reflect the strengths of your relationship, too, because the best weight lifting partners are trustworthy, accountable and motivating. You can spot each other with the heavy weights, help each other with form and encourage each other to reach your goals.

Set the pace. Go for some interval training, partner style. Whether indoor on treadmills or outdoor on the road, map out the number of intervals, time of each workout and breaks for recovery. Then, cheer each other on. Interval training in pairs is a great way to stay motivated and improve cardiovascular fitness levels.

Stay by each other’s side. Pick a cardio machine, such as the elliptical or treadmill, and work out side by side. But work at your own speed, intensity, desired incline and resistance level, so you can enjoy the company and a workout individualized just for you.

Class it up. Take turns signing each other up for classes to take together. Trying various classes can help push past your comfort zones, work different muscles groups and keep your workout routines interesting. Plus, classes allow for different fitness levels with modifications and the freedom to choose an appropriate intensity level.

Brought to you by LifeFitness

Fit Tip: Impact vs. Intensity

Many people confuse the terms “impact” and “intensity” when it comes to workouts. “Impact” refers to the force of your body used in a particular exercise, while “intensity” refers to the level of difficulty, focus and your power.  

High impact exercises include running, jogging, plyometrics (jumping) and other workouts where the body is making contact with, or pounding, the ground. Low impact exercises typically mean that one foot stays in contact with the ground, such as walking, climbing, riding a bike or pedaling the elliptical.

Since high impact exercises tend to put more stress on the joints – particularly ankles, knees, hips and backs – the good news is that low impact does not mean low intensity.

Follow this advice to find a low impact/high intensity workout that works for you:

Low impact can be high intensity. Another word for intensity is exertion – how hard you are working. When it comes to workouts, intensity also means raising your heart rate or your concentration level, which can happen concurrently while performing a low impact exercise. Add intensity to your workout by increasing your range of motion, increasing your speed, adding resistance, changing directions (moving forward/back/diagonal instead of stationary), ramping up your incline or moving your arms above your heart and head. 

Low impact/high intensity workouts:

• Power walking and swimming are two excellent examples of low impact, high-intensity workouts that provide no impact on your joints. By adding short bursts of speed or an occasional steep hill to your walking workouts, you can increase the intensity of your workouts as well as your calorie burn.
• Climbing stairs, riding a bike or pedaling an elliptical are all great low imapct workouts that can fall into the high intensity category depending on your effort. 
• Try walking lunges while pressing hand weights overhead or side step with deep squats and a resistance band around the ankles.  
• Don’t forget dancing and aerobics, which usually incorporate lots of overhead arms and movement using large ranges of motion.   

Benefits of low impact/high intensity workouts.  If you want to get in a good workout, increase your calorie burn and get your heart rate up without all of the jumping and pounding on the ground, try a low impact/high intensity workout.  Protect your joints, but push yourself to work hard.  Don’t use the excuse that you can’t increase your heart rate because your body can’t take the high intensity pounding anymore. Instead, work your mental muscles and push yourself to achieve!

This Fit Tip was brought to you by Life Fitness

Fit Tip: Improve Your Speed; Improve Your Game

The difference between catching and missing that long touchdown pass (or the train for your morning commute) comes down to only seconds and inches, but can end up costing a lot more.  Put some hustle behind your muscle and improve your overall speed with these easy and quick tips.

Do Strength Training. View your body as an engine: more horsepower means quicker acceleration and faster speeds overall. Focus on building strength throughout your lower body with calf raises, squats, lunges and leg presses, and pay special attention to your hip flexors.  Powerful hip flexors will improve your range of motion and are the key to sprinting faster. Try the Dual Adjustable Pulley machine for single leg and balance work. In addition to your lower body, strengthening your core will improve your speed, balance, and agility by fortifying the connection between the muscles of the upper and lower body.

Do Plyometrics. Plyometric training involves high-intensity, explosive muscular contractions, which enables your muscles to exert maximum force in the shortest amount of time possible, thereby improving your speed. Pre-stretch your muscles and then harness their maximum force by utilizing jumping, bounding, and hopping movements. Jumping jacks, split jumps, squat jumps and box jumps will torch calories and build lean muscle while helping you log faster times.

Do Intervals. Amp up your overall speed with interval training, which alternates short, high intensity bursts of speed with slower recovery phases in a single workout. Interval training will enhance your cardiovascular capacity (the ability to deliver oxygen to the working muscles) and ultimately leads to increased acceleration and speed.

Put on the Brakes. Speed is more than just a mad, reckless dash. As an athlete, maintaining control over your movements and agility is paramount to your performance. You can’t stop and turn on a dime with your legs flailing wildly beneath you, right? The key to slowing down is to have flexible legs, bent knees and lowered hips. Staying low will occur naturally if you are strong enough. Practice flexibility training multiple times per week.  Warm up before workouts with dynamic movements and cool down with static stretches. 

This fit-tip was brought to you by Life Fitness

10 Ways to Burn 100 Calories

Anything that gets you up and moving is good for your health, so try incorporating some of these 10 ways to burn 100 calories into your daily routine.

1. Vacuuming: 25 minutes
Use good posture and stand tall instead of bent over to engage your tummy muscles. Alternate arms on the push and pulling of the movement. 

Focus: Arms

2. Walking: 15 minutes
Along with the calorie burn, taking a brisk walk 2-3 times a day can also help lower stress levels. Be sure to push off your big toe and take larger strides while swinging your arms.
Focus:  Legs

3. Gardening: 15 minutes
Bending, standing, pulling weeds and digging in the dirt is a great total body workout. Remember to use a knee pad while kneeling and avoid being bent over from the waistline to steer clear of back pain. 
Focus: Total Body

4. Biking (10 mph on a flat surface): 40 minutes
Because you're not bearing weight in your legs, you'll burn less calories riding a bike than walking. However, the time can really fly by on a bike outdoors and you might even use it to head to and from work or the grocery store to incorporate its benefits into your week.
Focus: Lower Body

5. Swimming: 15 minutes
Swimming is great for the joints and can produce great toning effects.  Alternate strokes to change muscles group every five laps. 
Focus: Total Body

6. Stairs: 20 minutes
You'll find that stair climbing can boost your cardiovascular conditioning faster than going out for a run. Remember to use your arms on the hand rails to pull your body up instead of just pushing up from each stair. Going down is more challenging on the joints, so try side stepping. 
Focus: Legs and Hearth

7. Pushing the stroller: 20 minutes
Take the baby out not only for the calorie burn, but for fresh air as well. Focus on lightly holding onto the stroller with a firm grip and standing upright.
Focus: Lower body

8. Dancing: 20 minutes
Dancing has taken center stage with the celebrity competitions and classes like Zumba and Jazzercise, but you don’t have to be at the gym or on a reality show to benefit from dancing. Just put on some music and let your body start moving.
Focus: Total Body

9. Volleyball: 12 minutes
Volleyball is a fun, outdoor activity that can burn calories too. Play in the sand and burn a few extra calories!
Focus: Arms

10. Kissing: 90 minutes
While kissing may improve your love life, it won't burn calories as much as other activities you can do. But it's at least nice to know you can still burn a few while igniting your life.

Focus: Relationship

This fit-tip was brought to you by Life Fitness

KEEPING YOUR VACATIONS ACTIVE

When you think vacation, visions of warm sun, a good book and a frosty drink probably come to mind- and then you remember how challenging it is to maintain your exercise routine when you go on vacation. The good news is you don't have to choose between total indulgence and dedicated fitness on your next vacation.

Life Fitness shares tips on ways to be active no matter where you go!

Take a staycation. Sometimes enjoying a vacation at home can be just as enjoyable as a destination vacation. Staycations can be excellent opportunities to start new routines and seek out healthy activities near your home that you don't usually have time to do.

Try out a new fitness class at your gym, get the whole family together for a rollerblading adventure or explore a new bike path for a peaceful ride with the family or by yourself.

Plan an adventure vacation. If you need to get away, plan a cruise that makes stops at exotic locations where you can rock climb, snorkel, hike, bike or swim. Many cruises have tracks where you can power walk or jog, and often offer top-notch gyms on board. If ships and open water isn't your thing, plan a trip to a tropical destination where you can trek through the rainforest or a mountain adventure, which will guarantee a good calorie burn.

Visit a spa. If life has been crazy and stressful, you can plan a fitness-focused vacation to a spa that specializes in wellness. Partake in yoga or meditation, and eat healthy foods all in one location. Recharge your mind and body, and you'll feel refreshed without the guilt of fatty foods and calorie-ridden drinks.

Stay active at your traditional vacation spot. If you like going to the same beach or vacation spot each year, you can find ways to fit more fitness into your days there. Always look for opportunities to walk rather than taking a cab or bus. Schedule activities for the day that involve being active like paddle boarding or wind-surfing. Find some walking trails, swim laps, play a game of tennis or golf - and skip the golf cart!

Vacations can include the right amount of rest, relaxation and fitness with just a little bit of planning.

   

This Fit Tip was provided by Life Fitness, June 2012

10 Fantastic Ways to Fight Fatigue!

by Dr. Frank Lipman

 

For most of us, feeling fatigued, groggy and a bit sniffle-y, no matter what time of the year it is, has virtually become a way of life. 

Overwhelmed with stress and responsibilities, we listlessly soldier on, fighting brain fog and exhaustion with shots of caffeine and spoonfuls of sugar to prop ourselves up just long enough to make it through the day. Then, when it’s time for lights-out, we’re too jacked-up to sleep. Small wonder so many of us are physically, emotionally and mentally spent!

The good news is that you don’t have to live like this. Simply by living a little smarter and making a few health-supporting choices every day, you can banish fatigue from your life and live it the way you were born to – with vibrancy and energy!

Here are 10 health-enhancing ways to fight fatigue and win, morning, noon and night:

CREATE THAT MORNING ENERGY BURST

1) Say good morning to your body.
Even if you usually rise in the dark, greet the day with a few classic yoga sun salutations or gentle stretches to get the blood pumping, easing your body into the day. Still tense and achy from yesterday? Then try my 2-step release and stretch moves first thing in the morning to bust tension, open blocked energy pathways, reduce pain and energize you for the day. Start with the Neck and Shoulder Release with tennis balls. Follow this with the Wall Stretch. These simple moves will stretch your shoulders, legs and back, as you stimulate muscle tissue and blood flow throughout the body, waking it and energizing it without artificial stimulants.

2) Boost body and brain with the perfect breakfast.
In the morning, protein and fat are essential for energy, and a large, healthy breakfast of the right foods is exactly what your body needs. And what is the perfect breakfast? The morning smoothie, because it’s quick to prepare, easily digested and can be packed with the healthy fats, proteins, nutrients and phytonutrients you need to fuel your day. My favorite ingredient for boosting energy naturally is whey protein. These two whey protein-based smoothies, the Green Mojito and the Blueberry Avocado are creamy, satisfying and delicious. If you don’t want to use whey, try these equally delicious pea protein-based smoothies, the Coconut Bliss and the Chocolate Love. 

3) Recharge your batteries with an adaptogen.
Try adding an adaptogen formula to your morning routine – but consult your doctor first to check for allergies or possible interactions with any medications you may be on. For centuries, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have used adaptogen botanicals as energizing herbal tonics to naturally support the body’s ability to cope with anxiety, fatigue and the aging process. They also rejuvenate and tone the adrenal system, which in turn promotes the healthy regulation of cortisol, the “stress hormone”. Armed with the unique ability to “adapt” their function to your body’s specific needs, Panax ginseng, Ashwagandha and Rhodiola are my favorite adaptogens. In fact, I’m such a fan of their rejuvenating, re-energizing effects, I’ve combined all three into my fatigue-fighting Be Well Adaptogen formula. 

4) Got greens?
When you’re fatigued, what you’re eating makes a massive difference in how quickly your body will recover its strength. To super-charge your diet and energy reserves, you can’t beat “green drinks.”  Why? Because they deliver nourishing, high-octane, drinkable doses of phytonutrients, antioxidants and digestive enzymes to every system in the body, quickly, easily and efficiently. The effects? Nothing short of wonderful: Concentrated green powdered drinks boost immunity, aid digestion, sustain energy, promote mental clarity and enhance overall well-being. Add powdered greens to smoothies or just add water and swig ‘em on the way to work – you’ll arrive energized, alert and naturally powered-up, instead of amped and jittery from caffeine. I have made it convenient and delicious for people on the go with my single serving packets of Be Well Greens. It’s a simple and transportable way to keep your energy engine humming.

SUSTAINING DAYTIME ENERGY

5) Put the mind and body breaks on.
You’re tied up on back-to-back conference calls. The e-mails are arriving faster than jets into O’Hare. Multiple deadlines loom large and energy is being sucked out of your mind and body at warp speed. Believe it or not, now is an excellent time to s-l-o-w i-t d-o-w-n. Combat the mayhem around you and re-energize naturally by tuning in to some relaxing music for a few minutes. Giving yourself a musical time-out will help calm your body and brain with gentle, soothing rhythms that will slow down your heart rate and breathing to healthier levels. The result? A feeling of well being in just minutes, plus a clearer mind and calmer body. My go-to, slow-it-down favorite tunes include anything by reggae genius Bob Marley or brain wave music master, Jonathan Goldman. No time or space for music, try some breathing exercises.

6) Have a good-size lunch.
Just make sure it’s a healthy lunch – and remember, skipping the meal or eating like a bird at 1 pm will not adequately fuel you through the afternoon’s labors, so lunch large! The perfect, nourishing lunch will include wholesome, unprocessed ingredients, comprising protein, good fats and vegetables to help you maintain alertness. Another reason to lunch large? Because lunchtime is when your digestion peaks – and your body is burning calories most efficiently.  And if you like a mid morning or mid afternoon snack, here are some healthy choices.

7) Open your chest
To avoid the afternoon slump, you have my full permission to close your office door, roll up a towel and lie in Reclining Open Chest Pose.  This uplifting Restorative Yoga pose helps elevate your mood and energize you when you are tired. When we support the back in this way and open the chest, we tend to feel more emotionally buoyant and physically energized. Stuck in an office cube? Book a few minutes in the conference room, borrow an unused office or duck out to a nearby park if possible.

8) Connect with your co-workers. And the deli guy. And the dry cleaner.
In other words, practice “ubuntu”. Ubuntu is an African term that means what makes us human is the humanity we show each other. It’s a worldview that sees humanity as a web of family rather than a mass of individuals. When you start to relate to those around you in this way, you’ll feel more connected, energized and and you’ll have a sense of abundance. Another bonus? It will add a pleasant sense of community to even the simplest interactions. My advice? Get up from your office chair every now and then to reconnect with your officemates in person instead of via e-mail.

EASING INTO THE EVENING

9) Power down your body.
Restorative yoga is my favorite night-time cure for the high-stress day. As you’ll be supported in these poses, for instance, by a chair or a wall, you’ll enjoy the healing and calming effects of yoga without having to exert any energy. Better yet, restorative yoga poses are a particularly effective way to relax and power down your body before bed. One of my favorites is B.K.S Iyengar’s Reclining Belt Pose,  which is the best “chill pill” I have experienced. Ten-to-fifteen minutes in this pose works wonders, gently preparing the body for sleep. Another simple power-down pose: Legs up the Wall which feels soooo good after a day on your feet. Lie on your back with your legs perpendicular against the wall, close your eyes and breathe for five-to-ten minutes.

10) Power down your home.
Create an electronic sundown to prepare your body and mind for sleep. At around 10 pm, turn off your computer, charge your cell in another room and turn off the TV. Scan your bedroom for blinking or glowing lights – the alarm clock, the charging indicator on your cell phone, the DVD clock and timer, etc. Turn these off or cover the lights. Every little bit of light can stop your melatonin levels from rising, which you need to fall sleep and to reach the deep restorative sleep your body requires. If you can’t darken your room all the way, wear a sleep mask or add blackout curtains to help darken the room.

http://www.drfranklipman.com/all-day-energy-10-fantastic-ways-to-fight-fatigue/