Fit Tip: Stretches to Improve Your Golf Game

Many golfers start the season with visions of greatness only to become frustrated when their game plateaus or even gets worse. One of the best ways to prepare before each game is to warm up your muscles and your mind. Done consistently, golf stretching exercises can help your range of motion, your strength and ultimately your handicap.

Dynamic golf stretches are the key to a warm up and involve sports specific movements that start with a small range of motion for the first few reps and increase the range as you go. (Static stretches should only be done after your golf game.) Get to the course a little early and do this pre-game warm-up. It should take no more than 10 minutes and allow time for a few practice swings before you tee off. 

Warm up: Do three to five minutes of brisk walking in the parking lot to get your blood pumping, muscles warming and heart rate up a little. 

Golf squat with shoulder raise: Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Hold a club at each end waist level. Bend your knees into a squat and raise the club up to shoulder level. Raise yourself back up, dropping the club to waist level and repeat 15-20 reps. 

Side bends: Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Place a club on your shoulders. Lean to one side keeping your torso straight and switch to the other side. Complete 15-20 stretches on each side.

Leg swings: Start by standing with your feet shoulder width apart. Keep your upper body straight and swing your leg forward and backward. Repeat 15-20 times and switch to the other leg.

Trunk rotation: Place a club on your shoulders holding at both ends and place feet shoulder width apart. With knees slightly bent, hinge forward from the hips slightly (Just like you do when you swing). Turn from side to side, starting with a controlled twist, aiming to get the ends of the club directly in front of you for the last few turns. Complete 15-20 swings.

Alternating toe touches: Start by standing with your feet spread as far apart as comfortably possible. Lean forward toward one leg and try to touch the foot or ankle with the opposite hand. Alternate and repeat 10 times each side. 

These stretches will warm up all of the muscle groups involved in a fluid smooth swing including the shoulders, back, hamstrings and hips.

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Fit Tip: Focus on Legs

One of the easiest ways to tone your legs is to get up and use them more with consistent walking, jogging or biking routines. These cardio activities will also burn calories and help reduce overall body fat. But if you are looking for lean, strong legs, the prescription is strength training. Rely on variations of good old-fashioned squats, lunges and deadlifts to firm up the muscles in your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. 

Try the following leg exercises to train your muscles and get your legs ready for summer:

Take the Stairs: Choosing the stairs over the elevator is one of the easiest ways to work your legs during the day and you don’t need any extra equipment, just your body weight. Make it even more effective by taking the stairs two at a time. Push yourself up with your glutes and hamstrings to work the back of your legs. 

Squats: Squats are one of the best moves for leg toning and glute firming. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, toes facing forward, abs tight and arms at your sides.  Bend your knees to lower your body into a squat position, going as low as you can but no farther than 90 degrees. Pretend you are sitting back into a chair. Sit back and keep your knees over your toes, keep your chest lifted and spine long. Push through your heels and squeeze your buns to rise back to the starting position.

Deadlifts: There’s no doubt, the dead lift is one of the best exercise to tone the glutes and backside of the legs. Holding a barbell or two dumbbells at your side, keep your arms straight and knees slightly bent. Slowly bend at your hip joint, not your waist, and lower the weights as far as possible without rounding your back. Keep your spine neutral and abs tight. Squeeze your glutes to pull yourself up.

Stability Ball Leg Curl:  This is a great exercise to target the back of your legs. Grab a stability ball and lie on your back with your knees at a 90 degree angle and ankles on top of the ball. Squeeze your glutes and lift your hips off the ground. Keep your glutes squeezed tight, hold your hips off the ground and roll the ball toward your glutes and back to perform the rep. If that’s too challenging start with a simple hip lift and work your way toward the leg curl.

Alternating Reverse Lunges: Step back with one leg and bend both knees, lowering your body towards the ground. Align your front knee over the ankle of your front foot and stay on your back toe. Come back up to standing and switch legs. 

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Fit Tip: Focus on Arms

Summer is just around the corner, which means sleeveless tops and days at the beach can’t be far away either. Get toned and strong arms with classic free weight and bodyweight exercises. Use these tips to work your triceps, biceps and shoulders to get the definition you desire.

Front Shoulder Raise: You might as well call this exercise the “tank top toner.” Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding weights down in front of your thighs with your palms facing you. Keeping your elbows slightly bent, raise your arms up in front of you until they are parallel to the floor. Don’t shrug. Keep your shoulders relaxed and don’t raise your arms above shoulder level. Lower back to starting position and repeat.

Lateral Shoulder Raise:  Strong shoulders help enhance the look of defined arms. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold weights at your sides with palms facing each other. Keeping elbows slightly bent, raise arms straight out to the sides until they are parallel to the floor. Like the front shoulder raise, make sure not to go higher than your shoulder level. Lower back to starting position and repeat.

Biceps Curl: Strong biceps are important for both men and women. With your feet hip-to-shoulder width apart and knees bent slightly, hold a weight in each hand with your arms down by your sides, palms facing forward. Bend your elbows to lift the weights toward your shoulders, stopping when they are at chest height and your palms are facing your body. Slowly lower back to the starting position and repeat.

Overhead Press: Wave goodbye to underarm flab by strengthening the back of your triceps. Sit or stand with your feet hip-width apart. Clasp one weight with both hands. Extend your arms straight overhead, and keep your elbows close to your ears. Bend your elbows to slowly lower the weight behind you, still keeping your elbows in and close to your ears. Contract your triceps and straighten your elbows to return to the starting position.

Pushups: Stretch out in the plank position. If you are a beginner, start on your knees instead of your toes. Keep your hands under your shoulders and a little wider than shoulder-width. Bend your elbows to a 90-degree angle and lower your body, keeping your abs tight. Keep the spine in a neutral position, not allowing your back to sag.

Triceps Dips: Sit on a bench with your hands next to your thighs. Lift your butt off the seat and move your body so it's slightly in front of the seat. Keep your knees slightly bent. Bend at the elbows and lower your body several inches. Keep your shoulders relaxed and elbows pointed back. Push back up to starting position.

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Fit Tip: Focus on Glutes

Most people wouldn’t mind a firm booty, but the more we sit, the softer our seat gets. To get a gravity-defying butt that’s strong and toned, commit to adding exercises that focus on your backside. 

Squat it out. Squats are often touted as the best workout for your butt (and thighs), and for good reason. Perform squats using your body weight, a pair of dumbbells or a kettlebell. Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart, bend both knees and act like you are sitting back in a chair, until your thighs are parallel to the ground.  Keep your chest up, head lifted and abs engaged. Squeezing your glutes, drive through the heels as you return to standing.  Try a few variations like narrow squats, single leg squats or squat jumps.

Lunge, not lounge. Lunges shape the legs and buns and are part of most sports.  Keep your upper body lifted and step forward with one leg in an exaggerated step that is about double an average walking step. Bend both of your knees to 90 degrees if possible until your front thigh is almost parallel to the floor and your back knee is almost touching the floor. Return to the standing position and repeat. Perform an equal number of repetitions with both legs. You can try a few variations like adding weights and doing cross behind lunges or walking lunges.

Do the bridge. Bridges not only firm the glutes, but also work the inner thigh. Start by lying on your back with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Place a towel between your knees and squeeze. Rest your arms by the sides of your body with your palms on the floor. Squeeze your legs together and lift your hips up off the floor, engaging your core as well. Lower back down and repeat several times. 

This FitTip was brought to you by LifeFitness

Fit Tip: Create an Online Support Network

Joining an online fitness and health community is a powerful way to share tips and workouts, provide support and stay accountable. One study from the University of Texas even found that active online weight loss community members lost more weight than members who were inactive. 

Get the right support. Do you long to have the support of a community and access to fitness experts like contestants on The Biggest Loser? With an online community you can commit to your goals and share struggles and successes alongside others in your same position. Fitness community sites range from free, forum based communities to monthly subscriptions with access to exercise and nutrition experts and structured programs designed to fit your personal goals. Pick one that fits your personality, goals and budget.

Try Out:

• The Biggest Loser
• Weight Watchers
• Weight Loss Buddy

Create a Challenge. Create an online challenge and invite your family, friends or a group of coworkers to join. It’s a private community with people you know where you can share photos, videos and encouraging comments. It’s a great way to set goals, track progress and root each other on. The ability to have a winner can also be extremely motivating. 

Try Out:

• Challenge Loop
• SkinnyO
• Daily Endorphin

Keep learning. There are endless online resources for health and fitness information. In addition to community support, many trusted sites offer the latest research articles, fitness trends and workout videos that will make fitness a lifelong learning experience.

Try Out:

• SparkPeople
• Greatist
• FitLink

This FitTip was brought to you by LifeFitness

Top 10 Fitness Tweeters to Follow

When it comes to connecting, Twitter is one of the fastest ways to share and receive information. In 140 characters you can connect with friends, experts, celebs and your favorite brands. In the health and fitness world, Twitter is a hot bed of great info and advice, but not all Tweeters are created equal. That's why we've compiled a list (that’s really just scratching the surface) of ten great accounts to follow:

1. @BornFitness - Adam Bornstein is the former editorial director of Livestrong.com and former fitness editor of Men’s Health. He tweets quick fitness advice, tips and articles and encourages his followers to ask questions so he can help them live healthy and strong.

2. @MyTrainerBob – Bob Harper of The Biggest Loser, is a New York Times best-selling author who will hold you accountable by calling you out on your excuses and procrastination. He tweets the hard truth, encouragement and video workouts you can do at home or at the gym.

3. @ChrisFreytag – Chris Freytag is an author, trainer, health coach and a contributing fitness editor for Prevention magazine. Follow Chris for supportive coaching, healthy recipes, intense workouts and all-around inspiration for life.  

4. @Greatist – With articles and infographics that inform you on everything from proper exercise form to the best proteins to eat, Greatist tweets fitness information that will rapidly increase your knowledge on how to live a healthy life.

5. @AceFitness – At the American Council on Exercise, passionate fitness professionals put together scientific research and pass it along to you. Find out why kettlebells work or why you could have more fitness success when you set specific goals.

6. @MindBodyGreen – Don’t you love it when life just clicks? MindBodyGreen brings it all together in one place—quick healthy tip lists, articles on how to live a positive life, being green and finding happiness. Follow immediately for a pick me up. They make wellness fun.

7. @KellyOlexa – As the founder of #FitFluential, a nationwide network of influential bloggers, vloggers and influencers in the health and wellness space, Kelly is an aggregator of some of the best fitness and health content on the web.

8. @Runtastic – The Austrian app company has great advice for runners and cyclists alike. Follow them for updates on the latest in fitness technology and workout video tips from the Runtastic fitness ambassadors.  

9. @FitBottomedGirl -These ladies keep it real with female-focused fitness and health topics. They discuss food, trends and post product reviews all with a touch of humor. 

10. @TheCoachNicole – Follow this 2012 Personal Trainer to Watch, SparkPeople blogger and home exercise video star for workout videos, technique tips and always-positive motivation.  

And of course, we hope you'll follow us (@LifeFitness) as well for weekly Fit Tips, industry news and the latest in fitness trends.

*11 @FitnessShowcase

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Chocolate Chip Cookies with Avocado, No Butter

If you’ve been on Pinterest you’ve probably seen some tantalizing pictures of recipes made with impossibly healthy ingredients. Can it be true? Do those recipes taste as good as they look? Our team wanted to find out, so we tested out a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that has NO BUTTER. The secret ingredient: the buttery and delicious super-food, avocado. A big thanks to Natalie over at Deconstructing the Home for the recipe.

I Instagrammed the entire process and as a notoriously horrible baker, I’m proud to say I only made one mistake. While they didn’t look as beautiful as the one’s from Natalie’s blog, they definitely passed the taste test. 

The recipe calls for ½ cup, or roughly one, avocado. I managed to buy a giant one, so I used about 2/3 and saved the rest for a delicious snack the next day. Isn’t she a beauty? 

Using a hand mixer, I mixed the avocado until it was just slightly lumpy and followed that with the sugar. The recipe calls for Splenda as a sugar free option, but I prefer to choose natural ingredients over processed foods any time I can (even if that means a few more calories.)

Next came the egg and vanilla, which I also mixed until smooth.

I mixed up my remaining dry ingredients (baking soda*, whole wheat flour and salt) in a separate bowl and slowly added to my lovely green mush.

*Welcome to my mistake. It turns out I only had baking powder on hand, not baking soda. These ingredients help the cookies rise, so I took to the internet to find out if I could substitute. The general consensus online was to use about twice the amount of baking powder than the recipe called for in baking soda. Two teaspoons it was. My cookies tasted delicious, but you’ll see very soon that they didn’t come out very pretty. Please be smarter than me and check all your ingredients before beginning. 

A good portion of chocolate chips came next to finish off the recipe! Note: The recipe calls for 1 cup chocolate chips, which made the cookies very yummy, but you can definitely get away with less. I would recommend 2/3 cup to cut the calories a bit, but still get chocolaty goodness in every cookie. 

Onto a lightly greased baking sheet and into the oven for 15 minutes. 

The finished product. Like I said, not the prettiest, but they were still a hit at home and at Life Fitness headquarters.

Have you ever used avocado in an unexpected way? Comment and tell us!

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Avocado

Ingredients:
½ Cup avocado (approximately one avocado)
¾ Cup Splenda (or your favorite sweetener)
1 Egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 Cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or unsweetened to remove all sugar)
½ Cup chopped pecans (optional)
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 290 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.

2. Remove avocado from skin and place in mixer. Mix on medium until slightly lumpy. Add Splenda and mix on high until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.

3. In small bowl mix together baking soda, flour, and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients. Mix on medium until well combined. Add chocolate chips and pecans and mix till evenly combined.

4. Scoop one tablespoon of dough per cookie and place on cookie sheet one inch apart. If you want flatter cookies you can use the back of a spoon to flatten them out. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Dig in!
Makes 24 cookies!

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