Use It or Lose It!
August 5th, 2008 by Go Weblog
Who can forget that song from the 1980s about nobody walking in L.A? It turns out that far too many seemingly took it to heart. People just don’t walk that much these dayslet alone bicycle, swim or engage in other forms of movement that does a body good. America has become a car driving, desk riding, TV watching, video game playing, Internet surfing, elevator taking, fast food eating society. Is it any wonder that we are fighting a veritable epidemic of obesity, when pressing the buttons on the TV remote, clicking the mouse, and handing the fast food drive-thru clerk money is the extent of our “exercise.”
Researchers, again, have recently underscored the severity of the problem this lack of activity is posting to our nation’s collective health. According to an October 2005 press release issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health, a recent Framingham Heart Study shows that “we [Americans] could have an even more serious degree of overweight and obesity over the next few decades” and that “If the trend continues, our country will continue to face substantial health problems related to excess weight.” In response to these findings, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Director Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D. boils it down to this: “taking simple steps to make sure that the overall the number of calories you consume do not exceed the amount you burn can play a major role in lowering your risk for many chronic conditions. How is this done? You guessed itexercise!
Even with the knowledge of study findings and other health news-making events, it seemingly goes in one ear and out the other. People continue on the same unhealthy track despite medical warnings about lack of activity. The study’s leading researcher and Boston University Medical Professor, Dr. Ramachandran Vasan, cited a litany of dramatic, life-altering conditions that can be experienced from lack of activity. Even with the threat of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and osteoarthritis, most of us still do not budge from the sofa unless we absolutely, positively have to.
For those who really do wish they were more active, it can, admittedly, be difficult to put that desire into action. In today’s fast paced society, many of us cannot find time to sit down as a family for dinner let alone get in the car and drive to and from the gym. Even with the best of intentions, many with home gym equipment end up using the devices as (very expensive) clothes racks. With enough stuff piled on it and shielding it from view, perhaps they don’t feel guilty when passing it by on the way from the couch to the refrigerator to bed.
Others who do have the time to get to the gym may feel intimidated by all of the strange equipment. Some feel uncomfortable next to the cute girl in spandex who looks like she doesn’t even belong at the gym, not to mention the beefy guy snarling in front of the mirror as his biceps appear poised to explode. And, while some can afford to hire a personal trainer, many must venture into this unfamiliar territory on their own. This can lead to ineffective workouts, a serial lack of motivation or, worse, injuries. Soon after any of these events, enthusiasm naturally drops and it’s just your credit or debit card that it’s getting a workout as the gym continues to charge - whether you show up or not.
On the upside (sort of), the spike in gasoline prices has got a few people moving a bit more. Recent news reports indicate more people riding their bicycles to work and, yes, even walking! So if medical advice is not enough motivation, maybe a dent in our collective pocketbooks is enough to get America on its feet.
At the end of the day, it’s all about making time for something you want - make that NEED - to do. Even a minimal amount of time and effort can make a real difference when compared to no body movement whatsoever. In this case, something is indeed better than nothing.
Child health advocate, weight-loss industry veteran and former bodybuilding champion Merilee A. Kern is co-founder and CEO of Healthy Kids’ Catalog
Tags: child, childhood, children, diet, exercise, fat, fitness, health, kids, nutrition, obesity, overweight, weightWhat Can Be Done About An Over Weight Child
June 13th, 2008 by Go Weblog
Children that are over weight, are in most cases victims of there parents love. Parents are all the time giving there children the wrong thing to eat. Not because they don’t care. It’s mainly because they display there love for there child in the wrong way.
The most common trait with almost all over weight children is there parents, and there financial back ground. Growing up in a financially stable environment is a good thing. But it also has its draw backs.
The dilemma is that if both parents work all the time. They fell guilty about the lack of time they spend with there child. So to make up for that guilt they often give there child what ever they want as far as eating is concerned. This is where the child starts to develop the eating habits. That’s what creates this predicament of being over weight, and it’s this kind of love that causes damage not only to the child but to the parents as well.
Another type of a bad display of love for your child is just giving them what they want. You do this to your child because they are your child and you love them. So you just want to give them every thing they want chocolate, cookies, candy bars, ice cream. What ever they want they get. This will also cause the child to have an over weight problem.
Then you have the parents who are always on the run. They don’t have the time to see that the child gets the rite national foods. The child is always eating things like pizza or
Mac Donald’s. A fast food diet is a fat food diet for your child.
These are only some of the symptoms of over weight children. I’m sure you know a few others. No matter what the reason is. Or how the child got that way you should do what ever is necessary to make it rite. Over weight children suffer tremendously at the hands of there peers. Not to mention that resent studies have shown that over weight children are more susceptible to diabetes later in life.
If you truly love your child you should help them now. By changing your child’s eating habits. You can change your Childs life. There are a lot of foods that can take the place of the foods your child is eating that is healthier and tastes good to. Give your child the love your child deserves.
Robert Emler: My heart goes out to these children who have this problem. When I see an over weight child I feel sad because I know this child doesn’t have to be this way. What bothers me even more is that I can’t do anything about it.
http://loseweightpains.com
All Aboard the Workout Express!
March 27th, 2008 by Go Weblog
We are living in a time-urgent society where the stakes to be professionally successful, socially admired and physically fit are ever present. These goals DO NOT have to be mutually exclusive, as we Modern Mom’s can have our proverbial cake and eat it too - particularly when it comes to physical fitness! How? The key is to optimize whatever time can be spent on fitness-related endeavors.
Even just 20 minutes of exercise most days of the week are enough to improve your health and reduce your risk of disease. Thirty minutes will help to increase your fitness level and stamina. Forty-five or more minutes will help you to optimize fat loss. The first step is believing that you are worth it, and that a fit body is a sexy body.
In an effort to balance all of the pieces of the pie we call life and, as they say, enjoy the ride, the following tips and tools employing sound exercise principles will help you Modern Mom’s turbo charge your workouts to get more results in less time:
Combine your upper and lower body exercises - Cut your strength routine in half by incorporating exercises for several body parts. For example, while performing a lunge, add a set of bicep curls to the movement.
Choose compound exercises - exercises that work several muscle groups simultaneously are more time efficient than isolation exercises, which focus on one major muscle group. Examples of compound exercises include the leg press, squat, chest fly, walking lunge and seated row.
Circuit train - With minimal equipment, you can set up stations alternating cardio activities with strength training activities. This will keep your heart rate up so that you can get both the aerobic and anaerobic (strength) benefits. A sample circuit might include: jump rope, bicep curls, jumping jacks, push-ups, jog in place, squats, mini-trampoline and dips. Repeating the circuit up to three times is guaranteed to boost your metabolism in under 30 minutes.
Interval train - Using active rest and work ratio’s will allow you to workout at the upper and lower levels of your fat burning zone and optimize calories expended. You can start with brisk walking for 2 minutes and jogging for 30 seconds. Then progress to 2 minutes of brisk walking and 1 minute of jogging. Eventually progress to two minutes of each and ultimately to spending less time walking and more time jogging.
Increase your intensity - by picking up the pace, you can cover more miles and ultimately burn more calories in less time. You may need to work up to higher intensities gradually, but you will become more efficient in the process and be able to cut back on the duration of your exercise sessions.
Stock up on 30-minute exercise video’s - Check out the latest videos that accommodate every level of fitness, body part and workout style. Four 30-minute videos a week could add up to 18 pounds burned in a year’s time.
Multi-task - use your time on the bike to catch up on professional literature, review notes for a presentation or update you palm pilot. That will keep you up to date and save you time in the office.
Schedule you next meeting at the gym - it is not unusual today to have a business meeting on the tennis or racquetball court or golf course. It can be a welcomed change for all parties involved and you get to exercise while you are being paid.
Pick up the pace - Increase your speed any chance you get like at the grocery store or mowing the lawn. Run errands - literally. The calories can add up significantly and keep your metabolism burning at a higher level all day long.
Make it a lifestyle change - by eliminating some of life’s modern conveniences and getting more physical, you can expend up to an additional 800 calories a week. That can add up to 11 pounds lost at the end of a year. So, start taking the stairs - even if you work on the 10th floor - it’ll get easier. Park your car in the last spot and keep your sneakers close by at all times. You never know when the opportunity will arise to go for a walk, hit the gym or join in with the kids at the field.
Turn time wasters into time savers - contract muscle groups while standing in line or driving, stretch at your desk, go for a walk on coffee breaks. Remember that three ten-minute intervals are just as good as one 30-minute session. When possible, workout at lunch and then eat at your desk.
Incorporate mind & body exercises - choosing a discipline like yoga or pilates will not only give you the physical benefits of a well toned body, but you will also enjoy the relaxation and stress relieving enhancements as well.
Make time - Schedule 30-minute workouts in your appointment book 1-month in advance and keep that commitment the same way you would any other meeting. Set your alarm, watch or palm pilot to go off when it’s time to exercise.
Sex counts - While I wouldn’t suggest replacing a formal exercise program with sex, it certainly does burn calories. The more fit you are, the more enjoyable all activities, including sex, will be.
Exercise saves you time - The more fit you are, the less sleep you need, so you can add more time to your day and have more energy for you daily tasks. Exercise could be adding longer and stronger years to your life - that time is priceless.
Child health advocate, weight-loss industry veteran and former bodybuilding champion Merilee A. Kern is co-founder and CEO of Healthy Kids’ Catalog
Tags: child, childhood, children, diet, exercise, fat, fitness, health, kids, nutrition, obesity, overweight, weight