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You can’t turn left, right, go forward, backwards, or even just
stand still these days without someone telling you that you have
to exercise.

Whatever happens, DON’T do it!

People talk about the many benefits of exercise, and indeed, the
list seems very long, and it seems to touch pretty much every
aspect of our lives. Let’s examine this:

* Increases Energy: I can’t imagine why anyone would want to
increase their energy level. As if the world isn’t already too
full of caffeinated coffee and energy drink junkies, now we’re
being told to try to get MORE energy from exercise.

Don’t do it people! Just try to make it through your long and
boring lives with barely enough pep to get from point A to point
B, and then drag yourself home every night and plop down on the
couch for another brain-draining evening in front of the TV.

* Lowers Your Risk for Heart Disease: Heart Disease?!? Yeah
right - this sounds like too many doctors weren’t making enough
money, so they came up with a general term that would cover
everything from indigestion to breathing hard.

The fact that it kills more people in the United States than any
other disease or condition combined is irrelevant. Your heart is
in great shape! Keep eating potato chips, hamburgers, and fried
shrimp. You’ll be just fine.

* Cranks up Your Metabolism: What IS metabolism anyway? Everyone
is talking about it, but I don’t see it around anywhere. If it’s
so important to have a fast metabolism in order to burn off
bodyfat, wouldn’t someone have come up with a magic pill or
special sauce that took care of this issue?

Stay up really late eating ice cream and washing it down with
root beer. While your body turns every one of those calories
into bodyfat, you can catch an infommercial that is sure to be
selling “The Metabolism Master Blaster”!

* Helps You Lose Weight: Oh sure - here is another example of
mass hysteria. If exercise is so good at making people lose
weight, why is it that America is fatter today than it has ever
been, even though there is a gym on every corner?

Seriously, being fat HAS to be healthy, or else everyone
wouldn’t be doing it! Go ask the owner of any fast food
restaurant if they think that people are truly concerned about
losing weight.

* Increases Self-Esteem: This must be why anti-depressant drugs
are so rampant in our society today. Half of our teenagers are
on Valium, and the other half have ADD. Marriages are breaking
up left and right over emotional conflicts, and psychologists
get paid big dollars to assure people that they are “OK”.

Besides, overweight people must already have great self-esteem,
because they are able to hide in their homes dying of bad health
instead of feeling the need to go “be healthy” with the rest of
the world.

So, in conclusion, I think we have demonstrated that there is a
perfectly acceptable way to use logic to convince ourselves that
we don’t need to exercise. Let the members of the Health and
Fitness industry keep selling their wares, putting together new
products and facilities, and generally wasting their lives away.

The rest of us are smart and we will boycott this thing called
“Exercise”. As our stomachs grow larger, our backsides get
bigger, and our clothes get smaller, we can take solace in the
fact that we didn’t get swept up by that whole “Health Craze”!

Hey - pass the chocolate cake covered in caramel and whip cream!
I want a third piece of that while my french fries deep-fry for
another five minutes and I catch the end of some completely
unrealistic reality show!

An elliptical machine workout is great for any level of exercise from beginner to advanced. Although your workout level will determine which elliptical machine is the best for you.

Elliptical machines found in gyms across the country are usually a higher quality and than something found in the home. Machines in the home often have more plastic parts and are a little more compact to fit in the house.

Below are some steps to choosing the best elliptical machine:

1) First, you need to make sure the machine is right for you. You should visit a store that has it on display and make sure the elliptical machine is neither too big nor too small, making it uncomfortable for you to workout.

2) Secondly, you should make sure if the machine is expensive the store either has a payment plan or allows you to charge the machine if you do not have the cash on hand.

3) Most stores will offer an extended warranty, since the machine will be going through almost daily use you should consider purchasing it.

4) Lastly, you should consider whether you should actually purchase the machine or look online for better deals. Remember, if you purchase online shipping fees to apply and could be quite costly considering the weight of the machine.

Overall if you’re looking for a full body workout and better health an elliptical machine is a great investment for you. Elliptical machines allow you to vary the workout. This enables you to keep your workout schedule interesting which will allow you to continue doing it.

Free Elliptical Trainer Reviews and Product Information:
Treadmill vs Elliptical

http://www.onlyellipticalreviews.com/treadmill-vs-elliptical.html

Copyright 2005 Daily News Central

Quantity may beat quality when it comes to exercise and heart
health. Adults who engage in mild exercise — such as walking
briskly for 12 miles or exercising moderately for 125-200
minutes over the course of a week — can improve their aerobic
fitness significantly and reduce their risk of cardiovascular
disease, according to a study published in Chest.

“The classic exercise regimen has a component of intensity up to
80 percent of someone’s maximum for health benefits,” says lead
author Brian D. Duscha of Duke University Medical Center in
North Carolina.

“Our study demonstrates that you can exercise at an intensity
much less than that and still achieve fitness benefits,” he
notes.

“People find exercise ‘hard’ and few people want to exercise at
an intensity higher than they have to. Walking briskly for 12
miles a week per week is realistic and does not require anyone
to incorporate a hardcore training regimen. Increasing your
mileage or intensity will give you even greater health
benefits,” Duscha says.

Improved Oxygen Consumption

A Duke Medical Center research team examined the effects of
different exercise training regimens on 133 patients aged 40 to
65 years. All were sedentary, overweight nonsmokers who had
abnormal levels of fat in their blood.

The participants were divided into four exercise groups:

- high-amount/high-intensity (HAHI), the equivalent of jogging
20 miles per week at 65 to 80 percent peak Vo2 (maximum oxygen
consumption);

- low-amount/high-intensity (LAHI), the equivalent of
jogging/walking up an inclined treadmill approximately 12 miles
per week at 65 to 80 percent peak Vo2;

- low-amount/moderate intensity (LAMI), the equivalent of
walking approximately 12 miles per week at 40 to 55 percent peak
Vo2; and

- a control group of nonexercising patients.

All patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing twice at
baseline and after seven to nine months of exercise training.

All exercise groups significantly improved their absolute and
relative peak oxygen consumption and time to exhaustion (TTE)
compared to baselines scores.

Increasing Intensity May Help Too

Although the HAHI group showed the greatest improvements in peak
Vo2 overall, increasing exercise intensity from 40 to 55 percent
to 65 to 80 percent (at a controlled amount of 12 miles/week)
did not significantly improve peak oxygen consumption. However,
increasing the amount of exercise did produce improvements.

An increase in exercise amount also demonstrated a graded
increase in TTE between groups, although data were not
statistically significant.

“Although our results did point toward amount being more
important, it is very likely fitness levels can be improved by
increasing either amount or intensity,” says Duscha.

“This is illustrated by the tiered effect the exercise dose had
on fitness improvements across our groups. We believe with more
people in the study, increasing intensity would also have been
significant,” he explains.

Losing Weight Not Essential

Body mass index (BMI) was reduced in the LAHI and HAHI, groups
but remained unchanged in the LAMI group. All exercise groups
lost an average of 2.87 pounds after exercise. Baseline
characteristics of age, BMI, weight, peak and relative Vo2, and
TTE were not different between the groups.

“A second very important message is that subjects enjoyed
fitness benefits in the absence of weight loss. Many people
exercise with the purpose of losing weight. When they do not
lose weight, they do not think the exercise is benefiting them
and they stop exercising,” notes Duscha.

“The truth is, you can improve your cardiovascular fitness and
reduce your risk for heart disease by exercising without losing
weight. Even if individuals do not lose weight, it is likely
that they will lose body fat and increase lean muscle mass while
reducing other risk factors,” he points out.

12 Miles a Week

Adherence to exercise requires motivation and making exercise a
priority, the researchers stress. They advise those who are
beginning an exercise regimen to start slowly, choose an
enjoyable activity, and make exercise a social activity.
Individuals with medical problems should consult a physician
before starting an exercise program.

“If you distill our results down, the public health message is:
You only need to walk briskly for 12 miles per week or for
approximately 125 to 200 minutes per week to improve your
health. This sheds more light on the question, ‘What is the
minimum amount of exercise I need to do to get a health
benefit?’” says Duscha.

“Regular exercise is an important part of a well-balanced
lifestyle,” adds Paul A. Kvale, MD, FCCP, President of the
American College of Chest Physicians. “Physicians and other
healthcare providers should encourage their patients to engage
in regular exercise in order to obtain pulmonary and
cardiovascular benefits.”

Scientific studies have shown a direct correlation between physical environment and fitness level. It’s something to keep in mind when planning where and how to use your new stationary bike. You may have already given up on the great outdoors for your cardio workout but have decided correctly that those with quick access to parks, trails, sidewalks and nice weather have an easier and more satisfying workout.

That does not mean that those who have opted for stationary bikes are to be short changed on the esthetic value of their workout time. If upon a careful stationary bikes reviews you decide to make that purchase, make similar choices about the placement and use times for that home exercise equipment. People often are so excited about the new equipment that they forget that the repetitive activity can become boring and enthusiasm soon fizzles.

Keeping that in mind, it becomes paramount to take measures from day one to facilitate the entertainment value of time spent on the stationary bikes. Consider things like other household members and their use of the space that you’ve chosen. If your quarters are limited the dining room, then dinner time may be the worst time to use the stationary bike. If you have chosen to work out in the morning maybe headphones with an extra long cord will let you watch the stock market reports while others sleep.

Consider the physical environment carefully. Are you relegated to a dank basement at exercise time? Take the time to brighten the area. A little paint and posters that inspire you can go a long way. Favorite music or videos can make the time spent on the stationary bikes the best part of the day. Without such careful planning the time spent that you used on a stationary bike review might have been as well spent for other purposes.

Read more stationary bikes articles and stationary bikes reviews news or visit our stationary bikes site.

Why Rewarding Yourself Can Help You Lose Weight

From an early age, we are conditioned to reward ourselves with
food. It might have begun in kindergarten, when we were treated
to cupcakes at the annual Halloween party. It may have continued
through junior high and high school, when we reached for the
cookies after a hard day at school. In adulthood, we may buy a
high-calorie frappucino to celebrate a success on the job.

But the problem is, food was not designed to be a reward. It
exists simply to give us energy. When we look at food as a
reward, there is a great temptation to overeat. We believe that
we deserve it, that we’ve earned this opportunity to indulge. We
feel gratified when we eat food that might otherwise be
forbidden.

Our food-as-reward culture has had calamitous consequences. An
increasing number of us are overweight, and getting fatter by
the year. We suffer from a myriad of health problems as a result
of our obesity. We may feel lethargic and unmotivated–too
stuffed to engage in exercise. We have become a nation of couch
potatoes.

Yet, we don’t have to continue living this way. We can simply
stop rewarding ourselves with food. However, it may not be that
simple. We will have to change our mindset–to develop
alternative systems of rewards. While this may seem difficult at
first, it can be accomplished in time.

Here are some ideas for rewards that do not involve food:

* Give yourself a day at the beach. This can clear your mind and
can be wonderfully invigorating. * Schedule some play time. Your
play might involve tennis, video games, or blowing
bubbles–whatever activity that will get your mind away from the
daily routine. * Go shopping at a dollar store. You won’t spend
much, but you could pick up some tremendous bargains. * Share
some quality time with your dog or cat. Grab some pet toys and
have some fun. * Go to the cosmetics counter of your local
department store and indulge in a makeover. * Spend a day at a
spa. It can be wonderfully relaxing to be pampered with massage
and aromatherapy. * Volunteer an hour or two at your local
elementary school. Being with children, even for a short time,
can be a rewarding experience. * Take your children to the
playground, a roller rink, or a swim club. The activity can
leave you feeling refreshed and energized. * Buy a new CD from
one of your favorite musical artists. Then make sure you spend
an hour or two listening to it. * If you play a musical
instrument, sit down and play a few tunes. Music can be a great
mood-elevator. If you don’t like the idea of developing an
alternative reward system, consider simply varying your routine.
If you’ve become accustomed to rewarding yourself with a
high-calorie cappuccino in the morning, spend some time in quiet
prayer or reflection instead. If you feel as if you’ll be
tempted to raid a candy store on your way home from work, take
an alternate route instead. In general, keeping busy can prevent
you from indulging in food rewards. For instance, you might be
so busy reading or knitting that you simply don’t have time to
reach for a snack.

Making a conscious decision to no longer use food as a reward
is certainly counter-cultural. We have been conditioned to
believe that there should be a plate of brownies at the end of
the rainbow…that heaven is just one hot fudge sundae after
another. While food itself isn’t bad, our expectations about
food can be. The first step to ending a food addiction may be to
recognize that food can no longer serve as our reward.

While it can be rough getting out of the food-as-reward habit,
it is well worth the effort. If we no longer view food as the
prize, we will organize our day differently. We’ll devote our
mealtimes to food, and the rest of our day to something else. We
will eat only those foods designed to help us stay healthy–and
we’ll be in better shape as a result.

Katie, a 33-year-old mother of two, has been on her share of
diets over the years. From Weight Watchers to the Zone to Sugar
Busters, she feels as if she has tried them all. While she has
had moderate success in losing weight from time to time, she has
never found a long-term weight loss solution. Her weight is a
point of contention in her marriage; her husband–who also
happens to be obese–wishes she were thin, but says he loves her
anyway. The two have been separated a number of times, and even
filed for divorce once. The stress has caused Katie to begin
binge eating again.

There is hope for Katie and others like her who feel as if
they’re trapped on the diet carousel. The key to long-term
weight loss success may not be the body, but the mind. Research
indicates that those who have a positive outlook on life are
more likely to lose weight–and stay thin. But how can you have
a positive outlook when you’ve been burned so many times before?
Is it possible to “will your way” to losing weight?

One technique that has been proven effective in sports training
is something called visualization. For instance, a baseball
player might visualize his bat connecting with a ball, leading
to a homerun. A soccer player might visualize kicking the
winning goal in a soccer match. And a golfer might visualize
sinking the winning putt in the Masters Tournament.

The same technique can be used by dieters. Visualize yourself
as thin. Picture yourself in that dress that is now two sizes
too small. Imagine stepping onto the scale and being pleased
with the result. Visualize yourself saying “no” to that piece of
chocolate cake or that plate of Fettucini Alfredo. These mind
exercises can help to spur you onto weight loss.

When people learn they are suffering from cancer, they are
encouraged to imagine their cancer cells being destroyed by
healthy cells. You can follow the same technique in order to
lose weight. That means imagining your fat cells being destroyed
by thin cells. Through such a method, you can “think your way”
to a healthy weight.

In addition, it is critically important that you maintain a
positive attitude. Be forgiving of yourself. If you veer off
your diet plan, simply get back on course with your next meal.
Don’t spend precious time “beating yourself up” over your
failures. Instead, celebrate your successes–in a non-fattening
way. For instance, when you reach a milestone–say you’ve lost
ten pounds–reward yourself with a trip to an art museum or to
your favorite coffee shop (but skip the cream and sugar).
Marking milestones will give you a sense of accomplishment, a
sense that you are triumphing over food.

Another helpful technique can be prayer or meditation. Some
support groups even offer Bible-based weight loss programs that
use scripture verses to help inspire. Taking stock of your life
and handing your weight loss problems over to a higher power can
be cathartic and may give you a sense of peace about your weight
difficulties. It has been said that a clear head leads to a
healthy body. Try praying or meditating ten minutes at the start
of your day. Chances are you will feel refreshed and ready to
tackle the weight challenges that come your way.

Yet another technique you might consider is role-playing. Grab
your spouse or a friend and ask him or her to act out a
situation in which you might be tempted to overeat. You’ll be
forced to come up with strategies to fight temptation. This
rehearsal could prove to be quite helpful when a real life diet
dilemma comes your way. If role-playing works for job
interviews, it should be beneficial for your weight as well.

Mind over matter is not just a clever saying. It can actually
be the solution to your weight loss problems. By using your
brain power, you can develop the techniques needed to make
healthy food choices. When your mind and your body are both
healthy, you have the best of both worlds.

Are you irritated by your itchy scalp? Do friends and
officemates make fun of you because you always scratch your
head? If you are experiencing this common problem, then chances
are you have lice. Start to get rid of it now!

1. What are lice?

Lice are small parasite-like insects. Their home is on the hairs
of people. They eat by sucking a small quantity of blood from
our scalp. Lice usually thrive on scalps of 3 to 12 year-old
kids. Girls are much more susceptible to lice than boys.

2. Lice facts:

- Lice do not pose a significant risk to our health - Lice can
easily spread from one person to another - The feeling of
itchiness is caused by the lice bites - Frequent scratching of
the scalp can cause further inflammation - In rare cases, the
skin can be infected which may trigger infection

3. How to treat lice:

Lice shampoos and lotions can be directly bought
over-the-counter or can be prescribed. The medications are based
on the lice treatment history of the patient. Do not experiment
on these treatments because they are very much like
insecticides. Follow your doctor’s advice or instructions
carefully. The directions on the shampoo or lotion should be
strictly followed so that the treatment can be effective. Your
doctor may also ask you to buy hair rinses that are made to
untangle hair.

These lice treatments most often than not, completely eradicate
lice although continuous usage is needed for it to take affect.
Seven to ten days is the common treatment period for lice by
this method. Before stopping medication, you should be positive
that all lice are killed since they can easily reproduce and
come back with a vengeance.

4. Lice removal tips:

- Lice lay eggs attached to the base of the hair. In addition to
using medication, it is recommended, especially for children
ages 2 to 6, to manually remove the eggs from the hair one by
one - Combs with fine bristles should be used to comb your
child’s hair after taking a bath - Shampoo hair 3 up to 4 days
in a span of 2 weeks. The hair should be wet before combing -
Beddings and clothes that are just worn by someone with lice
should be washed in very hot water - Store clothing and anything
else that can not be washed in bags that are airtight for two
weeks, such as toys or bedcovers - Carpet and upholstery in
homes and cars should be vacuum cleaned regularly - Submerge
objects like brushes, combs, headbands, hair ties and barrettes
in rubbing alcohol or shampoo for lice treatment for one hour,
or dispose of them - Do not utilize hair dryers to dry the hair
of your child after putting on the anti-lice medication. Some
chemicals in the shampoo or lotion are flammable - Shampoos and
conditioners should not be used prior to lice treatment
application - Sprays or pest control should not be used to kill
lice. It could do more harm than good. It can also be poisonous
- Lice treatment should not be used or applied to a single
person for more than three times. If the lice are still there
after three applications, the medication should be changed. -
One lice treatment should be used at time. Do not alternate it
with another

I participated in a message board conversation recently about a poster who was looking for advice on purchasing some home exercise equipment. The original poster wanted either an exercise bike or an elliptical machine to fit into their busy schedule. The hope was that they could find time to work out during their hectic day.

I was surprised by the number of responses from people who basically said things like “get an exercise bike because in two weeks when you quit using it – it will be easier to store in your attic” and “elliptical machines are good because you can hang clothes on them”. The sad thing about these statements is that there is a hint of truth to them.

I believe that if we make a very informed decision when buying a piece of exercise equipment, we will be more likely to use the equipment and less likely to make it a dust gatherer in the corner.

I certainly don’t want to discourage anyone from exercising. The purpose of this article is to prevent you from purchasing a piece of home exercise equipment and then not using it. Ask yourself the following questions before purchasing the home exercise equipment.

Are you committed to your weight loss and exercise regimen? Be honest with yourself.

Will you find the time to ride the stationary bike or elliptical machine? Again, be honest and specific with yourself.

Where will it be located?

What time of the day will I do it?

How long will I do it?

Realize that no matter how easy and fun the model on the TV or on the box makes it look – it is still exercise. You will sweat. Are you willing?

Is there an alternative that I can try before purchasing?

Can I take daily walks, borrow an exercise bike, or go to a friend’s house and use theirs?

Once you have made your decision to purchase your home exercise equipment:

Make yourself accountable by having a friend check your progress and ask you daily if you have completed your exercise.

Try to make it enjoyable. Read your favorite book, (if possible) watch your favorite program, or listen to good music. Associate it with something you enjoy

Enjoy your exercise time! It is a great feeling to move and burn calories! What a great feeling when you are done!

Bill Herren is the webmaster for http://www.weightloss-articles.com
Top weight loss site! Weight loss articles, success stories, product reviews and much more! Every thing you need to reach your weight loss goals.

Trampolines are a wonderful thing, I don’t know if you have noticed but in the last few years more and more people are getting a trampoline for their backyard. My neighbor got one a few years ago and every time his kids would come and visit the grandchildren would spend most of their time on the trampoline or in its environment.

Some people think that trampolines are mainly used by kids, that trampolines are mere toys for kids to jump around and have fun. People are beginning to discover that a trampoline can be used for physical fitness for children as well as adults. While there is a certain level of convenience associated with purchasing a special fitness trampoline, it isn’t necessary to receive the benefits of trampoline exercise. The same kind of trampoline that is used by children can be used by adults as well.

Working out on a trampoline is very different from any other traditional exercise we know, which makes it a fun activity. The workout is even a little more challenging since most adults need to learn how to master the trampoline, and from my experience, what sometimes looks like an easy task may prove to be much more difficult…

The aerobics associated with jumping on a fitness trampoline strengthens the heart in the same way as other cardio exercises like running and jumping rope. This increase in cardio rate encourages energy use and weight loss. Spending five to eight minutes doing trampoline exercise is like running a mile, only with less time and effort. Trampoline exercise tones muscles in the lower half of the body. The legs, thighs, hips, stomach, and abdomen are all used when exercising on a fitness trampoline. The trampoline workout can also be a fun activity for all the family, it is fun to watch and once you learn how to use it properly you can also contribute your opinion, and improve the workout altogether.

Trampoline jumping improves coordination many athletes and gymnasts use trampolines for this reason. Jumping on a trampoline isn’t just about bounding up and down. There is some level of skill involved in reaching a good height and landing in the right way. As I mentioned before, the mere task of getting the hang of the trampoline is a challenge, although it may take some time, once you get the trampoline basics in your blood, you will be addicted to it, and to the constant improvement in your workout. As you learn to master the trampoline, you will probably get higher and more energy efficient while on the trampoline.

A small trampoline, or rebound trampoline, is ideal for those who have knee injuries. Since smaller trampolines are not designed for high jumping, there is less pressure on the joints during exercise. Other benefits of a fitness trampoline include improvements in breathing through increased capacity of lungs, reduction in stress and tension, lowers cholesterol levels, and increases energy levels. A fitness trampoline is a good way to get exercise for people who have joint issues that keep them from jogging and running.

A trampoline is a great way of staying in shape and enjoying it, why not try to use a trampoline and see if its something you can enjoy?

John Furnem specializes in work psychology, stress relief and time management, after a stress relief seminar held in a gym John started using a trampoline for his workout, John publishes Trampoline advice on the zupatips.com pages

Copyright 2005 strength-training-woman.com

The number one way for obese people to lose fat is the exact
same for those that are only 20 pounds overweight. Strength
training is the best way to cut through fat and burn through
calories. There’s no difference between strength training for
the obese and strength training for everyone else.

When we strength train, we add lean muscle mass to our body.
This lean muscle mass burns through 35-50 calories per pound of
muscle every single day. Let’s take a look at that number from a
different point of view. If we have 5 pounds of lean muscle,
that muscle will burn about 250 calories a day. Here comes the
fun part. If we have 10 pounds of lean muscle mass, then our
muscles burn about 500 calories a day. Hopefully you can see why
adding lean muscle is the best way to lose fat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that we are
obese if we have a BMI (body mass index) of 30.0 or greater.
Being obese is not healthy. It leads to a host of diseases and
illnesses. I’m almost positive you already knew that.

Obese and over weight people can use functional exercises to
begin changing their health. Exercises like squats and bicep
curls will help strengthen the muscles we use in everyday
movements. Often these movements are difficult for obese people.
Keep up your workout routine and you’ll notice that getting in
and out of the car, walking to the mailbox, going upstairs and
simply lifting heavy boxes will all become less of a hassle.

Strength training for the obese is the same as strength training
for slender people. The difference comes in the starting point.
It’s so important to talk with your doctor, get the go ahead to
workout, and then create a routine that you feel suits you best.
Take one step at a time and before you know it, you will have
taken 5,000 steps.