Health Care and Fitness 2013 (Part II)

Last time, the material about fitness posted in YourBestHealthCare Blog focused on fitness in the employer world. This information to be discussed in part two focuses more on fitness tips for individuals and families. The material provided here is not a comprehensive overview of fitness, but does provide some helpful ideas on how to be more proactive with your health using fitness ideas.

According to www.MyDailyMoment.com , when you get right down to it, more than weight loss is important, the key is making lifestyle changes - eating more nutritious foods and focusing on physical fitness. When you recognize that fitness matters and that you're going to want to do more exercise, there are a number of things that you can do:

1. Choose one day of the week to walk or bike to work -- at least part of the way. If your fitness level is not quite where you want it to be, you may want to take the bus partway -- at least initially -- and to take advantage of the bicycle racks that are at the front of many buses in most areas. In addition to improving your fitness level, biking or walking to work will help you to save at the gas pump.

2. Get active with the kids. Recent studies have shown that kids aren't getting outside or being active enough; by spending time with the kids and focusing on fitness, you'll find that you're able to stay on top of what the kids are doing and to help guide them down a path to fitness.

3. Schedule your workouts early in the day. Especially in the summer months, setting the alarm an hour earlier to fit in your run or ride before the heat and humidity settle in can help you to keep fitness in your routine and can ensure that you're able to stay cooler and breathe easier in the process.

4. Take more steps. While pedometers aren't all the rage the way that they were a few years ago, taking more steps in your day can help to improve your overall fitness level. By parking further away at the grocery store or mall, by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, you'll find that you're able to do more to reach your fitness goals.

5. Add variety. Rather than just running on the treadmill at the gym, take the time to participate in yoga and pilates classes, pedal your way through a spinning class or take your aerobics workout into the pool where increased resistance from the water can help to improve your fitness.

Fitness and weight loss aren't just about exercise; on many levels, fitness and weight loss are about the little things and the choices that you make, according to My Daily Moment. Sometimes, simply by making small changes, you will find that you are able to make a considerable difference in your lifestyle.

According to www.FitnessMagazine.com , Gold’s Gyms studied check-in patterns at gym locations around the country over a three-year period to establish a fitness cliff. After the initial gym craze around January 1, they noticed a gradual decline in check-ins beginning January 30, with the biggest drop happening on February 7. To help keep you from falling off the edge, Dr. Belisa Vranich, author and clinical psychologist created these five warning signs that your resolutions may be slipping:

1. You suddenly find yourself too busy to get to the gym as often as when you first started.

2. You’re getting angry that the effort you’re making to work out and eat healthy aren’t equaling the results you’d like to see in the mirror.

3. You find yourself less motivated and begin to wonder why you made this goal in the first place.

4. You slowly start to ease back into old patterns, trading treadmill time for the TV and in caving into your usual guilty pleasures.

5. You start arguing with yourself that you don’t really need to change, convincing yourself that you’ll make a better effort next year.

Do one or more of these points sound like you? Get back on track with these tips from Gold’s Gym Fitness Institute expert and celebrity trainer Mike Ryan:

1. Add some “class” to your routine. Whether it’s TRX training or Zumba, group exercise is a great way to get some energy into a stale routine.

2. Upgrade your workout–enlist in technology like a tracking app to help you stay accountable.

3. Don’t do it alone. Find a friend and cheer each other on. Plus, there’s nothing like a little friendly competition to keep you focused.

4. Get off the scale–that number doesn’t dictate your progress. Instead, ask your gym for a body assessment to pinpoint where your state of fitness currently is.

5. Try a trainer. Even if it’s just for a few sessions, working with a trainer can help you figure out the best ways to tone your body type and reach your goals.

Fitness can be very good for the average person. And even those individuals with certain physical disabilities can participate in some minimal fitness regimen. Always consult your primary care provider or doctor before you begin a fitness program. And make sure that any injuries that result are treated immediately before they get exacerbated by lack of attention or additional physical stress.

Until next time.