For most of us, our favorite meals tend to be more on the unhealthy side of things rather than on the healthy side. There are ways that you can transform your once unhealthy meal into a healthy one. How? Substituting the unhealthy ingredients for healthy alternatives! Below are some great substitutes to use next time you’re cooking: Continue reading “Healthy Alternatives to Everyday Cooking Items”
Month: October 2014
Trick or Treat! 10 Candies to Avoid this Halloween
Halloween is another one of those holidays when we give ourselves some slack and indulge in some not-so-good for you treats. Here is a list of 10 candies full of sugar and calories that you definitely want to stay away from this year! Continue reading “Trick or Treat! 10 Candies to Avoid this Halloween”
7 of the most common running mistakes
Running isn’t just a great way to burn calories and get stronger muscles, it can also be a form of stress relief and help to boost your mood thanks to feel-good endorphins. But if you’re a new runner, there are a few mistakes you may be making that could take away from your workout and cause potential injury. Get the most out of home treadmills by avoiding these fitness blunders: Continue reading “7 of the most common running mistakes”
6 Health Benefits of Physical Activity
There are many reasons as to why people continually harp over the benefits that physical fitness can provide. Many of these benefits are health related and can improve a person’s overall medical health. According to an article written by Mayo Clinic, there are 6 main benefits that physical activity provides. Continue reading “6 Health Benefits of Physical Activity”
Must-have kitchen tools for a healthy diet
Running on home treadmills or riding stationary bikes are both great ways to improve your cardio and get in shape. However, exercise is only half the battle when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle. It’s important that you watch what you eat in the kitchen so that you don’t discount all the hard work you just did in the gym. Continue reading “Must-have kitchen tools for a healthy diet”
5 Alternative Ways To Achieve A Full Body Workout On A Treadmill
If you ever find yourself getting bored with the same old treadmill workout routine, shake things up by adding in some different moves. A treadmill doesn’t just have to be used strictly for walking and running; get creative and mix it up! Here are five different exercises you can add to your treadmill workout:
1. Push-ups. For this exercise, please make sure the machine is OFF. Assume the push-up stance by placing your toes on the end of the treadmill, and your hands flat on the ground directly behind the treadmill. The elevation of your toes on the platform of the treadmill will make a more intense push-up!
2. Triceps Dig. Please make sure the machine is OFF before attempting this exercise. First, you will sit on the floor with your back against the end of the running surface of the treadmill. Keep your legs straight out in front of you, and place the palms of your hands (fingertips pointing away from the machine) flat on the running surface behind you. While bending your elbow, use only your arms to move your body up and down. Great arm workout with no weights needed!
3. Lunges. The machine should be turned OFF before completing this exercise. This one is great for the legs! Simply place one foot on the floor directly behind the machine, while placing the other foot up on the end of the running surface. The foot that is on the machine will be the one that you will bend each time you lunge, making your knee come to a right angle. The foot that is placed on the floor should be back far enough that when you bend the opposite knee, the leg straightens. Switch back and forth between legs in order to get an all-around leg workout!
4. Side Steps. Now these are easy! For this exercise, the machine will need to be ON, but set to a low speed. First, stand sideways on the running surface, holding onto the side rails if needed. With your feet together, turn the machine ON and set to a low speed. Move your feet apart and then back together, in a sideways “galloping” motion. After doing this for a few minutes, stop and face the opposite direction in order to work the opposite leg. You can also increase speed as you get more comfortable. This exercise is great for your hips and inner thighs!
5. Step On and Offs. This one is the simplest of them all! First, make sure the machine is OFF. Then, with both feet together on the floor, at the end of the running surface, step up onto the machine with one foot at a time. Right foot first, and then bring the left foot up alongside of it. Then step back down using the same technique. This exercise will work the leg muscles as well as the glutes, by mimicking stair-stepping movements.
The Benefits of Yoga
Many people tend to judge and toss aside the idea of practicing yoga without knowing much about it. However, if people were to know about the benefits that come with this exercise, they may change their minds! Listed below are a few of the benefits associated with yoga…don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! Continue reading “The Benefits of Yoga”
How A Strict Fitness Routine Can Actually Harm Your Workout Results
Many people think that getting into a strict routine of working out is the best way to generate results. However, this can actually make each workout less effective. Getting into the routine of working out regularly is great, but too often people complete the same workouts, on the same equipment each time they work out. Unfortunately, this approach is counterproductive. In order to ensure you are getting the best results out of each and every workout you complete, you have to mix them up!
How Can A Strict Fitness Routine Harm Your Workout Results
An easy way to satisfy working out while not falling into a strict workout regimen is to combine cardio and strength training workouts while mixing it up workouts within those categories as well. For cardio workouts try mixing it up between speed walking, running, elliptical, biking/cycling, jump rope, etc. If it’s getting your heart rate up, it’s cardio! Also, gradually increase the distance and intensity levels of your workouts each time you complete them in order to keep your muscles consistently challenged.
For strength training it’s even simpler; hit the gym and start trying out different pieces of equipment that target different areas of the body. For example, one day work on your legs, a few days later work on your arms, etc. The combinations are endless when you continually switch up which exercises you complete; this will keep your body from getting used to the workout and in turn, keep your body constantly working out to its full potential.
5 Exercises that will Improve Poor Posture
Poor posture is an issue that many of us deal with and often do not know where to begin in regards to correcting it. The good news is there is something you can do about it and it’s SO easy! Adding a few specific exercises into your regular fitness routine will assist in the improvement of your overall posture. These types of exercises are not limited to what is listed below; many posture improving exercises exist and primarily focus on core strength and stability. Continue reading “5 Exercises that will Improve Poor Posture”