Author:
Mario Carini
Aerobics, simply put, is a way to get your heart rate up to where you get in
cardiovascular exercise. Walking, sprinting and running all help to get the
heart beating rapidly so blood can circulate and move oxygen to all parts of
the body. Playing basketball, hockey, tennis and other sports are excellent
activities for good heart health.
A good aerobics workout makes you stronger and improves mental clarity.
Unfortunately, many people live a sedentary lifestyle that does little to
improve overall physical well-being and often they don't find the time or
energy to start exercising.
While aerobics is one of the best way to get in some exercise it should be
remembered that aerobics alone will not do you much for your health if your
lifestyle is filled with stress, a poor diet and habits that promote illness
rather than health.
Before any exercise can begin, you need to know the current state of your
health and just how much exercise is good for you. A checkup with your doctor
will determine how ready you are to start on an exercise program. Likely, you
will need to change your diet first as will power alone is simply not enough
for many overweight people to start exercising. Your doctor and dietitian can
help you set up an exercise program that is right for you.
Once you have the approval from your doctor, the next step is by taking a
daily walk. If you are overweight or obese, you can begin by walking to the
street corner or around the block. If you feel stronger, you can take an
extended 20 minute walk. Whichever method you choose, move your arms as you
walk. Moving your arms while you walk gets blood flowing to the shoulders and
arms. Once you're used to walking, you can increase your pace to the point
that you begin to perspire. If walking isn't for you, try Tai Chi or do
exercise in a pool, both of which are easy on the joints and can give you a
good workout.
Once walking has become routine, you can bicycle.It provides great
cardiovascular exercise as it provides more challenges as you must pedal
uphill as well as down. If you happen to live close to your job, you can save
yourself the cost of fuel and wear and tear on your car by biking to work.
The winter months don't allow for much walking or cycling. Ice, snow and the
cold is enough to keep anyone indoors, but you can continue your exercise
regimen by investing in a treadmill or a stationary bike.
The whole point behind aerobics is to exercise your heart muscle. The heart
rate of a fit person beats slower than someone who is out of shape. A resting
heart rate is a good indication of how easier it is for you to get sick.
Healthy people rarely have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, nor are they
susceptible to many of today's modern diseases.
For optimal health, you can combine a daily routine of aerobics along with
weight lifting. Aerobics primarily exercises the heart while weight lifting
increases body strength, endurance and flexibility.
Once you make a start at exercise, you'll find it more pleasurable than you
thought and you will stick with your routine once you start to see the results
of a better physique and a happier you.
About the Author:
The author is a freelance writer who has had several articles published at
Helium, Suite 101 and his blog on Word Press. Currently he lives in Ottawa,
Canada and promotes an affiliate business where anyone can buy and sell
products, ebooks and more. To get more information, go to:
http://www.tripleclicks.com/71130/go
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com -
The Benefits of Aerobic Exercise
The Benefits of Aerobic Exercise
What is Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy and Should You Be Using It?
Author: John Russell
Menopause is considered to be one of the greatest physical milestones within a woman's life. However, during and after the cycle many women turn to help in order to reduce the symptoms that are caused by menopause and this help usually comes in the form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
HRT has been and most likely remains the most popular and common way helping women through menopause. It works by replacing the estrogen that is lost when the ovaries stop producing it. By doing this, it means symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings that are associated with menopause start to develop. Millions of women throughout the world take this prescribed drug; it is an appropriate choice for some women but not all and, despite all of the positive effects this drug can have, it is shrouded in controversy.
HRT has been linked with heart disease and cancer and, more recently, memory loss and dementia. These are some of the main reasons that a lot of women are now looking into alternatives to help them cope with the symptoms and the stages involved in what has become known as 'the change of life.'
Natural hormone replacement therapy is becoming a highly popular choice with many women who have lost faith in other drugs or who see it as being a generally healthier choice. This form of therapy usually contains plant estrogens, which are called phytoestrogens and you'll be glad to know they have the power to take the strain out of the symptoms associated with menopause almost as well as HRT does.
A lot of women are sometimes put off by aspects associated with natural supplements as they think that they are all hype but no pay-off. Well, this is definitely not true for natural hormone replacement therapy; just take a look at the two examples below:
Black Cohosh
This is an extract of a plant and is one of the most popular herbal remedies for menopause symptoms. It is something that has been used for centuries to help with conditions that affect a woman's reproductive organs, which includes menstrual problems, an inflammation of the ovaries, and relief from labor pain.
It is the root of the plant that is used; this is because the root is said to have estrogenic properties. It provides sterols, which is the beginning for steroid hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Wild Yam
When research has been conducted about this, it has indicated that it is a powerful alternative medicine that contains many steroidal saponins that are widely used to manufacture progesterone. It is also a powerful estrogenic herb that is used by women around the world thanks to its anti-inflammatory action that can provide relief from menopausal arthritis as well as other menopause symptoms. It is often used as a way of helping cope with hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, as well as vaginal dryness.
There is a number of natural hormone replacement therapy treatments on the market today, all of which are extremely capable of helping to soothe symptoms connected to the menopausal cycle. They give you just that extra little bit of help you need so, if you do find yourself struggling with night sweats or finding it hard to cope with hot flashes, then give them a try.
John Russell of IH Distribution, LLC brings you health, anti-aging and skin care products from around the world. Find fabulous skin care tips and great articles on a wide range of topics for women at our Skin Care Blog and http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com Don't forget to check out their newly re-launched newsletter - filled with information you won't find anywhere else.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - What is Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy and Should You Be Using It?
Add 10 Years to Your Life by Losing Weight
Author: Sonia Devine
If you are currently struggling to maintain a healthy weight, then it turns out there's more than just a fashionable waistline to be gained by losing weight. In fact, a recent major international study shows that people who are overweight or obese are reducing their life expectancy by up to ONE DECADE. British researchers have pulled together studies that include a million people, including Australians, to look at how a person's Body Mass Index (BMI) can be a predictor of early death. So if you are looking for motivation to lose weight, how does an extra ten years sound?
We're often so caught up with the way we look in comparison to all those skinny supermodels out there, but I call this an unhealthy obsession with thin-ness. In fact, we should me aiming at maintaining a health weight for our age and height that allows us to enjoy our lives at every level. Obviously if you are overweight, you're not going to have a great quality of life. On the other hand if you starve yourself life isn't exactly going to be a picnic either; balance is the key.
News reports quoted the following: "Almost 70,000 of the test subjects died during the study, and the fewest of these came from the group with a healthy body shape (BMI of 22.5 to 25). At the other end of the scale, people with a BMI indicating they were overweight (30 - 35 BMI) were shown to have died up to four years earlier than expected. Those in the obese category (40 - 45 BMI) reduced their survival by eight to ten years, the same as life-long smokers."
The study also found that with every five point increase in BMI, the person increased their chance of dying during the study by 30 per cent. The major causes of death were vascular and kidney problems such as heart attack or diabetes.
In case you haven't hear of BMI before, a person's BMI rating is a calculation which takes in their weight and height. For example, a person who is 170cm tall and who weighs 70kg has a BMI of 24.2 - this is considered to be within the healthy range. If you don't want to do the calculations yourself, then you will find lots of BMI calculators on the internet that will do it for you. Whatever the case, it's worth finding out what your BMI is. It will give you an indication of whether or not you are a healthy weight.
So if you need to lose weight when is the best time to get started? Well, now is as good a time as any. Many people view losing weight as something they will do 'one day' or 'when they get around to it. That's half the problem; then one day you wake up and you realize you're 15 kilos overweight and struggling to enjoy life. As you get older, you must take better care of yourself. When we're younger our metabolism is much faster, so we burn calories much more easily. This makes it easier to consume a diet of highly processed and fatty foods while still maintaining a healthy weight. But once you hit 25, it gets a little harder. This is the time when you may start to gain weight.
A few lifestyle changes such as regular weight bearing exercise and a diet rich in fresh, non-processed foods can make all the difference. That doesn't mean you have to become a monk - you can sill enjoy some of the less nutritional foods and lose weight at the same time. My 37 year old client 'Laurie' discovered this after several years of trying to shift a couple of kilos that had settled rather uncomfortably around his belly. This was a bit of a shock to 'Laurie', who had been reed thin all his life until a couple of years ago.
And 'Laurie's' diet reflected the indifference of a teenager; it was riddled with fat, sugar and salt; a surefire recipe for a heart-attack. But with a little tweaking, Laurie was able to drop the kilos and still enjoy some of the things he loved to eat. Whatever age you are, it's never too late to change. Losing weight will help you to feel better about everything; furthermore, achieving a healthy weight will give you more time to enjoy life.
Sonia Devine is one of Australia's leading experts in weight loss hypnotherapy. Want to learn more about how to achieve permanent weight loss? Claim your FREE Weight Loss E-book here => http://loveyourselfslim.com.au/free_stuff
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Add 10 Years to Your Life by Losing Weight
Ten Ways to Look Wonderful
Author: Paul McIndoe
Of course, everyone wants to look their best but this is especially true as you grow older. And, it is good to know that there are many ways in which you can help improve your look and appear younger.
Magical Moisturiser
First and foremost, one of the most effective ways to maintain a youthful appearance is simply by keeping your skin moisturised. Regardless of whether you’re male or female, adding more moisture to the skin means wrinkles are naturally reduced and the face appears fuller and younger.
Sun Protection
Secondly, try to ensure you always use sunscreen. The sun’s rays are one of the most damaging factors for your skin, so make sure you stay protected.
Embrace Heavenly Hair
Now that your skin is in tip-top condition, turn the attention to your hair. Keeping your tresses in healthy condition makes you look more polished, which also helps when trying to achieve a youthful look. What's more, white or grey hair does inevitably make you look older so you could opt to dye it and instantly knock a few years off your look.
Dress Your Age
In at number four, dressing your age is another important tip to remember. Ironically, dressing to look younger can have the opposite effect so it might be time to hang up the hotpants. Wear clothes that are appropriate to your age but stay up-to-date on current trends and give your wardrobe a spring clean in order to successfully transform your look.
Banish Dark Circles
Banishing dark circles under your eyes can immediately make you look better. There are many products to help with dark circles but if you eat well, keep your body hydrated and get a good night’s sleep, you may find this helps more than anything. For an instant fix try an under-eye concealer; there are even male-friendly options on the market.
Enjoy Exercise
Hit the gym or take a walk outside to help maintain good posture, get your blood flowing and alleviate stress. Keeping fit is of course an effective way to look better whatever your age.
Delectable Diet
In perfect harmony with number six, having a healthy diet helps with overall wellbeing and complements exercise. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables along with all the other essentials will keep you top-shape.
Perfect Posture
Maintaining a good posture by standing up straight can work wonders for your overall appearance and again is effective whatever your age. Keeping your back straight and shoulders down improves your breathing pattern and increases your focus level. Also, as you lengthen your spine to stand upright, you extend, strengthen and flatter your abdominals, which gives you a slender and spritely look.
Catch Plenty of Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep not only helps with under eye circles but is vital for maintaining your immune system and boosting cell repair, so make sure you get your daily dose of slumber.
Whiter Than White
Last but not least, tooth whitening is a fairly quick and inexpensive way to look younger. Having a set of pearly whites to be proud of boosts your confidence with a brighter, whiter smile that can really take years off your face.
As you can see, there is plenty that you can do to make yourself look younger - and it doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank either.
Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Ten Ways to Look Wonderful
