• Catholics Investigating Abuse Charges In Germany March 10, 2010
    Church authorities have launched two major investigations of sexual or physical abuse. One investigation centers on a renowned choir once led by Pope Benedict XVI's brother, while the other involves a more general look into what everyone — including the pope — knew about the sexual and physical abuse of students. […]
  • Centuries-Old Shipwrecks Found In Baltic Sea March 10, 2010
    The 12 unusually well-preserved wrecks were found in a 30-mile-long corridor by a gas company building an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany. Experts say the oldest wreck probably dates back to medieval times and could be up to 800 years old. […]
  • Chile's Transfer Of Power Complicates Recovery March 10, 2010
    Chile is on the verge of a political transition. Outgoing President Michelle Bachelet is trying to preserve her reputation after the earthquake, while the president-elect, Sebastian Pinera, is trying to establish his reputation as a man who can rebuild the damaged country. […]
  • Sebelius Challenges Insurers To Support Health Overhaul March 10, 2010
    Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said insurers should drop their opposition to health overhaul and instead help fix a broken system, marked by spiraling costs and a lack of consumer choice. […]
  • Proposed Set Of U.S. Academic Standards Unveiled March 10, 2010
    The blueprint released by a group of governors and school superintendents lays out what students should be learning in math and English every year from kindergarten through high school. The plan is part of a push to iron out the jumble of state standards and raise expectations for American schools. […]
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Archive for December, 2009

Nutrition Vs. Diet: are You Getting the Nutrients Your Body Needs?

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Author: Healing Headquarters LLC

Today we hear the word diet much more than we hear the word nutrition. There are so many diets on the market that it’s easy to get lost in the fad and forget what nutrition truly is. There is the Atkins Diet, the Zone Diet, Weight Watchers and many others, from Slim Fast to the various one-food diets, such as the cabbage soup diet or the grapefruit diet. Society has become fixated on the ‘diet’, instead of quality nutrition. Unfortunately, this fixation isn’t working. America is the fattest nation in the world, with high rates of diabetes, heart disease and other life threatening illnesses. While diets are becoming more popular, nutrition is suffering.

What is a diet?

While many people think a diet is a set of rules you follow to try to lose weight, your diet is actually the food that you eat to supply your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. While an average American diet consists of large quantities of processed sugar, white flour, meat and fast foods, a healthy diet is one that supplies the body with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and enzymes. These nutritional building blocks affect your energy levels, your quality of life, and have a direct affect on your mood, memory, eyesight, body functions and lifespan. Without a healthy diet that supplies the body with much needed nutrients, you are more susceptible to colds, infections, and illnesses. Your diet, in other words your nutrition, is what sustains your life.

Nutritional Labels reading_nutrition_label

There is much confusion surrounding nutritional labels. Most people look strictly toward the top for calories, fat grams and serving size information. The truth is that nutritional labels offer a look at the nutrients in one’s food, such as vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folic acid. This information, although lower down on the nutritional label, is very important information if you are seeking to supply your body with nutrients, as opposed to empty calories.

The most important aspect of a nutritional label, although almost completely overlooked, is the actual ingredients within your food. While it may be easier to check to see how many calories and fat grams a certain food product has in each serving, when it comes to healthy nutrition the most important ingredient is what you are actually ingesting. It may have only 220 calories, but where are those calories coming from? Are you ingesting mostly corn syrup and sodium phosphate, or high amounts of preservatives, such as sorbic acid and sulfur dioxide? The ingredients in your food are the tell-tale clues to how much nutrition you are actually taking in. If your food is strictly cheese and flour, as opposed to nutrient providing vegetables and vitamins, it doesn’t really matter if the calories are low.

A Nutritional Diet

Nutrition comes from vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Food sources that are rich with nutrients are whole, living foods that are supplied from the earth. Dark leafy greens offer more calcium than milk, while beans and grains offer high amounts of iron. It is easy to turn your focus from diet to nutrition. And when you do, you might find yourself eating a diet that is rich in nutrients and optimal for losing weight.

Basics of Bodybuilding Nutrition

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Author: Jim Atilsonsports nutrition

Some subjects are too confusing and harder to understand, such as; Math, Chemistry, Biology, and in the case of bodybuilding, Nutrition. There is more to bodybuilding and building muscle than just lifting weights. A very important part of the process of gaining muscle, along with sufficient rest, is Bodybuilding Nutrition. Fortunately, to achieve your fitness and weight lifting goals, you do not need a degree in Nutrition. Instead, all you need is to have an open mind and willingness to learn as much as you can about it. Now, lets go ahead get started with the basics of bodybuilding nutrition.

Most people use the terms Nutrition and Supplements interchangeably. They assume that by using over-the-counter supplements their nutritional needs will be taken care of. Nothing is farther from the truth. There is a big difference between bodybuilding nutrition and supplements. In addition, supplements should be used very sparingly, if not at all. However the topic of supplement use is a totally different one all together.

You may be wondering, if we are not going to talk about supplements, then, what this article is all about? Well, for those who are not familiar with what bodybuilding nutrition is all about, it consists of four basic components; Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats and Water. Now, let’s go ahead and examine each of the components briefly.

Proteins:

Proteins and Amino Acids go hand in hand. Protein is made up of amino acids and amino acids are the building blocks of muscles. And they constantly build, repair and maintain your muscle tissues. So, in order to achieve your bodybuilding and fitness goals, you should be consuming sufficient amounts of protein a day, which is usually about 1-1.5 gram(s) of protein per pound of your body weight. You may be wondering, what kind of sources should I get my protein from? Well, you have a variety of sources to choose your proteins from like; beef, fish, poultry, eggs, turkey, tuna and soy protein.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy and they also provide your brain with the energy it needs in the form of glucose. There are two types of carbohydrates; simple and complex. Simple carbs are digested fast and most likely to be stored as fat. Whereas, complex carbs are digested over a period of time and contain a higher concentration of dietary fibers.

Carbohydrates play a vital role in developing muscle mass. There are simple guidelines you should adhere by with carbs;

1)Choose complex carbs over simple carbs; Complex carbs come from such sources as;potato, brown rice, oatmeal,etc. Complex carbs have a tendency to keep your blood sugar levels in check and since they burn slowly, they can act as a longer lasting energy source, especially for your workouts.

2)Since your body uses carbohydrates for energy, then, it is only logical to consume some carbs before and after your workouts. A norm is usually an hour before and no later than 1/2 hour after your workouts.

3)Did you know that even though fruits are a healthy choice, they are made up from simple sugar(carbs). If you did not know, simple sugar turn into fructose, then, stored in the body in the form of fat. So, for the purposes of building muscle, keep fruit consumption to a minimum.

4)Do not consume carbohydrates by themselves, always have carbs with proteins. By doing so, will help you minimize the chance of carbs being stored as fat.

Fats:

All your cells have some fat in them. Just like your body needs carbohydrates and proteins, it also needs healthy fats to function on a daily basis. Aside from carbohydrates, your body utilizes fats as an energy source as well. And on a more scarier note, the excess fat which is not burned by your body will be stored as body fat.

There are 3 types of fats;

1)Saturated fats; which are often associated with heart disease and high cholesterol levels.

2)Polyunsaturated fats; are fats that are found mostly in vegetable oils.  3)Monounsaturated fats; which have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.

Among some of the benefits of healthy fats are a young looking skin and hair and healthier joints. Remember your daily intake of healthy fats should not exceed 20% of your calorie intake.

Water:

It is widely known that our bodies are made up of 70% of water, and without it we simply cannot survive. Having said that, you do not want to start consuming excess water as well. A simple way of figuring out your daily water need is by multiplying your body weight by 0.66. The end result, then, would be the amount you need in ounces on a daily basis.

In conclusion, here are 5 basic nutritional guidelines to follow which may be helpful in achieving your bodybuilding goals.

1)Stay away from unhealthy fats and simple carbohydrates.

2)Throughout the day eat smaller portions of food and eat frequently(4-5 times).

3)It is OK to use protein shakes, especially after workouts and sometimes in between meals when you can not consume “hard food.”

4)Drink plenty of water

5)Get enough rest and sleep.

There is no question that nutrition as a whole plays a very important part in building muscle and losing weight. And due to its “complexity” it is also one of the subjects that most people are shying away from, but, what they seem to be forgetting is that without proper nutrition all of their hard earned gains will ultimately come to a halt. In my opinion, the only remedy to this “problem” is through research and willingness to learn. Ask questions and exchange information about the basics of bodybuilding nutrition with your peers. In the end, there is no reason that you should not be improving, let alone regressing.

Rebounding To Better Health

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Author: Tk Healeyrebounding

Ever heard of rebounding? Rebounding is a fun way to get great exercise using small controlled movements on a mini trampoline. By using a small trampoline and following a rebounding video, people of all ages can exercise on a rebounder. Rebounding is safe because your feet barely leave the surface and a stabilizing bar can be added which will help if you feel unsteady.

There are different types of rebounders on the market and some even fold for easy storage. Because of the size of these mini trampolines they can be used in your home or even easily transported to your office. Rebounding has been taking up in some of your most popular commercial gyms.

There are a vast selection of videos to keep your rebounding workout exciting and new. There are special routines for people of all ages to make it more enjoyable. Some examples of rebounding workouts include first timers, basic, seniors, sports specific, dance, ballet, hip hop, Latin, core, yoga, abdominal, stretch and many other routines.  You will never get bored with so many videos to choose from.

What makes REBOUNDING effective?

Rebounding provides many benefits to your body. It has been known to improve your circulation reduces stress, increase muscle tone, improve co-ordination and balance, increases energy. There is no strain on your joints. It simultaneously works all the major muscle groups, provides a calorie burning, cardiovascular, strength conditioning workout, incorporates simple, martial arts based movements in a coordinated way and builds stamina, strength and balance. If you do the techniques of rebounding regularly you will get results and have fun doing it.

REBOUNDING has been on national television shows such as The View with Barbara Walters, The Today Show and  has been featured in such magazines as Fitness, Ace Fitness Magazine, and  Fit. JB Berns has been on infomercials As Seen On TV promoting his urban rebounder.

Kids love it, adults and seniors love it too! Rebounding has become one of the most beneficial forms of exercise ever developed.

Bounce your way to feeling healthy. A fun workout that builds strength, cardiovascular capacity, and balance without jarring the body like other exercises.

Fitness For 50 And Beyond

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Author: Varun Pratapchair exercise At fifty, many of us take stock of our lives. We can look back on careers, friends, and family that we are proud of, but what do we want to do with our middle years? How can we make the most of our lives? Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of our later years, as well as the one that may have the greatest impact on our overall well-being, is our health and fitness. How, then, can we best ensure our health and fitness into our mid and later years? Exercise can help slow down the onset of the symptoms of aging. The health benefits of a good exercise program are numerous. Exercise helps maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility. In addition, the stress put on our bones through exercise help maintain their strength and integrity. Even our mood can be improved by staying healthy-–researchers have discovered a link between exercise and a decrease in depression and anxiety. This may be due to the increase in energy and the improved sleeping patterns among fit fifty year olds. Of course, nothing beats exercise for battling weight gain and getting our body into the kind of shape that can still turn heads as we walk down the street. Besides that, our blood pressure tends to drop, lowering the chance of heart disease. Even our immune system gets a boost from regular exercise. Believe it or not, physical activity has even been linked to improved mental function! Think of the advantages of living a longer and a more active life. From walking, running or cycling, to push-ups and sit-ups to actual weight lifting, at home or at the gym, each form of exercise has its own benefits to keeping you fit and strong. This will reduce the discomfort to the joints and muscles after the exercises are done. Similarly, after a workout, make sure and take the time to stretch and cool down. How you decide to stay fit and healthy is up to you. If the thought of bouncing around a gym or workout center in spandex makes you cringe, take heart. Chair aerobics are designed to give those with mobility problems a good cardio workout without putting strain on the joints and bones. A chair aerobics session may include kicks, punches and stretches, and often includes the use of workout bands and weights to increase strength and resistance training as the workouts get more intense. Better heart function, lower blood pressure, increased circulation and heightened alertness, say the experts. It’s the perfect solution if you can’t leave your desk or if you work at home and can’t get to the gym. It’s also an excellent solution for older Americans who may not be as mobile as they once were, but who can benefit from regular exercise. According to many recent studies, engaging in moderate exercise three to five times a week can help reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and arthritis. Among the exercise that the American Physical Therapy Association recommends for seniors are golf, gardening, walking, swimming and jogging. Water fitness classes are among the best aerobics exercises you can do, especially if you suffer from joint stiffness or arthritic pain. Because you’re in the water, there’s no impact shock, making water exercises the ideal form of low-impact aerobic exercise.

Fibromyalgia and Exercise

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Author: Eidorianresistance bands

The most effective treatment for fibromyalgia is exercise. Which seems totally weird, because most people with fibromyalgia hurt worse and are more fatigued after exercise, and they may feel that way for days. The key is the right amount of the right kinds of exercise.

If you are new to exercising within the constraints of fibromyalgia, it may be helpful to enlist the help of a trainer, physical therapist or exercise physiologist to design a program specifically for you. Every person with fibromyalgia has a different exercise capacity, so you need an individualized program.

Another important concept related to exercise is your “baseline.” Each person has a different baseline. It is the level of exercise that you can maintain over time. It does not mean that you are pain-free, but that the pain doesn’t interfere with your lifestyle. You also need to remember that you’ll always have good days and bad days. You don’t stop or reduce your exercise because of a bad day. (Although you may reduce it for a while if you have a bad flare-up that lasts days or weeks.)

Exercise training for someone with fibromyalgia begins with stretching. Stretching reduces the stiffness and keeps ligaments and tendons from shortening over time. Stretching should be gentle and it should feel good. It is usually a good idea to warm your muscles with mild aerobic activity, such as walking, for a few minutes before stretching.

Daily low-impact, gentle aerobic exercise is the next step. Aerobic exercise has tons of health benefits. It specifically helps reduce fibromyalgia symptoms because it improves flexibility, causes your body to release endorphins and other happy chemicals and reduces stress. Walking and bicycling are excellent low-impact exercises. It is important to start at a level suitable to where you are and increase your level of exercise slowly. If you get fatigued after five minutes of walking, start there and increase your time by a minute or two every week or two.

Some activities are especially good for fibromyalgia. Water aerobics and swimming are wonderful. The buoyancy of the water supports your sore muscles and allows you to exercise with less pain. Swimming has a double benefit of gentle stretching along with aerobic exercise.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong and Yoga emphasize slow, gentle movements that are ideal for people with fibromyalgia. All three exercises include breathing and focusing, which decrease stress. You also learn to be aware of your body and learn to recognize signs of stress.

Pilates is another exercise system where you work with your body, stretching and toning it. Pilates is a non-weight bearing exercise, like chair aerobics. It is a gentle way to tone your body, and gentle is the word for exercising with fibromyalgia.

People with fibromyalgia can add some strength training slowly as they build up exercise tolerance. Resistance bands provide plenty of strength training for a while. Strength training must be undertaken carefully and gently, and it might be wise to get help from an exercise professional before adding it. There are many benefits to strength training, and it could be a very beneficial addition to your exercise, especially when you are feeling well.

Whether we are talking about exercise or sleep, pacing and routine are important if you have fibromyalgia. Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day helps with sleep. Exercising at the same time every day helps with exercise. Your body begins to respond to routine.

Exercise must be paced, too. That means starting at a low level, increasing gradually, and incorporating rest into your routine. You exercise, then rest, then exercise some more. Over time, you can shorten the rest periods and/or lengthen the exercise periods. Rhythm and pacing make a big difference in how much exercise you can tolerate.

It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any new exercise regime.  To find out more on why exercise can be so beneficial please visit  http://www.FibromyalgiaNaturalRemedies.com .

Exercise Rowing Machines: How To Row Away The Pounds

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Author: Brue Bakerrowing machine

If you aren’t already in good shape you need to get there. And don’t try to get in shape and lose pounds from taking pills or powder, you need to take on an actual dedication to your health by getting active and working out. Exercising three days a week for twenty minutes each session, along with a healthy diet of course, will give you the body you have always wanted (or use to have).

Don’t Use Your Age As An Excuse

If you are unsure if you are healthy enough to exercise consult your doctor before you work out on any fitness machine. Otherwise, no matter what your age or current fitness level there are exercises and machines that are right for you. One of the best exercise machines for anyone to use is a rowing machine.

There are a number of reasons why people choose to purchase or utilize exercise rowing machines. For some, this is a novel way of increasing strength and endurance. For others, using exercise rowing machines can shake up previous exercise programs by providing a new way of getting some cardio and conditioning in.

For a small few, a rowing machine can be used to burn excess calories. Yes, the words used here are “a small few” as most people opt to use more traditional cardio exercise equipment items as a means of burning up excess calories.

Despite being an excellent tool for burning calories, the rowing machine is not as popular as Nordic tracks, treadmills, or the stationary bike. This is unfortunate as exercise rowing machines can burn calories quite effectively while at the same time increasing lean muscle mass.

How To Use Exercise Rowing Machines

The common design of exercise rowing machines allows for the person using the device to adjust the level of resistance. It can be tweaked to be made very difficult to move or it can be adjusted to have little weight.

If you want to use exercise rowing machines to burn calories then the resistance level on the rowing device needs to be adjusted so that you are using little or no resistance and/or weight. This concept is common among all forms of resistance training: low weight and high reps equal definition.

Now, please do not fall for the fallacy of logic that low weight/high reps means muscle tone. This is simply not true. What really occurs is more calories are burned and that reduces stored fat and allows the muscles to “show.”

There is no such thing as toning a muscle as muscles can only do one of two things: get bigger or get smaller. Far too often, people only consider the addition of extra weight as the primary goal of getting better with a rowing machine. This is a limited outlook.

While increasing weight will aid in building muscle and strength, lessening the weight also has a number of positive benefits as well. For example, when you have little weight or resistance, you can do more reps and do them faster. This will burn calories as the purpose of using the device shifts from strength training to a cardio workout designed to burn calories.

Now that you now how to benefit from and how to use a rowing machine you should consider trying one. It can be a particularly good exercise for those who are looking for a good low impact exercise oppose to running, which can be jarring on the knees and back. Just make sure that you are dedicated and committed to actually using it. The machine won’t do anything for you unless you are on it.

6 Pillars of Fat Loss Nutrition

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Author: Mike Roussellfruit bowl

We all want results. Whether it is more muscle, less fat, or both. We want results. You can lift all the weights you want and grind out session after session of interval training but if you aren’t paying attention to what you are eating then all this effort is a waste. The #1 most important part of any fat loss or muscle growth program is nutrition.

Nutrition is confusing though right?

There are new “discoveries” being reported by the media almost every day. It is a full time job keeping up with all this information. Fortunately you can get that body you want. You can achieve that lean, muscular body that you’ve been coveting by consistently applying relatively simple nutritional guidelines.

I call these guidelines the 6 Pillars of Nutrition. Here they are:

1. Eat five to six times a day.
2. Limit your consumption of sugars and processed foods.
3. Eat fruit and vegetables throughout the day.
4. Drink more water and cut out calorie-containing beverages (beer, soda, etc.).
5. Focus on consuming lean proteins throughout the day.
6. Save starch containing foods until after a workout or for breakfast.

These rules are the key to unlocking your best body. As you can see by looking over the list, the 6 Pillars of Nutrition are not based on fads or diet crazes. No, instead they are the results of the distillation of piles of nutritional information into the most effective strategies described in a practical manner so that you can apply them to your life today.

The first question I get about the 6 Pillars of Nutrition when my clients are initially exposed to them is “Don’t I have to count calories?” No. No calories counting. I have recently had a client lose just under 50lbs of fat in 3 months by following these principles. No calorie counting, no measuring food. Why make it more complicated than it has to be?

We all live busy lives right? Nutrition can’t be a focus during the week. It needs to be automatic. That’s what makes these principles so powerful. They make nutrition a no-brainer. If you are obsessing over calories, macronutrients, and grams of insoluble fiber please stop. Outline an eating strategy that falls inline with the 6 Pillars of Nutrition. You will spend less time fussing over what to eat and the changes in your body will astound you.

If you still insist on most closely monitoring your food intake I still don’t recommend that you count calories or grams. I always say no one eat 14 grams of fat, they eat 1 TBSP of olive oil. It only makes sense to track and monitor actual amounts of food right?

This is why I created the Naked Nutrition Serving system where I outline when and what type of foods to eat and you just pick the foods you like – not calories, not grams, but actual amounts. This approach is practical and it delivers results.

Keeping Young With Tai Chi

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Author: ChandaTai Chi 3

In our youth-oriented society, we are constantly bombarded with information on how to stay young.  From skin care products that claim to reverse the signs of aging to books that claim to help you eat to stay young, we are a people in search of the fountain of youth.  One solution that truly may be a way of keeping young is Tai Chi.  Tai chi is an ancient form of exercise developed about 2,000 years ago in China which is a combination of both meditation and a series of slow and deliberate movements.  You may have seen Tai Chi performed by older adults in your local park, on TV, or perhaps by someone who attends Tai Chi classes.

The benefits derived from Tai Chi have been well known and documented.  It not only relieves stress, but enhances one’s balance and flexibility as well.  In addition, the movements in Tai Chi are some of the best exercise to help alleviate health problems in older adults.  While anyone can master the art of Tai Chi, this form of exercise is popular with older adults.  Because it is low impact, Tai Chi does not cause major strains on the body or joints and is particularly effective for those who suffer from any form of arthritis.

Recent studies have shown that Tai Chi, when practiced by older adults, offered calm and balance, dissipated anxiety and depression, helped older adults to sleep better, reduced bone loss in menopausal women, decreased blood pressure, helped in alleviating pain, and prepared them for tasks performed on a daily basis.  All these benefits help the body to better combat the stresses of aging.

Considered to be a great form of exercise, Tai Chi requires no equipment, no time table, is very easy to do, has no side effects, and gives older adults the opportunity to meet others who love the exercise as well.  Once you learn Tai Chi and the proper way to move, there is virtually no chance of injury.

Whether you practice Tai Chi in your home by following exercises on DVDs, or whether you go to your local park and practice Tai Chi there, once you begin this form of exercise, you will most likely continue for the rest of your life.  Further, you may also want to incorporate a similar form of exercise known as Qi Gong.  Based on the same principle of slow movements, Qi Gong, while new to this country, has been around as long as Tai Chi and provides the same benefits as Tai Chi.

Often considered to be a form of meditation, Tai Chi also provides the benefits one receives through meditation.  Meditation has long been studied and affirmed to be one of the best forms of relaxation as well as a great stress reducer.  Reducing stress should be the number one goal for anyone who wishes to keep young.  Adding this with exercise and you have an unbeatable combination.  More importantly, not only will you develop a new exercise routine, but you will begin to feel good about it, your health, and your overall well-being.

So we may not have discovered the Fountain of Youth, but performing Tai Chi will definitely help you and your body be fit and healthy so that you may enjoy a long, healthy, and balanced life.

How to Exercise With Type 1 and 2 Diabetes

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Author: Donald Mckenzie Jrman-ex-ball

A very easy tip for diabetics to remember is exercise will cause your body to process glucose a lot faster and automatically lower blood sugar. The more intense the exercise, the faster your body will use glucose. It is always important to understand the differences in exercising with diabetes. It is also important for the individual who has diabetes to check with a physician before beginning an exercise program.

When training with a diabetic person, you must always take into consideration the dangers of injecting insulin before working out. An individual with type I diabetes who is injecting their normal amount of insulin before exercise, can pose the risk of hypoglycemia or insulin shock.

General exercise rules for type I diabetics are the following:

1)  Allow adequate rest during exercise to prevent high blood pressure.

2)   Use low impact exercises and avoid heavy weight lifting.

3)  Always have food with a lot of carbohydrates ready.

If blood sugar levels get too low, the individual may feel shaky, disoriented, hungry, and become highly irritable. Consuming a carbohydrate snack or beverage will terminate these symptoms in a short period of time.

Before using an exercise plan, it is important for blood sugar levels to be tested. Make sure that they are between 100 and 250 milligrams. Glucose levels should also be tested before, during, and after exercise. During their recovery period, it is important for diabetics to consume high carbohydrates in order to prevent hypoglycemia.

Exercise will greatly benefit an individual specifically with type 2 diabetes. This is due to the positive effects on insulin sensitivity. Proper exercise and nutrition are by far the best forms of prevention for type 2 diabetics. To prevent hypoglycemia, continuously work up to more active exercises.

An Overview Of Kickboxing Workouts

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Author: MIKE SELVONkickboxing-aerobics

Are you looking for an immensely popular way to get yourself into great shape and have some fun along the way? If so, kickboxing is an activity that is very fun and that is sometimes overlooked.

As in boxing, it boasts many health benefits such as greater stamina, improved flexibility and enhancing core strength — all while working out to your favorite music.

The real roots of kickboxing actually go all the way back about 2,000 years to Asian cultures. But, the modern version of this competitive sport was introduced in the 1970s in the United States when karate authorities made arrangements for exhibition demonstrations that allowed for full-contact punches and kicks which were previously banned from karate competitions.

Due to safety concerns, protective clothing and padding was introduced and strict safety rules were instituted for the new sport and eventually various forms of competitive kickboxing evolved into the forms that are now practiced in the United States.

In the competitive area there are a few different styles of kickboxing that can be observed. The main differences in these styles are simply the variations in some of the techniques and also the amount of body contact that is allowed under different rules.

But, the form of this sport that is bringing fun and excellent results to the fitness world is called cardiovascular (cardio) or aerobic kickboxing.

This form of the sport brings in elements of traditional boxing and aerobics in a major way. This, teamed with martial arts, creates a workout that provides great toning and overall conditioning.

However, unlike the competitive version of this sport, the cardio one does not include physical contact between participants and is not at all competitive. It has simply been designed to be an aerobic activity that is done to gain the many physical benefits of the actions.

A common way to enjoy the cardio one is to participate in a class. Classes usually start out with a warm-up period of 10 to 15 minutes and often includes gentle stretching as well as incorporating some standard exercises, such as push-ups and jumping jacks.

The warm-up is then followed by a 30 to 40 minute workout session that integrates kicks, punches, knee-strikes and other beneficial moves.

Some classes even include the use of traditional boxing equipment such as jump ropes and punching bags. After the workout, the class wraps up with five to ten minutes of cool down activities which is often followed by 10 minutes of stretching and muscle toning.

The stretching is an important component of the overall workout and should not be skipped, even if you are tempted to do so, especially if you are a beginner.

A common problem for beginners is pulling or straining their muscles. However, by doing proper stretching that is slow and gentle, this can help prevent injury and help the muscles to relax. This will assure that beginners don’t give up before they start to enjoy the benefits.

Even though kickboxing is a very fun activity, it needs to be recognized that it is also quite a high-impact sport. If you are not used to such high-intensity workouts, then you should begin with a more moderate aerobic activity to prepare.