Body Health Tips | Body Health Fitness

Tips for Achieving Your Weight Loss Goals on a Student Budget

January 17, 2012 By happy798 Leave a Comment

With limited financial resources and busy schedules, students can find it difficult to maintain their health and fitness levels. Paying a monthly gym membership is normally out of the question and food that is less expensive often is not very healthy. Fortunately, there are several ways for students to be fit and eat well even on a reduced budget.

Fitness

Getting enough exercise is a very important part of being healthy or realizing weight loss goals. Gyms offer a variety of exercise aids including classes, equipment and instructors, but they can also be cost prohibitive. Find ways to get exercise away from the gym.

Walk or bike to class – Whenever possible, walk or ride a bicycle to class rather than driving. For someone who commutes, try to park a certain distance away from class and then walk the rest of the way.

Play a team sport –Get a group of friends together to form an intramural sports team and schedule practices. Not only will this provide exercise, it will allow for some additional quality time among friends or the opportunity to make some new acquaintances.

Use school facilities – Some schools may include access to a recreation center as part of tuition. This center can serve as a gym and offer a variety of possibilities, including equipment, a pool and sports courts. Take advantage of this as often as possible. Perhaps there is an outdoor track available for running or jogging. If nothing else, jog around the school’s grounds.

Use what’s available – Even within the limiting confines of a dorm room, there are possibilities for exercise. Pushups use a person’s own body weight to build the muscles of the arms and chest, as well as working the abdomen. Sit ups or crunches will also work the abs.

Nutrition

Exercise is only one part of effective weight loss. Eating right and proper nutrition is just as important, but can be hard to do on a budget.
Don’t skip meals – While this can seem counterproductive to weight loss, eating on a regular basis prevents binge eating later. Instead, try to eat smaller portions more often.

Use protein – Eating protein helps build muscle, which increases the metabolism and helps the body burn more calories, even when at rest. Nuts, beans, chicken and cottage cheese are all good sources of protein.

Fruits and vegetables – Eating plenty of these not only provide the body with lots of important vitamins, they also are good sources of fiber and make the body feel “full” faster. Their calorie content is usually fairly low.

Hydrate – Drink lots of water. Carry a reusable water bottle whenever possible. Staying hydrated can help stave off hunger pains and will also prevent the body from feeling run down while exercising.
Reaching weight loss goals does not require paying high gym fees and starving the body. Even students on a budget can get healthy and lose weight by eating right and finding ways to exercise.
Christina writes for a site that advises students how to get different types of free grants, from college grants for African Americans to master’s student grants. She enjoys writing about money-saving tips for students and believes it is possible to eat well and stay fit on a limited budget.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips, Diet & Nutrition, Workouts Tagged With: Aerobic exercise, Food, Gym, Health, Health club, Muscle, Physical exercise, Strength training, Weight loss, Weight training, workouts

Best Leg Exercises for Women to Keep Legs Toned and Looking Good

December 31, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

We all have seen them…. The perfect pair of legs walking right by you.

You can’t help but think “how do I get those?” or “Man they must spend hours a day working out to get those.”

In fact it’s actually not that hard to get those nicely toned legs you’re dreaming about. Here are a few simple workouts that by spending some time doing everyday you’ll have those legs in no time!

Lunges- This is the best leg exercise because it works all the muscles in your legs with one simple move. Standing with your feet shoulder width apart take one giant step forward with your right foot. Place your hands on your hips for balance. Now, lower your body straight down until your back leg forms a right angle at the knee. Remember to keep your back straight and breathe. Now raise yourself up using only your legs muscles and repeat on the left foot. Do 3 sets of 30 repetitions on each leg.

Heel raises- The best thing about this exercise is that it can be done anywhere at anytime without people looking at you funny. These you don’t have to do as often as the others because your calf muscles respond to exercises much faster than the others. Stand with your feet about shoulder length apart place your hands on your hips for balance and rise up to your tiptoes and hold for 3-5 seconds and slowly go back to normal flat position. Repeat this exercise for 3 sets of 40 reps. Once you’re ready for a challenge perform this exercise on stairs and allow your heels to hang and then do the raises for al ultimate calf workout.

Plies- This exercise targets the inner and outer thighs. It can also be as intense or moderate as you need. You may also know this exercise if you’ve taken Yoga it’s called the Warrior Pose. Stand with your feet slightly more than shoulder width apart and take a small step out with each foot and turn your foot out to the side. Place your hands on your hips for balance if you’re a beginner or over your head if you’re a bit experienced. Lower your body slowly down and raise it back up slowly. Repeat 3 sets of 30 reps.

Box Jumps- For this exercise you want to perform on a sturdy bench or plyometric box. Always start small with the bench or box little below your knees. Stand in front of your bench or box bend your knees and push down with your legs to get height to jump onto your box. Do 2 sets of 30 reps. If you happen to get tired you can also perform step ups and alternate between each leg.

Not so ordinary workout- Depending on the time of year either go ice skating or rollerblading. You must have balance and control when doing either of these activities and it not only works out your legs but it also helps strengthen your core and back because you are trying to find your center at all times.

Although these sound pretty easy don’t underestimate the powers of a good workout session. Just remember to keep pushing and most importantly breathe. Your muscles need oxygen and if you’re constantly holding your breath you are going to be one sore person the next day.

Jeff writes about how living healthier helps reduce insurance premiums for the term life insurance blog.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips, Workouts Tagged With: Fitness, Health, Hip, Knee, Leg, Muscle, Physical exercise, Shopping

6 Ways to Lower Your Stress and Stay Healthy

December 10, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Stress not only makes your life more difficult, it can also create emotional, psychological, and even physical problems – most notably heart disease and high blood pressure. Although there is no current scientific evidence that stress actually increases blood pressure, stress usually becomes a risk factor for higher cholesterol or high blood pressure due to the fact that when under stress, blood pressure increases, people tend to overeat and exercise less, and many pick up other unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking. Also, when under tremendous amounts of stress, your body is subjected to elevated hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones temporarily increase your blood pressure by causing your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels to narrow, triggering a “fight or flight” response.

Some warning signs of stress include physical signs (i.e. dizziness, clenched jaws, headaches, muscle tension, racing heart, weight gain or loss, upset stomach), mental signs (worry, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate), emotional signs (anxiety, anger, nervousness), and/or behavioral signs (impulsive actions, withdrawal from friends & family, increased or starting the use of smoking/drinking).

Some ways to cope with stress include:

Simplifying your life by prioritizing your schedule and cutting out the excess that doesn’t really matter.
Make time for yourself. Stop putting off that vacation. Set a specific time each day where you tune-out work related activities and focus on things that you enjoy – your work will still be there later the next day.
Eat a well-balanced diet! Making a conscious decision to eat out of each food group, taking the extra time to fix your own meals instead of grabbing fast food, and choosing healthier options will all go a long to help you feel better overall. When your body feels physically good by nourishing itself properly, you can function better and your stress is reduced.
Exercising. Getting even a little exercise each day can help reduce stress by releasing endorphins and being able to channel a release. Exercising also helps improve your overall health and well-being, increasing your fitness and improving the way you look which in turn helps improve self-esteem and positive thinking.
Examine your values and stay true to yourself. By living true to your beliefs and morals, you will always feel better about yourself.
Set realistic goals and expectations for your life. Realize that no one is perfect, we all make mistakes, and you can’t always be 100% successful in everything you do.

You can help reduce stress in your life by first identifying what those stressors are. This could be recognizing that you fill your schedule to the max and don’t have realistic expectations to finish your daily to-do list, asking for help instead of taking on more responsibility than you know you can handle, telling others NO, avoiding confrontations or people who stress you out, and realizing that you cannot change the behaviors of others, but that you can change the way you handle yourself when dealing with these people.

Keeping a positive attitude helps keep you in control of your emotions, and thus, your surroundings. Keeping a positive attitude will also help you stay calm, be more objective, thinking of solutions rather than dwelling on the problems – all of which will also help your self-esteem.

Stress can play a big role in your overall health. As a freelance writer for the Term Life Insurance blog, Jeff knows the importance of good health when it comes to your policies.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips Tagged With: Blood, Blood pressure, Health, Heart disease, Hypertension, Measuring Stress, Physical exercise, Stress

8 Effective Exercises to Reduce Belly Fat

November 30, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Belly fat! It is two little words that make up a big problem for countless people throughout the world. Getting rid of belly fat is no easy task. Whether you are struggling with belly fat because you recently had a baby or you have just put on a few pounds over the years, the following information will be helpful for you. Read the 8 exercises below that can help you reduce belly fat.

Crunches. If you are looking to trim down the fat from your belly, begin with crunches. Lay on the floor with your leg in a bent position. Tighten your abdominal muscles and begin lifting your body in the air. Complete 50 crunches three times a day to begin with and gradually increase the number as your body becomes familiar with the exercise.
Sit ups. If you are looking to get more from your exercises than just reducing the belly fat, choose to do sit ups in addition to crunches. Sits up can tone and strengthen your abdominal muscles. Use a couch or sit up bench to help you complete these exercises. As with crunches, begin slowly and gradually increase the number of sit up you do daily. You will be on the road to a flat, tones stomach.
Squat jumps. Keep in mind that any physical activity that you do on a daily basis will help reduce the percentage of body fat that you have overall. For this reason, it is beneficial to target other areas of the body as well. Jump squats are a great exercise that can work both your stomach area and you legs. In a standing position, spread your legs slightly apart. Begin by bending down into a squat and jumping as high as you can into the air. Do this in intervals of 10. Be careful! You will likely be very sore the next day!
Running. Running is another exercise that that can help you reduce body fat and the overall fat content of your body. Start out slowly by making a lap or two around the local track or park in your area. Slowly increase your pace and work your way up to running at least 3 miles, 3 times a week. You will see a dramatic reduction in belly fat overtime if you continue to stick to the running regimen.
Cycling exercises. Cycling exercises done on the floor can also get your belly flattening results. Lie down on the floor and lift your legs in the air while tightening your abdominal muscles. Do a cycling motion for a complete minute in the air. Go longer if you can!
Cardio work out. Exercises that get your heart rate up are great fat and calorie burning tools that can help you get the flat stomach you desire. While there are many exercises to choose from that cover this spectrum, dancing is a new and improved way to get your heart rate up and the lose belly fat. You can also dance your way to a thinner body by taking a Jazzercise class.
Jump roping. If you are looking to shed some belly fat, invest in a good jump rope and start jumping. Focus on jumping as many as 100 times in a row for a total of 500 times. Doing this twice daily will have you on the road to success in losing the belly fat.
P90x. A new wave of fitness has brought about a challenging exercise routine that can help you lose belly fat. Do some research on the p90x and discover the amazing results the program has brought to the lives of those who want a toned, flat stomach. Have you ever considered doing p90x to help get rid of the belly fat?

There are countless people who have the same problem area as you do. Use the tips above to help reach you goal in getting rid of the belly fat. It will take time, energy, and effort but the tips above can lead you to success. Consider combining many of the exercises listed for the ultimate tool to fight against belly fat. How will you lose it?

Alex writes for SelfDevelopment.net – a resource site where you get access to large collection of self hypnosis, binaural recordings, subliminal messages and lot more.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips Tagged With: Abdomen, Aerobic exercise, fat burners, fat loss, Fitness, Health, Physical exercise, Rectus abdominis muscle, Weight loss, Weight training, workouts

Choosing a Gym: Ten Things to Consider

November 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Everyone knows that staying healthy requires work. And where better to work out than a local gym.

Not only does a gym give you access to some of the best workout equipment, but studies show that people who work out at a gym stay reach their fitness goals more quickly than those who work out at home.

But choosing a gym can be a costly investment, and you want to take your time to decide which gym is best for you. Here is a list of ten things to consider when choosing a gym membership.

Location

When getting into a new routine, convenience will ensure productivity. If there is a great gym at the other end of town, you may not go as often as a really nice gym up the road. Choose a location that is close to work or home.

Hours

Choose a gym which has hours that are compatible with your schedule, allowing early morning classes for before work or babysitting during after school hours.

Size

In this case, it does matter. You don’t want the gym to be too packed with insufficient equipment to meet the needs of everyone. Visit a prospective gym during peak business hours to see if there is wait time on equipment or classes that are overflowing to decide if there will be room for you.

Equipment

Determine what is important to you. Do you want a pool or spa? Are you looking for a gym with a sauna? How about equipment, do you plan on using free weights and machines? How new does the equipment look and is it regularly checked for proper performance?

Classes

If you plan on spending the majority of your gym experience in classes, be sure that there is a variety of classes, instructors, and times to fit your work out needs. If the classes are offered during work hours only, or if you have children but the classes are only offered in the evening, this may not be the right gym for you.

Price

You want to be sure that you are getting the most for your dollar. Is the gym all-inclusive or are there extra costs for daycare and classes? It is important to know this upfront when budgeting a membership into your checkbook.

Personal Training

It is good to know if there are personal trainers available if you choose to intensify your workout. Some gyms are geared at being very bare boned and don’t provide any additional services. You will want to know if this is an option if you should choose to partake in the future.

Contracts

Some gyms memberships are contractual and you must pay for each month in the contract whether you use the gym or not. Find out what the cost is for breaking the contract before you sign up. Check and see if they offer assistance programs if there is a job loss or temporary holds in case you go out of town for extended periods of time or if you can break the contract without penalty if you move out of the area.

Kid Programs

Some gyms offer specialized programs for kids and teens, especially during the summer months. This is a great way to get kids excited about staying healthy, and gives the parents an opportunity to work out alongside their children. See if the gym offers these classes as you information gather.

Word of Mouth

What are other people saying? It is always good to ask other people at the gym how they would rate the abovementioned qualities before signing a contract. Ask friends and family where they work out and find out what they like best about their gym.

After compiling the answers to these questions, you will be well informed and able to pick the gym that best fits your needs.

Jeff is a freelance writer who writes on how health and fitness are key ways to keep term-life insurance rates low for the Term-Life Insurance blog.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips Tagged With: Contract, Exercise equipment, Fitness, Gym, Health, Personal trainer, Physical exercise, Swimming pool

What’s Best: Gym Membership or Home Gym?

November 11, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Keeping fit is important for 3 reasons: health, sex and happiness. Sex is one of the biggest drivers of the human mind, meaning that if there is a way for us to get more, we will tend to do it, even sweat stretch and pump ourselves through tears and muscle aches to lose some fat and gain some tone. While going to the gym might make you sexier, it will certainly make you happier as your body releases endorphins when you work out. It is also extremely satisfying to know that you have achieved something, and you will sleep better after you have done some exercise.

This is all well and good but not everyone goes to the gym. Maybe you are just thinking about taking it up. If this is the case then you have a bit of an important choice in front of you. Do you pay through the ear every month for a gym membership or do you buy your own expensive gym equipment so you can work out at home?

Here are some arguments either way…

Fancy Gym Membership

Top Facilities – A good gym will have top of the range equipment, changing rooms, swimming pool and showers, steam room or sauna, instructors to teach you good techniques or to rescue you from the swimming pool, classes and much more. Like a nice sweaty heaven.

Location – Some people find it hard to get in the exercise zone. If you have a membership you will want to get your money’s worth, plus when you are there you will be in a frame of mind that will encourage you to work out, perhaps with the use of a fitness program designed by an instructor.

Expensive – The biggest negative about gym memberships is that you will have to spend money to visit and will be constantly pestered to pay for classes and equipment etc.

Quiet Home Gym

Comforts of Home – Having a home gym means that you don’t have to take time to travel to your gym. Plus you can have the dinner on while working out and you can be with your family instead of just coming home even later from work.

Private – Some people hate the public nature of getting gyms. Having your very own home gym means that you could work out in the buff and no one would know.

Motivationless – With no exercise plan, no team of instructors egging you on and no financial incentive to get your money’s worth, you may find that you find it much easier to skip working out for the day and just sit in front of the box instead.

So basically if you really want/need to get fit, and if you can afford it, a gym membership is best. Though you could have some gym equipment at home too just in case.

What would you recommend?

Jim Anderson is a power rack expert. He likes using dumbbells and other gym equipment to stay in top condition.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips

Getting Off the Couch: How to Lead a More Active Lifestyle

October 25, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

To those who are used to spending every weeknight after work plopped on the couch until bed, leading a more active lifestyle may seem out of reach or far-fetched. But leading a more active and healthy lifestyle is much easier than you would think, and here is a list of ways to help you achieve just that!

Working out is quicker and easier than you ever thought!

Many working adults feel as if they don’t have time to exercise at the end of a long day at work. But many studies over the years have proven that shorter, more frequent workouts were not only just as beneficial as one longer work out session, but that those who performed those shorter, more frequent workouts were more apt to continue performing those workouts (such as walking briskly), versus those who tried to perform one long workout session. This is great for those who just can’t find a straight, 30-minute time block in their day to fit in a workout session, but could find 15 minutes in the morning before work, and another 15 minutes to talk a quick jog in the evening after dinner.

You don’t have to go to a gym to exercise.

By adding in “lifestyle” activities such as vigorous housework, gardening, walking memos instead of e-mailing, parking your car farther away from the door in the parking lot, and taking the stairs, exercise can be incorporated into everyday chores! An accumulation of at least 30 minutes of these moderate-type activities during the day can help you improve your fitness level and be just as beneficial as a 30 minute workout session at the gym. By incorporating these things into your daily routine, not only will you be more likely to not skip a work out, you are more likely to continue on with your lifestyle versus someone who MUST go to the gym to perform their exercise routines.

Start thinking positively.

Your mind can be a deal breaker for any circumstance that comes in your way. By thinking positively and say to yourself that today you will be more active, that you will make a conscious effort to eat healthier, you can give yourself the strength and power to overcome temptation to being lazy and eating unhealthy. Visualize yourself eating a smaller portion for lunch or dinner, taking that 15 minute walk when you get home, and sitting on the couch with a book instead of a bag of potato chips.

Have fun.

Being active does not equate to being boring and performing the same mundane exercises day after day. Start performing activities that you think you may enjoy, such as riding your bicycle with your kids, go swimming, take some dancing lessons, go ice-skating or roller blading, find a local equestrian facility and learn to ride, etc. More active people have more extracurricular activities that they like to do, and they are normally are more fit and healthier as they include these activities into their lives.

Jeff writes about how your health plays an important role in term-life insurance for the Consumer Media Network.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips Tagged With: Abdominal obesity, Fitness, Gym, Health, lifestyle, Muscle, Personal Training, Physical exercise

The Many Uses of the Yoga Ball

October 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

The yoga craze in America that was started near the end of the 20^th century, is still going strong today. While yoga started as an ancient Indian practice, it has slowly developed over the centuries and spread around the entire world. Yoga experts say that one tool essential to strengthening your core is using a yoga ball for some of your exercises. Yet there is a lot more you can do with a yoga ball than just yoga. Here are a few interesting ways to use a yoga ball that you may not have heard before:

Computer chair. While there are varied responses as to whether replacing your computer chair with a yoga ball is a good idea, most sources agree that using the yoga ball as a chair for a short time during the day can be beneficial in helping you strengthen muscles, not to mention keeping you from falling asleep at your desk.
Physical Therapy. Many people who have back problems are recommended to use a yoga ball for doing back exercises. Since the ball offers a level of support for the back that just using the floor or wall can’t do, yoga balls can be great for those struggling with chronic back pain.
Weight Training. By placing your upper back and shoulders on a yoga ball, and keeping your knees bent in front of you, you will become your own weight bench. Then you can do weight training on your arms, such as bicep and tricep curls, while simultaneously using your leg muscles to hold yourself up on the ball.
Build a Six Pack. Ok, you probably won’t be able to do this entirely with a yoga ball, but it’s a great start! Doing crunches and twists while balancing on the ball can be a great workout for your abdominal muscles. It also will help you improve your balance, which has a lot to do with the strength of your abdomen.
Play. Let’s be honest, a yoga ball is a giant bouncy ball. They are ridiculously fun to play around with. Kids love them. Adults love them. Plus, they’re pretty sturdy since they are made to hold the weight of a person. So invent new games, and enjoy!

Besides these interesting things, Yoga balls are great for improving your yoga technique. They can add a different element to your practice of yoga by giving you more options and changing things up a bit. In general, yoga can be a wonderful way to build muscle, improve flexibility, and just better your overall health.

Natalie Clive is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers provides tools to help students decide if an online education is right for them. It also helps them determine what kind of degree they want to pursue, from a certification to completing one of the online masters degree programs.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips, Featured Articles Tagged With: Abdomen, Exercise ball, Muscle, Religion and Spirituality, Teachers and Centers, United States, weight train, Yoga

Enter the Kettlebell

October 10, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

There are a million reasons why one should use kettlebells in their workout. They are fun. They are intens

ive. They use “real world” moves that can give practical strength. They are easy to use. They burn fat and build muscle. They work out cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training all in one. The better question might be, why not use a kettlebell? Really, they can benefit almost anyone, from the overweight to the athletic who wants just a little more of an edge.

Women who use kettlebells often find that they can achieve a lean sleek body form in far less time then they were spending in all the “body sculpting” classes they were taking. Men who use kettlebells gain core strength, improved flexibility, superior endurance, and yes, sculpted muscles across their body quicker then they ever though possible.

Kettlebells were once the secret of Russian strongmen. At one time these athletes dominated power lifting, tests of strength, and just about any other task set to them. The rest of the world wondered how they did it, not knowing about the kettlebell. Soon the military started using kettlebells, and they too showed increased endurance and strength even over American troops right out of bootcamp. Then too, no one knew about the kettlebell.

That all changed when the secret was let out of the bag. While men quickly took the the new weight, they were soon spotted by women wanting a faster, efficient, workout that gave real results. While women need to use lighter weights, the fact is that they too saw the increased benefit from the movement and took to the kettlebell in droves.

Who can use a kettlebell? Anyone, with the right instructions on picking the correct weight and some guide on the moves to be made with it. Why use one? Speed of the results, the fun in the routine, the ability to make it more intense by just scaling up the weight as you need to, the fact it can be done anywhere makes the kettlebell worth adding to your routine either as a supplemental item or as the core of it. The injured can use kettlebells as part of rehab. Those trying to burn off years of accumulated fat can use kettlebells to improve core strength and muscle mass, enhancing their metabolism. The fit who are in a rut and bored with their fitness plan can use kettlebells to revive their exercise plans. Seriously, there are not many people who should not use these weights. From the beginner to the pro-bodybuilder, kettlebells are the perfect secret weapon to ensure that exercise is fun, efficient, and show results, fast.

While those who have grip weakness, or injured shoulders might want to use the weights under supervision and train with lighter weights at first, there simply is not a fitness plan out there that can match the triple punch of cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training that the kettlebell gives. So give the kettlebell a go, you will enjoy it.

The Personal Development Company Offers Fitness Training Products Such As The Kettlebell Muscle Book

Filed Under: Body Health Tips, Sports Workouts Tagged With: Health, Kettlebell, Muscle, Physical exercise, Powerlifting, Russian language, Strength training, United States

Five Ways to Burn More Fat and Build Muscle With Weight Training

September 26, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Many people have the impression that the only benefit of weight training is to build muscle mass and get big. The truth is however, that weight training in its various forms is also great for burning fat and toning muscle.

Even if you’ve never been to a gym or are opposed to the idea of lifting heavy weights amongst a crowd of sweaty guys please shelve your skepticism and read on.

Let’s take a look at five ways weight training can help you get to where you want to go when it comes to fitness:

1. Cardio & Resistance Training

Most people try to burn fat by cardiovascular workout alone. They may do aerobics, power-walk, play a sport or hit the treadmill. Cardio is an indispensible part of any fat burning regimen, though better results will be achieved when some kind of resistance training is included. Consider arm and ankle weights for example. Any power walking session will increase in intensity and in turn burn more calories with the addition of strap on weights at your extremities.

2. Burn fat while you sleep

Weight training burns fat by stressing out your muscles. This minor “damage” results in the ache you feel post workout. While your body is repairing the damage it’s consuming calories and as such burning fat. Hence, your workout continues even while you sleep!

3. Light weights & high reps

This is a great way to tone the muscle you already have. When you use lighter dumbbells for example to perform curls and a host of other exercises, you help stop the natural atrophy of your muscles that occurs as you get older. Not only will you experience the benefit of burning fat by consuming more energy, you will also start to look more toned and defined.

4. Heavy Weights & Low Reps

Lifting heavy weights less often is the key to muscle growth. Body builders want to stress their muscles to the point of failure, so they achieve the greatest increase in size during the recovery period. They are in a constant cycle of “tear & repair” as their bodies respond to the increased demands put on them. Heavy weight training can help those wanting to burn fat also, when used as part of a complete training regimen. By stressing your muscles out in this way even once a week, you’re aiding in the growth, toning and fat loss processes.

5. Keep your muscles confused

The human body is extremely good at adapting itself to new conditions and physical demands. If you jog every day, your body rebuilds itself to perform that task. So too if you swim or do weight training. It’s common knowledge though that a good swimmer is not necessarily a good runner. We have to train for the specific task we want to perform. When you lift weights, your body will be stressed out initially, though grow accustomed to the practice over time. This adaptation leads to great efficiency and less energy consumption during the exercise.

By mixing up your weight training routine with different exercises, you can trick your body into thinking you’re starting something new each time you train. This keeps energy consumption at a maximum and burns more fat.

To conclude, there are many ways to achieve your fitness goals. By incorporating resistance training and weights into your regimen, you can get where you’re going faster and look a little more toned in the process.

Filed Under: Body Health Tips Tagged With: Adipose tissue, Aerobic exercise, fat burners, Muscle, Physical exercise, Resistance training, Weight loss, Weight training