March 2006

Volume 6, Issue 3

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Welcome to all our new subscribers, and I extend my appreciation to everyone who forwards this newsletter to friends. One friend telling another is how we grow, and I deeply appreciate your support. If you know anyone who might like it, please forward this newsletter to them or send them this link: http://www.FitnessMovtivatorNewsletter.com.


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IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Greetings from the Editor
2. Article—How Daily Duties Can Help Us Meet Our Daily Exercise Requirement
3. Article—Exercise As A Power Source
4. Inspirational Quotes
5.Articles & Web Sites Worth A Look


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Dear Fitness Friends,

The weather continues to give me a taste of the warm weather to come. The spring weather inspires me to want to get my body moving. I have always loved spring, but this spring I love it even more since it is my first "real" spring in over 6 years—I just finished my first "real" winter.

I hope you get a spark of inspiration to help get you moving.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Regards,

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"Health is the thing that makes you feel that now is the best time of the year."

~~ Franklin P. Adams

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How Daily Duties Can Help Us Meet Our Daily
Exercise Requirement

By Jason Flintstone

Most of us would definitely exercise if we only had the (extra) time, but since we don't. Well, according to experts your "valid" excuse is in reality a "poor" one.

Despite what you've been conditioned to believe, like the need to join a group, gym, etc and devote a designated amount of time per day to your workout routine, experts assert it's actually a lot easier than that. In fact, they note that a few minutes, a few times a day (of physical activity) adds up. And, you don't have to engage in anything "strenuous" or "fancy" as long as:

  • You feel your heart pumping and beating faster (without racing).

  • You are breathing faster and "heavier" than usual, but you are still able to carry on a conversation even while exercising.

  • You are definitely getting heated and working up a sweat, but not dripping with perspiration.

Plus it can be as easy as conducting daily routines and activities including:

  • Walking to work or to the bus or train station. And, if you drive, it may be as simple as parking on a higher level (in a parking garage) or simply parking further away.

  • Skip the elevator or escalator and use the stairs.

  • Walk around the office a few times a day. Also think about walking around the block or up and down the parking area during lunch.

  • Do your house cleaning to the tune of your favorite tunes and really move and groove.

  • Exercise back and stomach muscles right at your desk by tensing and releasing them.

  • When shopping (in a grocery or in a mall), pick up the pace and strut your stuff a little faster.

Experts also suggest keeping track of the exercise you manage to fit into your day as a constant reminder of just how well you did (and how little effort it really required).

And, they also suggest giving up a sitcom a night for some additional exercise, maybe even a walk, swim or bike ride after dinner. Or consider a getaway that offers plenty of activity such as skiing, surfing, etc. Not only will you have fun (in the sun) but can build your muscles, stamina and skills too.

About The Author:

http://www.lifamilies.com

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"If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end."

~~Julius Erving

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" Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything, and if we had sufficient will we should always have sufficient means. "

~~Francois De La Rochefoucauld

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Exercise As A Power Source

by Dr. Fit, Sidney E. Reeves, CFT

These days it is so hard to make it the gym. Life is very busy which creates a serious challenge for being consistent with exercise each week. However, exercise is exactly what we need in order to reduce stress, increase longevity, and give the body extra energy for daily living.

The best results are achieved using refined techniques, functional exercises, cardio, proper nutrition, awareness, variety, consistency, supplementation and motivation over time!

Refined technique means correct form to isolate muscles or “target areas of the body.” Efficiency is the priority to ensure maximal muscle stimulation. With resistance training, also known as weight lifting, it is important to eliminate momentum. It is also necessary to move the weight through a full range of motion. This will cause muscle contraction for the correct amount of time and ensure appropriate length of the tendons. The goal is to strengthen the joints of the body by stimulating the muscles around it.

For example, the lower back is an extremely important part of the body. Many people have trouble with this area, especially if their occupation puts a strain on it. So, it is a good idea to strengthen the muscles of the lower back like the erector spinae by performing three to four sets of back extensions on the floor superman position or face down on the exercise ball for 8 to 12 reps. As the muscles around the spine get stronger, the spine is held in place better, which reduces the changes of lower back problems. It is also important to keep the joint partially bent at the end of the rep, so that constant pressure remains on the muscles and no added pressure is applied to the joint from locking it out.

Cadence is a term that refers to the rate at which the resistance or weight moves. The best results are achieved by a slow cadence that causes the muscle to contract longer. On occasion, a mixture of fast and slow cadence may be used, especially with sports-specific training.

Lastly, using correct angles achieve muscle isolation in target areas and decrease the chance for injuries, especially with heavier weights. So, how many sets and reps should be completed? Four sets of 8-12 reps using a weight that is difficult but manageable. Allow 24 hours to recover with his approach. Six sets of 4 reps is more advanced, calculated at 60 to 80 percent of the one rep max. Allow 48 hours to recover when using this approach.

Functional exercise is a new popular technique that stimulates the core or torso of the body while working another muscle group at the same time. For example, performing a dumbbell press while lying on an exercise ball. The abs and the core muscles contract to hold the body into position, while the chest and tricep muscle push the dumbbells up. This type of challenge causes maximal stimulation to the body and keeps the workout interesting. Cardio is great for the heart and lungs. The number of calories burned is important as well as maintaining the correct heart rate. The heart rate formula is 220 minus age times point 60 for the lower margin and 220 minus age times point 80 for the upper margin. This is also known as the fat burning zone. Cardio also detoxifies the body and strengthens the immune system among many other health benefits. Muscles contract and move lymph along, which allows the immune system to clear dead cells and bring in new ones.

Warm up is important for preparing the body for the more demanding portion of the cardio workout. Allow 15 to 30 minutes prior to weight lifting and 10 to 15 minutes prior to cardio activities like jogging, swimming, aerobics or walking. In addition, a good stretch routine before warm up is highly recommended.

The preferred schedule for the weekly workout is warm up followed by cardio, then weight lifting on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with cardio only on Tuesday and Thursday.

While you may feel your schedule is too busy to maintain a scheduled workout routine, you will find that by adding exercise to your life you will actually add time, as you will have more energy and become more efficient in your day to day activities. Think of exercise as the battery that gives your life power.

About the Author:

Dr. Fit, Sidney E. Reeves, CFT is a nationally recognized personal fitness trainer. Dr. Fit has been helping overweight America understand and change their self-defeating habits while learning the important elements of good nutrition, exercise and positive change. He has launched a website to compliment his daily fitness show at http://www.WritingForWeightloss.com where members receive all the tools to lose weight permanently. Join Dr. Fit as your fitness trainer today at WritingForWeightLoss.com

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Articles & Web Sites Worth a Look

Find Your Sport

Fitness Tips (from Knowledgehound)

99 Tips for Family Fitness Fun

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"Take care of your body with steadfast fidelity. "

~~Goethe

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Exercise Your Willpower Support Group Mailing List

If you need more motivation and some group support, feel free to subscribe to the Exercise Your Willpower mailing list. We have a great group of people who help motivate each other. To get more information, visit our website at: http://www.exerciseyourwillpower.com

Online Fitness and Health Tools

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If you would like to submit an article, or place an advertisement in this newsletter, or if you have any questions or comments, send them to Editor@FitnessMotivatorNewsletter.com.

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Disclaimer

The information in this newsletter is not intended in any way to be a substitute for medical advice. Always see your doctor before you begin any exercise routine or make drastic changes in your diet.

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