We all know about the dangers of eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia. But have you heard about the newest danger, getting too much exercise.
These phenomena left me a bit speechless. Exercise and I have this ongoing love/hate relationship. Back when I was fourteen years of age, I began exercising. It was the craze of aerobics and all those cute exercising outfits.
I hated gym as a class. But I loved dancing with all those beautiful actresses and models via by video tapes. This love carried on into my late teens and into my twenties. Then life happened. I got busy. I knew I needed to exercise, but it was hard to find the time.
Now that I am thirty something (no don't ask, you never ask a lady her age), I still try to exercise. Some weeks and months, I do good. Some weeks and months, I am just too busy or lazy.
Then I hear about this new disorder. It is actually called exercise bulimia. It is a disorder where the person is compulsive when it comes to exercising. The person uses exercise as a tool to keep from getting fat. But it is more than that.
In the regular form of bulimia the person eats food and then purges in from their body. Sometimes a person who suffers from exercise bulimia will do exactly the same thing. In this case, the purging is the exercise itself.
The person will exercise his or herself away sometimes literally. Their weight will start going down and left untreated, they will eventually become sick or worse, just with the normal bulimia we all have heard and read about over the years.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Where to Buy Cheap Exercise Equipment
Here is information on where to buy cheap exercise equipment. With all those infomercials and other advertisements selling the latest workout gizmo it seems that only those with lots of extra money can afford to get into shape. However this is not true as you really can buy cheap exercise equipment with just a little work.
Before moving onto where to buy cheap exercise equipment, first consider if you really need to buy any exercise equipment at all. If you are really frugal or on a tight budget you can make or repurpose items at home for exercise. Free weights can be made by simply using buckets and other containers filled with sand, water, or lead shot (from sporting goods stores used to reload shotgun shells). Virtually any item with weight can also be used to add resistance to your exercise routine. Hold a small amount of weight while doing sit ups, walking or jogging to increase your workout.
If you decide that you do indeed need to buy exercise equipment here are a few sources that you will want to check out:
Ebay is of course the place to start any search for used items simply due to their large presence in the market. With exercise equipment, shipping costs can be high so look for local pickup items and keep an eye on shipping costs for those that are too far away to be picked up. Also make certain that the equipment comes with instruction manuals or that the manuals can be purchased from the manufacturer.
Other reputable and reliable websites offer similar services, but eBay's size makes it the place to start when looking for cheap exercise equipment. Also check out Overstock.com and Amazon.com for deals. A search on froogle.com is also useful anytime you are looking to get a good deal. Visiting each exercise equipment maker's website might also turn up a closeout or other deal.
Dealing locally allows you to give the equipment a try as well as avoiding shipping costs and possible shipping damage when looking to buy cheap exercise equipment. Play It Again Sports is a retail chain that sells used exercise equipment. Other similar retailers exist and all make a good place to check out. One weakness compared against traditional retailers is that the store staff selling a variety of brands of used merchandise can't be knowledgeable about every piece of equipment made so be certain that you are getting the manuals and ask about returns. Thrift stores and yard sales might also turn up great deals on cheap exercise equipment.
If you are looking to buy cheap exercise equipment a little time and effort shopping around can save you a lot of money.
Before moving onto where to buy cheap exercise equipment, first consider if you really need to buy any exercise equipment at all. If you are really frugal or on a tight budget you can make or repurpose items at home for exercise. Free weights can be made by simply using buckets and other containers filled with sand, water, or lead shot (from sporting goods stores used to reload shotgun shells). Virtually any item with weight can also be used to add resistance to your exercise routine. Hold a small amount of weight while doing sit ups, walking or jogging to increase your workout.
If you decide that you do indeed need to buy exercise equipment here are a few sources that you will want to check out:
Ebay is of course the place to start any search for used items simply due to their large presence in the market. With exercise equipment, shipping costs can be high so look for local pickup items and keep an eye on shipping costs for those that are too far away to be picked up. Also make certain that the equipment comes with instruction manuals or that the manuals can be purchased from the manufacturer.
Other reputable and reliable websites offer similar services, but eBay's size makes it the place to start when looking for cheap exercise equipment. Also check out Overstock.com and Amazon.com for deals. A search on froogle.com is also useful anytime you are looking to get a good deal. Visiting each exercise equipment maker's website might also turn up a closeout or other deal.
Dealing locally allows you to give the equipment a try as well as avoiding shipping costs and possible shipping damage when looking to buy cheap exercise equipment. Play It Again Sports is a retail chain that sells used exercise equipment. Other similar retailers exist and all make a good place to check out. One weakness compared against traditional retailers is that the store staff selling a variety of brands of used merchandise can't be knowledgeable about every piece of equipment made so be certain that you are getting the manuals and ask about returns. Thrift stores and yard sales might also turn up great deals on cheap exercise equipment.
If you are looking to buy cheap exercise equipment a little time and effort shopping around can save you a lot of money.
Stress Relief Through Fitness and Exercise
Life is stressful enough on it's own, but when you add in medical problems it just gets even more stressful. There are two very simple ways to keep yourself healthier, thus keeping yourself less stressed. If you eat right, as in a healthy diet following the USDA's MyPyramid (the cute little pyramid that tells you how much to eat of each of the five food groups) and stay fit with regular exercise (as in at least a half an hour of vigorous activity at least 3 to 5 days a week) you will feel better physical AND mentally.
Fitness is easy to get, if you think about it. Walking is fitness, so take a half hour walk 3 days a week and you've got a less stressful future on the horizon. If walking isn't your thing then jog or join a gym. Too many Americans are over weight, obese even, and it's because we don't get enough exercise. We drive our cars everywhere, or ride the bus and we spend way too much time sitting on our butts on the couch watching TV and eating junk food as our butts get bigger. But they wouldn't be getting bigger if we'd just get up and get moving.
We Americans are also getting over weight and obese because of the foods we eat. We're busy, on the go, so we swing by the closest fast food joint and get ourself an 800 calorie lunch, full of fat and grease, when we could be eating a healthy sandwich and a salad for less than half those calories. Watch what you eat, keep a food diary and pay attention to how eating certain foods makes you feel because some of the food you are eating could be causing your stress levels to rise.
And as a wise rule to follow for anyone, cut down your caffeine, salt and sugar intake as much as you possible can. They are all very tasty but also are very bad for you in any kind of excess, even minor. Don't keep yourself from ever eating the things you love again, but if the things you love are mostly bad for you try to eat them less often and less of them. You body will thank you and your mind will too!
Fitness is easy to get, if you think about it. Walking is fitness, so take a half hour walk 3 days a week and you've got a less stressful future on the horizon. If walking isn't your thing then jog or join a gym. Too many Americans are over weight, obese even, and it's because we don't get enough exercise. We drive our cars everywhere, or ride the bus and we spend way too much time sitting on our butts on the couch watching TV and eating junk food as our butts get bigger. But they wouldn't be getting bigger if we'd just get up and get moving.
We Americans are also getting over weight and obese because of the foods we eat. We're busy, on the go, so we swing by the closest fast food joint and get ourself an 800 calorie lunch, full of fat and grease, when we could be eating a healthy sandwich and a salad for less than half those calories. Watch what you eat, keep a food diary and pay attention to how eating certain foods makes you feel because some of the food you are eating could be causing your stress levels to rise.
And as a wise rule to follow for anyone, cut down your caffeine, salt and sugar intake as much as you possible can. They are all very tasty but also are very bad for you in any kind of excess, even minor. Don't keep yourself from ever eating the things you love again, but if the things you love are mostly bad for you try to eat them less often and less of them. You body will thank you and your mind will too!
Exercise and Arthritis
Exercise is any activity that increases your heart rate above normal!"
Exercise is essential to relieve and cure arthritis. Most sufferers of arthritis do not exercise because they fear exercise will aggravate their symptoms - this is far from the truth. Without exercise muscles will gradually deteriorate and a vicious circle of even less exercise and even more arthritic pain occurs.
Exercise helps keeps muscles strong and joints supple. Stronger muscles are less prone to arthritis.
To stop your muscles from deteriorating you must exercise regularly. Start slowly and gradually increase it until you feel comfortable. Build up your regime slowly and do not overdo any exercise during the earlier stages.
Types of exercises
Cardio Exercises
Cardio exercise helps strengthen the heart and help control weight in your body.
When people think of exercising they automatically think of jogging. The truth however, is that jogging is one of the most damaging of all exercise and it can damage and tear muscles and tendon.
The best form of exercise for arthritis sufferers is walking. Do not underestimate the benefits of walking. Walking is gentle on the body and is suitable for most sufferers. Do wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing when you start.
Strengthening Exercises
Weight bearing and resistance exercises help strengthen muscles - strong muscles help reduce injuries and the pain of arthritis.
Start with small weights or even use your body weight as a form of resistance. Gradually increase the weight and repetitions to help strengthen your muscles even more.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching helps keep joints and muscle supple. Supple muscles and joints are less prone to injury and have a lower risk of developing arthritis.
Be careful when stretching and do warm up before you begin. Start off by gently stretching the affected areas (all joints would benefit from stretching but if you prefer you can begin by only stretching the affected joints).
Exercise is essential to relieve and cure arthritis. Most sufferers of arthritis do not exercise because they fear exercise will aggravate their symptoms - this is far from the truth. Without exercise muscles will gradually deteriorate and a vicious circle of even less exercise and even more arthritic pain occurs.
Exercise helps keeps muscles strong and joints supple. Stronger muscles are less prone to arthritis.
To stop your muscles from deteriorating you must exercise regularly. Start slowly and gradually increase it until you feel comfortable. Build up your regime slowly and do not overdo any exercise during the earlier stages.
Types of exercises
Cardio Exercises
Cardio exercise helps strengthen the heart and help control weight in your body.
When people think of exercising they automatically think of jogging. The truth however, is that jogging is one of the most damaging of all exercise and it can damage and tear muscles and tendon.
The best form of exercise for arthritis sufferers is walking. Do not underestimate the benefits of walking. Walking is gentle on the body and is suitable for most sufferers. Do wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing when you start.
Strengthening Exercises
Weight bearing and resistance exercises help strengthen muscles - strong muscles help reduce injuries and the pain of arthritis.
Start with small weights or even use your body weight as a form of resistance. Gradually increase the weight and repetitions to help strengthen your muscles even more.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching helps keep joints and muscle supple. Supple muscles and joints are less prone to injury and have a lower risk of developing arthritis.
Be careful when stretching and do warm up before you begin. Start off by gently stretching the affected areas (all joints would benefit from stretching but if you prefer you can begin by only stretching the affected joints).
Aerobic Exercise for Children
In this country, as in all countries, there is a problem with children needing to get more exercise. With the invention of the computers and the televisions, and the fact that now they are in even more homes it is not uncommon for a child to get little or no exercise. This is not good for children for many reasons. If a child isn't getting the right kind of aerobic exercise, they are going to have more of a chance of being overweight and obese as they get older.
Also, they are more likely to have poor eating habits and to not care about getting healthy, which is also going to cause them problems in the long run. The other thing is that as children grown and develops, it is important for them to be getting aerobic exercise, because their bodies need to have exercise often so that their muscles can get strong, and their hearts and lungs can fully develop. This means that aerobic exercise for children is very important.
If you are concerned that your child isn't getting the right amount of exercise, there are several things that you can do. First of all, enforce rules about healthy eating for your children. You have to make sure that your entire family is eating well, and that children are eating healthy foods. You also have to make sure that you aren't letting your children eat in front of the television or the computer.
Also, set limits on how much television and computer they are allowed to use during the day. Make sure that you enforce these rules, and encourage them to do other things while the computer and television are turned off. You should be doing things as a family as well.
The biggest way that you can encourage your children to get the right kind of exercise is if you have family exercise times. You should try to find a time each day where your family can get together and do something fun outside, even if it is simply playing catch or going for a walk. All of this can turn into great family experiences, and it can also be a wonderful way for your family to get healthy together. If you are working out as a family, you are giving your family the best possible chance to be even healthier, and this is only going to be better for your children in the long run.
Also, they are more likely to have poor eating habits and to not care about getting healthy, which is also going to cause them problems in the long run. The other thing is that as children grown and develops, it is important for them to be getting aerobic exercise, because their bodies need to have exercise often so that their muscles can get strong, and their hearts and lungs can fully develop. This means that aerobic exercise for children is very important.
If you are concerned that your child isn't getting the right amount of exercise, there are several things that you can do. First of all, enforce rules about healthy eating for your children. You have to make sure that your entire family is eating well, and that children are eating healthy foods. You also have to make sure that you aren't letting your children eat in front of the television or the computer.
Also, set limits on how much television and computer they are allowed to use during the day. Make sure that you enforce these rules, and encourage them to do other things while the computer and television are turned off. You should be doing things as a family as well.
The biggest way that you can encourage your children to get the right kind of exercise is if you have family exercise times. You should try to find a time each day where your family can get together and do something fun outside, even if it is simply playing catch or going for a walk. All of this can turn into great family experiences, and it can also be a wonderful way for your family to get healthy together. If you are working out as a family, you are giving your family the best possible chance to be even healthier, and this is only going to be better for your children in the long run.
Burning Calories Does Not Make it Exercise
One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to weight loss and even weight gain is that exercise is necessary in order to lose weight. In an over-simplified fashion, this may be true. However, in order to believe it, you would have to believe that something so mundane as kissing is exercise.
While I fully comprehend that kissing is not (for me at least) any type of true exercise, lest it be considered an exercise in love, it does in fact, burn calories. In order to make your exercise regimen work for you, the first thing you need to do, is to understand what types of exercises you need in order to gain the results you want.
Just because something burns calories, it does not automatically become an exercise. Likewise, just because you are doing exercises, does not make it something that will benefit you in the manner that you want or hope for. Different forms of exercise have very different benefits and rewards.
Kissing certainly has rewards but that is not something that most people can schedule time for ... and if you did, it tends to remove some of the romance and the thrill of the moment. What you need to do is define your personal goals and establish a workout program that will work towards the goals that you want to achieve.
Statistically speaking, if you are a man, you are probably trying to lose some of that weight around your gut and maybe tighten up your chest as those dreaded "man-boobs" begin to develop.
If you are a female, you are most likely going to want to find some exercises that will help you to firm up your gluteus and your thighs. However, you may have far different goals in mind but even if you want to bulk up, you are going to need to get in fairly good shape before you begin building up your muscle mass. The key will be in finding the exercises that do the job that you need to have done.
Sit-ups are great as they will help you to trim down that beer belly but they really do very little for the gluteus or buttocks and thighs. On the other hand, leg-lifts are great for the thighs, the butt and even those hard to reach lower abs. While a healthy dose of sit-ups and push-ups may help most men greatly, they are not going to be a major benefit to most women. Many women are very happy with their abs, their thighs and their buttocks but want to tighten or build up their chest muscles. For those women, absolutely none of these exercises are going to be of any real benefit.
Working out is great and it is an added benefit to most healthy diet plans, a great way of staying, younger and healthier and being able to enjoy a much longer and active lifestyle. However, if you are going to get the results you want, you need to select an exercise program that has your goals in mind.
The best thing that you can do is to find a reliable source of information for a program that meets all of your personal needs. Once you have the proper information, the rest is as easy as pie ... and yes, you can have your pie and eat it too.
While I fully comprehend that kissing is not (for me at least) any type of true exercise, lest it be considered an exercise in love, it does in fact, burn calories. In order to make your exercise regimen work for you, the first thing you need to do, is to understand what types of exercises you need in order to gain the results you want.
Just because something burns calories, it does not automatically become an exercise. Likewise, just because you are doing exercises, does not make it something that will benefit you in the manner that you want or hope for. Different forms of exercise have very different benefits and rewards.
Kissing certainly has rewards but that is not something that most people can schedule time for ... and if you did, it tends to remove some of the romance and the thrill of the moment. What you need to do is define your personal goals and establish a workout program that will work towards the goals that you want to achieve.
Statistically speaking, if you are a man, you are probably trying to lose some of that weight around your gut and maybe tighten up your chest as those dreaded "man-boobs" begin to develop.
If you are a female, you are most likely going to want to find some exercises that will help you to firm up your gluteus and your thighs. However, you may have far different goals in mind but even if you want to bulk up, you are going to need to get in fairly good shape before you begin building up your muscle mass. The key will be in finding the exercises that do the job that you need to have done.
Sit-ups are great as they will help you to trim down that beer belly but they really do very little for the gluteus or buttocks and thighs. On the other hand, leg-lifts are great for the thighs, the butt and even those hard to reach lower abs. While a healthy dose of sit-ups and push-ups may help most men greatly, they are not going to be a major benefit to most women. Many women are very happy with their abs, their thighs and their buttocks but want to tighten or build up their chest muscles. For those women, absolutely none of these exercises are going to be of any real benefit.
Working out is great and it is an added benefit to most healthy diet plans, a great way of staying, younger and healthier and being able to enjoy a much longer and active lifestyle. However, if you are going to get the results you want, you need to select an exercise program that has your goals in mind.
The best thing that you can do is to find a reliable source of information for a program that meets all of your personal needs. Once you have the proper information, the rest is as easy as pie ... and yes, you can have your pie and eat it too.
High Intensity Interval Training
Aerobic exercise of moderate intensity over relatively long period of time such as forty-five minutes to an hour is the best way to improve cardiovascular fitness because the body is required to burn high amounts of oxygen, which stimulates the heart and lungs. However, for overall body sculpting, other types of exercise work better.
One such form of aerobic exercise is called high intensity interval training (HIIT). High intensity interval training can include exercises such as running in place, jumping jacks, squats or lunges, however the ideal use of HIIT is resistance training with weights. Perform a set of eight to twelve repetitions with eighty-five per cent of your maximum load, then rest.
The point is to expend nearly all of your energy for a small period of time: exercise almost to the point of exhaustion, then stop. Rest and catch your breath for two or three minutes before continuing. Not only will this stimulate the release of endorphins, performing high intensity exercises has been shown to stimulate the release of human growth hormone (HGH).
Additionally, high intensity training will promote muscle growth, which also raises the metabolism. Remember, it is important to properly warm up and cool down before exercising
Forming the Habit
The key to losing weight with aerobics, as with any other form of exercise, is consistency. You must make aerobics a habit. While only professional and Olympic athletes have the time and energy to work out and train for hours every day, even the most busy executive or housewife can find time for half an hour to forty-five minutes of aerobics four times a week.
This does not always have to be the same exercise. In fact it is better if you perform different aerobic activities in each workout so that your entire body is developed. Furthermore, increasing the variety of aerobic exercises you practice will help to prevent boredom and keep you motivated. You may walk or jog one or two times a week, write a bike or go swimming the other two times, or whatever you find works best for you. The important thing is to just do it. It takes the mind twenty-one days to form a new habit.
If you exercise every other day for three weeks you will find your level of motivation increasing: the beginning of a new, healthier body. You will begin to see results in the mirror, which will motivate you to achieve your goals. Remember, when shaping the new you, it is important to formulate the habit.
One such form of aerobic exercise is called high intensity interval training (HIIT). High intensity interval training can include exercises such as running in place, jumping jacks, squats or lunges, however the ideal use of HIIT is resistance training with weights. Perform a set of eight to twelve repetitions with eighty-five per cent of your maximum load, then rest.
The point is to expend nearly all of your energy for a small period of time: exercise almost to the point of exhaustion, then stop. Rest and catch your breath for two or three minutes before continuing. Not only will this stimulate the release of endorphins, performing high intensity exercises has been shown to stimulate the release of human growth hormone (HGH).
Additionally, high intensity training will promote muscle growth, which also raises the metabolism. Remember, it is important to properly warm up and cool down before exercising
Forming the Habit
The key to losing weight with aerobics, as with any other form of exercise, is consistency. You must make aerobics a habit. While only professional and Olympic athletes have the time and energy to work out and train for hours every day, even the most busy executive or housewife can find time for half an hour to forty-five minutes of aerobics four times a week.
This does not always have to be the same exercise. In fact it is better if you perform different aerobic activities in each workout so that your entire body is developed. Furthermore, increasing the variety of aerobic exercises you practice will help to prevent boredom and keep you motivated. You may walk or jog one or two times a week, write a bike or go swimming the other two times, or whatever you find works best for you. The important thing is to just do it. It takes the mind twenty-one days to form a new habit.
If you exercise every other day for three weeks you will find your level of motivation increasing: the beginning of a new, healthier body. You will begin to see results in the mirror, which will motivate you to achieve your goals. Remember, when shaping the new you, it is important to formulate the habit.
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