5 Tips for Exercising Regularly

Have you ever really wanted to get your workout on, but things always get in the way? Or, have you ever started an exercise routine only to have the regimen fade out of existence after a couple of visits to the gym or the Madison Humphreys Center Apartments fitness center? Work outs take dedication and consistency, but this can be hard in the busy lives that we lead. So, what do you do? Here are a few tips, courtesy of divinecaroline.com that can help  you put the regularity back in your workouts:

1. Always exercise on Monday. This sets the psychological pattern for the week.
2. If at all possible, exercise first thing in the morning. As the day wears on, you’ll find more excuses to skip exercising.
3. Never skip exercising two days in a row. You can skip a day, but the next day, you must exercise, no matter how inconvenient.
4. Exercise several times a week. If your idea of exercise is to join games of pick-up basketball, you should be playing practically every day. Twice a month isn’t enough.
5. Look for affordable ways to make exercising more pleasant or satisfying. Could you upgrade to a nicer or more convenient gym? Buy yourself a new iPod? Work with a trainer? Get a pedometer to keep track of your walking distances? Exercise is a high life priority, so this a worthwhile place to spend some money if that helps.

Exercising regularly takes a hefty does of discipline. I’ve always said that the first step is to close your front door behind you, and make those first steps to your car or in the direction of whatever exercise outlet you’ve chosen. Once you up and out, then you’re more likely to continue. Saying that you’re going to exercise in 10 minutes while watching a show on TV isn’t really the best way to get going.

What’s your workout strategy?

photo credit: Wikipedia

Stiff Back?

Sitting down all day can easily lead to a stiff back. Believe me, I’ve been there, I know. For me, no amount of stretching, twisting, or turning helps me out. I’ve come to find out that I’ve been doing these ’stretches’ completely wrong. I’ve found a number of stretches and exercises that you can do to help relieve the pain.

Most times, back stiffness will go away on it’s own, but for the times that it doesn’t:

Lower back rotation

The SpineUniverse website recommends this stretch because it helps release stiffness in the lower back and hips, making spine mobility and rotation easier. Lie on the back with your knees bent. Slowly bring legs to one side of your body, being sure to keep the knees together. Be sure that feet stay on the ground. Hold this stretch for three to five seconds. Squeeze the abdominal muscles while you work the legs over to the opposite side of the body. Repeat this exercise five to 10 times per side. Livestrong.com

Do you have any other tips to relieving a stiff back?

Migraines: What Can You Do to Avoid Them?

It’s generally believed that women tend to suffer more from migraines than men, but there’s no reason to believe that women who suffer from migraines must live in constant dread of the symptoms.

Try incorporating these general nutritional guidelines to combat or even overcome migraine:

• Correct and prevent low blood sugar levels.

• Try sticking to fresh foods: Focus your eating plan on fresh vegetables, fruits and whole
gram cereal foods, with lean proteins, small amounts of fat and plenty of water.

• Avoid excess of caffeine, alcohol and desserts.

• Have small well-balanced meals.

• Shed extra body weight.

• Try maintaining a regular sleep pattern.

• Take time to relax.

• Avoid having too many foods high in Lactose; anyone who is in particularly sensitive to Lactose should completely avoid it.

• Avoid artificial sweeteners.

• Act quickly: As soon as you feel severe headache, act quickly and consult your doctor.

Relax, Relate, Release…..

Ah, Yoga. One of the most relaxing ways to get fit. Well, unless you’re someone like me who doesn’t like to sit still for very long. I’ve taken a few Yoga classes over the years, and they are very stimulating and places your body in a state of relaxing with it’s intricate positions and breathing techniques, but it’s not entirely the regime for me. But it could be for you!

Leia Lynch Williams of Nirvana Yoga leads a Vinyasa class each Friday in March that is designed for both beginners and more experienced Yoga buffs. The classes are held at the Memphis Botanic Garden. How much more relaxing can you get? Beautiful flowers, gorgeous scenery, and a nice, new, relaxed body and mind. Be sure to head out and take a class!

Classes continue through March 26. Prices are $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers.

Do you Yoga? What are your exercise routines of choice?

Is it possible to lose weight on elixirs alone?

There really hasn’t been a definite answer. I’ve always felt that elixirs were only a stepping stone, and that drinking them alone would not guarantee weight loss; you actually have to work out as well. That, and keep up a healthy and nutritional diet. Face it, losing weight is hard. Who wouldn’t want to take the ‘easy way out’? Which is exactly what I think the ‘miracle’ elixirs are; an easy way out that doesn’t guarantee anything.

This doesn’t slow down the magic elixir market, however. In fact, Kirstie Alley in endorsing a new elixir called Organic Liaison, that specifically deals with helping with cravings and too big of an appetite. The elixir is the first USDA-approved certified organic weight loss program. She swears by it actually, stating that she’s lost 20 pounds and that it will be documented on her new reality show, ‘Kirstie Alley’s Big Life’. Her plan is designed to be healthy, easy, convenient, tasty, affordable, and something you can stick with for the rest of your life.

The thing is, the weight loss program itself is actually full of supplements. One of the elixirs named Rescue Me, is a formula packed with essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, which supposedly helps to reduce cravings while giving you an energy boost. Kirstie basically says it works because it’s organic, and when you drink it, you won’t be hungry so you end up losing weight. Ok Kirstie…

Do you think these weight loss products will get her healthy once and for all, or do you think it’s just another turn on her roller coaster weight loss ride? Also, do you believe in the suggested end result of the ‘magic’ weight loss elixirs? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Resident Poll: Cosmetic Surgery — Yes or no?

Heidi Montag is making headlines with her startling decision to subject her body to 10 surgeries in one day. Would you put yourself in this kind of situation, all in the name of beauty?

Support Your Breast Health With Certain Foods

A new study suggests that compounds found in black pepper and curry powder help halt the growth of stem cells that give rise to breast cancer.

Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center applied piperine, found in black pepper, and curcumin, the main ingredient in the curry spice turmeric, to breast cancer cells in a laboratory dish. The spices, when used in combination, reduced the number of stem cells but did not harm normal breast cells.

Read more about this study here.

And try these Curry Recipes:

or these Pepper Recipes: