Fitness And Weight Loss

Careers in Personal Fitness - Every year thousands of people get back in shape and conduct physical workouts. After all, “getting back into shape” is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. A lot of individuals hire personal trainers or fitness experts to assist in a routine or nutrition plan. If you have outstanding people skills, enjoy staying active, and know a lot about a healthy body, than a career in personal fitness may be for you. Personal Trainer Personal trainers assist individuals in workouts both with weights and with cardio activities such as running. Personal trainers focus on the needs and desires of the individual and assist them in “getting back into shape.” Athletic Trainer Athletic trainers differ from personal trainers in that they usually work with a team or program. Athletic trainers are not only knowledgeable in personal fitness, but they also treat athletic injuries. Recreation Coordinator Recreation coordinators are hired by recreation centers and depart...

Before jumping in, know that getting your dog in the pool takes patience. It may take days or weeks to accomplish. Don’t force your dog to get in a pool and never resort to simply tossing him in. Stay positive, and let your dog set the pace. Starting with a Kiddie Pool Start small by setting up a kiddie pool, sans water. Get in the pool and encourage your dog to come in with you. If she’s distracted or hesitant, attach a leash to her collar and gently walk her into the pool. Say “Let’s swim” or a similar command, and issue it consistently whenever you want your dog to get in the pool. Praise and treat your dog for getting in to create a positive association. When you want your dog to exit the pool, say “All done” or another command of your choosing. Just be sure to use the same command every time so your dog associates the words with the action. Fill the pool with an inch or two of water and repeat. When your dog is in the pool, toss a few floating treats or a toy into the water and le...

New Year resolutions are quickly forgotten when the calendar turns to February.  Promises to go to the gym, lose weight and get fit fade as the holiday excitement comes to an end. Why do people give up on their fitness resolutions?   Perhaps it is because the exercise routine has become boring or the results are not seen as quickly as one had hoped.  Whatever the reasons for giving up on those New Year promises, here are 5 Tips for making fitness fun and interesting so that those New Year wishes can come true. 1. Keep it Fresh!  Try new exercises, hire a Personal Trainer, or take your training outside for a change of scenery. Changing things up or consulting a Personal Trainer can keep the results coming. 2. Partner Up!  Get a friend to join you in your fitness quest. Having a close friend or relative as a workout partner can help keep you on track and hold you accountable. 3. Make it Fun!  Don’t be too serious. Take it easy and just try to enjoy your ...

Importance of Fitness in Our Nation’s First Responders - Firefighters are enjoying a calm evening around the fire station and then suddenly they get a call for a structure fire. The firefighters are expected to work at high aerobic capacities for at least the next hour in order to extinguish this fire.  The question is: Are the firefighters healthy enough to complete the task and survive? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that there are approximately 1.1 million active volunteer and career firefighters in the United States of America.  The vast majority of these firefighters are volunteers that serve rural communities with populations less that 25,000 people. The majority of career firefighters in the United States are required to pass some kind of physical fitness assessment, however volunteer fire departments around the country do not put an emphasis on physical fitness for their firefighters. Contrary to common beliefs, the majority of on-duty firefi...

How to Use Yoga and Pranayama to Lose Weight Quickly - People often try to reduce weight through yoga but give up eventually when they realize that the process of reducing weight through Yoga is very slow. However, yoga and pranayama can be modified with several levels, just like jogging, strength training and intense running or weight training. Together, they can facilitate a faster weight loss. Instructions Start with pranayama. Download the Divya Yog pranayama by Swami Ramdev or any other yoga and pranayama video. Learn how to proceed with the pranayama. Just have a trial and get accustomed to the video. Adopt a good diet plan which preferably has vegetables and fruits only. Learn the pranayamas so that you can do them as needed without referencing the video. There are 7 basic pranayamas or breathing exercises you must do before you start your yoga. According to their suitability for you, you can skip two or three. But do not skip the Bhastrika pranayama, Kapalbhati pranayama, and ...

How to Use a Tired Swimmer Carry - “How to Rescue Someone Drowning” I described “Reach, Throw, Row and Go,” the steps that you should take, in their order, to save a drowning victim. Use the same procedures for a tired swimmer, but let’s assume that you’re now in the water. Let me make the distinction clear: a drowning person is usually in full panick mode. You want to keep your distance. A tired swimmer just needs help. This problem might arise if you’re simply out frolicking in the surf with a friend who wearies. Instructions As you approach a tired swimmer ask what is wrong. Offer to swim with the victim. This is the easiest and simplest method. Sometimes, just being next to tired swimmer and offering reassuring words can encourage him to calm down and make it to shore. If the swimmer describes being taken out to sea by a rip current, you can’t swim back the same way. Rip currents are shaped by shore bottom conditions. Swim parallel to shore until the current dissipates, then swim b...

Nothing is more maddening to an in-ground swimming pool owner than to watch her pool’s water level drop daily through some unseen leak. In-ground swimming pool basins develop leaks through various means, including tears in pool liners. Swimming pools, though, can also develop leaks elsewhere, including their hydrostatic valves and filter systems. Other likely sources of in-ground pool leaks include around fittings and skimmers. Finding a leak in an in-ground swimming pool takes a bit of detective work but it can be done. Leak Detection The first place to check when it comes to a leak in a swimming pool is within its basin. Also, pool fittings and skimmer faceplates can develop leaks. A leak in a pool’s basin is detected through use of simple dye test to track colored water making its way to the leak. If you suspect you have a leak coming from your pool’s filter fittings or the skimmer perform a visual inspection for moisture or drips around such equipment. Dye Test Find underwater leak...

The exact dividing line between “jog” and “run” isn’t really clear; the term applies to just about any slow, steady run. One thing the experts do agree on, though, is that jogging is a great cardio workout and calorie burner. According to figures from Harvard Health Publications, jogging can burn anywhere from 360 to more than 500 calories per hour, depending on your body weight. Whether you’re just getting started jogging or have been doing it for years, perfecting your running form can help you avoid injury and get the most benefit from your workouts. Start With the Feet It may be tempting to take the longest strides possible, but that won’t necessarily help you move any faster; in fact, this type of overstriding can produce extra impact and slow you down. Instead, focus on taking short, quick strides and keeping your body over your feet. Pay attention to your knee alignment, too; don’t let them bow out or collapse in as you jog. No matter which part of your foot hits the ground firs...

How to Protect Knees While Running - Running has tremendous health benefits for the human body. It strengthens the heart and lungs, improves circulation, and keeps the leg muscles strong and toned. However, for all of its health benefits, running has one major drawback: it’s tough on the knees! Fortunately, you can greatly reduce the pounding effect that running places on your knees. Instructions Wear high quality shoes. As a runner, it is wise to think of your running shoes as an important investment. Running is a tough exercise, and it places a tremendous amount of strain on your body, most notably your knees. Wearing a high quality pair of running shoes in the correct size goes a long way towards making you a more comfortable and capable runner, as well as lessening the impact and shock placed on your knees with each step. A high quality shoe offers a firm, well-padded sole, sufficient in-sole flexibility, and enough side tension and support to prevent your ankle from rolling exces...

Getting fit and staying in shape is a priority for many people living in California, and so is the need for a personal trainer. Getting that buff body requires hard work, and personal trainers can help educate and motivate clients to obtain their fitness goals. Personal trainers develop and implement fitness programs for all types of people, from those just starting an exercise program to athletes and celebrities. Instructions Study kinesiology, anatomy and exercise physiology. Personal trainers need to understand how the body moves and responds to exercise to put together an effective fitness program. Personal trainers should consider becoming certified in CPR and first aid in case of an emergency. Earn a nationally recognized certification. California personal trainers who have a certification from a nationally recognized fitness organization will have more credibility with clients. Consider earning a certification from the American Council on Exercise or the National Academy of Spor...

Runners engage in water jogging, a low-impact deep-water training technique, to cross-train, for off-season conditioning or to rehab an injury. And fitness centers offer water jogging as part of hydro circuit classes, for its conditioning and calorie burn. Without the jarring impact of land running, water running provides many of its benefits, such as maintaining your cardio fitness and challenging similar muscles. Typically performed with a flotation device, the technique and form simulate the way you run on land. Water Jogging Basic Technique with Variations Strap on a float belt and ease into the deep end of a pool. Keep your arms relaxed and elbows bent 90 degrees. Hold your hands in a loosely clenched fist with your palms facing inward. An alternate position is with your hands open, fingers together, thumbs up and your palms facing inward. Lean slightly forward of vertical, and start moving your arms and legs opposite each other similar to the way you run on land. Keep your back s...

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 67 million Americans have high blood pressure. That’s one in every three people. If you are one of these 67 million, do you understand what your high blood pressure score means? If not, know that you aren’t alone. Lab tests and numbers can be confusing and difficult to make sense of. If you’re struggling to understand what your blood pressure score means, there are several websites and online apps that can help. Blood Pressure Numbers Your blood pressure score has two numbers, a systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number). You may see your blood pressure score written as 120/80 mmHg or you may hear your doctor say it as, �one hundred twenty over eighty.� Your systolic (top) blood pressure measures how much force is being put on your arteries when your heart pumps blood out to the rest of your body. Your diastolic (bottom) blood pressure measures the force felt in your arteries when the blood is returning ba...

One Solution For Different Medical Problems - The healthcare system in Mexico is highly efficient. It offers supreme treatment to patients at a low cost. Medical practitioners, doctors and surgeons give first class treatment to patients offering good quality medical care for serious illnesses or conditions. The ministry of health and education keeps a check on the doctors in Mexico by assessing and monitoring them vigorously. Mexico is a leading country in medical tourism which has brought hope and healing to a lot of people. Many US travelers visit Mexico for the treatment of their condition where their specific conditions are handled effectively by doctors in Mexico who work closely with the patient to offer the best care. Hospitals and clinics are equipped with the best devices to treat the patients and serve their needs in a promising way. Therefore, millions of tourists seek medical care in Mexico. There is no doubt that every physician in Mexico is highly skilled in his or her re...

Loose goggles are one cause of leakage that can ruin an athlete’s competitive swim event. The frames can also leak if the goggles are not stored carefully between events. The best way to stop leaking is prevent it from occurring. Instructions Place the lenses over the eyes without securing the head strap to test the goggles for a good fit and proper seal. Achieve a suction by pressing the lenses against the face. Bend forward and face downward. Properly fitted, unsecured giggles should stay in place for 2 to 3 seconds. If they fall off sooner, try another pair for a better fit. Press the goggles in place to create a suction and place the elastic strap behind your head, tightening to a comfortable position. When the strap is tightened too much, it can induce headaches and increase the likelihood of leaks because the lenses are being pulled away from the eye sockets. Smear a thin bead of petroleum jelly around the outside gaskets of rubber or silicon, in an emergency, to stop leaking rig...

Men commonly add bulk to their abdominal muscles with crunches, situps or heavy equipment at the gym. When you think of yoga for men, six-pack abs might not immediately come to mind, but yoga is a way to further enhance and flatten all of the abdominal muscles. Nearly every yoga pose requires you to engage the muscles of your core, protecting your back while lengthening and strengthening the stomach muscles. Instructions Engage your abdomen throughout the yoga routine to activate the innermost layer of ab muscles, the transverse abdominis. Inhale deeply. As you exhale, pull your belly button in toward your spine, feeling your abdominal muscles tighten. Engaging your core will protect your spine while strengthening your abdominal muscles. For men, an engaged core ensures that all of the abdominal muscles are contracting during the exercises, resulting in long, lean muscles rather than only bulking up the top layer of muscle, the rectus abdominis. Create a routine focused on the abdomen....

Increasing your cadence may be just what you need. Tips Increase Speed of Run - Cadence is the number of times your foot strikes the ground in a given time period, usually measured per minute. Because forward movement only happens when your feet strike the ground, it behooves you to get them off the ground as quickly as possible. Your height, weight, leg and stride length and running ability will determine your optimal cadence. Everyday runners generally fall between 160-170 steps per minute, while elite runners strike the ground around 180 steps per minute or higher—with some getting above 200 at their fastest speeds. Determine Your Cadence On your next run, count the number of times each foot strikes the ground. To make it simpler, pick either your right or left foot, count the number of times it strikes the ground in a minute and multiply that by two. This is your training cadence. There is a difference between a training cadence and a speed workout/racing cadence. Generally, yo...

Reasons You Should Start Doing Yoga Immediately - If you think yoga might not be for you, I urge you to reconsider. Here are seven of my top reasons why you should start doing yoga as soon as you can. 1. It’s a great workout. First of all and most obviously, yoga is a fantastic workout for your body. You can adapt the practices to your own speed and level of comfort. No matter which yoga exercises you choose, the practices will always be part of a great workout routine. There are some fantastic series of movements out there that are perfect for every kind of day and for every kind of person, meaning there’s no reason not to start doing some yoga as soon as you can. 2. It gets you in touch with your body. Yoga stretches and exercises are designed around the idea of moving your body to increase its strength and durability. Therefore, doing yoga on a regular basis will really get you to be much more in tune with your body and know when something is really working and when it isn’t. Of co...

Reason You Must to Start Swimming Now -  Speed up the process to that summer tan and bikini body by jumping into the pool. Yes, the treadmill is fun, and so are those dumbbells, but they only offer a portion of what a swim workout does. From toning your core to speeding up your metabolism, there are several reasons why you should consider swimming your new go-to. Grab a suit and find out the 10 reasons why you should start swimming! It’s a total-body workout.   Swimming tackles everything from sculpting your back to toning your arms—all without having to pick up a weight. Rather than needing a plan to work specific muscles, all four strokes work to strengthen your entire body. 2. It’s joint-friendly.  If you’re recovering from an injury and are eager to build strength, then look into starting a swimming routine to stay fit. If running is your passion, then swimming is a great way to work out on recovery days, allowing knees a rest from the pavement. 3. It’s muscle-lengthe...