Filed under: Essays, Family, Muscle, Trainer, Women — arlene @ 12:45 am
There is no ideal standard for flexibility.
It is not known how much flexibility any one person should have in a joint. There are test norms available that list how hundreds of subjects of various ages, of both sexes, and in many walks of life have performed. But there is little scientific evidence to indicate that a person who can reach two inches past his or her toes on a sit-and-reach test is less fit than a person who can reach eight inches past the toes. Too much flexibility could be as detrimental as too little.
Lack of use, injury, or disease can decrease joint mobility.
Arthritis and calcium deposits can damage a joint, and inflammation can cause pain that prevents movement. Failure to move a joint regularly through its full range of motion can lead to a shortening of muscles and ligaments. Static positions held for longer periods, such as in poor posture, working postures, and when a body part is immobilized by a cast, lead to shortened tissue and loss of mobility. Improper exercise that overdevelops one muscle group while neglecting the opposing group results in an imbalance that restricts flexibility. (more…)
Filed under: Baby, Diet, Family, Muscle, Programs, Trainer — arlene @ 2:27 am
Heredity plays a role in overfatness.
Some people have suggested that every individual is born with a set body weight. Advocates of this set point theory feel that it will be difficult for people to deviate from their “set point weight,” which is predetermined by heredity. Though many experts question the validity of set point theory for humans, they agree that there is such a thing as a familial predisposition to obesity. For years, researchers have suggested that your body type,or somatotype, is inherited. Clearly, some people will have more difficulty than others controlling fatness because of their body types and because they come from families with a history of obesity. Scientists caution people from families with a history of obesity not to conclude that nothing can be done to prevent obesity. In fact, one important recent study indicates that among those with a predisposition to obesity, weight reduction programs can be effective. Research also shows that regular exercise is especially effective in the control of genetically determined overfatness. (more…)
Filed under: Family, Insurance, Magazines, Physical — arlene @ 6:43 pm
Family and spouse support reinforces exercise adherence.
When family members support your exercise behavior you are likely to continue it. However, exercise may take time away from family activities. If family members, especially one’s spouse, feel that exercise is interfering with family obligations, regular exercise may diminish. It is important to involve family members in planning for regular exercise.
Support from friends and peers reinforces exercise adherence.
People who live in communities where regular exercise is typical are reinforced to continue exercise. (more…)
Filed under: Family — arlene @ 10:46 pm
Saunas, steambaths, whirlpools, and hot tubs are not effective in weight reduction nor in the prevention and cure of colds, arthritis, bursitis, backaches, sprains, and bruises.
Baths do not melt off fat; fat must be metabolized. The heat and humidity from baths may make you perspire, but it is water, not fat oozing from the pores.
The effect of such baths is largely psychological, although some temporary relief from aches and pains may result from the heat. The same relief can be had by sitting in a tub of hot water in your bathroom. (more…)
Filed under: Family, Man, Mental, Physical, Women — arlene @ 1:27 am
This is a meditation exercise we have both found very useful. It was devised by a friend. Try it and adapt it for your own purposes, or find your own from a book, tape or seminar.
- Begin by becoming aware of your breathing.
- Do not interfere with your breath, just watch it – the rise and fall, the ebb and flow…
- Listen to the sounds near and far; become aware of the traffic noise, birds calling, wind in the trees, a dog barking in the distance…
- Then move outside yourself; look back at yourself sitting there.
- Gradually move your awareness outside your home, so you can see your house, your street, your town or city.
- Keep moving your awareness so that you are now looking down on your province, your state, your country.
- Now visualise your country as part of the Earth as you travel towards the stars.
- Once you are able to ’see’ the Earth as part of the solar system and look down on the Earth, send love from your heart back to it.
- Feel the love pouring through you like the golden rays of the sun.
- Allow yourself to dissolve and rest in the warmth of the sun.
11. Be still. Just be.
