Search Results for: blog the benefits of stretching

The Benefits of a Fitness Ball

I am in the final segment of my “The Benefits of…” series. I am ending today with the benefits of a fitness ball, otherwise known as a stability ball. Now I am about to paint a really scary picture for you. Actually, it was mostly scary to my nephew who was about 4 years old when it happened. My first experience with one of these oversized balls was when I was giving birth to my youngest son (who is now 12). I had to sit on one of these to move my labor along. I will never forget my nephew’s … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Flexibility Exercises

In my last blog I talked about the benefits of cardio, something I have recently incorporated more of into my fitness routine. Despite wanting to spend more of my fitness regimen doing cardio (with my biggest goal right now being to lose weight), I know that I also need flexibility exercises. Flexibility exercises have many benefits. Perhaps you are like me when it’s time to stretch. You sit down on your bottom, stretch your legs out in front of you and attempt to reach your toes. Notice the word “attempt.” I can’t do that…yet. But with flexibility exercises, my body … Continue reading →

Benefits of Weight Lifting

There are a number of benefits to weight lifting that you might want to implement into your fitness routine. However I also strongly urge you to first make sure that you have established some cardio into your routine first. Making the transition from cardio to weight training might be a challenge but there is no reason that you can’t have a little of both. You might break up your routine with 15 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of weight lifting. It’s really all up to you. One of the things you will notice right off the bat with weight … Continue reading →

The Importance of Stretching

I have to admit that stretching is not something I do on a regular basis. I am usually in a rush and just want to get my workout routine done, so I tend to skip the stretching. Believe me when I say that I am preaching to myself here, as I talk about the importance of stretching. Not only is it important to stretch before you exercise but it is important that you stretch afterwards. Just taking an additional 10 minutes, five before and five after is all you need. What is 10 minutes of your day? In case you … Continue reading →

The Fitness Blog Week in Review for December 23-29

It’s the last week of December and the last full week of 2006. We did our best to cover a multitude of subjects throughout 2006 and as we head into our second year, we are well aware of the fact that January is a key month for many people getting started on their fitness programs and diving wholeheartedly into their New Year’s Resolutions. We’ll do our best to be there for you and to answer all the questions that we can. So what did we talk about this week? Saturday, December 23 The Top Ten Best Fitness Gifts You Can … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Stretching

Stretching has several benefits during pregnancy. Stretching is a great tool for preventing and treating back pain. Regular stretching during your pregnancy can also release tension and improve flexiblity. You can stretch anytime, either before exercise or to relieve back pain that is common during pregnancy. You should stretch before exercise to prevent injury. It’s important to stretch properly to avoid injuring yourself. Stretch gently and be careful not to stretch too far. You should stop as soon as you feel the stretch. Continuing to stretch beyond this point can actually cause injury or make existing pain worse. Stretch gently … Continue reading →

Help for Families in the “Diaper Gap”

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Families with newborns quickly learn that diapers are expensive. Many families struggle to be able to afford enough diapers for their babies. This leads to difficult choices like whether to spend money on food, diapers, or utility bills. The Obama administration has a plan that utilizes technology to help solve this problem. Nearly one in three Americans cannot afford to purchase enough diapers for their babies. In some cases, parents cope by stretching the length of time between diaper changes. This can lead to serious health problems for babies and parents. Babies can end up with urinary tract or staph … Continue reading →

Exercising while Pregnant

Pregnancy doesn’t have to be a time in which you become a couch potato, eat everything in sight and gain more weight than necessary. Maintaining a fitness regime or even starting one up after becoming pregnant is important. Some people think that exercising while pregnant is dangerous. It can be if done incorrectly. This is why it’s always a good idea to first talk with your doctor. You may have certain restrictions or exercises that should be avoided. But for the most part, anything goes. Some exercises are particularly beneficial when you are pregnant. This includes walking, weight training, swimming, … Continue reading →

Don’t Forget to Stretch!

In a rush to get on with my day, I used to always skip stretching exercises. I just wanted to get in my routine and move on. These days I always make sure that I stretch. Perhaps it’s my age that has awakened me to the necessity of it. But whatever the reason, I have come to see the importance of it. As you age, so do your joints, which in turn affect your flexibility. Stretching can help improve your range of motion. It can make movement easier. Stretching is also important because it reduces the risk of being injured … Continue reading →

Yoga Boosts Energy and Reduces Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors

In my last Fitness blog I addressed the issue of yoga being a potentially dangerous form of fitness. Not that I believe yoga in itself is dangerous but I do agree that doing it wrong could lead to injuries. Well now we are going to consider the flipside of yoga, a health benefit recently discovered in a small study. I read an article in “Reuters Health” that talked about survivors of breast cancer benefiting from yoga. Apparently fatigue can become a lifelong casualty for a surviving breast cancer patient. Many don’t understand why this continues to be a problem, but … Continue reading →