Style2

Style3[OneLeft]

Style3[OneRight]

Style4

Top Ten Exercises to Lose Weight

Regular exercises are an integral part of a healthy life. When you want to lose weight, they become all the more handy as the extra calories get burnt effectively, the muscles get toned and they prove to be a great avenue for stress release. There are two important points to remember:

Always decide on your exercise regimen after consulting a trained fitness instructor. Every individual has a different body constitution, and exercises yield the best results when they are selected based on factors like, body build, overall health and disease status, diet and lifestyle.

Always do a warm up before beginning your exercise routine and be sure to end it with a cool down. Be gentle with your body.

10 Simple Exercises for Weight Loss

Given below are the top ten simplest exercises for losing weight:

Walking – Nothing can be more basic and effective like walking. Basically a cardio exercise, your entire exercise regimen can be based on this. Just walk out of your door with an hour at your disposal. Begin with your usual pace and rev up the speed gradually into what is known as brisk walking. This is an excellent way to exercise your entire muscle mass of your body. Depending on the individual’s weight and speed, he or she can burn up to 183 to 414 calories.

Jogging – The first point to note is that jogging is not high speed walking. Jogging can be a part of interval training, where you walk and jog at intervals, or you jog and do fast-paced running. It is an effective calorie burner.

Jumping Rope – Also known as the skipping rope is neglected but effective equipment for weight loss. Do not throw them away or let them gather dust. Take it out and start jumping with a clock in front of you. Start off slowly and gradually increase the speed. At first it may seem exhausting but as your body gets used to it, increase the time from say 15 minutes to 30 minutes and then 1 hour. One can burn up to 730 to 1090 calories in 1 hour of jumping.

Swimming – This is a great weight loss technique where each joint of your body also gets a workout. But swimming does not mean that you can leisurely float around in the pool. In order to be effective, you must take swimming laps close to an hour. One can burn 511 to 763 calories.

Strength Training – Resistance training and weight training are a part of strength training. Remember, there is nothing called spot reduction. You must be persistent and patient with your training. Strength training enhances your metabolism, burns your fat apart from effectively toning your body. All the three combine to result in weight loss.

Aerobics – Choose this if you get a kick out of rhythm. Join a gym or play a DVD and start with the variety that suits you best. Remember, your fitness level must alone decide on the type of exercise. Both the low and high impact style is effective for weight loss. Aerobics is a high speed calorie burner.

Plyometrics – This comprises of bounding and jumping movements that target muscle development apart from effective weight loss. This should always be done under the guidance of a trained fitness instructor, as an incorrect movement can result in injury in joint tissues.

Biking – Biking can be an effective calorie burner and a high energy activity. You can convert it into a family activity and with friends for fun.

Cross-Country Skiing – winter should not mean that you pile up calories along with woollens. Workout those muscle groups and set your heart racing with cross-country skiing. One hour on the trails would burn 511 to 763 calories.

Team Sports – This is a great motivating weight loss technique. When you know that your team is counting on you, you will feel energised and motivated to put in that extra effort and weight loss would be an automatic follow-through. It is an excellent way to lose calories when you are prone to avoiding routine workouts.

Losing weight and maintaining the same, happens over a long period of time. Losing weight depends on factors such as age, gender and genetics. Exercises are the safest and healthiest way of losing weight. A mix variety of exercises is a better choice for weight loss. Along with the above exercises, healthy eating habits aid in quick weight loss. Do a mix of any of the above mentioned exercises regularly and see the results within 2-3 weeks, but do not overdo any of the exercises.

Image Credit : Google

Tips to Prevent Walking Injuries

Going for a walk? You'll be surprised to know that even though walking seems a mild exercise, you can injure yourself in more ways than you can imagine. Read on for some tips on walking smart, and walking safe.  

Footwear
Shoes are important. Don't wear shoes that are too tight, too loose, too old or uncomfortable. Get shoes that fit perfectly and are comfortable. Wear shoes that are made for the specific purpose of running or walking. If your shoes are too old, bin them and get yourself a new pair. After all, it's cheaper than footing your doctor's bill!

Stretches
Don't hit the track and start walking immediately, without first warming up a bit. Do a few stretching exercises first.
  • Bend down and slowly touch your toes without bending your knees.
  • With your hands on your hips and legs shoulder width apart, bend as far back as possible.
  • Swing your arms.
  • Stretch your legs by bending one knee, and throwing out the other leg straight behind you. Rest your hands on the bent knee. Alternate legs.
Vitamins
Eat your vitamins! If you don't eat well, exercising will not be of any benefit. Eating well doesn't mean eating a lot; it means eating nutritionally. So get your daily doze of iron, proteins and vitamins, and follow up with a multivitamin.  

Posture
The correct posture is very important. It helps with your breathing, and walking will be more beneficial then.  
  • Keep your back straight, stick your chest out and throw your shoulders back.
  • Push yourself forward with your toes.
  • Keep your arms bent at 90 degrees, in front of your chest.
  • Look forward, not down.
Shin Pain
Walk with short strides, and take it easy the first day. If you walk too fast with long strides, you may develop a pain in your legs. This is different from the pain you experience after working out after a long time. The pain starts the minute you stop walking, or even if you slow down - a sure sign that you're overdoing it and injuring tissues. Slow down immediately, and walk with shorter strides.  

Heel Spurs / Plantar Fasciitis
Sometimes you may develop an injury on the heel of your foot. This is known as plantar fasciitis. You feel the injury after some time, when you stand up. The minute you apply the pressure of your body's weight on your heel, you will feel a pain.

Here's what you should do in case of a walking injury. The golden rule is RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
  • Rest the injured part. Get off it at once, and lie down. Better yet, sleep. Only when your body is rested, will muscle build. So sleep for a bit longer than usual and help your body repair the damage by building muscle.
  • Ice, ice baby! Apply ice to the injured part. Ice will prevent inflammation, which would otherwise destroy the surrounding tissue. Wrap up a few cubes in a damp towel to allow the chill to soak through without freezing your fingers, and apply it to the injury.
  • Compress the injury by wrapping it securely in a bandage. Crepe bandages are best, and should be available at the pharmacy. A crepe bandage, once used, needn't be discarded. Simply wash the bandage, and store it in your cupboard or first aid box. These bandages are best for all kinds of internal injuries, muscle or ligament tears etc.
  • Elevate the injured area so it is placed above your heart. For example, if you've injured your heel, lie on your bed and prop up the heel with the help of a few cushions and pillow. If the heel is propped up by about one foot, it would be above the level of your heart.
  • Take a Combiflam or any other anti-inflammatory medicine to combat swelling and inflation. Keep re-applying ice as often as possible.
  • Call your doctor if the pain refuses to go away or the swelling seems to be significant.

Fitness for Stay At Home Moms

A common misconception among a lot of stay-at-home moms and housewives is that their house work keeps them fit. Although being a mom and a home maker is a full-time job with the stress levels of any other profession, the physical exertion part of it is still minimal. Stay-at-home moms need to work out to stay fit! This is important because years of restricting yourself to work around the house can be harmful in the long run.

We put together a list of convenient activities that will ensure that you become a fit and fighting supermom.

Gymming 
This makes it to the top of our list simply because of its convenience. Gymming is the best option for stay-at-home moms because it's efficient, it ensures you stay fit and you can schedule it anywhere in your daily time table. Gymming is extremely flexible as all it requires is an hour or two in an entire day. The best part about gymming is that it not only burns fat and makes your heart healthier but also tones your body and gets you in shape!

Walking/Jogging 
Nothing can get you as fresh in the morning as a good run. And the best time to do this is before the house wakes up and begins the daily chaos! Getting out early in the morning can do wonders for your mood and body and will keep you relaxed throughout the day. If you cannot find the time in the morning, try going for evening walks or jogs. But do better than the slow trudging that most women do nowadays. Get your heart beating and blood pumping with a jog around the block!

Yoga 
Yoga is the best option if you are really short of time. A quick 30 minutes of yoga can have you up and about as fresh as a flower. Yoga does not exert your body too much and definitely has good effects in the long run. Practicing yoga regularly can make you more focused, will improve your flexibility and improve blood circulation. Try and get other moms in your area to join you, and start a yoga club!

Aerobics 
Though most people consider aerobics outdated, one cannot deny that it was effective, fun and convenient! Many moms and housewives still swear by aerobics. Aerobics can give you a workout that is more than sufficient to keep you fit. And it can be fun as a group activity with other moms is a great opportunity to socialize as well. Aerobics keeps you looking fit, hot and in tune with the latest dance tracks!

Exercise Clubs 
Now a common feature in many housing societies in urban cities of India, exercise clubs are the perfect option for stay at home moms and housewives today. There are different types of exercise clubs like cycling clubs, dancing clubs, spinning clubs etc. that believe in the theory that working out as a group is more effective than working out alone. Such clubs are ideal because working out as a team can keep you motivated! If you do not know of such a club in your area, start one! Being part of a cycling or aerobics club can really be good for your health, both mental and physical.

Health Benefits of Walking

Did you know that walking not only helps you to lose weight but also prevent diabetes and breast cancer? Read on to know the health benefits of walking.

Walking is said to be a great exercise which has proven to be an excellent fat burner. If you walk at a steady pace for 30 to 45 minutes at least six days a week along with a healthy diet, you will gradually witness a change in your weight.


There are several benefits of walking. Some of them are as follows-
  • Walking regularly at a good speed improves your muscle strength and endurance and also helps build stamina.
  • It is good for your heart. Walking is known to reduce your blood pressure, improve your blood circulation and all round cardio vascular functions.
  • Walking is said to be good for your bones. It is a great way to strengthen your bones.
  • Walking about 30 minutes a day increases your bone density and slows down bone loss in your legs. This low-impact exercise is also said to target your spine, legs and hips.
  • It promotes mental well-being. Known as a great stress-buster, if you walk outdoors, the combination of fresh air and exercise is an excellent way to boost your morale and mood.
  • Helps prevent type 2 diabetes. Studies have revealed that walking approximately 150 minutes per week can reduce the risk of diabetes.
  • Reduces the risk of colon and breast cancer.
  • Last but not the least, walking is said to be safer than running. Fitness experts are of the opinion that walking is better for your knees and joints as compared to running. It leads to fewer injuries and is said to be a good beginner workout.