Acupuncture - permanent cure for health problems

25 Oct 2009 05:08 PM

I sprained my knee about 4 weeks ago. I want to get back into my fitness routine, but I am not sure how to go about it. How do I start exercising again without risking reinjury?

You will want to make sure that you are at a point to start again safely. You will want to get your doctor's advice and permission to proceed with your workout routine. Your doctor is a professional and he will know if it is safe to do so. Do not worry that you are starting back at square one. You would have to be out of commission for a couple of months to be at that point. If you are still experiencing a great deal of discomfort, wait until you feel ready to begin. Pushing yourself when your knee is still tender will only set you back even further. If you are a person who enjoys physical activity and needs it to feel good you are probably at your wit's end waiting to start back up again. This is understandable, but you must be patient.

When you are ready to resume your previous exercise activity it is best to move carefully. Do not force your knee into a position that exacerbates discomfort. Do not do any exercises that put weight solely on your knees. Do not do any exercises that involve putting pressure on your knee. When my knee was sprained I was out of my routine for approximately 4 to 5 weeks. I started back at the gym with caution and with my doctor's blessing. His words were, "Use caution and play it by ear. You will know when to stop. Do not go beyond that point." I was extremely hesitant when I climbed up on the elliptical machine. The first few movements of the elliptical were enough to send a warning to me. It hurt. I got right off of it and concentrated on exercising my upper body. It was wonderful to move my body again. I tried the treadmill next and I did just fine. I was not running, but walking pretty smoothly and without pain. This is something that you will have to gauge for yourself. After a week or two I was able to do more. If you are feeling pretty good once you start exercising you can visit the gym again a couple of days later. I would not go two days in a row until you have exercised for about a week or two. If you are feeling pretty good after that slowly increase your gym time. If you are having discomfort you will have to back off for a while until you are feeling better again. I realize that it is very frustrating, but if you are not careful you will just set yourself back. It will take time, but before long you will be right back where you were before your injury.

Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, fitness, media and health.

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18 Oct 2009 07:10 AM

I bought a portable stepper about five years ago. It was used daily. I loved that thing because of its convenient portability. Much to my disappointment my stepper had bit the dust about a month ago. With that one gone I wanted to get another because it was a well-used item. It gave me countless hours of exercise.

I wanted another portable stepper. They were small, compact, easy to move around to different areas of the house. Best of all, they were priced right. I had not planned on getting one with a handle due to the extra cost, but then I saw the Hers MS93 Stepper with Handle. It was reasonably priced at just under $80. The handle did sound good since once you are on a stepper for a length of time you could tend to get a little off balance.

The Hers MS93 Stepper with Handle is made with a rugged steel frame and extra wide foot pedals. This offers you an increase in stability. The LCD monitor keeps track of time, steps taken and calories burned. The pedals are adjustable to change the depth of each step. The stepper weighs only 30 pounds making it easy to maneuver. It is a good workout for your heart. Working out several times a week will firm up your thighs, your calves and your buttocks.

I started using it again the same night that I put it together, which by the way took me just minutes. If I can put it together, anyone can. I have put things together before that took me hours. It took me about a half hour to put this together. The stepper is a great convenience to have around the house on those cold, snowy days when you cannot go outdoors.

This stepper received rave reviews and is a winner as far as I am concerned.

Angel Lynn writes in fitness, weight loss, single parenting, media and health.

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12 Oct 2009 05:27 AM

When you first start out at the gym it may be intimidating to you. You look around and see that almost everyone is in good to great condition. Take a closer look though. You will see those that are working out and are at the same point that you are. You have to start somewhere and you have made an important step in conditioning your body to its fullest potential.

Before you begin to devise a workout plan for yourself you should become knowledgeable about everything that you can regarding the specific goals that you are attempting to achieve for yourself. For example, if you are interested in toning your upper arms, research which exercises will benefit you the most for this body part. Doing this will allow you to better concentrate and target this area, which will increase your successes in toning this part of your body.

If weight loss is your primary goal then you would want to concentrate on a calorie-burning regime. However, most people who desire to lose a certain amount of weight would want to keep the rest of the body toned while they are losing it. In addition, when you are toning up the body you are building muscle mass, which increases better calorie burning. Working your muscles is a win-win situation.

Do not let how anyone else looks sway your desire to become a better and healthier you. When you step into the gym put your best foot forward, hold your head high, tell yourself to keep on moving ahead and go in and work on your body. We all have to start somewhere and you deserve a big round of applause for having the gumption to start being in the best physical condition that you can be in!

Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, media, health and fitness.

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26 Sep 2009 04:48 AM

If you have a crazy work schedule, travel a lot or enjoy experimenting with unstructured fitness plans, then it might be challenging to find a consistent workout partner.

Enter man's best friend.

Fido and Fifi often make ideal four-legged fitness companions.

Exercising with a dog is the perfect solution for individuals, who long for company while they burn calories, but can't seem to mesh schedules with a two-legged pal.

That said there are some general tips you should consider before making your little wagster your main workout buddy:

Agility activities: According to experts, medium dogs, especially herding breeds, are good at agility activities. Which is not to say that big or small dogs can't do agility activities, but the herding breeds (e.g. Border Collies and Australian Shepards), overall, are best at completing exercises, such as hiking and catching Frisbees.

Arms: If you want to sculpt your arms by playing fetch with a dog, then seek out a retrieving breed such as a Labrador or Golden Retriever. Also, you don't have to limit yourself to playing fetch with a stick. Many dogs enjoy playing fetch with tennis balls, racquetballs, or other small toys.

Swimming: Most dogs love to swim. What's more, swimming is a non-joint stressing exercise for you and your pooch. If you live in a warm climate, then consider taking your pup to a lake or pond that is dog friendly. Otherwise find a pool, which allows you to take a dip with your dog.

Running: Jogging with your dog is a wonderful form of exercise. However, before bringing Spike along on your next 10-miler, you need to get him acclimated to hard surfaces first. If your dog is used to running on soft grass in the yard, you will need to make the transition slowly. Move from grass to dirt, then to gravel or cement. If you are running in hot weather, be mindful that your dog may suffer from burns to the pads from hot cement or asphalt.

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18 Sep 2009 11:21 PM

Looking for a new workout partner? Why not enlist the help of your favorite four-legged friend?

According to a new study, there are physical and mental health advantages for a dog owner and a dog when they exercise together.

Exercising with Fido will not only help you reduce your waistline, but it can also do wonders for your dog's as well. What's more, experts say working out with your pet helps promote the human-animal bond.

However, before you drag your Dalmatian on a 6-mile hike you should consider the type of dog you have. Researchers note that dogs differ in the amount and types of exercise they should be doing to maintain good health. Factors such as age, breed, weather and general health need to be considered before you involve your dog in a strenuous workout regime.

Some guidelines to consider include:

*Generally, larger dogs have higher energy needs, and smaller breeds need less exercise.

*Ideally, dogs should be taken out twice a day for exercise. Times may vary from 15-60 minutes, depending on your individual pet. Humans can benefit from the same amount of exercise.

*Allowing your dog to run loose in the backyard while you chase after him doesn't constitute as effective exercise. Aerobic exercise should be continuous with few breaks. Most dogs are content to lie in the sun and only get up for short periods of activity. This behavior could negatively influence your exercise regime.

*According to experts, medium and large dogs typically make better long-distance running partners. If your dog can run longer than you are able, you may want to consider biking while having your dog run beside you on a leash.

*Make sure your dog is in shape before taking him along on intense workouts. If you are planning to run a long distance, you need to build your dog's endurance so he can handle the longer mileage.

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