Lifting Weights to Lose Weight? – MSN Health
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever wondered if lifting weights or cardiovascular exercise burns more calories? This is a great article on losing weight and exercise!
My belief coming from a holistic perspective, for optimal energy flow and well being you need a program which includes stretching (so important), strengthening through weight bearing exercise (to promote not only strength but muscular BALANCE), AND cardiovascular exercise. Though not mentioned in this article, a big KEY to to well being and life long health is MAKE IT FUN!! Do what you enjoy. Find activities that get you moving that you ENJOY!
Lifting Weights to Lose Weight? – MSN Health & Fitness – Fitness
Warmly,
Debby
Do You Have Low Back Pain?
Posted by: | CommentsDo You Have Low Back Pain? Could It be due to weak abdominal muscles or tight hip flexors?
If you sit at a computer like me during the day, this promotes a tightening of your hip flexor muscles. Combine this with weak abdominals and wahla……..it turns into low back pain.
Muscle imbalances that affect the spine have many causes. One common cause of muscle imbalance is weak abdominal muscles. As the abdominal muscles sag, the hip flexors become tight, causing an increase in the curve of the low back. This leads to the swayback posture mentioned above. Another common problem results from tight hamstrings. As the hamstring muscles become tight, the pelvis is rotated backwards. This produces an abnormal slouching posture.
Read More………..
Holistic Health, Energy, & Weight Loss….
Posted by: | CommentsI am very passionate about women’s health and optimal ENERGY. Energy for life, physical movement, fuel for your body, and also Chi.
I have felt the traditional “ideas” of physical fitness and well being to be short sighted at best.
My Suggestion: A focus on well being with the foundation of Chi (energy FLOW) and an intention of optimal energy and weight.
AWARENESS: I tread down this topic a little apprehensive because of most of our past experiences and psychological baggage. Still, I have found as a coach for many years the importance of internal motivation (inspiration), intention, awareness, and action.
Let me be clear – this is about being KIND to oneself and also about feeling good about yourself and EMPOWERED by your actions and ultimate outcomes.
To do this, I do feel it is important to somehow gauge “where you are”, “where you’d like to go”, and the “results realized.” For physical well being there are MANY measures, one of which is women in particular to have your hormone levels checked to ensure our body is in balance to support optimal energy, weight, and well being. A terrific resource regarding women and weight loss is Women To Women.
SUGGESTED ways to monitor your results (of course how you feel is FIRST and FOREMOST). I am NOT a huge fan of just focusing on calories in/out (NOTTTT). However, I do like the idea of being aware of how many calories (energy) a particular activity burns. Though I am not a proponent of life long incessant calorie counting, to gain some awareness it can be quite beneficial to keep a food diary for a limited period of time, too.
BodyBugg
Pedometer
Heart Rate Monitors
Body Fat Scale
Note: I like the idea of a Body Bugg as in addition to measuring heat expenditure (calories) it also has a pedometer. Here’s a link to Costco where they have it for a REALLY good price – NOTE – sale ends SOON – January 3rd.
Chronic Muscle Contraction & Holistic Well Being
Posted by: | CommentsDo you have chronic muscle contraction or pain??
According to Movement Specialist Margie Murnan, “Movement habits are learned in so many ways. Have you ever been told to sit up straight or to hold your shoulders back? Many of you work jobs that require repetitive actions or sitting in front of the computer for extended periods of time.
If the way that you hold yourself is habitual, then the muscles that do the holding become chronically contracted. If a muscle is chronically contracted it is not available for anything else. That means other muscles have to do more of the work, and they become fatigued more quickly, and may become painful.”
I have come to personally realize that moving my body with intention through stretching and exercise is imperative to living a joyous and fulfilling life. Many years ago I experienced whiplash from a car accident. Couple that with working in front of a computer many hours of the day, I have found my physical well being and health necessitates that I GET MOVING. To take a break, walk around, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy moving my body with gratitude for all it allows me to do.
Here’s hoping you give your body love, maybe take a walk or just get moving today!
Warmly,
Debby
