Wednesday, May 27, 2009

How to Exercise Safely and Maximize Weight Loss

Exercising is definitely and undeniably should be a part of your weight-loss program and this should be done by both young and old. Of course, as you grow older, you would require more care in how you exercise and you should be conscious of your goals and limitations. Do not bow down to the myth that old people should not exercise because it can do more harm than good to the body. What's true is that even for older people, exercising will still promote strength, endurance, balance, and increase in metabolism.

To be safe when exercising, there are some guidelines or tips to be mindful of.

1. Do not forget to breathe. You need oxygen for energy. You will also die if you don't.

2. Go easy on the weights. Don't jerk your dumbbell. Don't mind the jerk who thinks you're a wimp. You know better and it's your body.

3. Be aware of joint pains or muscle pulls. Being sore is normal, but being injured is not.

4. Have a training partner ready to give you support. You wouldn't want a barbell pinning you down on a bench.

5. Warm up and stretch before exercising. This will warm up your body and prevent pulls.

Watch this video of how one grandmother beat stereotypes about aging, weight loss, and exercising.

You Could be Fat Due to Habits that Are Hard to Break

Some people are predisposed to being fat, but this does not mean that they are no longer able to become thinner or lose weight. Fact is that most of them may not have started out as fat and just grew fat in time and as they aged.

Habits actually play a big part in getting fat. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you will have a greater chance of getting fat. If you give in to your cravings for sweets and fatty foods, you will get fat. Of course, if you are constantly eating foods with empty calories, you will also get to be fat. If you can do the opposite of these habits, you will have a better chance of losing weight and getting rid of fat.

Watch the video above on how breaking some hard-to-break bad habits can make you lose fat.