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How Much Do You Value Your Health?

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Studies have shown that ‘exercise deficiency syndrome’ is the biggest health risk we face once we get past 30 years and as the years start to accumulate. Thanks to modern technology and mechanization most of us can totally avoid any physical ‘work’ in the course of our day. Nothing we do any more requires any real effort as we sit most of the day at our work and sit in the evenings maintaining our addiction to television.

We are slowly becoming aware of the negative impact this is having on our health. Even children being born today are predicted to have a 20-30 year shortened lifespan. One of the main reasons for this is there is simply not enough vigorous physical activity left in our lives for a human being to remain healthy.

Most of us probably view any sort of exercise as ‘work’, which is probably the biggest reason we likely avoid it. Well, you are correct, exercise is ‘work’ and is the hard labor that our ancestors were required to do to stay alive. We not longer need to work to stay alive but we do still need this work to remain healthy whether we like it or not.

We are now aware of how much better our bodies function and how much longer they last when we get regular muscle building and maintaining exercise. Whether you choose to believe, accept and act on that reality or not will affect both the short term quality of your life and the longer term length of your life.

The symptoms of the ‘disuse’ are everywhere, overweight, obesity, lack of endurance, muscle weakness, stiffness and soreness, low back pain, low breathing capacity, intolerance to stress, increased blood fat levels, elevated resting heart rate and blood pressure, depression and the list goes on and on.

An exercise program is so vital to our wellness that not only does it make us feel so much better and happier, more alert and productive it also helps to prevent disease especially the ‘big three’ heart disease, cancer and diabetes that are epidemic in our modern world.

Vigorous physical activity on a regular basis is needed in order to prevent our bodies slowly sliding down the slippery slope of deterioration. A proper exercise program is not an optional luxury, but a necessity if you wish to remain healthy and well.

It seems pointless to work hard all of your life then risk your life being cut short prematurely before you even have a chance to get to know your grandchildren that’s if you even get to meet them. Imagine with just a bit of effort on your part a couple of times a week you could protect both your working life and your retirement years. The last third of your life could be just as enjoyable and productive as the first two thirds.

To receive the very best and quickest benefits from your exercise program it is important that it is set up properly by a fitness professional. The program needs to be mainly strength training exercise which will give you the ‘most bang for your buck’ in the way of results.

Forget long, slow, steady state recreational activities like walking, jogging or cycling. These things are great as part of an active lifestyle but can never ever replace a proper program of muscle building and maintaining exercise. This is the only type of exercise that will maintain our functional body units and to also keep a reserve physical capacity to handle emergency situations.

We actually have far more control over the rate and extent of the aging process than we previously thought. We don’t have to sit and watch our life go by; we can take an active role in maintaining our wellness. Regular vigorous exercise is a very logical, cost effective way of reducing the risk of every chronic disease known to man.

Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook “I’ve Found the Fountain of Youth- Let Me Show You Too!” here: Physical Wellness For Free Fitness Report here Fitness Weight Loss Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.

Article Source: How Much Do You Value Your Health?

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Does Travel Cause You Back Pain? – Here’s How to Avoid It…

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm

The old saying goes: “Vacations are fun, but traveling is a pain in the neck!” Actually, traveling can be an even bigger pain in the back.

The stress of making plans, packing the essentials, getting to the airport on time, waiting to check in and the whole security scenario really pack a tough one-two psychological punch to the low back.

Then there’s the physical stress and strain of lifting bags, dragging them through the parking lots and airport, carrying all those over-stuffed carry-ons with gifts and paperbacks.

But the number one complaint by plain, train and automobile travelers – when describing the onset of their back pain – is sitting for too long. Airplanes and even trains advertise that their seats were ergonomically designed by specialists to properly support to low back and neck during travel. But I know the one’s I sit in feel horrible. And it’s not only me… people complain about them all the time, and their continuous pain gives them fair reason.

Luckily, the pain associated with travel can be greatly reduced, and in many cases avoided, with these simple tips:

- To reduce stress-induced muscle cramping and pain in the neck, shoulders and low back, it is advisable to plan your trip well in advance, pack two days before, load suitcases in the car the night before, use online check-in to reserve your seat, and check your bags at the curb. These seemingly little things can reduce the stress and anxiety of rushing around, waiting in lines, and dragging bags. If planned and executed well, the low back pain associated with stress can be avoided.

- Only pack what is absolutely necessary for your carry on. Each family member gets one carry on, plus a purse (for ladies). To avoid the neck and shoulder strain of lugging these around, and of trying to place them into and remove them from the overhead compartment, the lighter the better.

- The poor seating designs of most travel vehicles cause back pain due to incorrect support of the spine, and forward pitching of the shoulders. To avoid this, always bring a small pillow, or use one that is offered and place it behind your low back or neck for support. If I can’t find an in-flight pillow to use, I will roll up my jacket or even the inflight magazines, and use them as supports. Seated posture is so important for preventing strain to the spine, and pain to the neck, shoulders and low back that by whatever means… find and use a support.

- Be sure to remain well hydrated during your travel time. One of the most basic, yet common, causes of pain is dehydration. Not having enough fluid in the body to keep the body cool, the blood moving, the muscles supple and the tendons relaxed. Not only must you drink plenty of water, but you must also avoid coffee, tea and soda during travel, as these all cause you to sweat, urinate… to dehydrate.

- If you are taking a long drive, train ride or flight, be sure to get up and move every hour. Simply standing up for a few minutes and doing some light stretching, twisting or bending will help keep you limber, relaxed and the blood moving in and out of the muscles. And when the blood does not move or moves too slowly, the muscles and tendons become tight and painful!

- And lastly, be sure that when lifting bags, holding children and reaching for items that you plant your feet flat for support and bend from the knees. Incorrect lifting or over-reaching for items is one of the most common causes of back pain… and one of the easiest to avoid.

Travel does not have to be as stressful or painful as many of us make it out to be. If we plan well, execute well and take care of our bodies while in transit… the trip will be painless. And what better way to relax on vacation or arrive on business after travel, than stress free, hydrated, supple and… pain free!

Dr Wiley is Editorial Manager at The Healthy Back Institute. For more FREE back pain articles and videos, go to http://www.losethebackpain.com/backpainvideos.html

Article Source: Does Travel Cause You Back Pain? – Here’s How to Avoid It…

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