Welcome to Volume 17 of the Fitness Destinations Journal!
In our articles section is another great article from Joey Atlas about a little known but extremely powerful Secret Benefit of Living the Fitness Lifestyle, and an article by Hayley Hattingh on how you can use exercise to combat the debilitating effects of Migraine headaches.
Enjoy this week's information articles, and have a great weekend!
Chocolate
1. There's a thin person inside of me screaming to get out, but I keep her sedated with chocolate.
2. Plump lady to the waitress: "I would like to have DEATH BY CHOCOLATE for dessert, but only enough to put me in critical condition.
3. I must be allergic to chocolate. Every time I eat it, I break out in fat all over.
4. You know your diet is in trouble when you count your blessings, and chocolate is always the first one.
5. Chocolate is my Kryptonite.
Fitness Article - The Secret Benefits of a Fitness Lifestyle
Copyright © 2005 Joey Atlas
I can remember my first visit to a health club like it was yesterday. It was actually thirty years ago, when I was five years old. Even though it was a long time ago, that visit triggered something in me that is still with me today. That something was my desire to lead a fitness lifestyle.
I can go on and on here about all the health related benefits of working out and eating right. But the truth is you already heard or read about all these good things. So, I won’t bore you with what you already know.
What I do want to share with you are the benefits that you won’t see on a scale, in the mirror or in the results of your next medical exam. What I’m talking about is the priceless influence you will have on others who are close to you such as your children, parents, friends, co-workers and employees (if you are a business owner).
By choosing to live a fitness lifestyle, and actively expose me to it, my father was imparting wisdom on me that would beneficially influence his descendants for generations to come. Pretty smart guy, wouldn’t you say?
There were other factors that contributed to my desire to lead an active & healthy lifestyle. As a kid, I was able to see the difference between how my father looked and how other people in his age range, who did not take care of themselves, looked. The difference was staggering.
And, when it came to physical abilities. Forget about it! He could do things by himself that would normally require three or four out of shape & unhealthy people to get done.
I knew exactly what kind of shape I wanted to be in when I grew up.
In essence, my father was leading by example. And, not only did I learn from his example, but so did my brother and sister. They are both committed to exercising and eating right (most of the time).
This brings me to some of those secret benefits I mentioned earlier. Our kids now watch us workout and eat healthy. The same things that happened to me as a kid are happening to the next generation. Our kids want to use the home gym, do stretches and floor exercises, and eat nuts and fruit for snacks instead of candy and cookies (most of the time).
Here is my point in all of this. By taking care of himself my father was taking care of his kids and his grandkids. And, you can believe that his great grandchildren will benefit as well.
What better gift can one pass down than the desire to lead a healthy lifestyle and the enhanced quality of life that goes with it? There is nothing better.
In addition to influencing your children, this same mechanism can and also does apply to friends, parents, co-workers and employees (if you are a business owner). I’ve seen this happen with many of the clients I have worked with over the years.
The reasons are many but the end result is still the same. Your healthy way of life will inspire others around you to take better care of themselves through a healthier life style.
The moral of this story is: By leading a lifestyle built around physical fitness and smart nutrition, you may be taking care of a lot more people than just yourself.
About the Author
Joey Atlas, MS - Exercise Physiology, is considered one of the top personal trainers in the US. Joey is a co-owner of GAC Personal Training in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Go to www.GACtraining.com to sign up for the FREE "Secrets of a Trainer" GAC e-newsletter.
Fitness Article - A Workout For Migraine Symptoms
Many health professionals are pleased when you complain of
tired muscles after a workout ~ a "no pain, no gain" sort of
approach. However, when the pain is migraine caused by
overstressed muscles and pinched nerves, this pain is
anything but a reward. Funny enough, some fitness programs
can work out the painful side effects of a migraine and
help the sufferer experience some relief in the meantime.
Not every migraine requires heavy medicine. Many doctors
believe the cure for stopping migraines is to take
preventative measures rather than going the route of
reactive or "abortive" measures. Granted, exercise is not a
cure-all. Combined with other treatments, exercise offers
the relief that many migraine sufferers need.
A migraine is a highly painful experience where the muscles
tighten, veins pound and coordination diminishes. Many of
these symptoms happen because the body tires. Recent
research shows that the cause of many migraines is from a
build up of fat or an allergic reaction to certain foods
like cheese, dairy and drinks like wine and beer. Also,
some migraines are triggered by a hormonal imbalance.
Whatever the reason for the migraine, a fitness plan works
to ward off many symptoms and create a healthier body.
Several regular fitness programs help the body produce more
"good hormones" that many migraine victims lack or
overproduce naturally. For instance, many women have
fluctuating serotonin levels during certain times each month
and find that exercise can boost or maintain its level. For
some people who exercise in hopes of boosting their
serotonin levels, they find that they can ward off feelings
of depression that can trigger a migraine. In some cases,
over stimulated adrenaline also causes migraines. By
exercising, the migraine sufferer can relieve this excess
adrenaline and maintain a better balance. For migraine
suffers who have low melatonin levels that affect their
ability to sleep, exercise is a natural way to encourage
one's body to create more melatonin at bedtime.
A fitness program works to retrain muscles and teach
sufferers to recognize when to relax certain muscles. For
instance, many people subconsciously tighten neck muscles
when stressed. This action can lead to a migraine. Some
exercise programs like Pilates, aerobics and meditation help
a person learn to strengthen and relax these muscles.
Doctors are recommending migraine patients to work out at
least 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times every week at a moderate
level. Some neurologists are asking migraine patients to
try jogging at least 30 minutes daily to relieve stress that
sets off migraines.
In the U.S., 20% of the population gets migraines, with 2
out of 3 being women. More women get a migraine around
their menstrual cycle. Women prone to migraines are
recommended to not exercise during this time since high
hormones can exacerbate migraines. Sticking to a fitness plan
between migraines is recommended and should eventually
reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines.
Even the most fit person won't be exempt from getting a
migraine. However, a fit person is less likely to
experience as many migraines and have less intense
migraines. To figure out what fitness plan will benefit you
and your migraine suffering best, talk about your options
with your physician. You can learn more about fitness and
migraines from the American Council for Headache Education
(http://www.achenet.org/articles/39.php).
Copyright 2005 Hayley Hattingh. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Hayley Hattingh is the proprietor and operator of Fitness Scope Inc which is a huge on-line resource with fitness
related information. Please visit her archive of articles: http://www.fitnessscope.com/archive/
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