Not Everybody Is A Winner and That's The Way It Should Be

Competition is a normal part of life. Organized sports are everywhere, but I feel they've gotten out of hand. They seem to be more for the parents these days than the kids. We've lost touch with why we started these games in the first place. Remember the movie Sandlot? That is the type of game kids want to be a part of. Not the crazy screaming coaches and psycho parents game that leaves the kids feeling like crap!

Kids are supposed to be kids. I feel kids should be involved in some type of sport, organized or not. We have an obesity problem in this country. We need to fight back against obesity and it's our job as parents to make the first move.

You can do things right in your own backyard like running races, that will get your kids up off the coach and active. You can teach your kids how to be competitive right in your backyard. A little competition is good for kids. We've done too much hand holding with our kids.

We don't need to scream and put them down, but we do need to teach them that in life there will be a winner and a loser. It's OK. They'll get over it. You also don't always need a damn trophy because you LOST! That's for the winner! We need to teach our kids that there will always be somebody better than us at something! It keeps the kids from getting too big of a head. We have a lot of kids with 'big heads' in the world these days!

I remember when we'd have racing games all summer long with the neighbor's. You'd have thought we were playing for a million dollars, the way we played sometimes. There wasn't any prize money we just loved to play. These days kids don't move unless they're going to get something for it! That's really sad.

My kids love to race each other. We have races running, hopping, skipping, running backwards, jumping rope, dribbling a ball, riding big wheels (very funny when the older kids have to ride them), cartwheels, hopping, sack races and anything else that we can come up with as we are playing.

Racing games are a great way to exercise and get the family spending time together. Sometimes we use them as who gets to pick what we eat for supper that night or have for a snack. I've also used it as a tool to see who picks up the dog poop in the yard! (Boy, do they run when I use that one!) The ideas are endless as to what you can do.

We have an obesity problem in America and it's our job as parents to do something about it. Whether it's an organized sport or sack races in the backyard, get your kids moving. Remember, if we continue on this same path of 'everybody is a winner no matter what', the lazy kids won't ever try to win because they know the payout is the same no matter what.

If you are as passionate about kids having fun the old fashioned way, please visit me over at funwithfive.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tawni_Ambrosius

7 Easy-To-Use Health Education Tips for Families

Do you know that one family that always seems to keep so healthy and trim? What is it about their lifestyle that you are not doing to keep your family fit? More often than not it is simply a matter of having a more thorough health education. Here are seven ways you can educate yourself and your family to make health and fitness a priority.

1. Work as a Team

In order to get the whole family involved, you need to increase their buy-in. Giving everyone a voice leads to greater participation. Sit down as a family to discuss your lifestyle choices and set some healthy goals you can work towards as a team.

2. Don't Starve

Most diets are very restrictive, and result in people simply eating less. When you do not eat right, your body initiates production of the hormone Ghrelin which causes you to become insatiably hungry. The result is that you end up over indulging on unhealthy foods when you could have simply had plenty of healthy snacks, such as almonds or carrots, throughout the day.

3. Automate Meals

As Americans, we are infamous for skipping the most important meal of the day. The reason breakfast is so important is because it is the first thing you have eaten in 8-9 hours, and determines your hunger levels throughout the whole day. Instead, pick a few staples for breakfast and lunch that are quick and easy, and eat those every day. Use dinner as your meal to get creative.

4. 30 Minutes a Day

Try to get 30 minutes of exercise every day, if you can at your home. If you have to drive somewhere to exercise, you make it more difficult on yourself to keep up with it every day. If need be, split up the 30 minutes into two sessions of light, gentle exercise like walking, running, cycling, body weight resistance exercises, and weight training.

5. Be The Decision-Maker

When it comes to food, whatever you buy your children will eat. If you buy them chips and cookies, they (and probably you, too) will eat them. After this, if you try to restrict them, it will cause them to crave those unhealthy foods even more. Instead, avoid bringing those foods into the house to begin with. Keep fresh fruit and vegetables chopped in the refrigerator, and have nuts, pretzels, and other wholesome snacks on hand.

6. Eat Dinner Together

The simple ritual of sitting down together as a family for a nightly meal places a priority on nutrition and proper eating habits in your family values. Additionally, this simple act has been shown to improve parent-child relationships, and increase academic performance.

7. Play Together

An important part of your exercise regime, should be pure, unadulterated play. Whether that means putting on music and dancing around, kicking a soccer ball around, rough-housing or anything that brings out your inner child.

To find out more about how you can get the best health education for your family, look no further than the friendly health care professionals at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rocky_C_Rhodes

High Strength Period Training Verses Endurance Training

Which one is really better? Before we answer that concern, let's specify each kind of training. High Strength Period Training (HIIT) is any exercise that rotates in between periods of intense exercise and durations of less extreme activity or even rest.

On the other hand, stamina training is much more of a sustained effort expanded over a longer period of time. Both can provide an improvement in physical fitness.

High Strength Period Training

For example, a great HIIT workout could be running as fast as you can for 1 minute then strolling along for a further 2 minutes. Keep up this three-minute routine for 15 minutes. In 15 minutes, this regular workout burns more calories than running on a treadmill for an hour! And that's a fact.

And it gets better; a 2011 study carried out by the American College of Sports Medicine discovered that only 2 weeks of HITT improves your aerobic capacity by as much as 6 to 8 weeks of stamina training.

In addition to enhancing your aerobic capacity, HITT also:
• burns more calories during your exercise than with stamina training
• keeps burning more calories approximately 1 Day after training
• establishes a resting better heart rate
• does not need any devices
• maintains muscle and burns fat instead

Given that the principle of HIIT is maximum effort for a short period of time, followed by a recuperation period and that this cycle is then repeated over a set duration, you can do it anywhere.

The drawback of HIIT is that you should refrain from doing it over 2 to 3 times each week as most people need a day or two in-between to totally recuperate.

Endurance Training

When it pertains to burning calories, you can get the very same benefit from stamina training as you do from HIIT - it just takes even more time to burn the same number of calories. For instance, a stamina version of the run/walk HIIT routine above would be to perform at a continuous speed for an hour or more; long and steady verses brief and extreme.

Because with endurance training you are regularly in the aerobic zone so your cumulative energy expenditure is higher throughout long cardio sessions than it is during 10 to 20 minute interval high intensity training sessions. Consequently, if burning fat and reducing weight are your immediate main fitness objectives, then stamina training is better than high intensity interval training. However, HIIT will certainly help you keep the weight off better than endurance training.

Besides the fitness benefits over, due to an enhanced metabolism, stamina training likewise supply the following benefits:
• improves cardio wellness
• boosts joints
• boosts respiratory system efficiency
• boosts mental acuity
• enhances endurance

If time is a scare product in your lifestyle, stamina training might not be for you as it does require a big and frequent dedication of time, whereas HIIT requires a shorter and less frequent time dedication. Regardless, exercising under either venue is much better than remaining on the sofa consuming potato chips.

Tips For Getting Started in the World of Cardio Exercise

Aerobic exercise (sometimes called just "Cardio") is any exercise that condition your cardiovascular system (heart and lungs) for a better performance.

So, anything that makes your heart pump and your breath pant is aerobic exercise.

It means that if you go running right now and you start panting after few meters you need to train with aerobic exercise.

Aerobic exercise is VERY important. You can't actually think you can avoid it. You must make time for it as an important part of your life.

Let me give you an example to let you understand the importance of this kind of workout.

If your heart was the engine of a car, you know that if you never change the oil, or the filter, or you don't do the proper maintenance, that engine will break down and your car will be unusable.

Aerobic exercise is the maintenance your heart needs in order to keep the blood and your body clean for the best performance.

So, what aerobic exercises are out there? Well... many! Many ways in different forms and likes, what ever you feel comfortable with, it's your exercise. Just go for it.

I will name a few of the most popular in a moment but before you get in to hyper fitness Rambo mode you should consider how hard should you train at your age for your heart using your Target Heart Rate (THR).

Cycling

Cycling is an excellent form of aerobic exercise. If you like biking this is your treat.

You can use your bicycle or a bicycle machine you can find in your gym (or maybe you have if at home)

Cycling burn up to 900 calories per hour when done properly. Works on legs and cardiovascular system and is relatively safe because does not impose much stress on the joints of your body.

Of course if you have a bicycle to ride outdoor you will enjoy the freedom of space and the awesome view you may have around.

However if you live in the city you will not be able to enjoy much of fresh air in the middle of the traffic. If you count also the possibility of any accident you should consider very clearly if is more convenient for you to train indoor or outdoors (not considering the weather of course).

An important point I would like to make sure you understand is the adjustability of the seat. The bicycle or the machine you are going to use for your training should have adjustable seat to allow your leg to be slightly bent when extended.

The position of your body when working out is not much important as you will change it anyway during your training, but the most important point is that you reach your THR.

Running

Like Cycling, Running can be performed outside in the fresh air or indoor on a treadmill. Even if I would always prefer training outdoor sometimes the treadmill can offer some pretty good reasons to workout indoor.

Running is very popular and is difficult to see a gym without a proper set of treadmills for its customers.

On a treadmill you can set a constant speed and an inclination to have a steady intensity of your workout and it's easy to monitor different information about your body and your performance on the display (Heart rate, speed, averages, distance... ) and record your progresses.

Beside the fact that you are running on an even surface you can also benefit of a clean air and no weather problems, avoiding any excuse to workout.

Compared to other forms of exercise, running have a certain amount of orthopedic stress and the trauma to your joint can range between 1.5 to 3 times your body weight each foot step.

I highly suggest running as your aerobic workout only if your knees and joints are in good health.

Stair Climbing Machine

In the last ten years became the most popular in most gym.

The stair climbing machines have 3 main characteristics: Safe, Time efficient, Functional

These machines come in 2 forms:

1. Independent stepping action: Each step operates independently from the other step
2. Dependent stepping action: They are non-functional by design and they can cause orthopedic trauma to your knees, hips and low back.

Of course you should go only with the first one. Independent stepping action machines are the most used in therapeutic medical facilities.

It doesn't really matter where you put your hands while working out on these machines, but I suggest you to try to keep them down straight like in a walking motion. In this way you will also train your core (abs and back) improving your balance at each step.

Rowing

Rowing is my favorite aerobic exercise (just because I like it) and it burns calories like any other exercise.

It's another excellent choice for develop aerobic fitness and it does a fantastic workout.

It conditions heart and lungs without any orthopedic trauma like jogging or stair climbing machine and it's a good workout for the muscular system too.

When properly performed this exercise involves most of the major muscular groups of your body. Around 70% legs and 30% arms are engaged at every row strike.

If you are looking to develop your upper body this workout will place a considerable demand on your back muscles (lats, posterior deltoids, rhomboids) and simultaneously improve your aerobic fitness.

However I have to say that you should take your time to learn the correct position and technique to properly perform this exercise. Make sure you check with a fitness professional about the correct movement and different kinds of machines available.

Cross Training

Cross training is not one exercise or "one machine'.

Cross training is the mix of different exercises during your workout session.

It's good to mix up exercises in order to train different muscles to perform different movement.

While your heart and lungs will be well trained if you switch between one exercise to another (let's say from cycling to running for example) your muscles may not be able to perform their best on running because they were trained for cycling.

Alternating exercises will develop all muscles involved in any activity and help to avoid injury during training while giving a more complete workout.

Considering that the aerobic workout should be performed minimum 20 minutes per session 3 times a week, you can easily come up with your own program as follow:

Monday: 10 minutes running + 10 minutes stair climbing

Wednesday: 10 minutes rowing + 10 minutes cycling

Friday: 10 minutes stair climbing + 10 minutes rowing

I would recommend of course to start with what you like the most. Follow the guidelines on how hard should you train at your age for your heart using your Target Heart Rate (THR) for the best results.

Remember that it's only up to you to make your change. Now you have few more suggestions on how to get started.

Keep going, don't stop, make it a lifestyle!

Lifestyle Polarities is a great website for who is looking for a lifestyle change.
Ups and downs in our mind and body are periodically happening and sometimes we feel that we just can't get up again.
Lifestyle Polarities analyze different situations and gives a solution using science, fitness, mind, and experiences.
Calculation for your THR are available on the website http://lifestylepolarities.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paolo_D_Vettore

The Best Fitness Tracker

Fitness is important, but it is more important to track your fitness, especially when you are working with set goals. Tracking makes it possible for you to know whether you are making the right progress or whether you need to make improvements to your workouts to make it easier to reach to the fitness goals that you have set. Fitness bands are amazing trackers that can come in handy for anyone. However, the Garmin Vivofit band can be considered to be the best fitness tracker of all. The band is simply designed for that perfect and comfortable fit in that it can be worn all day and still remain comfortable for the wrist. The band is water resistant to withstand sweat and it can be worn even for the toughest workouts possible.

The Main Features

The features of any product are what make it what it is and worth the value that it is. The same is the truth for this fitness band. It has amazing features that make it stand out from the rest of the fitness bands that are available in the market.

The move bar: This is an interesting feature which keeps you in the know of just how active you have been throughout the day. On sensing that you have not been moving enough, a red bar appears on the band. You will see the bar in case you have been inactive for an entire hour. It is part of the programming on this band that makes it the best fitness tracker.

The battery: Most fitness bands in the market need to be charged every day. The Garmin, however has a long life battery that can go for a whole year without needing any charging. Some users might need to charge the band every month but this is still a long enough time compared to the daily charging requirements of other bands. You get the chance to concentrate more on your fitness than the band which is really nice.

Monitoring function: Besides monitoring your workouts every day, this band also has a monitoring function that can help you see how much sleep you get every night. Sleep is very important when keeping fit since a lack in enough sleep can lead to breakdown and exhaustion. This can make it harder to keep up with any fitness goals that you have. With this function, you will make improvements as soon as you see a need to, which will be good for your goals and health in general.

Stats trackers: They are also found in other fitness bands and they help in charting calories burned every single day and the metabolic burning rate. It is definitely one of the most important features of any fitness tracker. The charts help you know how close you are getting to the goals you have set.

Other features that make the band the best fitness tracker include being lightweight, Bluetooth connectivity and the pedometer function which can tell you how many steps you take every day and therefore how active you are.

To reach for your fitness goals faster, you will need to find the best fitness tracker with all the features that make the tracking easier. Click on the link given below to find out more:
http://www.thereviewz.com/reviews/the-best-fitness-tracker-garmin-vivofit-fitness-band-review/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shalini_Mittal

Health And Fitness Guide: What Are Fitness Activity Trackers

Getting physically fit can be hard and tough, especially for individuals who are not physically active. However, thanks to the profusion of health gadgets in the market today, many individuals find themselves motivated to improve their well-being. One of these gadgets is the so-called "fitness activity trackers".

These trackers are popular among health buffs as they document the person's activities and provide feedbacks which might be helpful, especially if the person engaged in the exercise has ailments or wants to monitor their activities.

For those who are interested in purchasing a fitness activity tracker, there are some things that must be considered. There are several types in the market; however each one is different and figuring out exactly what one needs will help save time and maximizes the gadget's potential.

Fitness Trackers

Fitness trackers come in various shapes and sizes. Some are manufactured as wrist bands, sports watches or as clip-ons. Depending on the person, clip-ons are perfect for those who want to discreetly monitor their activities. Trackers that have features of sports watches help fitness enthusiasts monitor their activities and provide the user with details such as heart rate, calories burn as well as distance and steps made.

What to Look For in a Tracker

Before purchasing a tracker, it is necessary that one identifies what type of tracker would most benefit them which they can maximize in the long run. One of the things that one should consider is the features included in the tracker. Some have heart rate monitoring capability while others don't. Some devices that don't have the heart rate monitoring feature may have other special features such as blood pressure monitoring or calorie consumption which one might need. Other trackers also have GPS tracking enabled on them, sleep monitoring as well as other features. Do note though that the more features a device has, the more expensive it will cost. As a sports watch can be expensive, a fitness tracker designed as one can have the same features of a sport watch without the extra cost.

Another thing that one should also check is the battery life of the device. Some devices can last for three days, some up to a week while those with batteries included can last for a year. Device compatibility with smartphone apps is also another thing to consider as some devices can be synced with the person's smartphone and help make the data collection easier.

If you are interested in learning more about the best fitness tracker, please visit our site today. We provide reviews on the latest products in the market to help consumers make smart buying choices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francheska_Craig

Health And Fitness Guide: What Are Fitness Activity Trackers

By Francheska Craig

Getting physically fit can be hard and tough, especially for individuals who are not physically active. However, thanks to the profusion of health gadgets in the market today, many individuals find themselves motivated to improve their well-being. One of these gadgets is the so-called "fitness activity trackers".

These trackers are popular among health buffs as they document the person's activities and provide feedbacks which might be helpful, especially if the person engaged in the exercise has ailments or wants to monitor their activities.

For those who are interested in purchasing a fitness activity tracker, there are some things that must be considered. There are several types in the market; however each one is different and figuring out exactly what one needs will help save time and maximizes the gadget's potential.

Fitness Trackers

Fitness trackers come in various shapes and sizes. Some are manufactured as wrist bands, sports watches or as clip-ons. Depending on the person, clip-ons are perfect for those who want to discreetly monitor their activities. Trackers that have features of sports watches help fitness enthusiasts monitor their activities and provide the user with details such as heart rate, calories burn as well as distance and steps made.

What to Look For in a Tracker

Before purchasing a tracker, it is necessary that one identifies what type of tracker would most benefit them which they can maximize in the long run. One of the things that one should consider is the features included in the tracker. Some have heart rate monitoring capability while others don't. Some devices that don't have the heart rate monitoring feature may have other special features such as blood pressure monitoring or calorie consumption which one might need. Other trackers also have GPS tracking enabled on them, sleep monitoring as well as other features. Do note though that the more features a device has, the more expensive it will cost. As a sports watch can be expensive, a fitness tracker designed as one can have the same features of a sport watch without the extra cost.

Another thing that one should also check is the battery life of the device. Some devices can last for three days, some up to a week while those with batteries included can last for a year. Device compatibility with smartphone apps is also another thing to consider as some devices can be synced with the person's smartphone and help make the data collection easier.

If you are interested in learning more about the best fitness tracker, please visit our site today. We provide reviews on the latest products in the market to help consumers make smart buying choices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francheska_Craig