Health and Fitness on TV

In the second instalment of "Health and Fitness on TV" I will be profiling ExerciseTV.
ExerciseTV is a free VOD (video-on-demand) network, "dedicated to the hottest workouts, fitness trends and sports training from top instructors and trainers. With ExerciseTV users can workout on their schedule to hundreds of fat burning workouts like cardio, abs, yoga, dance and more!"

I love this network! It highlights quick, easy, effective workouts that can be done from the comfort of your own home. The selling point is that this feature is totally free and most exercise programs require little to no equipment. It's great for those who want to be fit and fabulous on a budget.

ExerciseTV also offers something for everyone. From yoga to the workouts by Jillian Micheals, you can find something that will peak your interest and make you sweat. There is even a Seventeen workout for girls getting ready for Homecoming or Prom. These video's even highlight the importance of proper nutrition, hydration, and exercise safety.

If your cable provider doesn't offer VOD (video-on-demand) then you can check out ExerciseTV online at http://www.exercisetv.tv/ . There site provides all the videos that are offered on demand and them some. You can narrow the videos down by choosing the length of time and equipment available to you. Other great features is the Mobile Trainer, Lifestyle articles and tips, and the Fitness Finder. The Fitness Finder is a great tool that will help you find the perfect workout for you by finding you Fitness Personality.

So, if your looking for a good workout that's both challenging and fun then definitely check out ExerciseTV!

Not Losing Weight?

For some reason many people workout for a week or two and just give up. Some think that exercise alone will help them drop pounds and don't realize that they are being counter productive when they order a large pizza and eat it by themselves after each workout. Then there are those who exercise and diet, but only do it half way. It's easy to give up and say "I tried.", but much more rewarding when you go the extra distance and really work for what you want and need.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when your thinking about quiting your exercise program:

1. 
   
   You must recognize fear as a restrictive force. Your emotional and experiential memory creates this resistance to change due to this fear. It's up to you to get to the root of the problem and conquer it head on before you can truly adapt and accept a new, healthy lifestyle.


2. 
   
   Have you tried hundreds of fad diets and believe that nothing will work for you? Expensive fad diets don't work!! For effective and long lasting weight loss it's important to consult the professionals (doctor, certified personal trainer, licensed nutritionist).


3. 
   
   You must take a risk to achieve the proven outcomes. You find a trainer with great credientals, and hundreds of rave reviews from clients, but your the type that won't believe it till you see it? Well, call up the trainer and see if you can set up a meeting or even free session just to test the waters. Just remember you can't be an after until your willing to take that risk and trust a trainer.


4. 
   
   You need to accept responsibility! Not only for your failures but also for your success. By keeping track of what's going in your mouth and the amount of work your putting in at the gym you will succeed and you should take full credit for all you've accomplished. On the other hand, if your not staying on track, you have to take full credit for not losing weight or even gaining weight.


5. 
   
   You have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Yes, you have to walk before you can run but you have to run!! You'll have to do push-ups, pull-ups, leg lifts, crunches and what ever else your trainer demands of you, even if you think you "can't". "Can't" is just going to hinder your progress. Your trainer knows best and wouldn't ask you to do an exercise that will injure you in any way.

Good Posture can improve your Core Strength

Everyone wants the perfect abs now and will buy all sorts of products trying to attain them. The problem with actually seeing those perfect abs may not only be an ineffective product, but also our body fat percentage. Lack of proper exercise is also a factor. A simple way to improve your abdominal strength is to sit-up straight, and this is an exercise you can do anywhere! Good posture will not only strengthen your core, but will also help prevent injury, aid in breathing, improve digestion, and even reduce stress.

One of the first things I do when assessing a new client is check their posture. Many people don't realize that core doesn't just pertain to our abdominal....there are many other muscles that need to be worked in order to get that "perfect" midsection. Such as the lower back. It's important to have a strong back to support the rest of the core.

Sex and Exercise!!

This is an excerpt of an article that I just published. I hope you enjoy.

American’s obesity epidemic hasn’t just affected our health but also our sex drives! Most people decide to change their lifestyles to improve their looks and health, so why not eat healthy and exercise to improve your sex drive?

Studies have proven that exercise can increase potency, endurance and even make sex more enjoyable. Exercise also helps lower a man’s risk of getting erectile dysfunction by at least 30%. Risks of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), which affects 40% of American women, will also decrease with proper exercise. By getting off the couch and doing some vigorous exercise each day you and your partner will reap the benefits of long term health, good looking bodies, and a hot love life.

To read the full article go to:
http://www.healthmad.com/Health/Sex-and-Exercise.361899 or click on the "Sex and Exercise" link under Fitness Articles on the left side bar.

5K Race for Charity

For the last 4 years PACE Center for Girls, Broward and the City of Wilton Manors host a 5K Run/Walk to raise money for PACE.

For those who have never heard of PACE Center for Girls, Inc.; it is an alternative school for girls as well as my Alma mater and previous employer. PACE has done so much for me and millions of girls through out Florida! Not only did they help me finish high school when I had literally given up, but they also provided funding to help pay for my college education with their Jim Ward Scholarship.

PACE Center for Girls, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation that provides a non-residential delinquency prevention program in locations statewide, targeting the unique needs of females 12 to 18 who are identified as dependent, truant, runaway, delinquent, or in need of academic skills. PACE (Practical Academic Cultural Education) accepts referrals from the juvenile justice system, the Department of Children and Families, school personnel, community services agencies, parents, family members, friends and self-referrals. Its purpose is to intervene and prevent school withdrawal, juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and welfare dependency in a safe and nurturing environment. PACE programs provide the following services: academic education, individualized attention, a gender-specific life management curriculum (SPIRITED GIRLS®), therapeutic support services, parental involvement, student volunteer service projects and transition follow-up services. Every girl at PACE sets individual educational and social goals that are focused on earning a high school diploma or GED, re-entering public school, attending college, getting vocational training, joining the military or the entering the private workforce. After program completion, PACE continues to monitor each girl's educational and personal development with three years of follow-up case management. PACE operates 17 centers throughout Florida and a reach program. Since its creation in 1983 PACE has served over 19,000 girls. (http://www.pacecenter.org)

All proceeds from the 5K will go to help the girls at PACE, Broward. I have participated in the last 2 races and plan to attend this one as well not only to show my support but also my gratitude.

I encourage everyone to register and participate in this event, even if it's the only race you participate in this year!! For more information go to http://www.wiltonmanors.com , or http://www.splitsecondtiming.com/

To find out how you can help PACE in other ways (i.e. donations, volunteering) visit www.pacecenter.org

One Hundred Push Up Challenge

Even though I'm a trainer...that doesn't mean I don't have weak points when it comes to exercise. One of my biggest weaknesses is push ups! I use to run away as soon as it was mentioned (at least when I had to do it). But I decided that it is time to face my fears and work on the amount of push-up I can do, and a bonus would be improving my upper body strength.

While reading articles on HealthMad.com I came across one that was about a 6-week program that would help you do 100 consecutive push ups. I check out the site http://www.hundredpushups.com/ and was immediately intrigued. So, I have made up my mind and am going to take the challenge starting today, Sunday August 31st, 2008.

Check back often to hear about my progress or go to http://www.hundrepushups.com/ and join me in the challenge!