Water Aerobics: Fun For Everyone

January 19th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Not everyone enjoys going to a gym and using fitness machines or taking physically demanding classes. Maybe you are worried about injuries that can occur when exercising. You might want to consider taking a water aerobics class as a way to exercise and have fun at the same time.

The biggest benefit of water aerobics is that it is a full body workout. A treadmill only works your legs and weights only work on the body part you are lifting with. You use all your muscles in water aerobics including legs, arms and stomach muscles because you have to move around and also keep yourself upright in the water.

Resistance is an important part of exercising because it is great for your muscles. You can use resistance bands on one muscle at a time for a good workout. Water aerobics provide resistance to all your muscles at once giving you a great workout for your whole body. The great thing about water aerobics is that it’s gentle on your joints so you won’t have to worry about straining muscles, tearing ligaments or becoming injured.

Water aerobics isn’t just for senior citizens. All ages are finding out how fun and rewarding water aerobics can be. You can find a water aerobics class near you no matter what your skill level. Most places offer beginner classes to advanced classes as well as classes for those with special physical limitations like arthritis. If you want a real challenge, some places offer water aerobics classes that take place in deeper water!

If you are concerned about injury, remember water aerobics is very low impact. Many people of all ages suffer from arthritis or other problems with their joints that can make exercise painful and dangerous. Water aerobics gives you a good cardio workout without the high impact that can cause injury.

Exercise has to be fun if you are going to keep up with a fitness program. Water aerobics is an enjoyable way of getting a workout while having a great time making new friends and improving your aerobic skills. You may even make a lifelong friend!

Water aerobics not only can be broken down into different levels based on your physical fitness, it can be done many different ways. You won’t get bored with water aerobics if you try to attend different classes that use different methods to get you moving. Not all of us like doing the same treadmill type workout every day!

Don’t be self-conscious about exercising in your swimsuit. Everyone attending water aerobics is there to feel better about themselves, not judge you. You may feel weird at first but you will get over it after awhile when you meet people and start to feel and look better. If you want to, could always wear a long shirt over your swimsuit when you were in the class. Remember, you want to be comfortable.

If you want to get in shape, find a water aerobics class near you today and start getting fit and having fun at the same time.

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Fit or Fiction: Understanding Fitness Myths

January 7th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

We all have some ideas about fitness that aren’t true. These fitness myths - mostly involving weight loss and exercise - can be a little silly or just plain outrageous. The following are some of the more common fitness myths that people hear and believe.

Myth 1: You are too old to have a great, fit body.

We often associate fitness with young, trim and strong men and women who are in their 20’s. Fitness has no age limit so don’t think that just because you are older, it is too late to get into the best shape of your life. While you may not be as quick and strong as some younger people, you can still work out and have a fit body. It is even more important for older people to be physically fit because it helps them age better. In addition, the more fit you are, the less likely you’ll have injuries or get sick easily.

Myth 2: The only way to lose weight is to work out like crazy.

You’ll burn more calories with a hard workout than with a lighter one, but sometimes it isn’t all about burning calories. A lighter workout will have the same results; it’s just that you’ll see the results over a longer time. However, your joints and muscles are a lot less likely to become injured if you go with a lighter workout, one that is more appropriate for your age. Working out harder than your body is capable of is not worth the risk. You are better off listening to your body and not overdoing it.

Myth 3: You only need to do cardio, nothing else.

Most people assume that cardio workouts that get your heart rate up and burn calories are the key to good fitness. This isn’t true. Strength training is needed to increase muscle mass and bone density. Working on your balance will keep you from falling and injuring yourself. Stretching will increase your flexibility. These are all necessary parts of a good workout. You can get advice from a fitness expert so you develop the best fitness routine for your body.

Myth 4: You should avoid eating carbs and fat if you want to lose weight.

The carbohydrates and fats myth has been around for a long time and many people still believe this. This is nothing more than a fad diet that is not based on real science and will not help you make life long changes in your health. You should be more concerned about adding good foods to your diet, not taking out foods that your body needs in order to function properly.

You have to use a little common sense when trying to lose weight. Don’t look for a fast fix. Instead, make small changes and don’t believe the fitness myths.

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5 Exercise for Baby Boomers

January 7th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Just because you are getting older doesn’t mean you have to give up on getting into shape and feeling good. Participating in activities that build your endurance, strength, balance and keep you limber will allow you to maintain an active lifestyle no matter what your age.

The following five exercises will help you achieve these goals.

1. Walk

Walking may not seem like exercise but it really is good for you and will help you lose weight. If you enjoy walking with others, get a friend to walk with you or find a walking group in your neighborhood. You can do your walking any place really including inside a mall, on a track, on a treadmill in front of the TV or just around your neighborhood. Walking provides a lot of variety so you won’t get bored and give up on your exercise plan. You can enjoy the company of old friends or you can make new ones while you walk for health.

2. Make a Splash

Water aerobics are a great exercise because it offers you a great workout with good results without putting any strain on your joints that comes with other exercises. You can find a water aerobics class right for you no matter how experienced you are. Check out gyms and fitness health clubs in your area as these places often offer water aerobics classes for all ages and skill levels. You just might make some new friends at your local water aerobics class.

3. Lift Those Weights

Not everyone who lifts weights ends up with big bulging muscles. You can lose weight from weight lifting and what you lose will be more fat than with other exercises. Weight lifting is especially good as you age because it helps maintain bone density, mobility and balance. This will help you stay active as you age.

4. Do Yoga

Even if you have never done it before, yoga can be tailored to your skill level. Some yoga poses are extremely difficult and take a lot of strength and balance but others are easy enough for beginners to do. Yoga will help your increase your flexibility and balance as well as relax you and even help you fall asleep easier.

5. Play Sports

You may not be the most athletic person but you can find a “for fun” sports league that you will enjoy and that will be glad to have you. Check with your local senior citizen center or community group to see what is available. Sports are great for building strength and endurance and staying in shape. If organized sports are not for you, just go throw a ball around with your grandchildren. That is great exercise too.

If you find an activity you enjoy, you’ll be more likely to stay with it and keep improving your fitness and health.

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Identifying the Symptoms of Arthritis

January 6th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

We all have aches and pains especially in our joints as we get older. Many people think that this means they have arthritis, which may or may not be true. You need to get a proper diagnosis for your joint pain so that you can get a treatment that will work for you. You need to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Pain in the joints and even swelling in these areas is a common arthritis symptom. This pain can be a little annoying for some people, but it can be debilitating for others. One thing is certain: arthritis symptom can be persistent. The pain can occur while you are sitting down doing nothing or while you are active. The painful swelling and redness that can occur at the joints can be so bad that you just can hardly get around if you don’t take care of the problem.

Sometimes, people with arthritis will have bone deposits on their hands or other affected body parts. These look like lumps and form around the joints. They stick out and look odd.

Another arthritis symptom is loss of range of motion in certain joints. The joints become stiff and difficult to move or bend. This can make walking and using your hands and other body parts difficult and painful if it is not properly treated. As this symptom of arthritis progresses, it can significantly affect your ability to perform daily tasks or go about your daily activities.

Symptoms that you may not commonly associate with arthritis include tiredness, weakness, moodiness and weight loss. These are not joint problems but are caused by arthritis all the same.

Arthritis is not just one disease that is the same for everyone. With as many as 100 different kinds of arthritis, it is important to see your doctor and find out what kind you have and how it is best treated. You may have the same kind of arthritis as someone else but you may have an entirely different set of symptoms.

A doctor’s visit to check you for arthritis will probably consist of a health history, an examination and X-rays. All this is done to properly diagnose your arthritis and make sure there are no other problems that could be causing the symptoms.

While over-the-counter pain medicine may alleviate some of your symptoms, it isn’t a permanent solution to your problem. Your doctor can tell you what you should be taking and prescribe something for you if necessary. Your doctor may also recommend therapy depending on how advanced your arthritis is.

Arthritis is painful and difficult to deal with. It is one disease that science has not found any cure for. If you notice symptoms of arthritis, don’t ignore it. Go see your doctor and find out what you can do to treat your symptoms.

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Understanding Arthritis

January 6th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

We all either have experienced or know a loved one who has experienced problems with arthritis. The main symptom of arthritis is joint pain which can range from moderate to severe. What is confusing is why arthritis affects some people and not others.

Scientists really don’t understand what makes some people susceptible to arthritis while others don’t have problems with it at all. It is not something you can catch from another person like the common cold. A joint disorder, arthritis comes on slowly and can get worse with time. There are many different kinds of arthritis, all with slightly different causes.

Arthritis is associated with many different risk factors, and the more arthritis risk factors you have, the higher the chances of you developing arthritis. These may not be the sole cause of your problem but they contribute.

As you get older, your risk of developing arthritis gets higher. This is largely because your joints are aging and wearing, which may increase your symptoms. The natural aging of your joints and the damage that occurs may cause arthritis to progress faster than it would otherwise. Arthritis is common among older adults for this reason.

If you are overweight, you are at additional risk for developing arthritis. The extra weight that you carry puts stress on your joints, particularly the weight-bearing joints, and causes damage over time. Losing weight by dieting and exercise will lower your risk for developing arthritis.

If you have a sports injury or something similar, you may be at additional risk for arthritis. Your likelihood of developing arthritis also increases if you’ve previously injured a joint. Take care of any injuries that occur and make sure they heal properly.

There may be a genetic factor with arthritis so you may be at extra risk if you have a family history of the disease. People who have arthritis in their family, especially a close family member, may develop arthritis. If your parents have arthritis, for instance, you’re at risk of developing the disease, although it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have arthritis. You can lower your risk of developing arthritis later on by taking care of your body right now.

People who participate in athletics and sports are more likely to develop arthritis. This is partially because they are more likely to have joint injuries and other damage to their bodies. The science really only shows a slight connection, though, so it is not safe to assume that all athletes will develop arthritis. If you exercise safely and don’t put too much stress on your body, you should be fine.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is what almost all of us associate with the word arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe form with many of the same symptoms but caused by different factors. With Rheumatoid arthritis, the damage to the joints is caused by your immune system attacking your body from the inside.

If you have arthritis, there is no magic cure. You can find out as much as you can about your condition and possible treatments, though.

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