Let's face it - we all have motivational issues. No matter who you are, or what type of personality you claim, there will be a day (or two dozen) that you regrettably suit up for your afternoon workout and complain relentlessly as you drag yourself to your local gym. Yes, you are human.
Fortunatley, there are a number of little tricks you can adopt to help make the "exercise blues" just a little less painstaking. I recently came a cross a great list of workout suggestions that just might boost the task's excitment level...
1. Ask for Advice - You pay for a gym membership, as well as those physically-fit looking individuals that run around in uniforms while you nearly kill yourself on the elliptical machine; use them to your benefit! Ask the trainers what types of machines they would recommed, and see what they say. Who knows, they might actually know what they're taking about ;)
2. Slow Start - It's VERY important not to jump into your training too quickly; to overwhelm yourself is a detriment to your long-term workout plan. Take your time, let your body adjust correctly, and it will be much more enjoyable in the long run.
3. Find a Friend - I have always found this to be an helpful motivation tool. Working out always seems so much more enjoyable when someone's braving it with you! Next time you head to the gym, grab a friend, and make it a social outing for the both of you. Keep each other accountable.
4. Go Every Day - You need to establish a routine. Busy days will always unmask themselves in your life; forsake that hour of television at night, or the binge-eating episode after getting home from school or work. They say it takes approximately 2 weeks to establish a routine; just get yourself there, and the rest will come.
5. Vary Your Intensity - You do not have to work yourself to exhaustion everyday. That important thing is to have light days and heavy days to look forward to. Variation is key. Write out a good schedule for yourself that specifys which days are easy, moderate, and hard.
6. Know Your Limits - Your body can only handle so much at once; it is important to gradually improve your workouts as oppposed to starting out extremely hard and robbing your body of the opportunity to adjust. A little soreness is good, yet, pain is not.
7. Establish a Goal - Many times, individuals decide they want to get in shape but do not have a long-term goal to guide them. Goals give you a vision and purpose for your actions. Establish a goal and you will be much more motivated to achieve it.
8. Music - Create your own "workout" mix and download it onto your IPod or Mp3 player. This will give you something to engage in while working hard.
So...there are a few good beginner workout tips. Check out http://www.workout-planet.com/8-workout-tips-for-beginners/ to see a more detailed version of the list. I have found it very helpful in my quest for physical success. Hope this is beneficial!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
How Healthy is Your Diet?
Presentation5
We inteviewed two WSU students to find out what type of eating habits they have acquired over the course of their college career. The above video is what we found...Enjoy!
View more presentations from cfarvour.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Stepping outside of the comfort zone
Regular exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. However, the term 'exercise' is looked at negatively by many. Images of packed gyms, and dismal ab workouts flood the mind when the term exercise is mentioned.
The idea of physical activity can easily take on a negative connotation with the wrong attitude. Many people look at working out like they look at the rest of their lives; an appointment. It is something they have to do, not something they want to do. Often, burning so many calories in given time frame becomes the motivating factor for physical activity. This can quickly turn an enjoyable activity into a discouraging, and sometimes painful, requirement.
It is important to keep a positive attitude about working out or just remaining physically active. One way to keep things on a positive scale is to do things that are enjoyable. These activities may not be as efficient at burning calories but the important thing is that it is fun. Another useful way to break the monotony is to include variety. It's all to easy to get stuck into a routine, finding it almost impossible to try new things. Step outside of the comfort zone and try something new. There are limitless way to stay physically active and enjoy doing it, it just takes a little faith.
Overall, continually evaluating your attitude about physical fitness, exercise, working out, or whatever it's called, is just as important as the act itself. Keep it interesting and new, but most importantly, keep at it.
The idea of physical activity can easily take on a negative connotation with the wrong attitude. Many people look at working out like they look at the rest of their lives; an appointment. It is something they have to do, not something they want to do. Often, burning so many calories in given time frame becomes the motivating factor for physical activity. This can quickly turn an enjoyable activity into a discouraging, and sometimes painful, requirement.
It is important to keep a positive attitude about working out or just remaining physically active. One way to keep things on a positive scale is to do things that are enjoyable. These activities may not be as efficient at burning calories but the important thing is that it is fun. Another useful way to break the monotony is to include variety. It's all to easy to get stuck into a routine, finding it almost impossible to try new things. Step outside of the comfort zone and try something new. There are limitless way to stay physically active and enjoy doing it, it just takes a little faith.
Overall, continually evaluating your attitude about physical fitness, exercise, working out, or whatever it's called, is just as important as the act itself. Keep it interesting and new, but most importantly, keep at it.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Pop or Stop?
A recent article published in the New York Times titled "Fighting for the Right to Drink Soda," is a brief analysis on the conflict regarding the current health issues with soda pop (and our right to indulge ourselves in these health-depriving cans of sugar and carbonation). For a link to the article click here.
According to the article, many individuals are beginning to draw a parallel between tobacco and soda pop, believing the side effects are effecting both our health as well as our health care system. It seems much of our taxes are being put toward the health care to save the obese population in our country - many of who drink an excessive amount of soda pop. Yet, to lawfully exclude soda pop from a person's diet imposes a strict violation of American ethics; freedom.
Personally, I have never been a fan of soda pop. With the occasional Root Beer float or Pepsi on a nice summer day (I tend to have more of a pop-craving in the summer), I am not a fan of carbonated beverages. I choose water over a sugary soda pop any day. Yet, I do acknowledge the overwhelming desire for a large majority of Americans to drink soda on a regular basis; it seems to become quite a habit after a while - it tastes good and the sugar keeps you coming back for more.
While I do not feel that soda pop's health damage is comparative to that of an avid cigarette smoker (this seems a little drastic to me), I do see where many of the Department of Health's concerns originate from. There can be no denying that pop has very little (if any) nutritional value for a consumer. It's ingredients are based on sugar and chemicals (with a few other random items in the mix). Yet, in spite of this overwhelming health concern for soda drinkers, I do believe it is a devine right for a human being to eat/drink whatever they please.
While personal infliction and suicide attempts are severely shunned upon, I do not believe soda drinkers elevate themselves to such an extreme. Most candy has little nutritional value - should we outlaw that too???
Post any thoughts or ideas you might have regarding this article/issue...
According to the article, many individuals are beginning to draw a parallel between tobacco and soda pop, believing the side effects are effecting both our health as well as our health care system. It seems much of our taxes are being put toward the health care to save the obese population in our country - many of who drink an excessive amount of soda pop. Yet, to lawfully exclude soda pop from a person's diet imposes a strict violation of American ethics; freedom.
Personally, I have never been a fan of soda pop. With the occasional Root Beer float or Pepsi on a nice summer day (I tend to have more of a pop-craving in the summer), I am not a fan of carbonated beverages. I choose water over a sugary soda pop any day. Yet, I do acknowledge the overwhelming desire for a large majority of Americans to drink soda on a regular basis; it seems to become quite a habit after a while - it tastes good and the sugar keeps you coming back for more.
While I do not feel that soda pop's health damage is comparative to that of an avid cigarette smoker (this seems a little drastic to me), I do see where many of the Department of Health's concerns originate from. There can be no denying that pop has very little (if any) nutritional value for a consumer. It's ingredients are based on sugar and chemicals (with a few other random items in the mix). Yet, in spite of this overwhelming health concern for soda drinkers, I do believe it is a devine right for a human being to eat/drink whatever they please.
While personal infliction and suicide attempts are severely shunned upon, I do not believe soda drinkers elevate themselves to such an extreme. Most candy has little nutritional value - should we outlaw that too???
Post any thoughts or ideas you might have regarding this article/issue...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Week One Down
It's been a week.
I've painfully neglected Dairy Queen blizzards, pepperoni pizzas, and that extra martini at dinner. I've worked up the motivation each morning to get to the gym and fulfill the hour of cardio I have promised myself each day - and it's working!!!
For the first time, in a long time, I have manged to look failure in the face and beat it down with an overwhelming need for accomplishment. I am on my way to a healthy and fit lifestyle (heck, I'm even thinking about training for an upcoming half marathon lol).
Thus, I will continue on toward my goal!
I have also been looking at a number of great workout websites. Try http://exercise.lifetips.com/ to look at a number of methods for loosing weight.
I've painfully neglected Dairy Queen blizzards, pepperoni pizzas, and that extra martini at dinner. I've worked up the motivation each morning to get to the gym and fulfill the hour of cardio I have promised myself each day - and it's working!!!
For the first time, in a long time, I have manged to look failure in the face and beat it down with an overwhelming need for accomplishment. I am on my way to a healthy and fit lifestyle (heck, I'm even thinking about training for an upcoming half marathon lol).
Thus, I will continue on toward my goal!
I have also been looking at a number of great workout websites. Try http://exercise.lifetips.com/ to look at a number of methods for loosing weight.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Audio Clip
In the audio clip displayed below, we interviewed Reilly Smith, a senior at WSU, and asked her a few questions about her motivation strategy and how she gets to "Takin' Care of Business" with her workouts on a consistent basis. Listen below for more detials...
New Equipment
My roommate is a athletic trainer at WSU rec center and she always has some new techniques for me to try out when I work out with her. We both went to work out on saturday and while doing some weights I asked her what I could do to make my work out a little more interesting besides the cardio and weights. She suggested I look around and if I see someone doing an excersise that I haven't done before try it on my own time and see if I like it. I tried that yesterday and it was actually really interesting. I tried some new one legged squats that I saw another girl doing and I found that I really liked them. I thought that was an interesting way to try new things and I thought some might enjoy that.
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