Exercise & Fitness Articles

Exercise is kinda like reading in that there is something out there for everybody. Too many of us associate exercise with pain and we willingly put ourselves through things we hate, setting ourselves up for failure before we even begin. Don?t try taking up jogging for the fifth time if you know you find it boring. If you hate climbing stairs, don?t waste your time on a stair climber or a step-aerobics class. The trick is to find a physical activity that not only gets your heart pumping, but fits your personality and your lifestyle.

If you?re having difficulty determining what it is you might enjoy, don?t worry! Today?s gyms have a vast variety of creative ways of making the heart dance, from elliptical machines to group aquatic activities. Some of us need the motivational reinforcement of group exercises like body toning and step classes. Others are better suited to engage in team sports like volleyball or softball, especially if you enjoy friendly competition or the camaraderie of a team. And then some of us just want to exercise alone, whether it?s swimming, biking or jogging.

There is also your schedule to consider. Are you a morning person? Or, are you more likely to hit the snooze button repeatedly? This, along with your work schedule, should help you determine when to exercise. If you decide to do something solitary to begin with, start with a small sliver of time, like fifteen minutes at a time.

Think of it as time you might otherwise spend in front of the television. After you establish a routine, you should increase the time of each exercise session -- slowly. Try to repeat your exercise routine three to four times a week. Take advantage of pockets of time throughout the day. How about not fighting so hard for that parking spot close to the door? Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk around while talking on the phone. Think of all the moments of the day you can capitalize on to become more active.

Watch out for substance abuse in particular: Smoking, abusing drugs and drinking alcohol too much may place unnecessary strain on the heart. Because the heart?s job is to pump nutrient-rich blood through the body and get rid of waste, toxins will taint your blood and make it harder for nutrients to nourish all of your needy cells. Over time, these practices can make your heart suffer .

Research studies indicate that smoking greatly increases risk of heart attacks and cardiac death. But it?s never too late to quit. Since all drugs are foreign substances, they can certainly affect your heart. This includes some prescription and over-the-counter medications, so be sure to follow the dosages outlined on the labels.

Something Else to Consider

In addition to the preceding suggestions for a healthy heart, also keep in mind the importance of integrating Omega-3 essential fatty acids into your diet, whether it?s through eating fish, taking fish oil (particularly pharmaceutical grade varieties), as well as using a dietary supplement. A good one is is Sealogix Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil from Trilogy

By the way, The American Heart Association suggests eating foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids to protect the heart. In the long run, your heart will thank you for it!