There are many benefits to having a dog at home. Dogs are, after all, great companions if you’re ever lonely because they’re loving. Also, aside from being man’s best friend, a dog can be your very own personal security guard or hunting partner. But did you know that keeping a dog at home can also help you lose weight?

Surprised?

Well, according Tara Parker-Pope, who writes for the NYTimes’ Well Section, if you’re looking to lose some poundage, having your very own pup is much better than running on treadmill (providing, of course, that you’re not allergic to dogs).

In the article Forget the Treadmill. Get a Dog, Ms. Parker-Pope relates that studies have shown that older people are more likely to take regular walks if they have dogs because their furry friends will always need to be walked so they get some exercise too. She also cites findings from researchers from Michigan State University that dog owners got at an average of 30 minutes of exercise about 5 times a week while those without canine companions hardly get as much exercise.

The study, led by Dr. Matthew Reeves also brought forth an important question: does dog walking add to the amount of exercise you do, or does it merely replace the exercise you would have done if you didn’t have a dog?

It turns out that dog walkers tend to take part in other physical activities for leisure (say, playing sports or gardening) and they got about 30 minutes/week more exercise than people without dogs.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that having a dog means that you’ll being doing the walking. Some people have large enough yards for their dogs to run free, while other people need to hire dog walkers for various reasons.

Still, it should be noted that another study found that people who acquired dogs were able to increase their physical activity compared to before they brought their dog’s home.

Another interesting result of yet another research project done at the University of Missouri is that most people who walked with dogs were likely to get more exercise than those who walked with human companions. Why? Simply because humans could talk each other out of tiring exercise while dogs don’t.

Dr. Johnson who led the study says that people “help themselves by helping the dog.” Basically, Johnson continues, “If we’re committed to a dog, it enables us to commit to physical activity ourselves.”

Now isn’t that better motivation for getting a work out?

To learn more about how owning a dog can help you get more fit, read Forget the Treadmill. Get a Dog by Tamara Parker-Pope at NYTimes.com. You can also find more fitness and workout tips at the Well Section.

Some common reasons people aren’t able to exercise are a) they’re too tired from work or school or b) they’re too sad to get up and do aerobics, Zumba or just a few rounds of shadow boxing. But some people believe that those excuses just don’t hold up because, apparently, exercise improves your mood. Read more…

Looking for that short burst of explosiveness in your game? Why not try the latest trend in performance-enhancing exercise equipment – vibrating platforms?

Gimmick or not it seems vibrating platforms have slowly garnered the interest of not only regular gym buffs but world-class athletes like tennis star Serena Williams and Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins.

Interest in vibrating platforms has even drawn the kinesiology professors and exercise physiologists into researching how these equipment improves athletic performance and how they should fit within the scheme of a person’s workout routine.

Basically the idea behind it is that a person stands on top of a plate vibrating not more than 50 times per second, experiencing what can “feel like the vibration in a seat over the wheel hub on a bus,” describes Dr. Hugh Lamont, a sports biomechanist at East Tennessee State University.

According to a report from the New York Times, researchers, while still wary of the potentials and benefits of vibrating platforms, have seen marked improvement in short-term performance of its users.

Some examples the story cites include subjects becoming slightly improved sprinters and jumpers after standing on the vibrating platform. This spike in performance however is short lived and cannot be sustained in the long term – good for a short distance dash but unsuitable for a 90-minute soccer match.

Beyond that however, researchers have been seeing how vibrating platforms can be integrated into an individual’s fitness regimen – such as during the warm-up process which is important for starting any effective exercise session.

If you want to know more about research into how vibrating platforms can improve athletic performance, the article “Would You Like a Shake With That Workout”, from the New York Times might be an intriguing read.

More than ever, children have been shifting their playtime activities from the outdoors or pretend games that their parents grew up with, to those situated in more virtual arenas like on their computers or video game consoles.

However some according to an article in the New York Times, parents, psychologists, scientists and educators are now pushing for a movements towards play. They propose that “most of the social and intellectual skills one needs to succeed in life and work are first developed through childhood play.”

Joan Almon, executive director of the Alliance for Childhood, notes that recent years have seen a lack of imaginative play because “adults are a little fearful of children’s play”, perhaps because there’s always the opportunity for messes or bruises. One proponent of restoring children’s play thinks that some disorder is a natural part of playtime, and children should have the space and freedom to do create it.

In the article, it’s admitted that this isn’t easy especially for adults who cherish their peace and quiet and many parents have been reluctant about to embrace the concept. Some parents who are even willing to “impose” time off from the television or computer on their children find that their kids will need them as playmates -which would be fine, if they didn’t have everything else like dinner and chores to worry about.

Still, the article suggests it’s worth a try if only to get your kids to stretch their arms and legs, and use their own imaginations. Once parents are able to teach their children how to play imaginatively, the kids will eventually start directing their own playtime. After all, if generations of children did it before, why wouldn’t it be possible for kids these days to create their own worlds? All they need is encouragement.

To learn more about how to get your child playing, visit the New York Times Health and Nutrition section to read the full article entitled “Effort to Restore Children’s Play Gains Momentum”.

By FitFarms Health and Fitness Editorial

Losing weight these days has been quite easy as various and wide approaches are developed and modified. Essentially, proper diet and physical exercises contribute in a most important way in losing weight. This time, let us dive deeper into different forms of exercises that would aid us in our plan to lose and shrug off these stored fats.

Physical exercise is any activity that involves and maximizes the use of the body. This activity enhances our overall health and wellness and physical fitness. Furthermore, it boosts the immune system and prevents the development of physical diseases and even the mental health problems. As it promotes health and wellness, it has been considered greatly as an approach of burning fats and losing weight. Let us take into consideration what types of exercise best suit your disposition.

The most common and one of the effective ways of losing weight are the cardio workouts, short for cardiovascular workouts, referring to the heart. These have been considered as one of the best ways to improve the feelings of well-being over the entire body. Its main benefit is weight loss as it involves the use of the large group of muscles like running, walking, rowing, and biking. Cardio workouts strengthen the level of endurance of the heart and increase the heart rate to burn calories and promote weight loss. Read more…

By FitFarms Health and Fitness Editorial

Anyone dreams of having a healthy and perfect shape, right? Achieving those washboard abs and firm physique may be hard to accomplish because of factors which can our drive us away to adhere to the workout plans and diet regime.

One common reason why individuals fail to comply on their chosen regimen respectively is the exhaustion and pain they might felt after working out. There are various low-impact exercises that one can opt to use to avoid getting exhausted or acquiring injury while working out. A good example of low-impact exercises is swimming.

Swimming is said to be the best exercise regimen for all, though this is also considered to be the least popular workout among individuals. Anyone can utilize swimming as their form of exercise, particularly those who have physical limitations like arthritis, musculoskeletal, weight limitations, disabilities and even those people who are into pain-free workout.

The buoyancy of the water can accommodate the fit as well as the unfit individuals. While swimming, water cushions the stiff joints of the body, and those fragile bones that have the possibility to be injured by an impact when doing land or non-water exercises.

Swimming is usually utilized by athletes who are undergoing rehabilitation after an incurred injury or cross-train. It was also proven that those individuals who are suffering from arthritis and other disabilities somehow improves their range of motion and relieves their stiffness and pain when using water as the location for their exercise.

There are many benefits in considering swimming as a workout. It utilizes all the major muscle groups, including the back, shoulders, abdominal muscles and hips, legs and the gluteal muscles. Also, it facilitates the building of strength and it provides a good aerobic workout hence it gives your body an opportunity to improve the cardiovascular function of any health enthusiasts. Read more…

By FitFarms Health and Fitness Editorial

Everyone aims to improve their fitness level and there are many options to do this. One of the classic exercise activities that people choose is aerobics. Like any other workout, the starting and preparation phase is very essential because it allows your body to adjust while doing the exercise.

Jumping into fitness training such as aerobics without preparing your body can lead to setbacks, such as muscle strains or even injuries. In order for your body to adapt the demands of aerobics, you should do warm up before beginning the training and do cooling down subsequently.

When you warm up before performing any workout activities, it allows you cardiovascular system to intensify gradually as it increases the blood flow to your muscles and elevates your body temperature. If properly executed, it will not only condition your body for the whole exercise routine but it also loosens your stiff muscles when doing heavier lifts.

In warming up, choose an activity that uses the same muscles you will use during the exercise. For instance, if you are planning to have skipping rope as an exercise, try skip slowly for about five minutes then gradually increase your skipping abilities. If with injured muscle, stretch the affected side after warming up. Then, hold the stretch for half a minute. Remember to keep it gentle to avoid inflicting pain; sudden or aggressive movements would contribute to another injury.

The importance of cooling down after workout is parallel to warming up. It slows your pace from a workout routine particularly the aerobics routine. Cooling down gradually decreases the temperature of the whole body’s muscles and lessens the chance of acquiring muscle injuries, soreness and stiffness. Also, it enables your heart to return to its beating rate and your breathing returns to normal condition. After exercise, continue the activity by gradually decreasing its intensity for ten minutes. For example, after your 30-minute session of jogging, cool down by reducing your pace then walk.

Stretching is another important aspect of aerobics. Your muscles are warm and receptive to stretching after you cool down. It will not only increase your flexibility, it will also improve your circulation and helps maximize your joints’ range of motion. In stretching, focus on those muscles and joints that your routinely use such as the calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck and shoulders. Stretch and hold one side for about half a minute, then do the stretch on the other. You will feel tension while stretching, and if it hurts already, back off the point where pain is not elicited. Remember to relax and breathe freely during the whole stretching.

It can be challenging for those who finds time for a regular aerobic workouts, particularly those who have limited time because of their busy and hectic schedule. If tempted to skip the warm-up and cool-down routine, be creative. One must consider doing it prior to the workout routine to prevent occurrence of injuries while exercising. Keep it in mind that the time you spend preparing for the routine is as important as the routine itself. Help your body adjust the demands of workout. With these, you will surely enjoy aerobics while staying healthy and fit.

About the Author

FitFarms are fitness and weight loss retreat camps based in the UK and the Middle East. FitFarms run women only and man only courses that are designed to kick start a healthier lifestyle. FitFarms Fitness Camp in UK have been voted Best UK Weight Loss Boot Camp by The Sunday Times and awarded No. 1 Weight Loss Camp by Virgin.

A very inspiring and interesting article to read entitled “Fitness begins with an attitude makeover” written by Nanci Hellmich in USA Today tackles that the pursuit to fitness starts from the mind.

A change in thinking can lead to change in behavior. In return, you will have a different approach in achieving your desire to be fit and healthier.

The article even mentions alternative activities that family can enjoy instead of spending a lazy weekend consuming high calorie foods.

Learn more about “Fitness begins with an attitude makeover” from USA Today.

A very inspiring and interesting article to read entitled “Fitness begins with an attitude makeover” written by Nanci Hellmich in USA Today tackles that the pursuit to fitness starts from the mind.
A change in thinking can lead to change in behavior. In return, you will have a different approach in achieving your desire to be fit and healthier.

The article even mentions alternative activities that family can enjoy instead of spending a lazy weekend consuming high calorie foods.

Learn more about “Fitness begins with an attitude makeover” from USA Today.

The article “Exercise: Bicycling to Keep Off Extra Pounds” by Roni Caryn Rabin in New York Times is quite encouraging. Indeed as people age, the process of shedding extra weight becomes a very challenging task.

The article will enlighten you with the results of studies on how bicycling has helped people control their weight especially those in their thirties and forties.

So, stop worrying about your extra pounds. Instead read the article “Exercise: Bicycling to Keep Off Extra Pounds” from NY Times and get inspired.