Sugar is in nearly everything we eat. In the typical western diet, the amount of sugar that has been added to food products brings our consumption of the sweet stuff up to 22.7 teaspoons per day. In order to extend the shelf life of processed food, sugar is added. While we know that sugar is...
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Many people find it hard to get motivated for a “big workout” at the gym, or getting up at 5am for a 10 mile run. However, scientists have found that many peoples’ bodies are different in the way that they get motivated. It is all linked to an individuals’ body chemistry and this can determine whether we find exercise a chore or a pleasure.
People have different levels of physical capacity, there are people that find going for a walk is more than enough exercise for them. Whereas, others find that spending hours working out in the gym is still not enough. It all depends on the type of the person, typically more sedentary people feel that walking or doing a few sit-ups are sufficient.
A persons’ physical capacity is based on their ventilatory threshold. In the majority of people, when at rest, the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled is equal to the amount of oxygen inhaled. When we exercise we pass the ventilatory threshold and the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled is greater than the amount of oxygen inhaled. This action causes the muscles to produce lactic acid and the body creates a stress response. Most peoples’ ventilatory threshold is at 50-60% of their maximum exercise capacity. For more sedentary people it can be as low as 35%.
The way we look at exercise also contributes to our motivation to do it. There are many people that love to lift weights and push their body to the limits, whereas there are people that find it unpleasant. If you are one of the people that hates exercise and finds it extremely hard to get motivated, what can you do? First, ease yourself into it, particularly if you haven’t been active for a while. If you push yourself too hard at the start of your exercise program it is only going to make you feel worse and discourage you from continuing. You can start with a simple form of exercise that takes the weight off of your feet, such as a light swim or water aerobics. Another option is to take up a social exercise activity. This can mean joining a class at your local gym or just going for a walk with a group of friends. The support of other people will help to increase your motivation.
Try the media to help get you motivated. Listening to your favorite songs or watching T.V. when you are exercising can help to keep you motivated and improve the results of exercising. Finally, pick an exercise that you enjoy doing. Many people enjoy team sports and excel at them, others are more confident participating in an individual sport, such as running or swimming. If you enjoy the exercise you are doing there is more chance that you will persevere and get the results you want.
Any amount of exercise is good for you. Don’t feel pressured into doing more exercise than you feel comfortable doing. Just enjoy the exercise you are doing and you will keep the motivation!
It’s very important to know just some of the basic differences between an MD (Medical Doctor) and a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) in order to understand the unique role that each type of medical professional plays in helping you to maintain or regain your optimum health. MDs and DCs are both fully licensed healthcare providers....
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There is a constant daily bombardment of different microbes that are known to make us ill. However, studies have shown that a wider exposure to these microbes as children can lower the risk of asthma and allergies in the future. Our immune system is not determined by just one thing, there are many factors that...
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Have you ever experienced sciatica? Where the pain seems to radiate down your leg to your foot, the medical term for this is actually "radiculitis". It may not be the most common nerve pain, but it causes extreme pain and discomfort for those that experience it. Radiating pain is actually caused when a nerve or...
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Many people have suffered psychosomatic symptoms, it may have been you or someone you know. A psychosomatic disorder is defined as an illness that seemingly has no known physical cause. A study has shown that out of patients complaining of 14 common symptoms, only a mere 16% had a physical cause for their complaint. The...
One of the most common musculoskeletal problems that a person will face in their lifetime is lower back pain. Nearly 70% of the population will experience low back pain. However, there is some good news! Studies have shown that exercise can alleviate this pain and even something as small as a brisk walk will help...
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According to the U.S. CDC, one in three adults over the age of 65 has a fall in any given year. Falls are currently the primary cause of injury-related deaths in this age range. They are also the most common cause of trauma-related admissions to hospital. Whether you are above the age of 65, or you...
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The cost of obesity and the diseases that accompany it cost the government an excessive amount of money every year. Many say that we should make losing weight a public health challenge and allow the money saved to be spent on other health problems.
In modern society it is extremely easy to gain weight due to the high amounts of fats and carbohydrates in processed food. We have constant pressure to eat foods that are non-beneficial to our bodies and in times of economic hardship we find comfort in eating fatty foods. The constant encouragement to snack everywhere we go does not help with our constant battle to lose weight. In such a busy society we find it easier to eat on the go, instead of sitting down at the table and eating a healthy meal.
Exercise is extremely important in losing weight, but it cannot be effective if our diet is not healthy. Exercising and then eating an unhealthy meal almost cancels each other out. In order to lose as much weight as possible we must have a balanced and “clean” diet.
The amounts of fat, sugar and refined carbohydrates that are included in the typical western diet all contribute to the increase in levels of obesity. Processed foods usually contain a high percentage of the recommended daily amount.
Another factor for the consumer with regards to processed foods is the cost. More often than not it is cheaper to buy an unhealthy meal at the store, or at a fast food restaurant than it is to buy the ingredients and cook a healthy, nutritious meal. This cost factor only increases the amount of people that are buying processed and packaged meals instead of natural, organic ingredients and cooking themselves.
To make any significant dent in obesity rates, more information and ongoing public education will be necessary. But they’re only one part of the solution. It will also require a real change in individuals’ own priorities and personal motivation. The fact that healthier menu options at mainstream eating establishments often sell poorly and that even reasonably priced fruit and vegetables are frequently passed by in favor of candy and soda tell this part of the story.
All in all, if we want to make a significant change to the levels of obesity and the chronic diseases that are associated, it is going to take a combined effort from the government and the food producers. In order to reduce the costs to our healthcare systems we need to create a healthier approach to modern society and encourage healthier eating. We need to give people an incentive to eat healthier and in a way that they can afford to.
Doing sit-ups is an extremely effective way to strengthen you core muscles. These muscles help you to maintain a good posture and they allow you to twist and bend. Chronic back pain and disability can occur when these core muscles are weak. However, doing sit-ups alone will not give you that flat stomach and six...
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