Fitness Freaks

There is a common saying ‘believe and achieve’ and interestingly, it seems to be working with our exercise too. That notion has been pulled out through a new study conducted by Harvard researchers. Researchers went through this study quite strategically and in this, series a group of hotel cleaners was told that their work of dusting and cleaning 15 rooms each day is sufficient to keep their selves healthy while the other group was kept blind to this notion. After four weeks, results that sprang out were quite surprising. Actually, it was found that those who imbibed the idea that physical work is good for their health were found more trim and fit than those who were kept unaware of this notion. Another study focused on the same issue also brought out similar results. This very fact makes this finding quite palpable. Expounding the importance of positive mental attitude over physical workouts, Crum and Langer write: Whether the change in physiological health was brought about directly or indirectly, it is clear that health is significantly affected by mind-set. This is not for the first time when power of positive mental attitude has been shown tiding higher. Previous studies have also dubbed positive mental attitude as a portent weapon in every walk of life.As far as, exercise is concerned it has been found quite effective in fighting several mental as well as physical disorders. Perhaps that is why an adage goes like this:- Mind-the most powerful tool. Image credit: Svetpodpalmovkou Via: IOL

Feet-related problems can now be a thing of the past. The MBT shoes have an answer to your multiple problems. Designed as orthopedic shoes in Switzerland, they are slowly gaining popularity in Europe. Helping in weight management and elimination of back and neck pain, slouching etc the shoes offers one multiple benefits. The shoes are an output of technology, but in terms of fashion they have the potential to become a major trend. And if you like trekking long distances then you can do so with ease. The curved bottom of the shoe alleviates any discomfort and at the same time keeps your legs toned and lean. So here you finally have shoes that will make you fall in love with walking, so much so that the feeling equals to walking barefoot in the soft sands.

Heard about the emotion workout:

But the process actually takes time, a whole lot of determination and not to mention, pain. Men have been gymming forever, flexing their muscles and developing those curved biceps. The activity is engaging, helps them build confidence and increases their self-esteem by a staggering percentage. It’s more of a self-evaluation that the individual undergoes here. However, the question is, do men do it only for the macho factor? Is there more to working out than the mere pursuit of a Greek god bod?

Turns out, yes. Men swear by gymming to get over their worries, frustrations and even troubled relationships. Gokul Govardhan, who has been religiously visiting the gym for the last three years (without missing a day), decided to hit the gym after he was ridiculed for being scrawny. “People started calling me names because I was thin and even went to the extent of insulting me by comparing me with guys who were well-built .”

On a lighter note, Gokul states that the movie Vaaranam Aayiram inspired him a lot, especially the part where a brokendown Suriya works out fervently, transforming into a brawny hunk. “In the movie, his character says, vazhkaila ulla un kovathellam un udambula kaamikanum (whatever anger you have, take it out on your body). Gymming has helped me get rid of various anxieties and worries,” he says. Anjanaa Damodharan, another fitness freak, states that when she gets angry and wants to vent it out, she hits the treadmill. “I feel at peace when I’m at the gym,” she adds.

Our brain releases endorphins or ‘happy hormones’ when we gym. And once you are done working out, you can experience an immense sense of happiness . However, Mahesh, a trainer at a popular gym, explains that men sometimes come into the gym for all the wrong reasons. “The top reason being, the girlfriend wanted them to get a sixpack . Men over the age of 45 come to increase their sexual performance,” he rues, adding, “But, workouts are the biggest stress-busters .”

Excercise to de-stress:

Exercise, don’t binge
Often, when we are stressed out, we overcome it by eating something sweet or comforting. Avoid that and work out instead.

When we hear of strength training we immediately think of lifting weights or something to do with physical strength. It seems as if more focus is given to physical fitness and to a lesser degree on one’s emotional fitness. Emotional fitness must receive more attention because without it we can become emotionally, mentally and physically paralyzed, unable to achieve the kind of success we deserve.

Some of us are emotionally stronger than others. Some of us even have an inherent resilience. The emotionally strong person can handle enormous challenges. Even though the pressures of life may be overwhelming and they may become fragmented, the emotionally strong person is resilient, gaining knowledge from their struggles and developing emotional ammunition to recover and move forward. The emotionally fit person will stop at nothing to find solutions for whatever difficulties arise while maintaining a forward struggle. The not so emotionally strong person will also become fragmented when faced with the pressures and challenges of life but they are not as resilient. Some may become depressed, others may give in to drugs and alcohol to cope, while others may become overwhelmed and give up.

Many people invest in self-help books, searching for answers while others meet frequently with therapists to find solutions. Some attend seminars or purchase offers of feeling better, longing to feel something inside they know they lack. What many don’t realize is that the “use it or lose it rule” that applies to physical strength training also applies to emotional strength training.

Exercise is good for mental health; most of us know this fact but the way exercise works for mental health is still somewhat less known. However, this time researchers have come up solving this riddle with proofs that are more concrete. In this new study, researchers studied the effect of exercise on brain cells of the mice and concluded that exercise helped these mice in growing new brain cells. Interestingly, similar effect was noticed in people too. Throwing more light on the way exercise affects brain researchers Indited: The remarkable similarities between the exercise-induced cerebral blood volume changes in the hippocampal formation of mice and humans suggest that the effect is mediated by similar mechanisms. This finding is quite significant because it affirms the importance of exercise for enjoying a healthy brain, which is too important to accomplish any of our tasks successfully. Moreover, we should not forget that sound mind in a sound body. It is worth mentioning that previous studies have also dubbed exercised good for better mental health find out how:- � Boost fitness, boost brain power, study says � Exercise protects brain cells affected by Parkinson’s � Exercise and the Brain � Exercise Saves Brain Cells � Light exercise a tonic to keep the brain young Image credit: Lakota Herbs Via: CNN

Does the word ‘yoga’ conjure up images of saintly people steeped in deathly silence contorting themselves into near impossible forms? Well, it’s time to step out of the stereotype and into the world of ‘neo-yoga’! Who would have thought that one day, iPods, rock, pop, country, hip-hop and jazz would be part of a yoga class? Unbelievable but true – this is exactly what contemporary or ‘new-age’ yoga is all about. After all, the bottom line is to achieve inner peace and relieve stress and for that, what could be better than your favorite song! Due to fast paced and racy lifestyles, most people find silence and stillness rather uncomfortable and identify more with music and movement which more integral to our routine. According to David Romanelli, neo-yoga has a far better reach as opposed to the conventional form, which is exclusive to people with a high level of self-discipline and will power. Neo-yoga may also inspire burger-munching teenagers who elude traditions and conventions like the bubonic plague. The staunch yoga purists may loath at the idea and we do agree that rock and roll sort of adulterates the whole yogic experience, but who cares as long as it works. So, what are you waiting for? Slap on your earphones and jive your way to nirvana! Source link: Health.Yahoo! Image link: Yogaacademyoftexas

You might have heard or enjoyed nude beach resorts but now you can also enjoy nude workouts too but only if you like. Actually, a Dutch gym owner has come up with this new idea enabling people to enjoy nude workouts where finding clean work-out clothes won’t be a problem. The inaugural of this restaurant came to the fore amid both negative and positive remarks. However, those who are coming to enjoy nude workouts are very enthusiastic about this somewhat strange but fantastic idea. The following remark of Ron van der Putten, who drove for more than an hour to take part in nude workout reveals his excitedness: There are things that you like to do, and for a nudist, it just feels better to do them with your clothes off. Well, it is a nice opportunity for those who wish to see their every muscle working while doing workouts. Moreover, it would provide such people with ‘no-sweat workout’. Via: The Age