Golf fitness training might sound grueling, sweaty and a lot of work! Doesn’t have to be that way. Now of course I’d be lying to you to say it’s easy and you won’t have to make a small commitment to stick with it to see results.
But what I am saying is…you can participate in a golf fitness training program with minimal equipment and can do it right in your home or even your office.
How ?
With only a stability ball, exercise tubing and a pair of handweights. Grand total…under $60 for your “total golf fitness gym”. That’s about one months membership to your local club that you’ll visit once or twice and never go back (but keep paying every month).
I want you to get that picture out of your head of the “muscle-bound” hulk, heaving hundreds of pounds with on arm, slamming it to the floor and letting out the infamous LOUD GRUNT for attention.
No..you’ll be doing golf-specific exercises with bands, balls and handweights that will quickly and directly benefit your golf swing. Sports conditioning or in this instance golf fitness training requires you to use your body in space incorporating balance, stabilization and sequence of timing just like your golf swing.
The direct correlation results in longer, more accurate drives, hitting a larger number of greens in regulation and walking off the course beating the pants off of your playing partners.
Now that’s “instant gratification” at its best!
And how about no more injuries! I’m dead serious! All those aches and pains finally gone. Forever! A stronger more flexible body will have a much higher level of resistance to pain and injury. And the added bonus is swinging “easier” and with much less effort, but seeing the ball go much further and straighter. It will feel like an “out-of-body” experience.
A few words of caution!
If you hear or see any programs touting they are golf fitness training and see the golfer and/or trainer using the basic machines in the gym, this is NOT golf fitness training. This is without a doubt “general fitness”. Not altogether a bad thing, but won’t directly help your golf game.
Working on a stability ball, and using tubing and handweights you can mimic many phases of the golf swing and at the same time challenge your core stabilization, balance and muscular endurance. All critical factors in achieving optimal swing mechanics for 18 holes.
And…they’re fun to use. You’ll never get board. You can always make it more challenging from a balance and/or stabilization factor.
Just try to get one of those “muscle-heads” on a stability ball lifting the same heavy weights they use. Call the medics..cause it’s going to get ugly real quick.
You see…most people who workout in the gym never challenge their proprioceptive awareness (or simply…using their body in space). This is the key to great golf.
The stronger you can get your core stabilizers, coupled with increased rotational flexibility…you’re headed to an awesome game of golf. You’ll definitely be the envy of your foursome.
So don’t hesitate to get started on your golf fitness training right away!
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=45330
There is hardly a week that passes without an article or study touting the benefits of exercise. Exercise to cure cancer, exercise to lose weight, feel better, livelonger, and stop dementia, the list appears endless. The benefits of exercise sound fantastic but there is just one problem. You have to exercise to gain the benefits! For many, this is a big problem.
So, what can you do to get yourself motivated to join the wonderful world of exercising? A great solution is to join a gym where you are in the company of like-minded people. Joining a gym for the first time or after a period of inactivity can be a little scary. I hope this article will make your fitness journey a little easier.
Aren’t all gyms pretty much the same? The short answer would be. ……. NO. Every gym has it’s own personality both in the equipment and the type of people it attracts. Some gyms cater to weight lifters with lots of free weights and little else, while other facilities might cater to working women and offer activities such as yoga, spinning or aerobics. There are locally owned gyms and nationwide chains. Small gyms as well as mega fitness centers. There is a gym for everybody but it will take a little footwork to find your perfect fit.
What’s the most important feature when looking for a gym?
In my opinion, location must be considered before anything else. Absence will not make the heart grow fonder. A gym more than 10 minutes from your home or office will end up not getting used. If you like to work out in the morning you might want to stick with gyms close to home. If you’re a lunchtime sweat maven then a gym near work could be a better option. Some of the larger chains may have facilities by both work and home. In addition, if you travel, gyms with multiple locations may let you work out for FREE, or at a discount, if they have a facility at your travel destination.
Other Features to Consider
Membership Clientele – Check out the other patrons in the gym you are considering. Each gym has it’s own personality. Is it mostly women or men? Is everybody wearing fashionable workout gear or is it a shorts and t-shirt crowd? Does it cater to families or is it an adult’s only gym?
Equipment – The quality and variety of equipment is very important if you plan on starting a comprehensive fitness program. Is the equipment well maintained? Check to see how many machines are “out of order”. Check to see if free weights are offered as well as machines. Is there an adequate cardio section with plenty of bikes, climbers and treadmills? These tend to be high use pieces of equipment so it is important that the facility have several.
Hours – Everybody has different times for his or her workouts. Make sure the gym you choose will accommodate your schedule. If you are an early bird and your gym opens at 10:00 a.m. then you are probably going to end up not using it despite the other features you find appealing.
Price – Don’t get fooled by a low-ball price. Make sure the membership includes the use of everything of interest to you. Some gyms have a low membership fee and then charge extra for using the tennis courts, pool, classes etc. Read the fine print. Also, there are all-inclusive low priced gyms that are in the business of selling memberships and don’t really care what happens after you sign up. You may find that half your town has a membership and you have to wait in line to use the equipment.
Management – Is there an active owner or manager on the premises? What is there policy regarding restacking your weights and the playing of loud music? In some gyms, anything goes and you may hear 3 or 4 different stereos playing at the same time, weights are thrown around and you can never find the equipment you would like to use. This is a sign of poor and inattentive management and should probably be removed from consideration.
Everybody is different and there is not a single solution for picking the ideal gym. The key is to find a place that you feel comfortable and that you will use on a regular basis. Working out is a habit that takes time to form. Don’t make an impulsive decision that will cause you to lose your desire to get in shape.
Before making a commitment, visit and workout at a few gyms that you are considering. Most facilities will let you try them out for a few days. Make sure you go at the times you would if you were to join. This will give you a feel for how crowded the equipment is at that time. Now, the only thing left to do is just go out and GET STARTED!!
Here is a list of several gyms with nationwide locations. These will offer a good starting point on your quest for the perfect gym. Check for locations in your area.
http://www.powerhousegym.com/
http://www.goldsgym.com/
http://www.worldgym.com/
http://www.ballyfitness.com/
http://www.24hourfitness.com/
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=45890
Weight training combines building muscle tone and working the cardiovascular system. Weight training tones your muscles and raises your metabolism, which helps your body burn more calories not only when exercising, but also while you sleep.
Weight training reverses the natural decline in your metabolism, which begins around age 30 therefore this is something to think about for all those who have reached that age.
Working with weights can produce a great deal of energy, and a full workout works almost all of the 650 muscles in your body. Looking toward long-term benefits, weight training strengthens bones, which can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. This of course is of very big concern amongst women, since osteoporosis afflicts women much more than men.
Many women worry that weight training will make them muscular and bulky like a man but you must keep in mind that men and women have different muscular structures, therefore weight training will not develop big muscles on women, just toned muscles.
Not only is weight training a routine that makes you strong, it is a routine that trains the body to build muscle instead of fat, takes stress off key areas of the body such as the lower back, making you less prone to injury in that area.
Since high blood pressure or hypertension is a big concern with those who are obese, it is welcome news that weight training decreases your resting blood pressure.Weight training has also been proven to increase your blood level of HDL cholesterol, which is commonly referred to as “good cholesterol. Overall health is definitely improved through weight training.
It is best to start with a plan, which may be joining a gym where you can regularly go to get a full workout, or purchasing a home workout system that uses resistance instead of weights but produces similar results. You must assess what type of person you are, and make the appropriate decision from there.
If you like the idea of going out somewhere daily for your workout, welcoming the change of scenery and benefiting from the comradery of others who are also training, then you may want to opt for a gym membership. However, if you know you are the type that enjoys working alone and will not work out unless its in the convenience of your home where you do not have to get dressed and go out, then the home gym system option is for you. Only you can make this assessment of yourself.
Some popular home gym systems include CrossBarTM and BowFlexTM. Many quality home workout systems exist, but of course none work when not used, so be sure that you remain focused and dedicated to your plan.
Whatever you do,make your exercise experience one you look forward to each day.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=46961
Using exercise for golf to strengthen your swing could be one of the wisest decisions you’ve ever make in regards to improving power and distance.
Have you tried those gimmicky training aids in hopes to strengthen your swing? If so, were you successful? I can take a guess, but I won’t get on you too much.
Most of the touring pros are now using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing and have seen their driving distance go way up. And yes…their equipment has a little bit to do with it, but can’t take all the credit.
I have said thousands of times, “it’s your BODY that plays the game, not your equipment”. Doesn’t that make sense to you?
Like any athlete…he or she spends a huge amount of time strengthening their muscles specific to their sport.
Why wouldn’t you as a golfer do the same thing?
Hopefully after reading this article you’ll give it strong consideration.
Using exercise for golf to strengthen your swing entails the use of a stability ball, exercise tubing, handweights and even a weighted medicine ball. These are all inexpensive golf training tools that can have a dramatic affect on your game.
I can’t tell you how many golfers (thousands) have emailed me telling me their amazing improvements in power, distance and accuracy from using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing.
It’s a very simple approach that won’t leave you sweating like a pig and spending hours upon hours in your gym. In fact…you don’t need a gym to do the kind of golf training I’m talking about.
With the above golf training equipment, you can do a simple golf exercise program in less than 30 minutes “in your home”. Now that’s time-savings and even financial savings not having to keep up a gym membership.
The premise of using exercise golf golf to strengthen your swing is one that warrants quick results with a minimal time requirement.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=52411
We have all set them, and we will revisit them again around January 1st. For some reason each year we feel it will be different this time around – only to forget the new gym membership, new clothes and new found inspiration about six weeks into the year.
Why do New Years Resolutions fail us year after year? Or a better question, “Why do we fail them?” I believe it comes down to this; anytime you post pone the start of something, means it is not urgent or serious enough in your life. When something bad happens to you, what do you do? You move it, you make decisions, you don’t think about it you just move forward.
You will only follow through on your weight loss program when the consequences become your reality. From my e -book “Truth of Consequences?”
Almost all the people that I have counseled over the years in weight loss have been successful in keeping it off because at some moment in time they said, “That’s it, no more options.” I am starting right now. No need to wait, just move forward and stop talking yourself out of it.
Who says, you have to wait until New Years Eve to start feeling better, losing some weight and having more energy. Start with these suggestions:
Make a list of reasons not to start today.
Make a list of things that are preventing you from starting today.
Make a list of people that can encourage you to start today.
Why wait? Start today. Stop talking yourself out of feeling better.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=55195
New Years Resolutions do not work because you are really not motivated when you think you are. On the surface you may be, but deep down you are not. That is why by April, that membership to the gym, those new clothes and that new found motivation has all but disappeared.
When it comes to weight loss and sticking to an exercising program you are motivated from two emotions; fear and pleasure. You are also pushed from two directions; internally and outwardly. Out of the four choices there are two good ones and two bad ones. In other words, two that will help you stick to losing weight and two that will eventually hinder you. Do you know which ones they are?
What motivates you to exercise? Fear of your health or Pleasure of feeling better
What drives you to exercise? Internally vital signs or Toned arms and legs
I best way of staying motivated is a combination of both. However, you have to figure out the combination. I’ll give you a hint – pure motives are not seen. I believe that the journey goes from denying the reality of your health to a deep desire to take better care of yourself.
What does it mean to have deep desire for something? Remember those feelings you had back when you wanted your first bicycle. That Barbie doll you made a fit over in the toy store in front of everyone. Or what about that girl or boy you would have done just about anything for? There was such a hunger, a burning in your gut. You couldn’t even think straight, eat or sleep because it occupied your every thought. You just had to have it!
If you want to go from denial to desire, call on the “all or nothing attitude.” If you are going to start now, you have to start for good. The reality is you will have good attitude and bad attitude days for the rest of your life. But understand, if you are going to be healthier through exercise and eating, you are going to have to participate in some form of exercise till the day you die. This is not a temporary fix to a long-term problem; it is a lifestyle.
The bottom line of staying motivated to exercise and eat right is finding a meaningful reason too, not just because you have to.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=55197
If you haven’t already, it would benefit you to read the previous article, Weight Training for Weight Loss?, click here
Resistance training, also known as strength training, does not require a gym membership. It does not even require an expensive home gym. In this article, you will discover the secret of isometric training and its effectiveness for muscle growth.
Weightless Strength Training:
* Still requires a warm-up, with stretching afterwards.
* Still requires protein to increase musculature.
* Can be more effective than lifting weights, because you can “max out” Is safer than lifting weights, and can be done without equipment of any kind. Requires just a bit of experimentation to determine proper position.
* Consult your physician regarding chronic problems before starting.
Before and After
Just like lifting weights, you should always warm up before isometrics. This means a light jog or other low-impact activity that will raise your heart rate and raise your core temperature by a few degrees. This should last at least 5 minutes, preferably 10 or more. After this, you should do joint rotations. This is not a stretch, it is preparing the joint for work by encouraging blood flow. Then, do the resistance training. At the end, stretch all of the joints you have worked that day. Studies have shown that stretching before strength training actually reduces the muscle’s capacity, and does not prevent injury as was previously thought. Stretching after the work out will protect the joint and prevent cramping.
Maximum Overload
Anyone who has done a little research into muscle growth knows that what triggers muscle growth and strength gains is overload of the muscle. If you can do 20 reps with 20 lbs, you’re exhausting the muscle, not overloading it. If you pile on 100 lbs, and can only do 3 reps, this is ideal for lifting weights in a gym. But it is still not the maximum overload possible. Your goal for the most efficient workout is to flex with all your might during a partial rep (the range of motion where you can exert the most power).
You can’t really accomplish maximum overload at all using conventional weights. For one thing, you’d need a spotter to hand you the weights when you’re in the optimum range, and you’d have to instantly get a perfect grip on them. Furthermore, what weight do you use? You can’t be sure how much stronger you’ve gotten since your last workout, if you put too little, you’re not maxing out, and if you put too much you’ll drop it and risk muscle injury.
The answer is easier than you think. Get into the optimal range, then press (or push or pull) on something immovable. You can exert your absolute maximum force, and there’s no danger. That’s Isometrics: Intense muscle contraction at an ideal muscle length without moving – because the muscle is acting against an equal force. About 10 seconds of maximum force is the most that anyone can sustain, so try to aim for 3 sets of 10 seconds for each exercise.
Ideal Length
Your muscles aren’t made to exert the same amount of force throughout their range of motion. You have a weak range and a strong range. The ideal length for isometric exercises is at the muscle length where you can exert the most force. It is different for each muscle, and varies a bit person to person. For this reason, you may have to experiment a bit by varying the positions I recommend below until you feel the most force.
How do I perform weightless exercises?
Let’s start with the chest muscles, called the pectoralis (major and minor). Using standard equipment in the gym, you would normally use a barbell bench press or a dumbell flies. To convert this into an isometric exercise, you may think that you can just do the same action against a wall, since the wall is immovable. But that’s not true, because it’s really your legs that are pressing your hands into the wall, not your chest. (Try it!) This would only work if you were in a narrow hallway, with one wall against your back, and your palms flat against the opposite wall. That way you’d be pressing with your chest. However, unless you’re 9 feet tall, most hallways will be too wide for you. There are two practical ways to do the isometric chest exercise: sqeezing an object (one that won’t be easily crushed) between your palms, or pressing your palms together (since one side of your chest should be about the same strength as the other, each arm should provide exactly the right amount of resistance for the other arm).
For most people, the ideal muscle length for the pectoralis is nearly fully contracted. If you were doing a standard dumbell flye or a bench-press, that’s the top of the action, with the weight almost fully pressed away above your chest. So, when trying to crush a wooden box between your palms, or pressing your palms together, your arms should be nearly fully extended. You should have a small bend in the elbows, and your wrists, elbows and shoulders should be level. Do not drop your elbows, or you won’t be able to exert yourself as much, and you risk hurting your elbow joint. Concentrate on flexing your chest as much as possible for 10 seconds, exhaling slowly as you do. Then relax, and move on to your upper arms.
Once you understand the chest exercise, the biceps and triceps should be pretty obvious. With palms together, press your writs together as in the chest exercise, but this time with one hand facing up and the other down. The hand facing up will be flexing the biceps, attempting to pull towards your chest. The palm facing down will attempt to push away, flexing the triceps. Apply as much pressure as you can for 10 seconds, wrist to wrist (not into your palm or fingers, because that relies on your wrist strength, which will limit the development of your biceps and triceps). Then switch hands, and work the complementary muscle on the other arm.
The ideal length for the biceps is just more than half-way flexed. Make a “L” with your arm, then flex it a little more. For the triceps, the ideal length with the arm at almost full extension. This means that, for me, when I work my left biceps, my right arm has to cross my chest. Unlike the chest exercise, both elbows should be pointing towards the floor.
What about the shoulders or deltoids? For this one you will need a doorway, and if you’re short, you’ll also need a stool. Simply stand with spine straight and legs flexed, and press your palms into the top of the door frame for 10 seconds.
The biggest back muscle is the latissimus darsi, otherwise known as the “lats”. Still standing in the doorway with your hands above your head from the previous exercise, press your elbows into the sides of the door frame. The ideal length of the lats is almost a full extension, so technically, the narrower the door the better. A linen closet usually has a smaller door, so if you have one, use it.
If you’ve tried these exercises and feel the principles, you should be able to make up weightless exercises for any muscle in your body. I personally cannot figure out an isometric ab exercise without using special equipment, so if you can invent one, please write me to tell me about it. Email: info@weightlessproducts.com
Caution
The best part about the Weightless Workout is that it is so safe. If you ever feel pain or discomfort you can stop immediately and not risk dropping a heavy weight on yourself. You can just stop, and you should. Even the weakest elderly people can do isometric exercises because your own muscles define how much work you do. However, as with any other activity, there is a risk of injury, so consult your physician, especially if you suspect that your muscles are stronger than your joints or bones. Persons with osteoporosis can actually cause bone fractures because their muscles exert more force than their brittle bones can take.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=58955
You’ve decided to join a gym, but you’re not sure the best way to work out, and don’t want to pay for a personal trainer who may not really know what he’s talking about? Or maybe you’re experienced, but aren’t getting the results you want? Read on for the best tips for working out if you have a full gym facility, including the secret that no one will tell you about extreme muscle growth, because it is so dangerous.
Before and After You should always warm up before lifting any weights. This means a light jog or other low-impact activity that will raise your heart rate and raise your core temperature by a few degrees. This should last at least 5 minutes, preferably 10 or more. After this, you should do joint rotations. This is not a stretch, it is preparing the joint for work by encouraging blood flow. Then, do the resistance training. At the end, stretch all of the joints you have worked that day. Studies have shown that stretching before weight training actually reduces the muscle’s capacity, and does not prevent injury as was previously thought. Stretching after the work out will protect the joint and prevent cramping.
After working out you will also need an increased intake of protein because that is what muscles are made of.
Length of Time The resistance training part of your workout should not last longer than one hour. After a warm up, your body is in an anabolic state, meaning that it is ready to “build up” or repair any damage you do to it by running hard or doing other hard work. However, after 45 minutes or so (again, this varies by individual), your body goes into a catabolic state, meaning that your body is ready to “break down” or eliminate anything that may threaten your survival. Entering a catabolic state is good for breaking down body fat and eliminating lactic acid from your muscles, but other tissues are equally damaged by being in a catabolic state. You should be mostly concerned about your kidneys and your muscle fibers that will be compromised if you continue to push yourself. Let me repeat that: if you work out for more than one hour, you will hurt your muscles, not help them.
The Isotonic Workout Isotonics is a fancy word for what traditional bodybuilders do: contract the muscle in order to move a load. In other words, lifting and lowering weights.
As for the weight training itself, free weights are excellent because they make your body balance while lifting them. However, many people prefer nautilus machines for exactly the same reason: they feel safer not having to balance the weight. I will not give you weights, sets and reps to do, because there are a myriad of sources of routines written by all sorts of experts. I recommend you experiment with various programs, because although all muscles fundamentally work the same, everyone has different levels of hormones, different metabolism, and different levels of comfort. Pick up the latest fitness magazine of your choice for current work outs.
The key to remember when following a routine is this: If you are told to do 10 reps for 3 sets, this means that you should select a weight that allows you to do only 10 in a row, but not 11. You will feel tired at around 6, maybe shake a little at 8, and just pump out the 10th rep with no energy left to do even one more. If you can do 11, then you shouldn’t stop just because your routine says 10. Do the 11th and 12th if you can, knowing that you should be using slightly more weight the next time. At the end of each set, rest for about 2 minutes (unless your workout specifies something else) and then do your second set.
The Eccentric Contraction Most people who write workout routines emphasize that you lower the weight slower than you raised it. This is partly for safety. But there is a big secret! Let’s back-up a little. Concentric motion is flexing the muscle to SHORTEN it under load, and Eccentric motion is flexing the muscle while LENGTHENING it under load. As your arm moves up in a bicep curl, that is concentric, as your arm moves down, eccentric. Here is the secret: Your muscle can create more power in eccentric motions than in concentric ones. So always lower weights very slowly, to keep the maximum tension while lowering weights!
But we can take that discovery one step further for ultimate results. Skip the concentric motion because it’s holding you back! If you’re only working out with weights that you can lift, you’re not using the maximum power possible in your muscles.
Warning: the majority of muscle injuries happen during the eccentric phase of motion, and by trying this exercise, you are exposing yourself to risk of injury. So be careful.
You absolutely need a spotter for this, because you will need help to raise the weight. Load a bar with a bit more than you can lift. (If you can do 3 curls with 100 lbs, load the bar with 120 lbs.) With the help of your spotter, raise the bar to the top position of a bicep curl. Both of you will likely have to work a bit at this. Then, as slowly as you can, lower the weight to the normal starting position of the curl, with your bicep at full extension. This should take about 3-5 seconds. If your muscle goes slack or you drop the weight, you’ve put on too much weight. But if you’ve got the right amount, you should feel a burn like never before. After recovering for 2 minutes, you may want to do a second rep, but you probably won’t need it.
And that’s it. One rep per exercise. One controlled eccentric rep will stimulate your muscle to grow more than 3 sets of 10 reps because you’re using the maximum overload possible.
Why? Muscle overload is key to adaptation. When you’re using the absolute peak muscular output, it doesn’t have to last long. And since the peak is only possible during eccentric contractions, only do eccentric contractions.
I feel obliged to repeat the warning: always use a spotter, and only use weights that you can manage. If you are working out for the first time, get used to good form by doing traditional isotonics, and learn how much you can usually lift to determine your baseline. Some exercises are more dangerous to do eccentrically, because the bar may crush you if you overload it: bench press, squats, military press, etc. For these, use a “Smith Machine” where the bar travels on vertical tracks and you can set safety stops to stop the bar from falling below a certain mark.
Hydration Always remember while doing resistance training that water is your best friend. Drinking water will keep you from dehydrating, will keep your energy high, will encourage your body to cycle water and fluids throughout your body, and keep your joints healthy while exercising. The main cause of muscle cramps is insufficient hydration. For more information on the importance of water, read the Water article.
Caution For the beginner: start easy. Start at your core and move outwards. Work big muscles before small muscles. Fat burning happens most in the largest muscles, so encouraging them to grow will give you the fastest fat-loss results. After your first workout, you will be sore. It would be best to avoid going to your full overload potential the first week, to allow your joints time to adjust to your new activity. However, soon you will see growth, and best of all, you’ll see the fat start to melt.
The second-best resistance training (after eccentric contractions) does not even require weights, so you can do it at home without a gym membership. Read my article on the Weightless Workout.
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The best things in life are free and that is truly the case when it comes to planning your weight loss program.
Whatever you do, don’t waste your money on diet patches, pills and potions – they may harm you and they will certainly harm your wallet. Stand well clear of anything which is supposed to help you lose weight that hasn’t been prescribed by your doctor.
After all you already own everything you need to lose weight. You don’t need the latest diet program. You don’t need more fitness equipment gathering dust in a corner. You don’t need a gym membership. You don’t need diet foods. How much have you paid in the past for all the diet books and paraphernalia that were meant to help you but had no lasting effect on your weight?
To start a successful natural weight loss program you just need the following basic plan:-
1. Eat good healthy home cooked food
Healthy in this case means low in fat, sugar and salt and with plenty of fruit and vegetables, natural whole grains and lean proteins. There are a ton of fantastic healthy and delicious recipes out there that you can use. You’ll find them on the internet, in your own cookbooks or you can borrow recipe books from the library. Select the best meals you can and create a weekly meal plan. Enjoy your food more on your weight loss program than ever before! Plan your meals on a weekly basis and keep to it. Your shopping list becomes your best ally in your weight loss plan.
Eating out is often the downfall in any weight loss program. If you can’t avoid it, and especially if you eat out a lot, choose your restaurants with care and select the healthiest dishes from the menu. You could also ask them to prepare something healthy – most good restaurants would be able to provide plain fish or chicken for you with a salad (dressing on the side!)
2. Don’t eat unless you are physically hungry and stop eating as soon as you are satisfied
If you are overweight, you can be sure that you have eaten more food than your body needs in terms of calories. Chances are you’ve done that both through your choices of food – high in fat and sugar – which bulks up your body without filling you up and also through eating larger portion sizes than you really need of everything.
If you’ve forgotten what a normal portion is, it’s best to think of a meal as being about the size of your two clenched fists. Put that much on your plate to start with and see how it feels to eat that much. About right? Stop there. Too little? Have a spoonful more or fill up on salad or vegetables – you can’t do much harm with them!
3. Add as much movement into your day as you can
Most weight loss programs have an exercise element. Great though this is in theory, it’s where many people give up. It’s just too demoralizing when you go red in the face, sweating and heart pounding after a couple of minutes when you’re supposed to do twenty! Twenty minutes! You’re lucky if you can do five. Why put yourself through this when you’re clearly not ready?
The best way to add more movement into your day is by walking. Walk everywhere! It’s free! If you can afford it, get a pedometer and measure how much you’re doing each day. Aim for 10,000 steps every day when you’re trying to lose weight – it’s also great to stay at that level once you reach your target – it will help you stay slim.
If you’re not fit, check with your doctor and start with a few hundred steps, adding to your total every day. If you don’t have a pedometer, keep a note of your progress by counting the number of minutes you walk and get a rough idea of the distance you’ve covered (for example, one block and two lamp-posts), gradually increasing both as you get fitter.
You can walk whatever the weather if you have the right clothes and footwear or you can just walk around your home or the shops – it really doesn’t matter as long as you move!
Of course there are more things you can do to lose weight, but these three offer the best start to any weight loss plan. There would be far fewer overweight people in the world if everyone followed these simple and natural steps. Weight loss programs make things complicated because they need to differentiate themselves from each other. They are not just going to tell you the obvious – they have to wrap it up in ratios and percentages, points and calories, rules and regulations until you can’t live a normal life and follow them.
Free yourself from the latest diet fad and just start by following these steps. Weight loss, though still not as easy as falling off the proverbial log – we know that is just a fantasy – will happen more easily than ever before and in a completely natural way which gives lasting results.
Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=71315
Weight training for golf is viewed by golfers as a lot of work, time-consuming, boring and you need a gym membership to do it. None of the above is true, and if you read this article, I’ll explain why.
You see…weight training for golf isn’t on machines anyways…so that eliminates the requirement of a gym. It’s not a lot of work, if you pick and choose the area you want to focus on. It’s not time-consuming if you do it in the convenience of your home, and have a plan of action. And lastly, it can be a lot of fun, when you use bands, exercise balls and training equipment specific to golf.
There many “so-called” weight training for golf programs, but when you take a look at them, you’ll see pictures of golfers sitting on their butts in a machine. I don’t know about you, but I think golf is done “on your feet”, right?
Weight training for golf is close to becoming “mainstream” with the golfing community. We see and hear all the pros doing it and playing their best golf; so why wouldn’t we amateurs do it also?
There are so many reasons why to participate in a weight training for golf program, that you can’t overlook it and say you don’t need it.
Lacking power in your swing? It’s because your body can’t produce any stored energy from a full backswing with torque in your core. That’s a ‘physical’ issue, not mechanical.
Is your golf swing inconsistent from one swing to the next? Swing faults originate from some deeper physical limitation that’s not allowing you to make a mechanically sound and repeatable swing. How many times have you taken a lesson and heard your pro say, “you need to make a full backswing”, but you just can’t physically do it? That’s a ‘physical’ issue, not mechanical.
How about injuries? Do you have one at the moment? The golf swing is physically damaging to the body if you don’t have enough strength and flexibility to withstand the force the golf swing puts on it. Swinging a 3 foot long lever (club) at up to 90 mph is unbelievably stressful on the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles of the body. That’s a ‘physical’ issue, not mechanical.
I could go on and on, but I think you might get the idea by now.
Weight training for golf may be your “missing link” to your best game ever! If you’ve tried all the ‘other’ methods, this is the ONLY one left. Why wouldn’t you explore the possibilities a little more?
If you’re looking to add power to your golf swing; improve your consistency; and prevent golf injuries, then you’ve got to consider weight training for golf.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=74381
