Tuesday June 3rd Quick Tip

Get dressed.

It has been said that if you feel unmotivated or depressed or sad or whatever negative feeling that you are feeling at the moment can help to be alleviated by getting dressed. That does not mean just throw on the same pair of sweats that you have been schlumping on for the last week and a half. It means put on some clothes that make you feel good. Granted you might not have anything that will make you feel good, but give it your best effort. If you need to and can afford it, then go out and buy yourself something that you will feel good in. That might just be enough to jump start your healthy living.

365 Fit for life

*Disclaimer - I am not encouraging you to buy more clothes if you do not need them, or if you do not have the extra money to afford to be able to spend it. Pay your bills!

A New Look Might Be Just What You Need

I think for most guys a hair cut is just a haircut. I personally don't really like getting my haircut. I am also one of those people who doesn't really want to do anything because I'd rather be doing something else. Kind of confusing I know, but now is not the time or place for such talk. Anyways, I had put off my haircut for quite some time, probably close to two months. My hair grows really fast, so I was looking kind of shaggy. I go through phases with my hair. Sometimes it looks good, sometimes I just have to deal with it looking sort of bad. When I went to go get my haircut I assumed it was like any other haircut, I'd go in, get it done, and think nothing more of it. While I was getting it done, it started out the same and then about 3/4 of the way through it begin to change. I noticed that my face got a little thinner and taller, and that my overall sense of well being crept up a little bit. Now I do not think that any sort of magic was involved, although the jury is still out. I do however think that our appearance is a big part of our health, not just good nutrition and exercise.

My recommendation on a haircut is find someone you like and stick with them. It is annoying having multiple people cut your hair. Everyone does it a little differently and you never quite get what you want with new people. If you can get the same person every time then you will get what you want every time. It might take a little bit of trial and error in the beginning, but once you find a good barber/stylist, stay with them.

365 Fit for life

Is Sauna Sweat Just As Good As Running Sweat

I like saunas. They make you sweat and they make you feel good. Do we get any health benefit from sitting in a sauna. Well I suppose yes and no. Will you start losing tons of weight from sitting in a sauna, probably not, unless you are in there 24/7 and that wouldn't be healthy for anyone. So if you are not losing weight then what are you doing in a sauna. Like I said before, saunas make you feel good. It helps you to relax, loosens up your muscles, and makes you a little healthier. I read that the heat makes your body feel like it has a fever and boosts your immune system just a little bit. Now that's healthy.

People always want a way to lose weight without working. I guess you can say that sweating without moving will burn some calories. But like countless people have said, it is mostly just water. Sauna's do not replace good nutrition and healthy exercise. What it does do is compliment the plan that you are already on. So sit in your sauna after your workout. Let your mind and body relax, clear up your pores, and work whatever other magic you want to believe the sauna does for you. Just don't let that be your only workout for the week.

365 Fit for life

The Longer We Wait, The More We Deteriorate

I read somewhere that as we get older the longer we do not workout from the time that we did workout the more our muscles deteriorate. Now that sounds like common sense, as we get older our muscles need more push to get the same results. Yes that is probably common sense, but how many people have ever really thought about it? I am not old by any means, but I am still older than when I started my working out adventures. When I was younger it was way easier to recover from workouts and I could go a lot longer in between workout stints and not lose any strength. Now it seems like if I miss for a day or two I have lost any and all gains that I have made in the previous week. I can only assume that the majority of people reading this are in the older but not quite old category and here is my advice for you. Keep doing something. It is very simple but it holds very true. There will be days and weeks now and in the future when you will not want to do anything. You will be swamped with school or work, or in laws or vacation or whatever it is that you think is more important than your health. If you do not have time to go to the gym then do some prison style workouts. Google it if you want more in depth stuff. The simple version of it is do push ups, crunches, and body weighted squats, or any other body weighted squats. Take 10 minutes out of your day and get it done. It doesn't have to be anything major just something to keep your muscles engaged and doing something. Trust me, you will regret that week you let slip by because of something else.

My last thought for the day is that while you might think things are more important than going to the gym, remember that you only have one body. Treat it right.

365 Fit for life