Your Fitness - Five Ways Keep It Simple

Getting fit always seems like a good idea, but when the rubber meets the road do you find that sticking with your fitness routine can be really difficult? Do you find it hard to make a plan that ensures your fitness but doesn't take up too much time?

Ideally, your fitness routine should include physical activity four to five days a week, but sometimes that just isn't possible. If you add work or school to the daily activities of life, sticking to a fitness plan can be a real chore. But don't despair. There are ways you can keep your fitness plan very simple. Here are five ways to make fitness an easy and effective part of your life:

<> 1. Plan for Convenience <>
If you want to work out at a gym, then choose one that is on the way to or from work or school. This makes it easy to stop by and work out either in the morning or evening. Don't make yourself drive a long way. Make working out a convenient stop. If you don't want to join a gym, you can still stick to your fitness routine by parking your car far enough away from school or work that you get a regular brisk walk twice daily.

<> 2. Fuel Your Body Right <>
If your body feels sore or tired for any reason (usually from stress) then naturally you will feel reluctant to exercise. To help you stick to your fitness program, be sure you fuel your body with the right nutrition. Add vitamin and mineral-dense foods to your diet. Drink plenty of water, especially during the winter. Antioxidants will also keep your body limber and flexible. Foods rich in antioxidants include berries, garlic, carrots, soy, and whole grains. If you can't get antioxidants on a regular basis in your diet, you can take pill-based supplements such vitamins E, C, and A (in the form of beta-carotene). Blue-green algae and spirulina also offer strong natural sources of antioxidant nutrition.

<> 3. Plan Ahead <>
You can ensure that you stick to your fitness routine if you actually schedule it into your weekly calendar. Instead of getting up in the morning hoping that your day goes well and that you will "feel like" dropping by the gym on the way home from work, make a plan. You might even schedule your workouts with a buddy so you will have a definite incentive to exercise as planned.

<> 4. Distract Yourself <>
Not that you don't want to concentrate during your workouts but if "feeling the burn" tends to discourage you from your fitness regimen, then by all means distract yourself. Try listening to an mp3 player while you workout. If you plan to exercise by walking from a distant parking spot to and from work, try calling up a buddy on your cell phone as you walk. If you workout at a gym, tune into the TV set to keep your mind off your exertion.

<> 5. Reward Yourself <>
Be sure that your fitness plan isn't all about "no pain, no gain"! Plan some ways to reward yourself when you have stuck to your fitness plan. Whether you go in for a relaxing pedicure or simply stop by the local yogurt store for some guilt-free non-fat frozen yogurt, make sure that you get a reward for your fitness efforts!

Enjoy!
Alan

Stay Healthy This Winter – Four Tips

Hot dry air in your lungs. Chapped skin on your face and hands. Static-cling hair. Feeling thirsty all the time. Catching every cold that comes around.

Does this ring any bells yet? Yup, it's winter and your body is saying, "Yech! Tis the season to feel icky!" Lucky for you winter does not have to be a time of sickness or discomfort. By just taking a few simple steps and slightly adjusting your daily routine you can feel much better this winter, starting today. Here are four simple tips to keep you fit, vital, and healthy all winter long.

** Drink Up! **
Water, that is. Drink lots of water. Wintertime means hot dry air that parches your lungs and chaps your skin. If drinking straight water doesn't sound good to you, try adding a little salt or lime to you water. Both salt and lime improve the taste of water, and a slice of lime tends to remove any chlorine that might be in your water. You can also try brewing some tea or just drinking warm water with honey and lemon. The more water you drink the less you'll need to apply lotion and lip balm. Plus, water helps your body flush out anything unwanted, like toxins and viruses that might make you sick.

** Enzymes to the Rescue **
Thanksgiving has already come and gone but we still predict lots of holiday meals (and sweets) in your near future. Just think of all the office parties, neighborhood potlucks, and Christmas parties yet to come. Can you spell indigestion? If so, you'll need enzymes to the rescue. Enzymes help you digest your food, especially if you overeat or gorge on junk food. Take 2 enzymes before each meal and take 2 more after the meal if you feel overstuffed. You can also take enzymes anytime you have digestive discomfort.

** Defend Yourself with Probiotics **
Do you cringe every time your hear someone cough or sneeze? Afraid you might catch the cold or the flu from the person sitting next to you? Then defend your health by adding probiotics to your daily regimen. The probiotics acidophilus and bifidus are the "friendly" bacteria that live in your gut and are your first line of defense against colds and flus. Rather than being antibiotics, which is what you take AFTER you have a cold, probiotics are what you take before you catch a cold. Probiotics keep you healthy rather than curing you after you are already sick. It sounds like that old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," doesn't it?

** Stretch **
Did you know that one of the major causes of tiredness is muscle tension and fatigue? It's true. Tight muscles that haven't been stretched out can make you feel tired before you even begin your day. At the end of your day, those same tight muscles can make a long day seem endless. So what can you do to prevent muscle fatigue? Stretch your body! Doing just 15-20 minutes of light yoga or stretching in the morning can drastically improve the oxygenation in your body as well as your overall physical stamina. Stretching is a simple investment in your health that will pay off immediately.

These four tips are very simple yet highly effective, and most of them don't take more than a few minutes to implement in your daily routine. Enjoy!

Good Luck!
Alan

Holiday Stress and Emergency Kit

Do the holidays seem more stressful than joyful sometimes? For most of us, the holidays are a busy time characterized by extra activities, over-eating and travel. To keep the holidays joyful, we've put together a Holiday Stress and Emergency Pack that you can keep handy. Its contents will keep everyone feeling healthy and well.

• Japanese Ume Plum Tar.
  For stomach upset, diarrhea or nausea. This can be found in your local health food store. A tiny amount of Ume Plum Tar will almost immediately improve the state of your digestive system and alleviate feelings of nausea.
  
  
• Ginger.
  For nausea. Ginger in tincture form can be found in your local health food store. If nauseous or motion sick, take 2 to 4 drops orally or in tea to alleviate symptoms.
  
  
• Vitamin C.
  For supporting the immune system. Vitamin C can be found in your local grocery or health food store in tablet, chewable or powder form. Take as directed.
  
  
• Enzymes with Algae.
  For improving digestion and metabolism, and relieving symptoms of upset stomach as a result of over eating. Taking 2 to 4 enzymes (SBG Zymes) with each meal prevents after-meal drowsiness and indigestion. Taking up to 5 enzymes between meals cleans the blood and increases the metabolism. Note: if you have ulcers, sprinkle the enzymes on food and do not take enzymes between meals.
  
  
• ProBiotics.
  For supporting the immune system, preventing the onset of colds and flus, and improving digestion. Did you know that Acidophilus is Nature's antibiotic? If you feel you are about to catch a cold or flu, take 6 to 8 Acidophilus with spring water, then take 2 every 2 hours thereafter. Your cold will vanish before it starts. Taking Bifidus at night ensures restful sleep and the Full Spectrum Probiotic prevents constipation.
  
  
• Rescue Remedy.
  For acute stress. This wonderful Bach flower remedy can be found at your local health food store. Take 4 drops orally or put 4 drops in spring water and sip on it all day. Rescue Remedy relieves acute stress of all types - mental, emotional and physical. This is a handy remedy to keep with you at all times.
  
  
• Blue-Green Algae.
  For a steady source of energy and immune support. While sugar and caffeine provide temporary sources of energy, neither are permanent and both can cause you to "crash." Blue-Green Algae, scientifically proven to support your immune system, provides a steady source of high energy and mental clarity to help you truly enjoy the holiday season.
  
  
• Antioxidants.
  For detoxifying the body. Stress and over eating are 2 of the major contributors of toxins to our body, which cause us to feel tired and unwell. Fortunately, taking anti-oxidants such as Wheat Sprouts and CoEnzyme Q10 can rid the body of these toxins.
  

Hopefully these natural supplements will help you enjoy the season to the max!

In Peace,
Alan

You can order blue green algae, enzymes, probiotics and antioxidants online.