Health Articles

Keeping our bodies healthy is of the utmost importance. By living healthfully and taking proper care of the "inner",
we can have the abundant energy and radiant beauty we all seek. 

Here you will find all of the best health tips and articles, so check back regularly!

EXERCISE: GET UP AND GET GOING!

I know, I know - the dreaded word. People would like to think that there is a way to look and feel terrific without exercising, but there truly isn't. (Not for long, anyway!) Exercise does so much for our bodies besides improving metabolism. Some of the many benefits include: decreased risk of certain cancers, firmer muscles, improved blood circulation (this is great for the skin), strengthening of bones (especially important for women), increased energy, and improved digestion.

All of this is fantastic, surely reasons enough to make exercise a priority. But there is more... The way I see it, the true benefits are spiritual and emotional. I have no doubt that exercise improves one's self esteem dramatically and nurtures our spirit with a sense of accomplishment. Like smiling, exercise inexplicably improves our mood. (It's that serotonin again.) It is a must for our well-being! The days I don't exercise I don't have as much energy. My thoughts don't flow as well, and my skin doesn't glow.
Below are some tips for getting you on the path to looking and feeling your best:

Exercise Basics: Aerobic, Toning, Flexibility

Aerobic exercise is anything that really gets your heart pumping. You should try to do something aerobic at least five days a week for 30 minutes. Also, you don't have to do it all at once. Three ten minute "sessions" will work just as effectively. Here are some popular aerobic activities:

1. Running

2. Walking

3. Swimming

4. Cross country skiing

5. In-line skating

6. Aerobic classes (step, spinning, etc.)

Or, you can always just turn up the music and dance! This is a great workout and especially fun to do with kids!

I'm also a fan of home exercise equipment. A stationary bicycle, treadmill, or stairstepper can be wonderful investments if you enjoy exercising in the comfort of your own home.

Start gradually. Even die-hard aerobic exercisers who have not exercised for a while, for illness or other reasons, don't pick up where they left off. They start gradually. That's why I recommend that your aerobic prescription start at just 20 minutes and build up to 30 minutes by the third week.

Toning, or strength training, is any exercise designed to build and strengthen muscles. Strength training is an important part of any exercise program, especially as we age. This type of exercise actually prevents and can even reverse bone and muscles loss related to aging. Muscles also work wonders on your metabolism. Muscle needs more energy than fat does. Therefore, the more muscle you build, the more calories you body burns. About an extra 25-50 per day for every pound of muscle!

Don't worry about "bulking up", as women don't have the necessary hormones necessary to pile on muscle under normal circumstances. For long, lean muscles, simply use lighter weights and do more repetitions. Weight training exercises should be easily incorporated into your daily exercise regimen. However, after strength training your muscles will need time to rest. This means not working the same muscle groups two days in a row..You can do toning and strengthening for all your muscles every other day (taking a break in between days), or you can alternate - tone the lower body one day, upper body the next. I personally like to do some kind of aerobic activity every day, then I spend about 10 minutes (that's all, really!) strength training my lower or upper body. The one exception is abdominal muscles -- they can be used every day.

Click here for information on yoga and pilates:

Yoga and Pilates

I began doing yoga myself about five years ago, and I could go on all day about it*s benefits. While aerobics and occasional weight training were keeping my body fit, I found yoga to be a missing spiritual link to my program. After I hit 25, I noticed that I had to work much harder to look and feel my best...Yoga seemed to provide a way for me to do this without as much effort.

Yoga is a centuries old practice rooted in Hindu and Buddhist culture. It not only builds a strong physical body, but focuses on meditative breathing as well. I have found the soft, smooth movements of yoga to be both relaxing and invigorating.

While many think of Pilates and Yoga as quite similar, they actually have very different histories. Pilates was developed by a man named Joseph Pilates in the early 1900's. He trained dancers with a series of movements (now of course known as pilates) used to give them the utmost in strength, flexibility and balance.

Most fitness facilities now offer yoga and pilates classes. There are a variety of books and videos out on these exercise forms as well, perfect for the beginner or advanced student. Even live TV has regular opportunities to participate in yoga.  (I am a huge fan of Steve Ross' show "Inhale".)

Whatever form of exercise you choose, be sure to do something you enjoy and that is convenient and you'll be more likely to stick with it.

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Wendy is available for beauty and wellness coaching, classes, seminars, and workshops for individuals, groups and corporations. All services are conducted through in person sessions, over the phone, and/or email. For more information, please contact Wendy at consultations@beautysoul.com

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