A 5K race is the perfect length for beginners to select to take their running out of the solo arena and put it into a group setting. And with spring rapidly approaching, the opportunities to participate in a 5K that benefits local charitable organizations will be plentiful. Preparation, however, is critical for gaining the ability to really go the distance. Getting ready for a 5K race … [Read more...]

Getting into shape, losing weight and developing a healthy, happy self-image is a journey that will not happen overnight. It takes time and dedication to reach goals and make sure your efforts result in lasting change. So, how can you sustain yourself for the long-haul and keep your attitude positive to ensure success? There is a secret trio of ingredients that go into any successful … [Read more...]

You’ve joined a gym and you’re all set to drop that 20 pounds you’ve promised yourself you’d lose for years. Your motivation is high and you know you can do it! That is fantastic news, but it’s time to temper your enthusiasm with a bit of reality. The fact is your motivation is very high right now and that’s a good thing. Your motivation, however, isn’t going to last forever. When … [Read more...]

You stand on the scale and just can’t deny the fact any longer: It’s time to lose weight and get into shape. The problem is finding the best diet plan to help you reach your goals. With so many options on the table, selecting just the right diet plan can be very difficult. The simple truth is there is no diet plan that is the best. Go on a strict diet plan to drop weight fast and you will … [Read more...]

If you’re ready to get into shape and really change your life, the first place to start is within your own mind. Leading a healthy, active lifestyle often calls for taking a mind-over-matter approach. Working out, eating right and making good choices calls for positive thinking to reinforce the actions you know you need to take. When you explore your own thought processes and your “mind … [Read more...]

You eat right and exercise regularly, but your weight loss isn’t on track. If you’re stumped as to why, you may want to take a look at the drinks you consume on a regular basis. Even seemingly “healthy” drinks can pack in a lot of calories that might be causing your weight loss plans to stall. Beverages really are the overlooked calorie giants in today’s fast-paced society. We down … [Read more...]

You know you need to exercise, but you just can’t stand the idea of getting into a boring, grueling routine. If you’re really ready to get into shape, you can make it happen by taking a different approach to working out. The simple truth is you don’t need to slave away on a treadmill to enjoy results. Exercise is often what you make it. Be creative and you can even learn to love it! So, … [Read more...]

It’s no secret that working out to get into shape can have its ups and down. The dedication, commitment and time involved can make it tough for anyone to make sound decisions and take the right actions to get the desired results. This is where finding and relying on a community support system can very much come in handy. When you don’t work out alone, you may find yourself more motivated to … [Read more...]

Feeling good about the skin you’re in doesn’t call for developing a waif’s figure, a model’s face or a queen’s grace. The fact of the matter is a healthy body image must come from the inside – not out. No matter what you look like, how much you weigh or how graceful you happen to be, you can be happy with who you are. While it’s always wise to learn to eat right, work exercise … [Read more...]

If you’re having trouble getting over the hump when it comes to shedding pounds, there’s a secret ingredient to add to your weight loss mix. No, it’s not diet pills or a chalky shake! The trick can actually be found right in your tap. According to recent research, that old “wives’ tale” about water and weight loss is actually quite true. A study involving two different groups of … [Read more...]

When you started your weight loss routine, you knew it would be a process. After all, you didn’t gain the weight overnight. You couldn’t have expected it to come off that fast. Unfortunately, you’ve hit a bump in the road and your motivation level is starting to wane. How can you get past a weight loss plateau to see the results you really want? First off, don’t give up! You can bust … [Read more...]

                Making positive, healthy changes in your life doesn’t necessarily call for scrapping everything you do. In fact, there are five very simple steps that when combined can make a huge difference. If you’re ready to enact changes right now, try adopting one or all five of these simple things today: Eat better … [Read more...]

You’ve been exploring the latest releases on the workout gadget market and you have to admit you’re impressed. Some of these items have every bell and whistle imaginable. While they are neat and trendy, you can’t help but wonder if they are worth the expense. So, are they? Generally speaking, the answer is no. While there are some workout machines, for example, that can be well worth … [Read more...]

You can work out religiously and still not see the results you’re after on the scale. If you’re tired of sweating and not seeing those pounds fall off, it’s probably time to look more closely at your diet. When there is a stumbling block on the path to losing weight, it is almost always associated with nutrition. The reality is all the exercise in the world won’t help with healthy … [Read more...]

You work hard to keep yourself in shape. You eat right, exercise and steer clear of unwise lifestyle choices. Still, you just can’t resist at least one sugary drink a day.  After all, a single can of soda pop won’t hurt you, right? This is not necessarily so. According to a study in Diabetes Care, that once-a-day habit might come back to bite you in the end. Researchers found that people … [Read more...]

Eating healthy, balanced meals is a great way to support a weight loss effort. Unfortunately, it can be very costly to buy the right foods to assist the waistline. A trip to the grocery store will quickly reveal that buying fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat and other healthful choices is a costly venture. So, how can you eat right and still keep your budget in check? Fortunately, there … [Read more...]

Feeling strung out? Having trouble sleeping? Jealous of how relaxed a cat on a hot tin roof looks? It’s probably time to change your exercise and diet routine to combat the effects of stress. While stress is a normal part of life and can actually be good for the body to an extent, too much stress over long periods of time can take a serious toll. The effects of cumulative stress are well … [Read more...]

If you’re working with a Jackson personal trainer or other fitness pro at your health club, chances are you’ve been told to stretch and warm up before diving into cardio or weight training exercises. It’s also likely that you’ve heard this so many times you’re tired of being told. After all, your workout would go a whole lot faster if you didn’t have to waste precious time on the … [Read more...]

It looks so easy on television. Flip on shows like “The Biggest Loser” and you literally see people shed pounds right before your eyes. They make it look so easy that getting into shape and losing weight is now in style. While this is a great trend, don’t let the cameras, lights and action fool you. Dropping pounds and keeping them off requires work and a big dose of good, old-fashion … [Read more...]

Cookies, cakes, pies, honey-glazed hams and Mom’s good ‘ole fashion Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners…the holidays can be a nightmare when you’re trying to lose weight. Avoid these foods and you’ll make your trainer happy. Refuse to eat and the feelings of your family and friends might be hurt. How can you enjoy the holidays without going insane or destroying your weight loss … [Read more...]

There are plenty of foods that are good for you. Some foods, however, are just better than others for your body and health. When a particular food contains a variety of disease-fighting and health-sustaining nutrients, it’s called a “super food.” These are the foods you want to include in your diet. As you work with a Jackson personal trainer at your health club to strengthen and tone … [Read more...]

If you’re tired of the same old, same old with your exercise routine, why not shake things up a bit? Interval training can provide just the boost you need to increase calorie and fat burning while making exercise fun again. Interval training involves short bursts of high intensity activity coupled with periods of lighter exertion. If you normally jog, for example, you can do so with a twist. … [Read more...]

Humans are creatures of habit. We do something one way for so long that the action becomes ingrained and natural. Sadly, many of the habits we pick up aren’t necessarily the best. It is possible to create new, healthier habits especially in regard to fitness. If you’re ready to start building healthy habits so fitness becomes routine, there are tips and tricks that can help you along the … [Read more...]

When you’re trying to lose weight and get into shape, picking the right foods is essential for reaching your goals. Unfortunately, the prospect is not as easy as it sounds and it can be downright confusing. It sure doesn’t help that many foods that sound healthy turn out to be nothing more than junk. If you’re fed up with hidden surprises in the foods you eat and want to see real results … [Read more...]

Losing weight and losing fat are similar, but they do have some distinctions. When you’re shooting for the latter, toning up and building muscle is one of the most helpful things to do. Learning how to build muscle, however, is not exactly as easy as it sounds. Most trainers will tell you an approach that involves both diet and exercise is the best. Muscle mass is extremely useful for fat … [Read more...]

You’ve been working hard, eating right and have even been exercising at home on your off days from the gym. The pounds have finally started to melt off and you’re seeing results. Unfortunately, you slipped up over the weekend and ate like the world was going to end tomorrow. Your guilt level couldn’t be higher. Relax! You’ve just proven that you’re human. You can get right back on … [Read more...]