Obesity plays an important part in the overall health of an individual. A person is considered overweight or obese based on his BMI (Body Mass Index). The BMI is calculated by dividing the weight of an individual by the square of the height (kgs/m2). As per the World Health Organization (WHO),

* A person with a BMI of 25 is overweight and
* An individual with a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese.

These numbers and indexes should be treated as indicative since the level of fat, weight of the bones and muscle in all adults can vary on the basis of sex, race and environment.

Given that obesity is a serious concern among kids and teens, the WHO is also delving on the issue of developing a growth reference index for children and adolescents.

Obesity is a major health risk, which is directly proportionate to the BMI of a person. It is a major cause for heart disease and stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis and some types of cancers.  Read more...

Exercise can be fun but many people don’t know that. The best exercise is the one that you will continue to do long after you have reached your goals. Cycling may be that exercise for you.

Obesity is an epidemic in the world today. Far too many men, women and children are sedentary. They don’t get enough exercise and that leads to many disease processes taking over their lives. The world needs to get back on its feet and back into shape.

Cycling is an exercise that is beneficial for all age groups. Most people learn to ride a bike as kids, but you can learn at any age. It requires balance and an adventurous spirit.

It seems too good to be true, but the best exercises are often the simplest. You don’t have to invest in all of the infomercial products, just a bicycle that is adjusted to your height and fits your size. Don’t forget your helmets and comfortable gel seat pads for long rides.  Read more...

Sleep is an important part of our daily cycle. It is during sleep that the body begins to regenerate and repair itself from the activities of the day. Shorting yourself when it comes to getting enough sleep can lead to changes in your body that promote weight gain.

Each person has a certain amount of sleep that their body needs each night. Depending on your age, you need more sleep than at other times. For children, the sleep requirement is usually between nine and ten hours a night. The body is still developing. With growth spurts, teenagers may sleep a little one night and half of the day another night.

The body does lots of work during this time. The brain processes what has happened during the day while you sleep. The body recovers from stress at night. If you exercise, your muscles are still burning fat while you sleep.  Read more...

When we were kids, jumping rope was a part of having fun outdoors. We played games and had contests to see who could jump the best.

Jumping rope is one of the best exercises to burn fat and calories. But, this isn’t your grade school kind of jumping rope unless you were used to Double Dutch. When most kids jump rope they bounce at the bottom to give themselves a little break before making another pass with the rope.

This way of jump rope is more like what you would see on a Rocky movie in the gym. Boxers jump rope for speed, endurance and increased lung capacity. You are in that ring for a long time and you don’t want to get winded.

Jumping rope targets all of the muscle groups of the body when done right. Of course your heart and lungs are getting a workout here. But, you are also working your legs, especially your calf muscles. Someone who is jumping fast doesn’t have time to put their entire foot on the floor so only the ball of the foot touches. That means that the work is concentrated in the calves.  Read more...

If you’re feeling a little sleepy late in the afternoon, instead of taking an over-the-counter stimulant, you can have a caffeinated drink and get a little pick-me-up. If you’re planning on working out, you may wonder about caffeine and exercise. Is it a good idea to mix the two?

Caffeine is a stimulant, pure and simple; it is quickly absorbed into the body and begins to lose effectiveness after one to two hours. Stimulants increase your heart rate and blood pressure, and release glucose into your blood stream. This may explain the extra energy.

Scientists also explain how caffeine increases the level of dopamine in your system which activates the reward center of your brain. In short, caffeine makes you feel good. The stimulant effect may make you feel more awake and more energetic for a short time, but will it affect how well you perform if you participate in sports or exercise?  Read more...

One of the amazing things about yoga is that despite the great benefits that it produces, it requires no costs. There is not specific yoga training equipment that one has to use in order to obtain the desired results and there is no such thing as the perfect environment required for practicing yoga.

All this is a direct consequence of the fact that yoga is, more than a practice, a state of mind and a life style. That is why your will, as well as your believes and attitudes towards this philosophical path are all that actually matter. Moreover, a balanced and healthy diet, based on natural food, is a key issue for preparing yourself for your first yoga session. What we eat can strongly affect both our mind and our soul, so it is crucial to mind what we eat.  Read more...

If you’re usually active during the warmer months, you may be looking for something to do during the winter months to keep you active. Have you considered the benefits of skiing – not only as an activity to enjoy, but also as a means to keep you in shape during cooler weather?

One of the biggest benefits of skiing is that it is a full-body exercise. You will work out every major muscle group from head to toe. It gives you an excellent cardiovascular workout while strengthening your heart. Skiing also improves the circulatory system and releases oxygen to the muscles.

Did you know skiing can help regulate your cholesterol levels? It sure can! Exercise helps a skier burn fat and lose weight, and that has to have a positive effect on cholesterol. In fact, skiing helps regulate the HDL (good) cholesterol which affects the LDL (bad) cholesterol.  Read more...

Exercise is one of the main contributing aspects to overall health and the easiest way to release feel-good chemicals in your brain. It is something every family member can benefit from. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is a great way to relieve stress and help restore balance in the body and mind.

Here are some tips to help you stick to some form of physical activity.  Read more...

• Start small. When suffering form anxiety and depression, even the simplest task can seem insurmountable. Just get moving! A daily walk through your neighborhood whenever you have a few minutes to spare can work wonders. Vary your route to keep it interesting.
• Find a partner. It’s harder to stick to a routine if you go at it alone; this is especially true if you suffer from depression. Exercise can be much more interesting if you find a partner to support you. Even better, try to involve the whole family.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are running rampant these days. Some experts believe this is because so many people are overweight, and carrying extra pounds can increase your chances of developing these and other chronic conditions.

To reduce the likelihood of developing a weight-related disease, many people are trying to shed extra pounds.

People trying to lose weight are constantly looking for foods they can enjoy but that are also good for them. If they can find something to eat that will aid in their weight-loss efforts they think that’s even better. To that end, some experts say you should eat more beans. But why are beans good for losing weight?

Part of the reason beans are good for helping a person lose weight is that beans are comparable with meat as far as calories are concerned. They also provide needed protein the same way meat will. The difference, however, is that beans contain much more fiber and water content than meat and this helps you to feel fuller faster. If you feel full, you’ll be less likely to overeat and you won’t feel like you’re missing anything.  Read more...

Just because the weather is turning colder, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your outside exercise routine. The temperatures may be lower, but following these cold weather running tips may make running during the winter months something you can continue to do and enjoy.

When you go out to run in cold weather, it’s important that you remain warm and dry. This means you’ll want to start with dry clothing in layers. The layers, made of different fabrics, will allow the sweat and moisture to be wicked away from the skin which will help keep you dryer and warmer.

Start with a thin synthetic material like polypropylene rather than wearing cotton, as cotton holds the moisture next to the skin. Polar fleece can be added next to help keep you warm with an additional insulation layer. Finally, use a breathable nylon material for the outer layer. This will protect you against wind and precipitation but will let out sweat and heat so you don’t become overheated.  Read more...