This month we will address the flexibility component in exercise. Your exercise program should consist of 3 components: aerobic, strength training and flexibility. Aerobic exercise consists of any exercise that challenges your cardiovascular system for a sustained period of time. This would include running, jogging, walking, biking, elliptical trainer, etc. Be sure to read our October 2008 Newsletter for more details on Aerobic Exercise.

One of the most over looked parts of a workout program is warm up and flexibility. A warm up that includes stretching should always be performed before your workout. Many people skip their warm up and stretching routine to head straight to their aerobic workout. Next time you think about skipping your warm up ask yourself, “do I take 3 minutes today or 3 months tomorrow?”.

Stretching is VERY important when it comes to injury prevention, balancing muscle groups, improving physical performance, reduction of muscle soreness, and improving posture. If

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Summer is coming and it’s the perfect time of the year to rethink your lifestyle habits. Motivation is a hard thing sometimes. Maybe you feel like you’ve “cheated” so many times you’re starting to wonder if you could ever stick with it. Or, maybe you just get in the “rut” of eating the same things all of the time and you get burn out.

Plateau Effect

Just as when exercising, if you are not eating a variety of foods or modifying your routine from time to time, you will experience what is known as the “plateau effect”. The plateau effect is where you seem to hit a stumbling block in your fitness achievements. Maybe you’ve stopped losing weight or can’t seem to build more muscle. Everything just seems to flat line. In the realm of eating, maybe you’re just plain bored.

Summertime is a perfect time to change all of that! The “simple” act of initiating change in your lifestyle is 50% of the battle. The other 50% is sticking with it!

1. Continuously educate yourself so you don’t fall prey
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