Archive for May 6th, 2010

Do you notice a change in the volume of time your sons or daughters are involved in outdoor play in comparison to the days you were a kid?  For many people the answer is yes, mainly because of the advancement of all things electronic that require a power point to connect into.  But it really doesn’t need to be like this.  But if your child is a couch potato then below are a few tips for getting them away from the tv and outside again.

It is a great idea to make outdoor play time a normal part of your kid’s daily routine.  Have them play outside for a minimum 30 minutes as soon as they get home from school.  Inform them that the Play Station and Xbox is going to be available to them only after they have had their outdoor play time.  As long as you are consistent and disciplined with this rule your children will adjust quickly.

Of course outdoor play alone is not much fun.  If your child doesn’t have brothers and sisters then encourage playmates to come over.  But don’t forget that Moms and Dads make great play partners too.  Think of it as part of your regular fitness regime.  Not only are you going to benefit healthwise, additionally, you will be making time to communicate with and be with your child on a regular basis.  Teach them how to play a few of the games that you grew up playing.  Believe me when I say your child will love you for it.

Having equipment to play with in the backyard will help encourage children outdoors but doesn’t need to be costly either.  For pre-schoolers a sandpit will keep them occupied for hours.  Older children enjoy ball games, bikes, jump rope and hopscotch.  If you have the area, a trampoline, swing sets for kids, backyard soccer goals or a basketball hoop are fantastic entertainers. Additionally, there are games like hide-and-seek that need no equipment, only imagination.

Everybody knows that outdoor play is crucial for a child’s development both emotionally and physically but it won’t happen unless we are willing to make some changes.  Let’s make it a priority to get our kids experiencing the fresh air again so we will all reap the rewards.

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People are usually surprised that despite the commercial blah-blah they are exposed to, there are no specialized belly fat exercises. There is a common tendency to mistake abdominal exercises that strengthen the muscles with belly fat exercises. If you think that crunches, sit-ups or V exercises will help you get a slimmer waist line, you are wrong! And here is the explanation for this state of facts!

First of all, no physical exercises can target a specific body party for the only reason that weight loss occurs evenly. Fat will melt away from the arms, the legs, the thighs and the buttocks, as well as from the abdomen. From this point of view, belly fat exercises are any sports activity that you prefer or traditional gym training, depending on the case.

Sit ups and crunches will hardly help due to the fact that they target the abs, hidden below the adipose tissues. It’s frustrating to have solid rock abs and know that they are invisible under the fat layer. Therefore, in case you are after a nice six pack, it is advisable to do abdominal exercises in parallel with general weight loss activities. Cardio training such as aerobics really help you burn fat efficiently.

Muscles grow in mass when they get stronger, which means that you may eliminate fat and replace it with muscles. Thus, when measuring your waist line, it may be larger than you expect because of the muscle growth. Hence, base your weight loss attempts on solid scientific evidence not on wonder weight loss programs that are intensely advertised.

Focus on diet and personal preferences when you plan your fat loss training routine. Energy comes from the food you provide to your body during meals. Consequently, act on a diet plan!

Finally, you should engage in those physical activities that you take pleasure in: those that you enjoy. If you don’t like traditional cardio or fitness programs, you can join a zumba or Pilates class or simply go out jogging, cycling, swimming, skating etc. If you have a negative attitude towards cardio training, because it feels like a physical discomfort, the belly fat exercises may not offer the results you expect.

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