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Habits Healthy People Have in Common

Fitness

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Photo: Nick J Webb, Flickr

Ever wonder what super-healthy people have in common? Turns out, many of them share the same habits.

Sure, some of them are obvious, like getting plenty of vitamin C and regularly exercising. We all know we should be doing that. But what about gargling? Or getting a massage? Did you have any idea these actions could help ward off sickness?

It turns out they can, and there's more surprising information where that came from. To learn how to incorporate new ways into your life, and to find out about more healthy habits, head on over to FitSugar for the full scoop! And don't forget to come back and let us know which of these healthy habits surprised you most.

Diet and exercise both needed for long-term weight loss

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

Weight loss, like any health scenario, needs a detailed and goal-oriented approach if ultimate success is to happen. A combination of diet, exercise and long-term weight maintenance are all pieces of keeping that weight off for, well, ever.

Eating well is a central key in losing weight. On top of that, a good exercise regime is a great tool in terms of maintaining that weight at a certain level. Now, the term "exercise" means different things to many people, and there are many activities that qualify. Walking, Pilates, treadmilling, using a rowing machine and lifting weights are all exercise -- but for each exercise there is a specific purpose.

What can work best for the goal of permanent weight loss? How you eat and what you eat goes hand-n-hand with exercise to give your body proper and healthy weight loss, so what do you do? Some decent insight into this common problem can be read here -- and then your preparation can begin if it hasn't already.

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Why don't doctors prescribe regular exercise?

Fitness

It's great to hear that some physicians actually prescribe exercise as a way to rectify and prevent certain physical ailments. I wish this happened more, but with most doctors being trained in repair instead of 'preventative maintenance,' it's no surprise that pharmaceutical drugs are used more than exercise to attempt an improvement in personal health.

But, with so much overwhelming evidence showing the physical benefits of exercise, why don't more doctors prescribe regular exercise as a way to treat certain maladies?

A good start would have patients track how much they should walk every day (using a pedometer) along with other normal activities that really can lead to good health if followed diligently. What has your doctor told you to do recently in regards to exercise?

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Male exercise reduces broken bone chances later in life

Men's Health

Bone fractures and other bone problems later in life can lead to dire consequences. After all, limiting mobility later in life is not a good thing from a physical and psychological perspective. Can it be prevented? Calcium intake and eating the right way can surely enhance bone density and help prevents these kinds of problems.

While much of the attention goes to women and possible causes of osteoporosis, I don't hear that much about men and possible bone problems later in life. But, osteoporosis can happen to men as well. But, just like with women, there are ways to prevent it.

The solution? Get regular doses of exercise throughout your early life. Prepare those bones and muscles to be as strong as possible for later in life as a result, and perhaps you won't have to deal with something as life-changing as a hip replacement.

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Go fly a kite and other interesting ways to burn 100 calories

Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

We here at thatsfit.com periodically post blogs on how to torch calories, as well as the importance of more out than in to lose weight (and keep it off). Generally those posts involve things like walking your dog, taking the stairs or visiting a colleague instead of calling rather than the every day ho-hum of jogging or doing sit ups. Today I've discovered another list of how-to options for burning calories, and reading it was almost as fun as some of the list's offerings.

This list, titled "100 Ways to Cut 100 Calories," compiled by Women's Health, offers a fresher approach to burning calories. While everything on the list may not be realistic (check out the one for slathering on lip balm) it's at least humorous, and does remind us that everything we do burns calories and can be put to use in our fight against the fat.

For example, as mentioned in the title of this post, you can fly a kite for twenty minutes to burn off 100 calories. That sounds both realistic and fun. If the kite gets away from you and you have to chase it down that might afford you some additional calories torched.

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Burning calories in the sand

Fitness

It's well-known that water activities are some of the best ways to get in that regular exercise. Water activities are generally very low impact, have great resistances and are very safe in many cases.

What about exercising at the beach? There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself when at the beach, but if you can "sneak" in some exercise while there, why not? Things like running in the sand, walking fast when almost submerged in the water and just plain swimming are great ways to get exercise.

The funny part is that most people probably don't realize how a trip to the beach can allow for some great exercise while providing a great amount of fun and recreation. However, be sure and don't get too much sun while all that exercising is going on!

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Letting the Internet be a motivator for exercise

Reviews & Products

If you spend a good amount of time in front of a computer every day, you may want to check out some fitness related websites. On the chance that you become self-motivated to begin exercising, you can then chalk up that credit to the Internet, right? Rigel posted on this topic recently, and as one who has become motivated to exercise by information I found online, I jsut had to chime in.

Researcher have concluded that exercise programs that people locate on the Internet worked as well as printed advice in getting sedentary adults to take up regular physical activity. This is great news for the Internet surfer, which includes just about all of us in some way or another. Who doesn't spend time in front of the Internet these days, right?

Just 1 few hours per week (or maybe 20 minutes per day) is a great start. Walking around your office building during a break is even good for you. Motion is a good thing, however it comes.

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The Elliptical: sluff off 600 calories

Fitness

Ever hear of or use an "elliptical" machine? These exercise machines are one of the most demanding and more rewarding of all exercise devices. That is, if you take full advantage of all they have to offer.

An elliptical can work your entire body, and many can be set to emulate cardio machines, stair climbers and cross-country skiing machines (using different inclines and strides).

In all, the versatility an elliptical machine has makes a purchase very worthwhile. Or, find one in that fave gym (that isn't being used) and get rid of a horde of calories today.

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Regular physical exercise good for mental health too

Fitness, Motivation

Are you a fan of regular physical exercise? If so, is it vigorous? I'm talking 45 minutes on a stairmaster or maybe half an hour on an elliptical? If so, you probably are making your heart extremely healthy while also ensuring your mental health is in top form.

Recent research states that those who indulged in regular vigorous exercise were less likely to develop depression or an anxiety disorder over time. Maybe there really is a mind and body connection!

Rigorous exercise is great just for the physical health benefits alone, but if the mental healthy benefits of the future are also to be gained, there's nothing to lose at all. Well, except some weight, maybe.

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Fitness as a family matter is easier than you think

Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

How often do you exercise with your younger (or even older) kids? Playing frisbee, pushing them in the swings, playing chase and even pushing your kids down slides are all forms of exercise -- and ones I would consider "family exercises".

Finding time to make sure most (if not all) members of your family get the appropriate amount of physical exercise can be one of life's largest challenges. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day. But, taking your kids outside to the playground or park -- or even the backyard if you have one -- can be a great time for the whole gang to get some exercise.

While it's not rigorous or measured, the simple movement of your body and the physicality of just playing with your kids can be way more beneficial than sitting inside watching television. With the spring season just around the corner, have fun playing!

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Do you mix it up when exercising?

Fitness

Are you a regular exerciser? If so, that is great -- because nothing feels quite like burning off those calories along with the natural high many of us receive from a well-balanced workout. But, are you receiving as much from that workout as you can?

Mixing it up keeps exercise routine but fresh. I've noticed that many friends give up on exercise simply because they become bored at doing the same exercises over and over. Even when results show, some folks tend to get bored. My solution" Write down a schedule (maybe an entire month in advance) with the exercise routines mixed up in quality and quantity.

If you're like me, you'll eventually miss a day because of this or that -- not to worry. Just continue on with your schedule on the next day and get back into the "fresh groove" of things. By mixing it up, you'll hopefully never get bored. What works for you?

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Another study links weight loss to calorie restriction, not exercise

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements

Seems like I've seen a few studies recently that suggest calorie restriction is the best basis for weight loss -- not regular exercise. Although regular exercise is definitely something that most folks should have in their daily routines, not eating a bunch of calories is actually better for removing those unwanted pounds.

This new study kind of follows along the lines of a recent one which concluded that dieting alone was just as effective as dieting plus exercise.

In a statement that was the same 50 years ago as it is today, one of the researchers said that "For weight loss to occur, an individual needs to maintain a difference between the number of calories they consume everyday and the number of calories they burn through metabolism and physical activity." Simple math, really.

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A guy's workout gear: Nike Airshox and Under Armor

Fitness

Guys -- need the "right" apparel to make your workouts comfortable and stress-free? Stress is a hurting foot or a chafing thigh, but I've found surefire ways to beat both. While not the cheapest thing, they make my exercise routine rather nice and enjoyable, if you can believe that.

Under Armor underlayers are essential -- both as a shirt covering and an underwear. Sweat and chafing won't know what hit it when you pout these puppies on.

Into jogging, treadmilling and elliptical use? Try Nike Airshox shoes. These are about the only shoes I've found that take almost all the check away from the heel of your foot and transfer it -- well, somewhere. Note: I only use these shoes for jogging and running (and equipment use) -- never for standard walking or street use

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Exercising benefits grow slower with age

Fitness

As we age, several systems tend to break down over time based on the way our bodies react to internal and external stimuli. Everything from minor sicknesses to stress to nutrition can affect the pace of aging.

How about exercising when you're older? A recent study carried out in the U.S. suggests that an age-related decline in a power-boosting signal in muscle may be the reason why older people have to exercise harder than younger people.

So, if you're 52 and have to exercise about 45 minutes to get the same benefits as someone who is 34 and exercises about half that time, this study may shed some light on why this happens. The bad news -- there is little that can be done about it.

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What is your daily exercise routine?

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

If you're a regular exerciser, what do you do every day? Are you into free weights, pilates, recumbent bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, crunches or running outside?

With New Years resolutions finally hitting home for most people, I'm interested to hear what is working (and not working) for our readers, and how much time you actually spent exercising each day (or every other day, etc.).

Want my guide? 10 minutes of treadmill "jogging" at 5.5MPH, 4 minutes of elliptical use, 10 minutes of use on a recumbent bike and 60 situps (3 sets of 20 reps) -- and the I change that up with more and less of each every other day, M-F (take weekends off!). In 35 minutes, you can bet I've burned some calories -- and it feels darn good too.

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