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		<title>Apple Cinnamon Bran Muffin Recipe</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/apple-cinnamon-bran-muffin-recipe/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/apple-cinnamon-bran-muffin-recipe/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:17:13 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Tweet Convincing my kids to eat a healthy breakfast is nigh impossible, so this weekend, my wife was looking to put together a new muffin recipe, with &#160;a goal of incorporating apple flavor to lure them &#160;in, and sneaking in whole wheat for nutrition. &#160;These delicious apple cinnamon bran muffins were the result. Ingredients 1/2 [...]]]></description>
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<p>Convincing my kids to eat a healthy breakfast is nigh impossible, so this weekend, my wife was looking to put together a new muffin recipe, with &nbsp;a goal of incorporating apple flavor to lure them &nbsp;in, and sneaking in whole wheat for nutrition. &nbsp;These delicious apple cinnamon bran muffins were the result.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients</span></p>
<ul>
<li>1/2 cup Quick Oats</li>
<li>1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour</li>
<li>1/2 cup Ground Flax</li>
<li>1/2 cup All Bran Buds</li>
<li>1 cup All Purpose Flour</li>
<li>2 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/2 tsp salt</li>
<li>2 TBSP cinnamon</li>
<li>1/2 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>1/2 cup white sugar</li>
<li>2 large eggs</li>
<li>1/3 cup apple butter</li>
<li>1/4 cup sour cream</li>
<li>1/2 cup apple cider</li>
<li>3 apples, finely chopped or diced (Granny Smith, or other tart firm variety)</li>
</ul>
<div>Preheat oven to 400°F. &nbsp;Thoroughly mix dry ingredients with a fork. &nbsp;Add eggs apple butter, sour cream, and apple cider. &nbsp;Blend well on high speed until mixture achieves a smooth consistency. &nbsp;Stir in chopped apples and set mixture aside.</div>
<div>Prepare a muffin pan by either spraying the cups with baking spray, or lining the cups with muffin liners. &nbsp;Fill cups approximately 3/4-full with mixture and bake approximately 20 minutes, or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean. &nbsp;Cool and enjoy. &nbsp;Recipe makes 12-15 regular sized muffins, or 4-6 jumbo muffins.</div>
<div><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Nutritional info</span>:</em></div>
<div>Serving size: &nbsp;1 regular muffin</div>
<div>Calories: &nbsp;180</div>
<div>Fat: &nbsp;4</div>
<div>Fiber: &nbsp;5</div>
<div>Protein: &nbsp;4</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/12/11/delicious-apple-cinnamon-bran-muffin-recipe/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LiveFitBlog+%28Live+Fit+Blog%29&amp;utm_content=FeedBurner+user+view">livefitblog.com</a></div>
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		<title>20 Minutes of Exercise a Day Is Enough to Get You Fit</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/20-minutes-of-exercise-a-day-is-enough-to-get-you-fit/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/20-minutes-of-exercise-a-day-is-enough-to-get-you-fit/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:05:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/?p=175</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tweet via lifehacker.com It seems like one of the major reasons people don&#8217;t like to workout is the amount of time it takes to do so. However, a new study in the Journal of Physiology suggests you might be able to get all the exercise you need in just 20 minutes if you&#8217;re willing to [...]]]></description>
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<div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/nzfitness/DpegoukmqkquCIEaAkBjwhjbtgyhuodjxgEadgtIuCzCmBBfdACooByfAAup/media_httpcachelifeha_kApeq.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Media_httpcachelifeha_kapeq" height="281" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/nzfitness/DpegoukmqkquCIEaAkBjwhjbtgyhuodjxgEadgtIuCzCmBBfdACooByfAAup/media_httpcachelifeha_kApeq.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
<div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5885620/20-minutes-of-interval-training-is-enough-to-improve-your-health">lifehacker.com</a></div>
<p>It seems like one of the major reasons people don&#8217;t like to workout is the amount of time it takes to do so. However, a new study in the Journal of Physiology suggests you might be able to get all the exercise you need in just 20 minutes if you&#8217;re willing to work at it. <br />We&#8217;ve talked briefly about interval training before, but this is one of the first studies to dig into if it actually works as a replacement for the usual recommendation of 30 minutes of continuous exercise. The idea is simple. You workout for one minute with strenuous activity and push your heart rate to about 90 percent of its maximum rate. You can get a rough estimate of your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. After the minute is up, you slow down and recover for one minute. You then repeat this 10 times for a total of 20 minutes (or 10 minutes of actual exercise). You can use this for running, cycling, swimming, or any number of cardiovascular workouts. (Note that this isn&#8217;t exactly the same as traditional high-intensity interval training, in which you push to 100 percent of your maximum heart rate.) </p>
<p>If you&#8217;re crunched for time and can&#8217;t get that full 30 minutes in, this is a great way to shorten the duration and still get in shape.</p>
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		<title>What Is Greek Yogurt?</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/what-is-greek-yogurt/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:48:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Greg</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food & Nutrition]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Foods that are high in fiber and protein, while still being low in calories, play an integral part in my plan to control weight and build muscle.  To this end, I make liberal use of yogurt in frozen fruit smoothies and high fiber cereals, both as low calorie snacks and meal replacements.  So, when I [...]<p>This post originated at Live Fit Blog, which is written by Greg Hayes.  To read more about using <a href="http://livefitblog.com/resource/healthy-snacks/">healthy snacks</a> and other simple tools to improve health and lose weight, check it out.<br/><br/><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/08/01/greek-yogurt-benefits/">What Is Greek Yogurt?</a>
</p>



Related posts:<ol><li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2008/08/25/breakfast-fruit-smoothie-recipe/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: My Breakfast Fruit Smoothie Recipe">My Breakfast Fruit Smoothie Recipe</a></li>
<li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2008/10/17/pinto-beans-cooked-southern-style/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pinto Beans, Cooked Southern Style">Pinto Beans, Cooked Southern Style</a></li>
<li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/05/26/tart-cherry-juice/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Cheribundi – A Tart Cherry Juice Drink">Cheribundi &#8211; A Tart Cherry Juice Drink</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Foods that are high in fiber and protein, while still being low in calories, play an integral part in my plan to control weight and build muscle.  To this end, I make liberal use of yogurt in frozen fruit smoothies and high fiber cereals, both as low calorie snacks and meal replacements.  So, when I walked past the dairy case and saw Greek yogurt, it caught my attention.

Traditional Greek yogurt is made from either sheep or cow’s milk, using the same basic process as regular yogurt.  Milk is<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-6212" title="Greek Yogurt" src="http://static.livefitblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Greek-Yogurt.jpg" alt="Greek Yogurt What Is Greek Yogurt?" width="240" height="180" /> heated and then allowed to ferment under controlled conditions, which produces the final product.  During traditional processing, yogurt is lightly strained to remove any residual solid material remaining from the manufacturing process.

Greek yogurt, sometimes called strained yogurt, is filtered to a greater degree than traditional yogurt.  The extra filtering actually removes whey from the mixture, which make a product with a consistency between that of traditional yogurt and cheese.  Greek yogurt is celebrated for its thick, creamy texture, and variants of the product have been a staple of cooking in the Mediterranean and Middle East for hundreds of years.

What Are The Benefits Of Greek Yogurt?

The benefits of Greek yogurt are similar to those of traditional yogurt, with some additional perks.  Like traditional yogurt, Greek yogurt is a rich source of probiotics, which promote intestinal health.  Since it has less whey, Greek yogurt tends to have more protein, fewer carbohydrates, and less sodium than traditional yogurt.  This also increases the fat content of Greek yogurt, relative to that of its traditional cousin.

Greek yogurt can have 2-4x the protein of traditional yogurt.

In recent weeks, I’ve been using Greek yogurt in lieu of regular yogurt in frozen fruit smoothies with great success.  Even better, I’ve used it as a replacement to milk in morning cereals, and mixed with fresh berries.  Either way, it gives a much needed protein boost to meals and snacks, which helps stave off hunger, and adds a muscle-building kick.  All of this combine to make it a great addition to the pantry as one of nature’s best metabolism boosters.

It’s worth pointing out that since Greek yogurt is strained to remove the whey, has less calcium than traditional yogurt.  Unfortunately, it also takes substantially more milk to make Greek yogurt.  By some estimates, it can take as much as 4 times the milk as its traditional counterpart, which makes it (arguably) less environmentally friendly and generally more expensive.  Having said that, the product appears to be growing in popularity in the U.S.  While it’s been a staple of specialty food markets for some time, its starting to make a debut on “big box” store shelves, and consumers are definitely interested.

Photo Credit

This post originated at Live Fit Blog, which is written by Greg Hayes.  To read more about using healthy snacks and other simple tools to improve health and lose weight, check it out.What Is Greek Yogurt?

Related posts:My Breakfast Fruit Smoothie Recipe
Pinto Beans, Cooked Southern Style
Cheribundi – A Tart Cherry Juice Drink

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		<title>8 Natural Metabolism Boosters For Weight Loss</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/8-natural-metabolism-boosters-for-weight-loss/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/8-natural-metabolism-boosters-for-weight-loss/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:08:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Greg</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[weight loss]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[In our look at how to boost metabolism, we examined the link between daily behavioral patterns and metabolism.  This shows how the application of straightforward biochemical processes can be harnessed as a metabolism booster to help you achieve your fitness and weight loss goals.  But, as we&#8217;ve shown before, simply attempting to achieve weight loss by [...]<p>This post originated at Live Fit Blog, which is written by Greg Hayes.  To read more about <a href="http://livefitblog.com">fitting fitness into busy lives</a>, check out his blog.<br/><br/><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/25/metabolism-boosters/">8 Natural Metabolism Boosters For Weight Loss</a>
</p>



Related posts:<ol><li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/02/15/metabolism-weight-loss/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Two New Tools To Rev Your Metabolism For Weight Loss – Maybe…">Two New Tools To Rev Your Metabolism For Weight Loss &#8211; Maybe&#8230;</a></li>
<li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/18/how-to-boost-metabolism/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: How To Boost Metabolism">How To Boost Metabolism</a></li>
<li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/05/02/hiit-workout-fast-weight-loss/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Is A HIIT Workout The Key To Fast Weight Loss?">Is A HIIT Workout The Key To Fast Weight Loss?</a></li>
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<p>In our look at <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/18/how-to-boost-metabolism/"title="How To Boost Metabolism"  >how to boost metabolism</a>, we examined the link between daily behavioral patterns and metabolism.  This shows how the application of straightforward biochemical processes can be harnessed as a metabolism booster to help you achieve your fitness and weight loss goals.  But, as we&#8217;ve shown before, simply attempting to achieve weight loss by physical activity isn&#8217;t enough.  It&#8217;s also imperative to the proper fuel metabolism boosters, to achieve those goals.  Adding natural, healthy metabolism boosters to your diet can play a significant part in achieving those goals.<a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/25/metabolism-boosters/natural-metabolism-boosters/"rel="attachment wp-att-6151" ><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-6151" title="Natural Metabolism Boosters" src="http://static.livefitblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Natural-Metabolism-Boosters.jpg" alt="Natural Metabolism Boosters 8 Natural Metabolism Boosters For Weight Loss" width="240" height="161" /></a></p>
<h3>10 Natural Metabolism Boosters For Weight Loss</h3>
<p><strong>1.  Coffee </strong>&#8211; <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/04/09/coffee-antioxidants/"title="Coffee Antioxidants "  >Coffee antioxidants</a>, in addition to its stimulant properties, make it one of nature&#8217;s best metabolism boosters.  Studies have repeatedly shown enhancements in athletic performance for elite runners who consume coffee, but there exists some debate about the exact mechanism of action.  Certainly caffeine is considered to play a role, but contrary to the alertness theory, the more favored explanation for why coffee boosts metabolism so effectively is its ability to increase free fatty acid circulation in the bloodstream.  The increased availability of free fatty acids for metabolism avoids the fatigue that occurs during exercise when glycogen stores are exhausted.  Expect a boost in metabolism from coffee consumption lasts approximately 4 hours for healthy adults.</p>
<p><strong>2.  Lean Protein</strong> &#8212; Lean protein is more difficult for the body to digest, and provides the essential building blocks to increase muscle mass, which is one of the greatest metabolism boosters you&#8217;re going to find.  The purpose behind strength training is to tear muscle fibers, which will then be built up larger than before.  To fuel this process, aim to consume 10-35% of your daily calories from lean protein sources, such as <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/07/29/tilapia-vs-salmon-nutritional-information/"title="Tilapia"  >tilapia</a>, salmon, chicken, and lean cuts of red meat.</p>
<p><strong>3.  Green Tea &#8212; </strong>Long lauded as a rich source of powerful antioxidants, green tea has also been shown to boost metabolism in men.  In one Swiss study, men who drank green tea with meals experienced a boost in metabolism that lasted for 24 hours.  Subsequent research has shown that consuming of 3-6 cups of green each day has the cumulative effect of burning an additional 60-80 calories per day.  On average this is the equivalent of 6 minutes per day spent jogging.</p>
<p><strong>4.  Dairy &#8212; </strong>Science has repeatedly shown that getting enough calcium in your diet reduces your risk of obesity, which on the surface at least, makes sense.  Calcium plays a huge role in generalized health, brain function, and metabolism.  However, when it comes to calcium, not all sources are created equal.  Leafy greens and <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/11/22/american-persimmon-fruit/"title="American Persimmon " >American persimmon</a> are high in calcium, but the effect of <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/09/08/calcium-oxalate-diet/"title="Calcium Oxalate In Diet" >calcium oxalate in your diet</a> is different than dairy sources.  For instance, in <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100921084551.htm" >one research study</a>, participants who consumed at least 580-mg of dairy calcium daily (12 ounces of milk) lost 12 pounds over a 2-year period.</p>
<p><strong>5.  Grapefruit &#8211;</strong> A study by the Scripps Institute on grapefruit verified its place as one of the top metabolism boosteing foods.  In this study, participants who at a half a grapefruit at each meal lost an average of 3.6 pounds over a 12-week period.  Drinking a serving of grapefruit juice with each meal conferred a weight loss of 3.3-pounds.  Scientists attribute the majority of the effect to the <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/07/14/what-are-flavanoids/"title="flavanoid naringin"  >flavanoid compound naringin</a>, which is believed to suppress insulin response.</p>
<p><strong>7.  Spinach (and other leafy greens) &#8211;</strong> A <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-02-efficient-muscles-spinach.html" >study</a> conducted at the Swedish Karolinska Institute showed the impact of nitrates on metabolism.  Subjects given a nitrate supplement experienced an overall increase in metabolic activity, as measured by mitochondrial efficiency.  Their work has shown that dietary nitrates, which are present in high levels in most leafy greens, are metabolized into nitric oxide by oral bacteria.  Nitric oxide has the effect of lowering blood pressure, reducing the amount of oxygen required for muscle function, and possibly mediating insulin response.</p>
<p><strong>8.  Peppers and other &#8220;hot&#8221; foods </strong>&#8211; Capsaicin, the ingredient responsible for &#8220;hotness&#8221; in peppers and other spicy foods, have been shown to increase metabolism by about 8% for several hours after consumption.  Additionally, they contribute to feelings of fullness, and have been shown to reduce blood lipid levels in some <a href="http://jn.nutrition.org/content/116/7/1272.full.pdf" >studies</a>.  Other dishes from the Far East, most notably those containing curry, have been reported to impart similar effects.  This has lead to the use of spices such as capsaicin, turmeric, and coriander in many herbal metabolism boosters.</p>
<p>Understanding how to harness your metabolism for weight loss is one step in the process of changing your life.  Replacing empty calories with nutrient dense metabolism boosters is key to provide the fuel for weight loss, and the satiety to stave off food cravings throughout the day.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lara604/3790328303/" >Photo Credit</a></p>
<p>This post originated at Live Fit Blog, which is written by Greg Hayes.  To read more about <a href="http://livefitblog.com">fitting fitness into busy lives</a>, check out his blog.<br/><br/><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/25/metabolism-boosters/">8 Natural Metabolism Boosters For Weight Loss</a>
</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2010/02/15/metabolism-weight-loss/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Two New Tools To Rev Your Metabolism For Weight Loss &#8211; Maybe&#8230;'>Two New Tools To Rev Your Metabolism For Weight Loss &#8211; Maybe&#8230;</a></li>
<li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/18/how-to-boost-metabolism/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: How To Boost Metabolism'>How To Boost Metabolism</a></li>
<li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2011/05/02/hiit-workout-fast-weight-loss/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Is A HIIT Workout The Key To Fast Weight Loss?'>Is A HIIT Workout The Key To Fast Weight Loss?</a></li>
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		<title>How To Boost Metabolism</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/how-to-boost-metabolism/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/how-to-boost-metabolism/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:20:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Greg</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[weight loss]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Metabolism, or the rate at which your body burns calories during normal daily activity, is one of the keys to developing a sustainable weight loss plan, and can be a key step in the battle to lose belly fat.  By learning how to boost metabolism, it&#8217;s possible to prime your body to shed pounds with [...]<p>This post originated at Live Fit Blog, which is written by Greg Hayes.  To read more about <a href="http://livefitblog.com">fitting fitness into busy lives</a>, check out his blog.<br/><br/><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/18/how-to-boost-metabolism/">How To Boost Metabolism</a>
</p>



Related posts:<ol><li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/02/15/metabolism-weight-loss/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Two New Tools To Rev Your Metabolism For Weight Loss – Maybe…">Two New Tools To Rev Your Metabolism For Weight Loss &#8211; Maybe&#8230;</a></li>
<li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/02/01/what-to-eat-after-a-workout/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Wondering What To Eat After A Workout?  Follow These Simple Rules">Wondering What To Eat After A Workout?  Follow These Simple Rules</a></li>
<li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/03/07/burn-fat-build-muscle/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Burn Fat &#38; Build Muscle – Making The Most Of Your Workouts">Burn Fat &#038; Build Muscle &#8211; Making The Most Of Your Workouts</a></li>
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<p>Metabolism, or the rate at which your body burns calories during normal daily activity, is one of the keys to developing a sustainable weight loss plan, and can be a key step in the battle to <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/05/09/how-to-lose-belly-fat/"title="Lose Belly Fat"  >lose belly fat</a>.  By learning how to boost metabolism, it&#8217;s possible to prime your body to shed pounds with less effort.  So use these tips to effectively speed up metabolism and propel your way to healthy, long term weight loss.<a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/18/how-to-boost-metabolism/how-to-boost-metabolism-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-6101"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-6101" title="How To Boost Metabolism" src="http://static.livefitblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/How-To-Boost-Metabolism.jpg" alt="How To Boost Metabolism How To Boost Metabolism" width="240" height="180" /></a></p>
<h3>How To Boost Metabolism &#8211; A Daily Guide</h3>
<p>DO &#8211; Get Enough Sleep</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The subject of sleep engenders much debate, but sleep experts all agree that from kids to adults, Americans don&#8217;t get enough of it.  Reasons range from the availability of evening light sources to general over-commitments in life, none of which are going to change.  But sleep is the lynch-pin if you want to boost your metabolism.  In <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/10/991025075844.htm" >one study</a> on chronic sleep deprivation, participants experienced metabolic changes akin to advanced aging, with symptoms such as reduced glucose tolerance, an increase in blood cortisol, and alterations in thyroid hormone levels.  Some tips for getting enough sleep include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Turning off all electronics 30 minutes before bed</li>
<li>Avoid consuming alcohol before bed</li>
<li>Dedicate your bedroom to sleep; no television or games</li>
<li>Eliminate light sources from the bedroom, especially blue light</li>
</ul>
<p>DON&#8217;T Skip Breakfast</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Although it seems counter-intuitive, research has shown time and again that eating breakfast leads to greater success with weight loss.  During sleep, the body&#8217;s metabolism slows down as your recuperate from the rigors of daily life.  Breaking your nightly fast with a healthy breakfast, ramps up your metabolism and primes the body for the rigors of the upcoming day.  Aim for a combination of lean protein and complex carbohydrates, both of which take longer to digest than fats and sugars.  In the battle to learn <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/03/05/cant-resist-junk-food-cravings/"title="How To Resist Food"  >how to resist food</a> cravings, this approach smooths out insulin response and provides a steady supply of fuel to start the day.</p>
<p>DO Eat Plenty Of Protein</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The subject of high protein diets conjures images of a high fat diet, but the two need not necessarily go hand in hand.  Unlike fat, protein has the same calorie content per gram carbohydrates, but the complex chemical structure takes longer to digest, which provides a steady fuel supply throughout the day.  Having plenty of protein available for rebuilding muscle after exertion is also key to increasing lean muscle mass; another key in the battle for learning how to boost metabolism.  To be successful, aim to meet between 10-35% of your daily calorie needs from high quality, lean protein.  If you&#8217;re looking for alternatives to chicken and salmon, try <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/03/28/arctic-char-healthy-fish/"title="Arctic Char"  >arctic char</a>, venison, bluegill, or even lamb.  Frequent travelers should look over this list of <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/05/16/healthy-fast-food-choices/"title="Healthy Fast Food Choices"  >healthy fast food choices</a>, and plan accordingly when on the road.</p>
<p>DON&#8217;T Skip Meals</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">When you&#8217;re striving for weight loss, its easy to fall into the trap of severely restricting calories.  Unfortunately, depriving the body of the calories necessary to function puts it into preservation mode, thereby slowing metabolism.   To effectively boost metabolism, one must provide a steady stream of nutrition to the body.  Not an excess of calories, but a steady supply of high quality nutrition.  To keep your metabolism operating at peak efficiency, smooths out spikes in insulin, and allay hunger, seek out a calorie counter to estimate your daily caloric requirement allocate those calories over 5-6 small meals each day.</p>
<p>DO Strength Train</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Strength training, whether its with body weight alone, or with weights, offers the potential to <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/03/07/burn-fat-build-muscle/"title="Burn Fat Build Muscle "  >burn fat and build muscle</a> simultaneously.  It seems intuitive that younger adults have a faster metabolism than their older counterparts.  Science supports that perception, which is attributed primarily to the loss of lean muscle mass that happens with age.  A degenerative condition known as sarcopenia is responsible for a steady loss in muscle mass, at a rate of 0.5-1% per year.  The condition starts around age 25, and in the absence of intervention, will affect nearly everyone.  By age 50, the process begins accelerating rapidly, eventually leading to muscle wasting.  Fortunately, studies have repeatedly shown that strength training can reverse this condition, so the incorporation of a regular strength training regimen into your workout routine is a key to tackling the problem of boosting your metabolism.  Since muscle burns more calories than fat, building muscle not only helps boost metabolism, it also reduces the risk of of injuries resulting from muscle loss later in life.  To make the most of time at the gym, learn <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/02/01/what-to-eat-after-a-workout/"title="What To Eat After A Workout"  >what to eat after a workout</a> to fuel muscle growth.</p>
<p>DON&#8217;T Go For Marathon Training Sessions</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">To speed up your metabolism for weight loss, make a <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/05/02/hiit-workout-fast-weight-loss/"title="HIIT Workout " >HIIT workout</a> part of your training regimen.  Instead of spending 2-3 hours a day at the gym, break your workouts up into shorter sessions of high intensity.  Studies show that the body continues to run at an elevated pace for several hours after a workout.  By spreading out your workouts over a longer time frame, you&#8217;ll allow the your body to consume more calories over the course of the day.</p>
<p>With just a handful of tweaks to your daily routine, its possible to speed up metabolism for weight loss.  Couple this with a handful of metabolism boosters, and between the two you&#8217;ll speed up your metabolism naturally.  By optimizing the body&#8217;s processes for weight loss, you&#8217;ll reach your goals far more quickly.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34909987@N07/3265269814/" >Photo Credit</a></p>
<p>This post originated at Live Fit Blog, which is written by Greg Hayes.  To read more about <a href="http://livefitblog.com">fitting fitness into busy lives</a>, check out his blog.<br/><br/><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/18/how-to-boost-metabolism/">How To Boost Metabolism</a>
</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2010/02/15/metabolism-weight-loss/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Two New Tools To Rev Your Metabolism For Weight Loss &#8211; Maybe&#8230;'>Two New Tools To Rev Your Metabolism For Weight Loss &#8211; Maybe&#8230;</a></li>
<li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2010/02/01/what-to-eat-after-a-workout/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Wondering What To Eat After A Workout?  Follow These Simple Rules'>Wondering What To Eat After A Workout?  Follow These Simple Rules</a></li>
<li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2011/03/07/burn-fat-build-muscle/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Burn Fat &#038; Build Muscle &#8211; Making The Most Of Your Workouts'>Burn Fat &#038; Build Muscle &#8211; Making The Most Of Your Workouts</a></li>
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		<title>Getting Your Summer Workout With Kids The Fun Way</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/getting-your-summer-workout-with-kids-the-fun-way/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/getting-your-summer-workout-with-kids-the-fun-way/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:09:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Guest Author</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[This is a post from my lovely wife, as she lives through her summer vacation with our boys. Want to have fun, get your summer workout with the kids, and spend some quality time together too?  Take the little devils to the local water park and do everything they do.  See how my day ended [...]<p>This post originated at Live Fit Blog, which is written by Greg Hayes.  To read more about <a href="http://livefitblog.com">fitting fitness into busy lives</a>, check out his blog.<br/><br/><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/11/summer-workout-with-kids/">Getting Your Summer Workout With Kids The Fun Way</a>
</p>



Related posts:<ol><li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2009/08/03/getting-a-new-local-indoor-pool/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Getting A New Local Indoor Pool">Getting A New Local Indoor Pool</a></li>
<li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2010/05/27/4-ways-to-spice-up-your-summer-workouts/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: 4 Ways To Spice Up Your Summer Workouts">4 Ways To Spice Up Your Summer Workouts</a></li>
<li><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2008/09/17/workout-while-traveling/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Workout While Traveling">Workout While Traveling</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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<p><em>This is a post from my lovely wife, as she lives through her summer vacation with our boys.</em></p>
<p><em></em>Want to have fun, get your summer workout with the kids, and spend some quality time together too?  Take the little devils to the local water park and do <span style="text-decoration: underline;">everything</span> they do.  See how my day ended up with these guys&#8230;</p>
<h3>A Fun Summer Workout With The Kids</h3>
<p>We count ourselves lucky to have a small amusement/water park near our home, so this year, in preparation for the impending doom of summer vacation, we bought season passes.  Today was our first trip of the summer.  Little did I know what kind of summer workout with the kids I was getting myself into.  The two younger boys and I made the trip together, and they managed to keep me on my toes pretty much all day.  Our 8-year old has epilepsy, and although he&#8217;s been seizure-free for 15 months now, he still has to be watched closely.  A water park is a scary place for the parent of an epileptic child, but he has to live.  So taking him the the amusement park means doing everything he does, without the energy that comes with being that tender age.</p>
<p>The first thing they wanted to do was the &#8220;lazy river.&#8221;  Thinking myself to be safe floating around on a tube, I was game.</p>
<blockquote><p>What was I thinking?  Relaxing on a floating tube?</p></blockquote>
<p>Most of the water parks I&#8217;ve been to require people in the lazy river to be &#8211; well, LAZY.  You have to be on a tube.  Not at our park &#8212; oh no.  As luck would have it, children are allowed to swim, walk, and yes even run our lazy river.  So naturally, what do my little boys choose?  Have you ever tried to run in 3-feet of water.  You want a good without with your kids &#8212; try this on for size.  It ain&#8217;t easy.</p>
<p>I lost count of how many times we ran around that river before they finally decided to &#8220;catch some waves&#8221; in the wave pool.</p>
<p>Again, no rest for the wicked &#8212;  No Tube Required!  And I thought <a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/01/31/transverse-abdominal-exercises/"title="Abdominal Exercises"  >abdominal exercises</a> were hard.  While the wave pool only gets about 5-feet deep, the 11-year old can touch.  So naturally, the 8-year old MUST do everything his older brother does.  So my time in the wave pool with them was spent jumping waves, dodging crazy people, swimming, and playing a game of push/pull with the 8-year old, who was constantly trying to drag me back to deeper water.  Stubborn and difficult &#8212; I have no idea where he gets that particular trait.</p>
<p>Next was Tiki Island &#8212; a huge jungle gym structure with tons of water toys, slides, stairs, bridges, and a massive &#8220;pot&#8221; at the top that periodically dumps water on any unsuspecting victims.  In this place, I was able to obtain a brief respite, simply circling the structure to keep the young one in sight.  But that only lasted a short period of time, then it was off to the water slides.  I don&#8217;t know how many steps lead to the top of that slide, but since I&#8217;m terrified of water slides, don&#8217;t ride them.  But I couldn&#8217;t force my neurosis on the kids, so I traipsed up &#8212; then down &#8212; to wait for the kids, so I think it was about a million ka jillion steps all together.</p>
<blockquote><p>I&#8217;m absolutely certain there are approximately a million ka jillion steps on the water slides.</p></blockquote>
<p>After they tired of this, I was able to convince them that a stint in the Olympic sized swimming pool sounded like a great idea.  But, of course, the 8-year old wanted to swim on the deep end, which meant I had to say right there with him, treading water.  When reminded that the water was 10-feet deep, and neither of us could touch bottom, he responded with this sarcastic rejoinder&#8230;</p>
<blockquote><p>Mommy.  If I can swim in 3-feet of water, I can swim in 10-feet of water.  And by the way Mommy &#8212; you can swim too.</p></blockquote>
<p>And I thought I was getting a break.</p>
<p>After a long time in the pool, it was back race in the lazy river again, catch a few waves, and another round of slides.  Then they decided to walk around and ride a few of the amusement park rides &#8212; FOR 2 HOURS!!  Then they let me off the hook and decided they were ready to go home.</p>
<p>Left feeling like I&#8217;d done a day&#8217;s worth of classes back in the gym, so I decided to take a shot at calculating just how good my workout with the kids ended up being.  This is was I came up with.</p>
<ul>
<li>Swimming &#8211; Moderate Pace, 1 hour &#8212; 420 calories</li>
<li>Climbing Stairs &#8211; 20 minutes &#8212; 186 calories</li>
<li>Water Jogging &#8211; 1 hour &#8212; 544 calories</li>
<li>Walking &#8211; 2 mph &#8212; 192 calories</li>
<li>Standing &#8211; 2 hours &#8212; +50 calories/hour over sitting (I did a lot of this, so by golly I&#8217;m counting it!)</li>
</ul>
<p>OK.  I don&#8217;t know <em>exactly</em> how much time I spent doing each of the above activities.  But taking a rough swag, I&#8217;m figuring I burned at least 1442 calories during this fun summer outing with the kids.  Sure, the kids don&#8217;t count it as a summer workout, and they didn&#8217;t burn as many calories as I did &#8212; an advantage of being little and lighter.  But I definitely couldn&#8217;t do that every single day.  And we had fun while we were at it.</p>
<p>So now I don&#8217;t have to feel so bad about the funnel cake we split 3 ways at the end of the day, right?</p>
<p>This post originated at Live Fit Blog, which is written by Greg Hayes.  To read more about <a href="http://livefitblog.com">fitting fitness into busy lives</a>, check out his blog.<br/><br/><a href="http://livefitblog.com/2011/07/11/summer-workout-with-kids/">Getting Your Summer Workout With Kids The Fun Way</a>
</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2009/08/03/getting-a-new-local-indoor-pool/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Getting A New Local Indoor Pool'>Getting A New Local Indoor Pool</a></li>
<li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2010/05/27/4-ways-to-spice-up-your-summer-workouts/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: 4 Ways To Spice Up Your Summer Workouts'>4 Ways To Spice Up Your Summer Workouts</a></li>
<li><a href='http://livefitblog.com/2008/09/17/workout-while-traveling/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Workout While Traveling'>Workout While Traveling</a></li>
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		<title>Enhancing Sports Performance and Treating Injuries with Essential Oils</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/enhancing-sports-performance-and-treating-injuries-with-essential-oils/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:31:01 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Essential oils have long been used by athletic trainers and sports massage therapists to support the health and performance of their athletes. Aromatherapy massage is used both pre-and post workout and competition, to improve performance, speed recovery, and lessen chance of injury. Many ointments and lotions for sore muscles include essential oils and essential oil extracts (e.g. 'Tiger Balm', 'Ben Gay', etc). Modern medical aromatherapy literature describes the use of oils to even speed the healing of both chronic and acute injuries commonly seen in sport. Here is an overview of the many ways to use essential oils to keep any athlete interested in natural health and fitness performing their best.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton169" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fenhancing-sports-performance-and-treating-injuries-with-essential-oils%2F&amp;text=Enhancing%20Sports%20Performance%20and%20Treating%20Injuries%20with%20Essential%20Oils&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fenhancing-sports-performance-and-treating-injuries-with-essential-oils%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Essential oils have long been used by athletic trainers and sports massage therapists to support the health and performance of their athletes. Aromatherapy massage is used both pre-and post workout and competition, to improve performance, speed recovery, and lessen chance of injury. Many ointments and lotions for sore muscles include essential oils and essential oil extracts (e.g. &#8216;Tiger Balm&#8217;, &#8216;Ben Gay&#8217;, etc). Modern medical aromatherapy literature describes the use of oils to even speed the healing of both chronic and acute injuries commonly seen in sport. Here is an overview of the many ways to use essential oils to keep any athlete interested in natural health and fitness performing their best.</p>
<p>Essential oils can promote the health and fitness of athletes in many ways, the most common being the pre- and post- exercise (or competition) massage. Long used by top athletes around the world, sports massage with essential oils plays an important part in warming up the muscles before exertion and removing lactic acid (thereby speeding recovery) after a hard effort. Massage formulas often these essential oils &#8211; Eucalyptus, for invigoration, circulation and opening airways; Lavender, with anti-inflammatory effects, relieves pain, relaxes spasms, and brings mental calm without sedation; Rosemary relieves pain, stimulates the mind and body, and has a warming effect on the muscles; Juniper Berry, used in the post-exercise formula, detoxifies and helps eliminate lactic acid from muscles; and Sweet Marjoram which helps relieve cramping in over-exerted muscles.</p>
<p>Blending your own massage formulas for pre and post exercise massages is simple &#8211; just between 10 and 30 drops total essential oils to each ounce of carrier oil (Sweet Almond, Grapeseed and Hazelnut are good choices). Generally, the more essential oil in a blend, the more stimulating it will be; lower concentrations of essential oil will be more relaxing. For pre-exercise, to warm and loosen the muscles, open the airways and awaken the mind, try eight drops Rosemary, four drops lavender and four drops Eucalyptus essential oils to each ounce of carrier oil  Peppermint can be used in place of the Lavender if you&#8217;re really looking to &#8216;get going&#8217; &#8211; though if you&#8217;re prone to anxiety before strenuous efforts, stick with the Lavender. Use light, quick invigorating massage strokes. For post-exercise, a little deeper massage can be performed with longer strokes toward the heart &#8211; this will assist removal of lactic acid and other metabolic waste products. Try eight drops Lavender, four drops Juniper Berry and four drops Sweet Marjoram, or, when the muscles are really over-exerted, try eight drops Eucalyptus, eight drops Peppermint and eight drops Ginger essential oil.</p>
<p>Aromatherapy oils can be used during pre and post exercise baths and showers as well, using the same oils and blends mentioned above. Be sure to add any oils to the bathwater after the bath is drawn so they do not evaporate before you get in. Before showers, essential oils can be applied undiluted to the body; this is particularly advised post-exertion to support the elimination of metabolic wastes. One drop each of Rosemary, Lemon, Eucalyptus and Peppermint essential oils can be ideal for this purpose. After a shower or bath is an excellent time to apply a massage blend to the entire body &#8211; the pores are open and the skin is clean, enhancing absorption. Choose a stimulating or relaxing blend depending on your condition.</p>
<p>Essential oils&#8217; medicinal value goes beyond just warm up and cool down rubs. In many sports, stronger healing properties are often needed due to cuts and scrapes, bruises, twists and sprains. Essential oils can powerful healers of skin, muscle and connective tissue. Many oils are known to have strong anti-inflammatory action, and contain certain molecules which signal the regeneration of tissue. And, of course, there&#8217;s the stress-relieving &#8216;aromatherapy&#8217; aspect, which further enhances the healing process.</p>
<p>To treat bruises and strains, there is no match for the synergistic molecules making up Helichrysum essential oil. Helichrysum (also known as Everlasting oil), is touted by  Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.: &#8220;Used for bruises, sprains, and twisted ankles &#8211; usually accompanied by swelling and subsequent hemorrhages &#8211; this oil proves to be practically a wonder cure.&#8221; Keeping a small bottle on hand is wise, as with most treatments involving swelling, quick application provides the best results. In cases of bruises, twists strains or strains, apply a thin film of the oil directly to the affected area immediately, then apply frequently as a ten percent dilution in any carrier oil until healed (the oil will help with serious injuries, but is not a substitute for proper medical attention if needed). A blend of Helichrysum and Jojoba can also be used for chronic injuries such as tendonitis &#8211; simply massage a small amount into the affected area a few times a day.</p>
<p>Active athletes and fitness buffs will often incur minor cuts and abrasions. Essential oils are an excellent choice for caring for such wounds due to their antiseptic and soothing effects. A 50/50 blend of Tea Tree and Lavender is a wonderful, all-around skin healer. The Tea Tree prevents infection while the Lavender sooths the area. Apply directly to cuts and scrapes after the wound has been properly cleansed. If this is too strong a blend for the younger ones, simply apply a drop or two to the gauze portion of a band-aid and cover the wound for the same effect.  The ratio of Lavender to Tea Tree can also be increased for an even more soothing result.</p>
<p>Other than the direct sports-related uses of essential oils, the overall health and fitness of any athlete should be supported for top performance. During periods of especially strenuous training or competition, athletes may be particularly susceptible to infectious illnesses &#8211; colds, flu and the like. Diffusing Eucalyptus, Thyme, Tea Tree and/or Lemon in your home can reduce the chance of illness, or the spread of colds. Niaouli essential oil, a relative of Eucalyptus, is also an excellent oil for supporting the immune system. The oil is recommended to be applied neat all over the body after showers for best absorption and effect (use 10-20 drops). A strong immune system goes a long way to keeping an athlete happy and in top form.</p>
<p>This is a brief overview of many common applications of aromatherapy for supporting the health, fitness and performance of any athlete. There are many variations of the essential oils suggested &#8211; if one oil is found offensive, too stimulating, etc., try another, as this is usually the body&#8217;s natural way saying the timing of a particular oil is not right, or the oil is not compatible with the individual&#8217;s chemistry at the moment. With a little research and experimentation, an effective and rewarding combination of essential oils can enhance nearly any athletes health, fitness and competition endeavors.</p>
<p>Misty Rae Cech, ND is a degreed naturopath with a professional practice in Boulder, Colorado. She is also the owner of Ananda Aromatherapy, a source for <a target="_new" href="http://www.anandaapothecary.com">essential oils</a> and aromatherapy information.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Misty_Rae_Cech">Misty Rae Cech</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Enhancing-Sports-Performance-and-Treating-Injuries-with-Essential-Oils&amp;id=587056">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://canacanyon.com/">Electrical Pressure Cooker Online</a></p>
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		<title>More Top Sports You Can Join to Lose Your Gut</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/more-top-sports-you-can-join-to-lose-your-gut/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/more-top-sports-you-can-join-to-lose-your-gut/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:28:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/more-top-sports-you-can-join-to-lose-your-gut/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are not sports-minded, it is never too late to start pursuing a sport that could help you become fit and at the same time, enjoy the company of friends and competitors, too! Sports can bring out the best in you: both physically, mentally, and yes, even spiritually! Sports tend to exercise not only the body but it can also enhance your social personality and the way you hold yourself.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton168" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fmore-top-sports-you-can-join-to-lose-your-gut%2F&amp;text=More%20Top%20Sports%20You%20Can%20Join%20to%20Lose%20Your%20Gut&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fmore-top-sports-you-can-join-to-lose-your-gut%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>If you are not sports-minded, it is never too late to start pursuing a sport that could help you become fit and at the same time, enjoy the company of friends and competitors, too! Sports can bring out the best in you: both physically, mentally, and yes, even spiritually! Sports tend to exercise not only the body but it can also enhance your social personality and the way you hold yourself.</p>
<p>Here are more sports you can join to lose your gut!</p>
<p><b>Mixed Martial Arts. </b>The practice of martial arts is demanding. It&#8217;s not just about your power in subduing your opponent. Rather, it is about the coordination between your mind and your body. The rigorous training that you need to put into also demands a lot from your body and will help tone your muscles and give form to them! Whenever you fall down in sparring sessions, keep in mind that you are developing not just your body but also your mind.</p>
<p><b>Wrestling! </b>I&#8217;m not talking about Smackdown or WWE Raw! But well, if you want to be there, that&#8217;s really up to you. But wrestling also demands a lot from your body. Have you ever seen a wrestler who&#8217;s not in top physique? This is because wrestling needs strength from your arms, back and chest muscles. You will also need your abs to stabilize your core for those moves that will surprise and subdue your sparring partner!</p>
<p><b>Professional Bodybuilding.</b> This sport will really demand a lot from your body! The bodybuilders I know such as Jay Cutler, Ronnie Coleman and others are in top condition. Right before their competition, they clock in hours upon hours of training, day after day! They also take supplements that help them burn fat and build muscles. Like they say, there is always a first time. These pro bodybuilders did not start out as heavyweights. They were also beginners at one time. So don&#8217;t complain and don&#8217;t be discouraged, there is hope for you yet!</p>
<p><b>Mr. or Ms. Universe. </b>If you set your eyes to becoming the Mr. Universe, you will really need to train and discipline yourself in managing your workouts as well as your diet. Any sport you join is actually a means to improve your confidence level as well as your mental capacity!</p>
<p>Sports is one of the manifestations of our societies&#8217; desire to glorify achievement, discipline and the physical body! By joining sports, you will benefit from a lot of things, chief among these are a smaller waistline and better physical fitness!</p>
<p>Hey there, get off that couch and start pumping iron! Visit <a target="_new" href="http://bodybuildingtraininghq.com">www.BodybuildingTrainingHQ.com</a> for FREE <a target="_new" href="http://bodybuildingtraininghq.com">bodybuilding training</a> tips that could help you lose those friggin fats and build muscles!</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Rasing">M Rasing</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?More-Top-Sports-You-Can-Join-to-Lose-Your-Gut&amp;id=4568276">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://adsenseaccountdisabled.org/">Advice on AdSense</a></p>
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		<title>The Ever-Growing Link Between Sports and Supplements</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/the-ever-growing-link-between-sports-and-supplements/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/the-ever-growing-link-between-sports-and-supplements/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:28:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/the-ever-growing-link-between-sports-and-supplements/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sports and supplements have grown closer and closer over the years as sports people need to push themselves further and further, closer to the limits. This training process and their fitness levels demands not only a high level of commitment and dedication but a complete lifestyle in which their diets and exercise routines completely dominate their lifestyles, how else can one expect to be at the top of their game if they are not consistently in good shape and peak physical condition?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton167" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fthe-ever-growing-link-between-sports-and-supplements%2F&amp;text=The%20Ever-Growing%20Link%20Between%20Sports%20and%20Supplements&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fthe-ever-growing-link-between-sports-and-supplements%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Sports and supplements have grown closer and closer over the years as sports people need to push themselves further and further, closer to the limits. This training process and their fitness levels demands not only a high level of commitment and dedication but a complete lifestyle in which their diets and exercise routines completely dominate their lifestyles, how else can one expect to be at the top of their game if they are not consistently in good shape and peak physical condition?</p>
<p>One of the most popular products that have made quite an impression on the sports and supplements scene is that of the whey protein powder, used by body builders, weight lifters and a variety of sporting professionals and amateurs alike. The use of such supplementation is widely accepted as the whey is a naturally occurring protein and often an extremely pure form which feeds the muscles during both training and participation within their chosen sport or activity. The whey protein from a sports and supplements perspective adds value to the sports person, as the fat content is limited and therefore is a great source of protein for an athlete who demands a lot from their body.</p>
<p>In addition to the use of whey as a source of protein, a large amount of other products can be and are utilised by these sports people and athletes, which enhance strength and endurance, which is ideal for the sports person participating in the more extreme sports that require more effort and a longer so called exertion phase. Although the sports and supplements link vary in accordance with the actual products used, as the needs of different activities require different elements in order to maximise the athlete, or sports person concern. Creatines have been known to aid in the development of the users strength, which in turn contributes towards the fitness and endurance levels of the trainer, whilst they are pushing themselves to the limit within the training phase of their efforts.</p>
<p>Sports and supplements have to maintain a natural product link, as any performance enhancing products that are not naturally occurring can result in the athlete or sports person being banned from participation and hence the use of these products are mostly based upon naturally occurring proteins and other supplements that can be found occurring naturally in foods and within the human body itself. However even the use of creatine has come under the spotlight in recent times and therefore prior to implementing these products, and should the athlete be involved with sports on a professional level, then expert advice would be recommended so as to avoid any possible banning or unnecessary trouble.</p>
<p>Sports and supplements are really designed to remain a value added partnership in order to maximise performance, as well as the goals and objectives of the user, on a natural product basis.</p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://sportandsupplements.com">Sports and Supplements</a> serve to maximise the sports persons performance, however care should be given as to the products used. Visit Sports and supplements for a full range of products and news at <a target="_new" href="http://sportandsupplements.com">http://sportandsupplements.com</a></p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kennelly">Chris Kennelly</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Ever-Growing-Link-Between-Sports-and-Supplements&amp;id=2733020">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/duty/">Canada duty</a></p>
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		<title>Why Do We Practice? A Quick Look at the History of Sports Medicine</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/why-do-we-practice-a-quick-look-at-the-history-of-sports-medicine/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/why-do-we-practice-a-quick-look-at-the-history-of-sports-medicine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:17:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/why-do-we-practice-a-quick-look-at-the-history-of-sports-medicine/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ever wonder why a doctors "PRACTICE", and exercise trends are ever-changing? History Of Sport Medicine and how it became what it is today. Learn of ancient Sports Medicine as it progressed to Harvard University and the current Health Gym settings.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton166" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fwhy-do-we-practice-a-quick-look-at-the-history-of-sports-medicine%2F&amp;text=Why%20Do%20We%20Practice%3F%20A%20Quick%20Look%20at%20the%20History%20of%20Sports%20Medicine&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fwhy-do-we-practice-a-quick-look-at-the-history-of-sports-medicine%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Do you wonder why a doctor practices medicine even after all that training? Medicine in context of sports, movements, and exercise is a very new concept. The field of sports medicine is defined as a medical subspecialty responsible for continuous care, enhancement of health and fitness, and prevention of injury and illness to an individual engaged in physical exercise and sports. In the spectrum of science, sports medicine was never a prime concern. It was not until the last couple of generations that exercise was looked to prolong life and can improve your body&#8217;s day to day function. Gears of concern changed and Sports Medicine became into mainstream media. You are active and take this science for granted. But years ago exercise was looked down upon and the body&#8217;s signs of physical work offered only signs of serfdom and lower class citizens. To follow, you will have a brief history of the movement science we now refer to as sports medicine.</p>
<p>At the beginning of recorded time, humans have been doing the right things. As far back as the Primitive Era (2500 B.C), the Chinese were using exercise to overcome and prevent disease in efforts of prolonging life. In the days of the Greek Era 9500 B.C. athletics were a large part of life and entertainment. Greek physicians began involving themselves with athletics. Herodicus (480 B.C.) is recognized as the first &#8220;Teacher of Athletic Medicine&#8221;. Hippocrates (460 B.C.) is responsible for the development of medicine. He spent much time preparing athletes for competition and treating their injuries. Aristotle (340 B.C.) was another popular physician. Athletics were more than a sport, the Greeks built physical activity and training into their daily lives and education systems as a tool to thwart invasion from other countries.</p>
<p>The science briefly took off during the Roman Era (150 A.D). A Greek physician, named Clautius Galen moved to Rome and became the team physician to the gladiators! This may have been the first team coach of sorts in time. He optimized his unique position and gave four great contributions. The first was that muscles contract and shorten. Second, nerves carry a stimulus from the brain to the muscles. Thirdly, he noted that arteries take a substance (found to be Oxygen) from the lungs outwards to the tissues. Galen inevitably developed therapeutic rehabilitation exercises for his gladiators after injury. The Dark Era (1500 A.D.) offered little scientific developments. Humans heavily concerned themselves with warfare in those days. Supposedly many physicians were turning society off of exercise habits and routines. Ironically the physicians of the time mistranslated the Greek texts to mean that vigorous exercise and sports were not advisable.</p>
<p>When science began looking at exercise again, it became known as the Modern Era (1600-Present Day). During the 1600&#8242;s William Harvey discovered and described the flow and circulation of blood. Other medical writers of the day claimed that exercise could &#8220;preserve health&#8221;. In the 1800&#8242;s, the science finally became quantified. An English physiologist, Edward Smith, was the first to quantify the amount of work output. He actually built a large treadmill to hold 10 prisoners for work force and then used wind resistance to adjust the power levels. In Scandinavia, a large movement began and separated itself from conventional medical fields. It was named Gymnastics. The new field organized the use of exercise to improve and develop physical and mental attributes.</p>
<p>America in the 1900-2000 years showed many improvements and discoveries. From 1900-1920, A.V. Hill, an English physiologist, won the Noble Prize for work in muscle physiology. He is considered to be the &#8220;First Exercise Physiologist.&#8221; Two pioneer men studied under Hill. These two men established the Harvard Fatigue Lab. This is where it all started to boom. This is the very first exercise physiology lab in the US and it was literally in the basement of the Harvard Business School. Bruce Dill was one of the two founders and acclaimed as the first American Exercise Physiologist. He is highly published on exercise and physical chemistry, mainly on hemoglobin. The second founder, Joseph Wolfe, went on to create the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in 1954.</p>
<p>The Harvard Fatigue Lab truly set a new science in motion. During the 1940-1960&#8242;s, the Army Research Lab in Natick, Massachusetts began tests. They eventually established progressive research on body composition, the body&#8217;s response to heat and cold during exercise, and much more. The 1960- 1980 years became the beginning of a fitness boom within mainstream media and society. This sudden resurgence of fitness and exercise lead Ken Cooper to coin the term and popular group training style, Aerobics. Research began into exercise effects from altitude, heart disease, nutrition, and surgical techniques and materials. All of which play vital roles in athletics and rehabilitation.</p>
<p>The present day is anyone&#8217;s guess. Things may be discovered that will shake the foundations of exercise science. Just these last few years, the food pyramid was completely redesigned to include different aspects of activity levels and body types within society. Recent advances with laptop computers and processing speeds, biochemical analyzers, and gas analyzers that sense your breathing exchange while moving. If your athletic curiosity demanded, you can now find out the ratio of muscle fiber types by essentially using a thick needle and pulling out a small cylinder of muscle tissue. Surprisingly it is a painful and invasive quick prick. This is named NMR spectroscopy and imaging. We, in the industry are always practicing. We always adapt routine not only to maximize results but also to adapt to the ever-changing new science. The future is limitless with the human body.</p>
<p>Author : ROB NIX, Sport Skills Specialist</p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://www.OCPrivateTraining.com">History of sport, exercise, sport medicine</a></p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Nix">Rob Nix</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Do-We-Practice?-A-Quick-Look-at-the-History-of-Sports-Medicine&amp;id=2034905">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/excise-tax-sin-taxes-or-luxury-taxes/">Excise Tax</a></p>
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		<title>You Need To Keep Fit To Play Sports</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/you-need-to-keep-fit-to-play-sports/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/you-need-to-keep-fit-to-play-sports/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:17:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[It is a mistake to believe that playing a sport will keep you fit! Much depends on the level of fitness you wish to achieve.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton165" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fyou-need-to-keep-fit-to-play-sports%2F&amp;text=You%20Need%20To%20Keep%20Fit%20To%20Play%20Sports&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fyou-need-to-keep-fit-to-play-sports%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>It is a mistake to believe that playing a sport will keep you fit! Much depends on the level of fitness you wish to achieve.</p>
<p>Playing a sport will, of course, benefit you over doing no exercise at all, but it is an undisputed fact that if you only participate in a sport say once or twice a week, then this is not going to make you fit. In fact, if you play a particularly demanding sport, such as squash or rugby etc. then you must definitely do some physical training to keep in the best of fitness. As you get older, it can be very stressing on the body to play squash.</p>
<p>It is for this reason that most people who take part in sport, to a reasonable standard, also take there training seriously. The training must also be of a specific kind to meet the particular sport in question.</p>
<p>It is of no use doing long marathon type of training if you are a 100 yard sprinter, the requirements are completely different. We have sports that are of an anaerobic nature, other that are aerobic and yet others that are somewhere between aerobic and anaerobic.</p>
<p>However, it is very important to get expert advice on the correct way to train for your particular sport. As a tennis coach, we like other sports have a periodisation plan, i.e. covering long term goals and short term goals and taking into consideration the necessity to peak at the correct competition times. In broad terms, we do our strength and endurance training to start with; then introduce speed and specific movement training, combining the two 50/50 and finally very specific tennis training.</p>
<p>This shows the importance of getting some good advice, taking into consideration what you want to achieve, but be careful in thinking that by doing the same exercise week in and week out, that your body will be receiving it&#8217;s best results. You could be wrong.</p>
<p>If you would like to consider a home fitness workout; you will be helped continuously and program updated to suit your needs, visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.fitness-ActiveExercise.ws">http://www.fitness-ActiveExercise.ws</a></p>
<p>John Hoskins has been involved in fitness and exercise for over 50 years, and is a qualified Basketball and tennis coach, training all ages and standards.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_J._Hoskins">John J. Hoskins</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?You-Need-To-Keep-Fit-To-Play-Sports&amp;id=1094576">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/duty/">Import duty tariff</a></p>
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		<title>Over 50 &#8211; Good Fitness and Health by Doing Sports</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/over-50-good-fitness-and-health-by-doing-sports/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/over-50-good-fitness-and-health-by-doing-sports/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:54:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[So are you thinking now that you are over 50 or approaching 50 you need to slow down, take it easy, and do not work yourself to hard? At the same time you wish you could do more things like you did when you were younger now that you have more time? Life is full of choices and what choice you make at this time in your life can be critical in determining the quality of life you will have in years to come.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton164" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fover-50-good-fitness-and-health-by-doing-sports%2F&amp;text=Over%2050%20%26%238211%3B%20Good%20Fitness%20and%20Health%20by%20Doing%20Sports&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fover-50-good-fitness-and-health-by-doing-sports%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>So are you thinking now that you are over 50 or approaching 50 you need to slow down, take it easy, and do not work yourself to hard? At the same time you wish you could do more things like you did when you were younger now that you have more time? Life is full of choices and what choice you make at this time in your life can be critical in determining the quality of life you will have in years to come.</p>
<p>So are you thinking now that you are over 50 or approaching 50 you need to slow down, take it easy, and do not work yourself to hard? At the same time you wish you could do more things like you did when you were younger now that you have more time? Life is full of choices and what choice you make at this time in your life can be critical in determining the quality of life you will have in years to come.</p>
<p>There is overwhelming evidence that good fitness contributes to good health. Maintaining good health is most likely the single most important element in realizing your highest possible quality of life. Maintaining a good fitness level will enable you to do more activities and at the same time will help you to maintain good health. Given that good fitness has multiple benefits making it a high priority in your life makes a lot of sense.</p>
<p>Assuming you agree that maintaining a good fitness level is important, just what is good fitness? This is dependent on your goals so build your fitness plans to meet your goals. For example, if you are considering exercising because you have a higher risk of heart disease (e.g. family history) then a priority for your fitness program would be cardio workouts. The specific workouts that you do will be dependent on your fitness level when you begin. Always start out slow and talk to your doctor first before starting any exercise program.</p>
<p>Doing sports can be a great way to improve your fitness level. Many people find it difficult to maintain the discipline to workout weekly on their on so doing sports can help you maintain the weekly commitment that is needed. For example, playing basketball will provide a great cardio workout and you of course will need others (group) to play. If team sports are not for you then consider running/jogging. You can join a running group or a 5K training program that will provide a schedule of workouts and others to workout with.</p>
<p>So doing sports can be a great way to improve your fitness level while having some fun. Sports or group activities can help you maintain the commitment to exercise weekly.</p>
<p>You can read more about my 14 years of commitment along with what I have done at <a target="_new" href="http://healthbysports.com/">http://www.healthbysports.com</a>.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Mallory">Mark Mallory</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Over-50---Good-Fitness-and-Health-by-Doing-Sports&amp;id=3431882">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://solarsofa.com/">News of Solar Power and Alternative Engery</a></p>
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		<title>Forget About Exercise, Play A Sport Instead</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/forget-about-exercise-play-a-sport-instead/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/forget-about-exercise-play-a-sport-instead/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:54:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/forget-about-exercise-play-a-sport-instead/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you fed up with exercises? Let's be honest, they can become repetitive and dull. Why not take up a sport and keep fit whilst having fun.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton163" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fforget-about-exercise-play-a-sport-instead%2F&amp;text=Forget%20About%20Exercise%2C%20Play%20A%20Sport%20Instead&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fforget-about-exercise-play-a-sport-instead%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Fitness programmes usually contain exercises such as sit-ups, stomach curls or some sort of jumping activity. That is what you would expect, right? But have you ever stopped to consider if these sort of exercises are the best way to get fit? Or that they are even good for you? Do they really help with your sport, lose weight, stay supple or keep in shape? We have come to accept the exercise is the only way to train if we are serious about our health, fitness and performance.</p>
<p>I would like to suggest there is another way, and a far better way for you to get what you want from a fitness plan. What is this way? Well, what about playing a sport? When you were younger did you go down the park with a few friends and just kick a ball around? Just think how much exercise you got from doing that. Calculate how many calories were used up in one hour of playing a game of football. And don&#8217;t forget the cardio-vascular benefits.</p>
<p>But, more importantly, just how much more fun is playing a game than doing exercises? When did fitness begin to mean exercise in place of sport? Just how many more types of exercise do we really need to learn? Surely there are only so many different types of exercise our body&#8217;s can perform!</p>
<p>One of my main interests is the state athletes call <b>The Zone</b>. People describe putting in the performance of their life as one of the easiest, effortless things they have done. Everything just comes together, their body feels light, their mind clear and the whole experience is one of pure joy.</p>
<p>If the sensations experienced in The Zone are what it feels like for every part of our body to be working at its optimum, then our fitness programmes should surely work to replicate this. Many of today&#8217;s popular methods in my view do not encourage what I think of as total body integration. Muscle isolation training, core strengthening and postural exercises are some of the main culprits that ignore some of the basic principles of human movement and therefore likely to obstruct your path to true fitness.</p>
<p>Does your body benefit from performing specialist exercises that work individual muscles? It sure wasn&#8217;t designed to work in this way. You may argue that traditional fitness programmes have exercises that are specifically designed to build strength in your core, thigh muscles or your upper back. But lets stop and consider this, <b>do you ever use your body in your sport or everyday activities that look anything like these exercises?</b></p>
<p>Do you perform a movement like a stomach crunch at work or on the playing field? Probably not! I believe that traditional exercises can set up performance-limiting habits that will adversely affect your movement. We develop these habits unknowingly until our movement is compromised to the point it will damage out fitness. If your body is not moving as well as it should then your chances of getting a sports injury are increased.</p>
<p>So I would argue it is better for us to use our body <i>as a whole</i> playing a sport to engage the mind and body. All of your muscle groups will be worked, your heart, lungs and circulation get a great workout, but best of all, it is so much more fun! If it is enjoyable, you will be more likely to continue being active and stay fit and trim at the same time.</p>
<p>Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. His new book &#8216;Zone Mind, Zone Body&#8217; looks at how you can take your fitness and performance to a new level by doing less. This doesnt mean putting your feet up, it means learning to train smarter. More information about his unique approach to training can be found by clicking <a target="_new" href="http://www.fitness-programs-for-life.com/zone_mind_zone_body.html"><B>Zone Mind, Zone Body</b></a></p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_Palmer">Roy Palmer</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Forget-About-Exercise,-Play-A-Sport-Instead&amp;id=187390">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/payment/us-dollar-credit-card/">US Dollar credit card</a></p>
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		<title>Sport and Fitness Supplements</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sport-and-fitness-supplements/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sport-and-fitness-supplements/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:37:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sport-and-fitness-supplements/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sport and fitness supplements are used by a variety of people for the achievement of their goals in physical fitness, building lean muscle as well as weight loss itself. One of the key issues that often sets one back in terms of their muscle building or at least their efforts in the gym is quite often the incorrect use of these products, and whilst one may display great enthusiasm and commitment to the physical activity part of the equation, if they are not utilising the correct products then you really are defeating the object of the entire exercise.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton162" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fsport-and-fitness-supplements%2F&amp;text=Sport%20and%20Fitness%20Supplements&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fsport-and-fitness-supplements%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Sport and fitness supplements are used by a variety of people for the achievement of their goals in physical fitness, building lean muscle as well as weight loss itself. One of the key issues that often sets one back in terms of their muscle building or at least their efforts in the gym is quite often the incorrect use of these products, and whilst one may display great enthusiasm and commitment to the physical activity part of the equation, if they are not utilising the correct products then you really are defeating the object of the entire exercise.</p>
<p>The use of sport and fitness supplements are all dictated by time, affordability or at least the availability thereof, especially in the case of time, as we would all like to do a million things but in our current and often hectic lives time just is not always available. Either way once you have made the decision to build muscle and lose some of that fat then the most logical place to start is with both the workout routine and the eating plan that you have in mind to incorporate your sport and fitness supplements into.</p>
<p>Considering your diet, you would do well in focusing on high protein foods, such as that of meat, dairy and related food types, whilst additional supplementation can be via whey protein products and other pro mass or weight gaining supplements, this is the basic building block that will be required. In essence you should be focussing on foods and sport and fitness supplements that encourage or at the very facilitate the growth of muscle, whilst further aiding in the loss of fat which can be accomplished via the lowering of the intake of processed foods, and unnecessarily fatty foods.</p>
<p>Do not believe for one minute that the use of sport and fitness supplements, and a well structured diet and or eating plan will guarantee a physique and body that people will be envious of, rather accept the fact that a lot of hard work both in the gym and outside will be required to get that ideal shape and form you have set for yourself to achieve. In addition to a suitable workout routine and a balanced diet or eating plan, the right mental frame of mind and attitude will enable you to achieve these goals.</p>
<p>If you are looking into the use of creatine in terms of the sport and fitness supplements that are currently available, then you should further be made aware that this supplement can have an opposite effect in terms of providing strength if you are not really working out hard and pushing yourself to the limit. Although this does not imply that any sort of negative side effects will befall you, you would rather just be wasting both your time and money by utilising such a supplement. Consider your entire motivation as well as your routines, diets and workouts when deciding upon which sport and fitness supplements you will incorporate into your plans, once you have a well laid out plan you will in all likelihood achieve your goals.</p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://www.sportandsupplements.com/categories/Weight-Gainer-Supplements/">Weight Gainer</a> Sport and Fitness supplements are one of the products you can use to accelerate your efforts in the gym. Visit Sport and Supplement for the widest range at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sportandsupplements.com/">http://www.sportandsupplements.com/</a></p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kennelly">Chris Kennelly</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Sport-and-Fitness-Supplements&amp;id=2864099">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/payment/us-dollar-credit-card/">US Dollar credit card</a></p>
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		<title>Exercise and Sport For All</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/exercise-and-sport-for-all/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/exercise-and-sport-for-all/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:37:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/exercise-and-sport-for-all/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Most of us, keep fit enthusiasts excepted, will sooner or later, suffer from the dawning realization that our mirrors are telling us that our bottoms are sagging, our stomachs are bulging and our faces are getting puffy.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton161" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fexercise-and-sport-for-all%2F&amp;text=Exercise%20and%20Sport%20For%20All&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fexercise-and-sport-for-all%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Exercise and Sport.  Most of us, keep fit enthusiasts excepted, will sooner or later, suffer from the dawning realization that our mirrors are telling us that our bottoms are sagging, our stomachs are bulging and our faces are getting puffy.</p>
<p>Some will just accept natures way and carry on with their usual lifestyle but there will be others that want to regain a trim and toned body and that feeling of well being that comes with being fit.</p>
<p>No matter what age you are when you become aware of the dreaded signs that your body is not the temple of excellence that you expected it to remain. Sloth, bad habits and diet will have their way.</p>
<p>They will affect even a teenager&#8217;s body in just the same way as it will with any older person.</p>
<p>Having the right genes plays a huge part in our ability to delay the deteriorating effects of a bad lifestyle but sooner or later the body will begin give out ever-stronger signals that action should be taken to restore it to the way it was.</p>
<p>So what are the options?</p>
<p>The first thought that comes to many peoples mind is jogging. It does not require any expensive equipment, just trainers and any old clothes to suit the weather and can be carried out at any convenient time of the day or even night.</p>
<p>OK that&#8217;s fine for those who prefer their own company but if you suffer from loneliness or just don&#8217;t want to be alone when pounding the highways and byways of your neighborhood you will have to find a friend who shares your dedication to getting fit.</p>
<p>Incidentally there is a school of thought that considers jogging one of the worst activities for causing joint problems and associated pain.</p>
<p>Another option is to equip a home gym if you have the spare space.</p>
<p>Whether you buy   just a few weights and maybe find a second hand simple treadmill or even if you can afford a comprehensive multi-gym machine it will still cost you.</p>
<p>As with all exercise regimes you will have to have the will power to continue with what can eventually become a boring routine, particularly so if budget and space consideration limit your choice of equipment.</p>
<p>Again great if you have company to help keep you going as listening to music on an I-pod  or watching telly while you go through your routine can pall after a while. If you are a mother at least you haven&#8217;t the problem of finding a baby sitter.</p>
<p>If you are a sociable type join a gym.</p>
<p>You can keep your interest up by trying out the variety of machines that a well run gym should be equipped with, take advantage of the good advice on hand from the staff and probably find a new circle of friends with the same interests which should help you sustain your efforts.</p>
<p>Subscriptions vary but are usually affordable.</p>
<p>This is a great option unless the whole idea of exercise without seeing a tangible result after each session doesn&#8217;t appeal and the idea of running, lifting weights and other similar gym type exercises fills you with total boredom.</p>
<p>So lets look at Sport.</p>
<p>All sports have a definite objective and that is to win or lose at the end of a session.</p>
<p>I cannot think of a recognized sport in which women don&#8217;t take part, even the roughest and toughest such as Rugby Union and League, American Football. Wrestling and Boxing have ladies teams competing against each other. Male or female, there are very few bars to taking up any sport you fancy.</p>
<p>Anybody can take part in any sport; the question is whether to take up a team sport or an individual sport.</p>
<p>Both will have clubs and associations and with few exceptions will welcome new members irrespective of their ability and most have an emphasis on the social side of their activities so making new friends and acquaintances with common interests is an added bonus.</p>
<p>The competitive atmosphere generated in sports clubs can become infectious and is a spur to increasing physical fitness to better ones performance on the playing field, court or wherever the sport is taking place.</p>
<p>For those who cannot get on with fast ball games such as Tennis, Squash or Racquetball there are many other options open.</p>
<p>Fencing, with three disciplines (foil, epee and sabre) requires good reflexes and fast feet, Wrestling needs application to technique good balance and strength. Then there is Judo, various martial arts, archery, boxing and a large variety of athletic pursuits. Football of whatever kind is so popular that a team to suit any standard of play however poor, is likely to be located nearby.</p>
<p>My Dad who is 70 still plays a two-hour competitive game of tennis three times a week and has recently taken up golf once a week so he will have a sport when he is too old for tennis.</p>
<p>He still contrives to get out of taking the family&#8217;s little Shih-Tzu dog for a short daily walk because he says that just walking is boring</p>
<p>Another alternative for those who find road and gym work tedious and boring is to take up swimming.</p>
<p>Clubs organize races, water polo, sub aqua and other water activities that also require a good level of fitness and provide competition, companionship and interest, as is the case with every sport.</p>
<p>So for that trim and toned body and to feel good without the drudgery of jogging or the dread of boredom in the gym try taking up a sport.</p>
<p>There is a sport suitable for every one whatever their age, shape, standard or disability.</p>
<p>&#8220;~Sport for all&#8217; means exactly what it says!</p>
<p>Jacqueline  Lloyd is the  author of this article which appears in her definitive website Hot Exercise <a target="_new" href="http://hotexercise.com/">http://hotexercise.com</A></p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jaks_Lloyd">Jaks Lloyd</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Exercise-and-Sport-For-All&amp;id=420324">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/payment/">Creditcard Currency Conversion Fee</a></p>
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		<title>Sports and Fitness are Linked Together</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sports-and-fitness-are-linked-together/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sports-and-fitness-are-linked-together/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:56:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sports-and-fitness-are-linked-together/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many teens want to go out for team sports in their school but do not realize how demanding sports can actually be. Many young people look at all the excitement that participating in a sport can bring and are surprised to find out how closely sports and fitness are linked together.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton160" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fsports-and-fitness-are-linked-together%2F&amp;text=Sports%20and%20Fitness%20are%20Linked%20Together&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fsports-and-fitness-are-linked-together%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Many teens want to go out for team sports in their school but do not realize how demanding sports can actually be. Many young people look at all the excitement that participating in a sport can bring and are surprised to find out how closely sports and fitness are linked together. There is actually three main aspects to fitness, they are strength, stamina and flexible. When you combine these three aspects with a sport it greatly increases your ability to perform that sport.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s start with strength fitness. This does not mean that you need to begin a regiment of weight lifting. What it means is that you need to exercise to build and strengthen the muscles needed for the sport you are involved in. For example, if you want to be a football player then you want to strengthen your leg muscles. A basketball player would want to strengthen both their legs and arms.</p>
<p>Stamina is very important because without it you will not have the endurance needed to perform at your best through the duration of the game. Even if you do make it through the first couple of games of the season, making it all the way to the last game while still performing at your best is very unlikely. Aerobic exercises are great for helping in this area as it will help to strengthen both your lungs and heart. If aerobics are not an option for you, then you could consider things like riding a bicycle or swimming as they also help to build stamina.</p>
<p>Flexibility is extremely important when sports and fitness are linked together. This is because if your body is not flexible then you may be setting yourself up for a major injury. This is something you defiantly need to avoid. You should start with stretching exercises on a regular basic to increase the flexibility in your muscles. Begin slowly and build up, the more flexible your muscles are the easier it will be to perform many of the moves that are required in sports.</p>
<p>So before you decide to join an activity in your school, take into consideration just how closely sports and fitness are linked together and be prepared to get in shape. Being fit will increase your performance in any sport you participate in.</p>
<p>Christian Tylor is a freelance publisher based in Atlanta, Georgia. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides health-related resources on <a target="_new" href="http://www.freenetpublishing.com">http://www.freenetpublishing.com</a>.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Tylor">Christian Tylor</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Sports-and-Fitness-are-Linked-Together&amp;id=145552">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://foodtocure.com/a-list-of-anti-angiogenic-foods/">Anti-angiogenic Food</a></p>
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		<title>Sports Health Fitness</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sports-health-fitness/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sports-health-fitness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:56:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/sports-health-fitness/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the major options to keep fit will be involving into sports activities. From sports activities we probably mean that physical activities that is performed for recreation or entertainment, satisfaction and competition.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton159" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fsports-health-fitness%2F&amp;text=Sports%20Health%20Fitness&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fsports-health-fitness%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>One of the major options to keep fit will be involving into sports activities. From sports activities we probably mean that physical activities that is performed for recreation or entertainment, satisfaction and competition. In fact, in sports activities alone one can get himself be used up to the maximum extent involving his muscles, joints and the cardiovascular system. Besides it also enhances other physical skills the stamina and energy levels.</p>
<p>When you perform a sport activity you are likely ward off the fats from your body and have a slim and toned body. Inside a sports activity, you will come through strict and rigid health program that can help you to cope with the challenges in the field but is also equally applicable to the ones daily life as well. It is also necessary that an individual must respect his health needs and work hard to fulfill the same. Here are some of the tips that will be handy in reviving the energy levels and the health while performing one of the sports activities:</p>
<p>1. Drink lots of water. Water is most essential for the proper functioning of the body and without you can not last for a day or so. Excessive dehydration that is losing lots of water from your body as a result of perspiration can make you ill and in worst conditions you can even lose your life. So it is strongly recommended for those involving into some of the strenuous sports activities to drink a lot of water.</p>
<p>With some of the sports, one might require other health or sports drink as well in order to replace the lot amount of fluid from the body. A sport drink will mean to provide you with two of the important components like the carbohydrate and the electrolytes which are especially lost during a strength sports activity. As without a carbohydrate you can not proceed with other activities it is necessary that you get an energy supplement like the carbohydrate.</p>
<p>2. More veggies! It is often recommended by the experts to take more vegetables and the fruit products when you are involved in a sport activity. From these foods you can supply necessary vitamins and the minerals to your body as a result of which the body becomes stronger to cope with various kinds of challenging demands of the activity.</p>
<p>3. Calcium intake. A sport activity also requires that you take a balanced intake of calcium in your diet. Calcium is needed for healthy bones. As from the sports activity you are more likely to get stressed on the bones and the tendons so, to make them stronger and healthier, calcium intake is inevitable. These eventually prevent fractures and help you out of the bone disease like the &#8220;osteoporosis&#8221;. The calcium rich foods are the tofu, sardines, and dairy products. They are also found in an ample amount in the vitamins and the minerals supplement.</p>
<p>4. Warm exercises are always important before any kind of strenuous activities. Never forget to perform warm ups before jumping into the sports arenas or the field or else you will end up with muscular strains and the serious injuries. Thus, we see that sports activities cal alone prove to be ideal to make you healthy and strong so that you can stand against any challenging situation in life.</p>
<p>For more great information on exercise and nutrition, check out this <a target="_new" href="http://www.bodybuildinggod.com/">Bodybuilding Blog</a>.</p>
<p>Also while you&#8217;re at it, come visit and join one of the best <a target="_new" href="http://www.muscledomain.com/">Bodybuilding Forums</a> around!</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_O'Riley">John O&#8217;Riley</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Sports-Health-Fitness&amp;id=1809499">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://instantpot.com/benefits/">Benefits of electric pressure cooker</a></p>
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		<title>Enhancing Yourself With Sport and Fitness Supplements</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/enhancing-yourself-with-sport-and-fitness-supplements/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/enhancing-yourself-with-sport-and-fitness-supplements/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:25:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/enhancing-yourself-with-sport-and-fitness-supplements/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sport and fitness supplements are arguably one of the best partnerships and solutions that exist for the sports person, whether it be on an amateur or professional level. Notwithstanding the use of illegal performance enhancers, the range of supplements that are available today allow enhanced performance in your chosen sport or activity.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton158" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fenhancing-yourself-with-sport-and-fitness-supplements%2F&amp;text=Enhancing%20Yourself%20With%20Sport%20and%20Fitness%20Supplements&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fenhancing-yourself-with-sport-and-fitness-supplements%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>If one has to consider the sport and fitness supplements as they pertain to golf, for instance, one will realize that the golfer often needs an extra amount of strength to accomplish those long distance drives down the fairway. By executing a longer drive the chances of reducing the amount of shots per hole increases, which in turn will add to your overall game. On the lighter side, it is doubtful that there are sport and fitness supplements to improve upon your accuracy though.</p>
<p>Whey protein powders, as well as the liquid form, creatines and the nitric oxide sport and fitness supplements are ideal in increasing your strength and endurance for the above mentioned purposes, and are obviously not limited to the sport of golf, but can be applied across all sports. This is without the fear of reprisal in terms of using illegal performance enhancers, as these sport and fitness supplements are all natural, or naturally occurring substances which are easily accessible and widely accepted in modern day sporting environments.</p>
<p>Ideally in the event of wanting to enhance or improve your fitness, strength or endurance capabilities, the use of such sport and fitness supplements should be in conjunction with a exercise and workout routine. This will ensure that you maximise your efforts of improving upon the mentioned skills. Unfortunately, and contradictory to many claims, there does not exist a magic formula that will promote strength, fitness and endurance without the accompanying physical effort that is required.</p>
<p>Dependent upon which sport and fitness supplements you have chosen to use in enhancing your abilities, the intake would be dictated by the specific type and frequency of your exercise programs. Most of these supplementation products are designed to accompany a well balanced diet, and are normally recommended to be taken both before and after your gym or training session. This is due to the fact that some of the supplementation products provide addition energy for the physical efforts, which lead to more endurance during the training and therefore add to the increase of strength. Hence by consuming the product prior to working out you body will benefit from the added energy, as well as providing the muscles with added nutrients to increase your abilities during training. Many protein products should be taken afterwards too, as they mostly have a repair effect on the muscles that were exerted during training.</p>
<p>The benefits of the mentioned sport and fitness supplements actually extend beyond sporting and fitness issues, as many of these are utilized within the medical field too. Protein is a known supplement that is often providing to starving people, due to the quick digestion or ingestion as the case may be, whilst the use of several sport and fitness supplements are further used in the treatment of a variety of conditions.</p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://www.sportandsupplements.com">Sport and Fitness Supplements</a> are a natural and safe beneficial product, that can help enhance your strength, fitness and endurance. Visit Sport and Supplements at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sportandsupplements.com">http://www.sportandsupplements.com/</a> today.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kennelly">Chris Kennelly</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Enhancing-Yourself-With-Sport-and-Fitness-Supplements&amp;id=2673838">EzineArticles.com</a><br /> <a href="http://www.myropcb.com/services-capabilities/pcb-capabilities/">Low-volume PCB maker</a></p>
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		<title>Health Clubs Fitness</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/health-clubs-fitness/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/health-clubs-fitness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:25:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/health-clubs-fitness/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The fitness center industry is booming. As more and more people are becoming aware of the potential benefits of a good workout, many more clients are finding their way into these fitness centers. It is easy to become a member, but how long are you going to be happy with them? Some of these fitness centers require their members to sign a membership contract, which in the end, can be difficult to cancel. Here are a few tips to help you decide.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton157" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fhealth-clubs-fitness%2F&amp;text=Health%20Clubs%20Fitness&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fhealth-clubs-fitness%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Many people are aware that exercise is an integral part for the human body. It helps keep maintain a healthy body and also a sound mind. Millions of people are spending lots of money for this endeavor alone.</p>
<p>The fitness center industry is booming. As more and more people are becoming aware of the potential benefits of a good workout, many more clients are finding their way into these fitness centers. It is easy to become a member, but how long are you going to be happy with them? Some of these fitness centers require their members to sign a membership contract, which in the end, can be difficult to cancel. Here are a few tips to help you decide.</p>
<p>Be sure of what you want.</p>
<p>Always be mindful of what your goals are for your planned exercise. These goals will determine what you particularly need in a gym. A very good example is that if you are more into sports fitness rather than a typical fitness gym, then your obvious choice would be gyms that have sports facilities, and not just treadmills or aerobics.</p>
<p>Check out the competition.</p>
<p>Just like when you are shopping, it would be better if you check out every fitness center that you can find and compare the services and prices they offer. Most importantly, also compare the equipment and the facilities of each center. By doing so, you will be able to choose the most affordable and best equipped fitness center suited for you.</p>
<p>Check your budget and know what you are paying for.</p>
<p>Having a lot of money does not necessarily mean that you get your money&#8217;s worth by becoming a member in a particular fitness gym. It is often wise to consider where you are investing your money and if you are getting your money&#8217;s worth. Do not just sign up immediately with the first fitness center you encounter. Always follow your budget. It may be healthy to work out, but it is even healthier to stay out of debt.</p>
<p>Is it clean or not?</p>
<p>Always check the health record of the gym. Make sure they have proper hygiene and safety with their facilities and equipment. You are working out to be healthy in the first place, so make sure the center you are planning to join is also healthy.</p>
<p>Bottom line is that you do not have to look for the perfect fitness center. Chances are that the gym that you like will have some aspects that you dislike. It is your overall outlook that matters. As long as you are happy with the center and it helps you get the job done they why not join, right?</p>
<p>For more great information on exercise and nutrition, check out this <a target="_new" href="http://www.bodybuildinggod.com/">Bodybuilding Blog</a>.</p>
<p>Also while you&#8217;re at it, come visit and join one of the best <a target="_new" href="http://www.muscledomain.com/">Bodybuilding Forums</a> around!</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_O'Riley">John O&#8217;Riley</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Health-Clubs-Fitness&amp;id=1809464">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://instantpot.com/">Pressure cooker</a></p>
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		<title>Staying Healthy Through Sports Fitness</title>
		<link>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/staying-healthy-through-sports-fitness/</link>
		<comments>http://sportsfitness.co.nz/staying-healthy-through-sports-fitness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:12:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Fitness]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sportsfitness.co.nz/staying-healthy-through-sports-fitness/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you online looking for ways to stay fit? Make sure you have gathered the requisite information before making choices so that you can make a well informed decision. Read more about staying fit here . . .]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton156" class="tw_button" style=""><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fstaying-healthy-through-sports-fitness%2F&amp;text=Staying%20Healthy%20Through%20Sports%20Fitness&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsfitness.co.nz%2Fstaying-healthy-through-sports-fitness%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('http://sportsfitness.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>When the conversation comes to talking about fitness and sports what comes to mind for you? You will probably think about sports related activities right? No coincidence because fitness in sports is usually related to the sports activity itself.</p>
<p>If you think about it in most cases the activities related to a sport are loosely associated with competition, entertainment and some form of self satisfaction. This is one reason why a lot of sport experts recommend these activities to stay fit. Of course it is one way to stay physically fit but usually involves the development of a sports ability or skill.</p>
<p>So I have put together a quick list of things you can do to accentuate your sports fitness activities. The list is by no means inclusive but you will find it valuable nonetheless:</p>
<p>Tip #1 Increase Water Consumption</p>
<p>It is common knowledge that we can survive days and weeks without food but you will barely last a day without having water. This means as you suspect that water is very essential to your overall well-being. Take this into account when you are in the situation of perspiring heavily and not replacing the lost fluids. This can lead to serious health concerns and in the extreme case death! So if you are involved in an activity that involves heavy perspiration make sure you drink plenty of water.</p>
<p>Tip #2 Increase Vegetable Consumption</p>
<p>People that are involved in sports activities will need more fruits and vegetables then those that are not. This is solely because of the increase demand for the minerals and vitamins the body will need as a result of the activity.</p>
<p>Tip #3 Increase Calcium Consumption</p>
<p>if you are involved in a sports activity make sure you have calcium in your daily diet. This will help you build stronger bones in your body. This is important when you are subjecting the body to strenuous activities.</p>
<p>Tip #4 Include Warm Up Exercises.</p>
<p>Make sure you include warm up exercises before you start your sports activity. This can include stretches and other related performance enhancing warm ups. The idea is not to start your activity without some form of exercise beforehand. This will minimize injuries and other type of accidents from happening.</p>
<p>For those that are into sports engaging in sports activities can be the best form of overall exercise imaginable. You get enjoy some aspect of a sport you enjoy and you get physically fit at the same time. Just make sure you follow some of the given tips here at the same time.</p>
<p>John has created articles online for just about three years. He is an online publisher focusing on the subjects of weight loss, fitness and diet. You can also check out his most recent internet site on <a target="_new" href="http://www.homecoffeemakers.org">Home Coffee Makers</a> which reviews and lists the best home coffee maker appliances at <a target="_new" href="http://www.homecoffeemakers.org">http://www.homecoffeemakers.org</a>.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Redman">John Redman</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Staying-Healthy-Through-Sports-Fitness&amp;id=3137675">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://instantpot.com/technology/how-electric-pressure-cookers-work/">How Electric Pressure Cookers Work</a></p>
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