For Even Better Results

Do you ever feel like you're just not getting the results you'd like from your fitness program? Is your daily walk or run just not producing the results you hoped for?

Good News! You can really Kick Start your fitness efforts with a simple change to your workout routine(s). Try this when you jog ( or walk ) or on a treadmill at the gym even.

Here's a simple overview of a typical interval training routine:

1. Warm up for a few minutes - 3 to 5 minutes should be enough!

2. Exercise as hard and fast as you can for 30 seconds. You should feel like you couldn't possibly go on!

3. Return to a more normal pace and recover for a couple minutes.

4. Repeat the high intensity exercise and recovery 7 more times

Think about where you are today - in terms of your current fitness level and don't overdo it when you first start out. Take your time and enjoy the ride!

If you are a little out of practice or not exactly in great shape you may want to start with just two or three repetitions, and gradually work your way up to eight.
You might start with walking and when you do a few 30 second bursts at a quicker pace or even running. Pump your arms hard and fast for even better results!

Whatever exercise activity you choose, by the end of your 30 second sprint period you will feel exhausted or nearly out of breath. Time to slow down and let your heart and lungs recover for a couple minutes. Then - Bamm!! - Jump all over it again!

Want more trim better looking muscle tone? Strength training is a great way to sculpt a slimmer and more muscular physique. Many fitness enthusiasts have discovered another way to be sleek and strong. They've learned Pilates and love it. Many fitness experts believe that this workout can help you develop long, strong muscles, a flat stomach, a strong back, and improved posture. And like working out with weights, Pilates can strengthen those crucial connective tissues ( your tendons and ligaments).

Vary your workouts occasionally by trying different exercises or sports. Enjoy playing a variety of different sports! Choose different exercise routines and gradually build upon your exercise time and intensity. Give your body a variety of challenging thrills and make it fun! Your fitness efforts will seem much easier if you’re having fun. Enjoy your journey to better health and fitness!

Frequent exercise will help you build muscles and start getting in shape fast.

Want Sexier looking abs? Try this:

Autumn - The Perfect Time to Exercise

As the annual display of nature's warm beauty emerges we have the opportunity to enjoy another season. Hopefully the Autumn colors in your part of this wonderful earth will be as vibrant and beautiful as ever this Fall. As the trees start changing and the fields full of milo and corn are harvested we fast approach the final quarter of this year.

Perhaps now is a good time to take a look at where you are today and where you'd like to be - in terms of your fitness and health. We have but 13 quick weeks before this calendar year goes into the record books. Just 3 short months - filled with opportunities for fun and family time. And food! Lots of great foods seem to emerge from our kitchens during Autumn.

Maybe now is a good time to start enjoying healthier options. A few less sugar cookies and lot more fruit! Maybe just one slice of pumpkin pie - and no thanks to the whipped cream. Maybe now is a good time to drink more water every day and far less soda.

If we keep putting unhealthy ingredients in our bodies - what will we end up with? Yep - unhealthy bodies are almost a certainty if we skip the daily exercise.
Enjoy these colorful Autumn days. I hope you will be able to spend a little time each day outdoors in the fresh, cooler Autumn air!

And don't forget to exercise. Try this -

Be Happy - Get in Beach Body Shape

Are you happy when you look at yourself in the mirror? Would you like to feel better about yourself - and maybe just feel better most of the time?

Want more energy in the bedroom? Or the boardroom? Whatever you are focused on - you can enjoy your endeavors more when you start enjoying the benefits of better health and fitness!

Start with some simple exercise routines you can do almost anywhere:



No money for a fancy gym membership? No worries. Start simple - use your own body weight for strength building exercise with the classic push-up and squats. Jump ropes are easy to find - or make - and jumping rope is an excellent cardio workout!

Save your money - you don't have to spend a small fortune every year at that fancy-pants fitness center. You can look great and feel better about yourself while you save your hard earned money!

Want a Leaner, Tighter Body?

There is a beautiful tale of Scandinavian mythology. A hero, under the promise of becoming god-like, is bidden in the celestial halls to perform three test-acts of prowess. He is to drain the drinking-horn of Thor. Then he must run a race with a courser so fleet that he fairly spurns the ground under his flying footsteps. Then he must wrestle with a toothless old woman, whose sinewy hands, as wiry as eagle claws in the grapple, make his very flesh to quiver. He is victorious in them all. But as the crown of success is placed upon his temples, he discovers for the first time that he has had for his antagonist the three greatest forces of nature. He raced with thought, he wrestled with old age, he drank the sea.

Nature, like the God of nature, wrestles with us as a friend, not an enemy, wanting us to gain the victory, and wrestles with us that we may understand and enjoy her best blessings. Every greatest and highest earthly good has come to us unfolded and enriched by this terrible wrestling with nature.

Today's video shares with us the value of a great cardio workout -



If you want a leaner, tighter figure with better muscle tone and even sexy-looking abs - start your very cardio workout program. Get outside and sweat off those extra inches. Work up a good sweat and don't forget to drink plenty of water.

Summer heat preventing you from getting outside as often as you'd like? Get some exercise right in the comfort of your living room.

Health experts agree - the best way to lose belly fat (and keep it off) is with daily exercise. Eating healthy foods is vital too!

Tight Bodies

"Suck in that gut" - that infamous phrase has been heard for generations by many a young marine. Have you ever seen an overweight marine? One who might be borderline obese? One reason you haven't is the steadfast commitment to excellent physical conditioning every marine becomes accustomed to.

You don't have to be a marine to be in great shape! You too can enjoy the kind of hard body and muscular physique of a young marine.

What is their secret?

They work hard. They exercise daily.

The sooner you start the sooner you can look great! And feel great!



Buy some simple home fitness equipment and get started. Get out and burn off that fat.

Steps to a Happy Life

Does Winter ever find you feeling a little blue? Are you SO ready for Spring that even a hint of sunshine makes you want to get outdoors and play? You're in good company. A little sunshine and fresh air can do wonders for your level of happiness.

While many of us in North America are looking outside to snow-covered landscapes - there just has to be a way to bring a little of the sun's energy indoors! Turn on a travel channel or plug in your favorite funny video. Instead of sitting on the couch or in your favorite easy chair - get up and do some simple exercise while you enjoy laughing your cares away! Energize your day and lift your spirits with some heart-pumping aerobic exercise - without even leaving the house!

Check out this exercise routine you can do right in the comfort of home:



Spring will be upon us soon here in North America. Spring break is just weeks away for many beach lovers! Why not get your body toned and ready for the beach while the weather outside is too cold for human comfort! Start today. Pick up some inexpensive home fitness equipment and exercise at home!

Enjoy Life More

A study of over 14,000 women showed that active women were 55 percent less likely to die of breast cancer than women who chose not to exercise and stay in good shape. Men who did just moderate levels of exercise lived, on average, up to six years longer than their sedentary peers.

The facts are clear - if you want to enjoy life more and live longer - your odds are much better if you get some exercise most days of the week!

For the best results - try a balanced approach. Combine weight or resistance training with flexibility and aerobic exercise. If your program is balanced enough, you wont have to be concerned about developing over exaggerated muscles.

If you think lifting weights is just for pumped-up hard-bodies who flex their pecs in public, think again. Building muscle benefits everyone! Women and Men - at any age. In fact, older people may have the most to gain from weight or resistance training, because strength is so crucial to functioning independently.

All sorts of professional athletes, from ball players to golfers, tennis players to swimmers, make cross training part of their regimes. You can enjoy the many benefits of better fitness without spending too much of your hard earned cash. Get some simple inexpensive home fitness equipment and start burning calories and building muscles!

Back to the Basics

The basics of better fitness are so easily overlooked. You can whip your body into much better shape - in a matter of weeks if you adopt some basic exercise habits. Try a healthy variety of exercises - preferably daily. And don't forget to keep eating healthy foods!

Sometimes getting back to the basics is simply the best course. Check out this video of an excellent whole body workout.



You can enjoy life more and have more energy. You can look and feel years younger. If weight loss is on your list of goals - you can shed those pounds. You can exercise and lose weight fast.

Plan Your Healthy Lifestyle

The road to better health and fitness involves active living and smart eating. Being active is fun and has many health benefits. Most adults will benefit from just 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (above their usual activity) most days of the week, preferably daily.

Whatever activities you choose - you can do it all at once or spread them out during the day. Add activities to your daily routine, like gardening, walking to and from your bus or train, using stairs instead of the elevator, cleaning house, or playing with your little ones! (You all win when you play with the children.) Fit in a regular exercise program, such as swimming, bicycling, power walking, or playing a team sport. Or - have even more fun and add a variety of sports and workouts to your fitness efforts!

Getting fit is much easier if make a plan and then Take Massive Action towards fulfilling your plan.

Set up a few simple short-term goals, like walking 10 minutes a day, 3 days a week. Once you are comfortable, try to do more. Try 15 minutes instead of 10 minutes. Then walk on more days a week while adding more minutes to your walk. You can try different activities too. To add variety, you can do low-impact aerobics or water aerobics for 30 minutes, 2 days a week. Then walk on a treadmill or outdoors for 30 minutes, 1 day a week. Then do yoga or lift weights every other day.

Eating a well balanced variety of healthy foods will give you the fuel your body needs to get more exercise and enjoy better health! Try to enjoy more fruits and vegetables every day. Get at least half your grains from whole-grain foods - like whole wheat bread or pasta. Mix in some low-fat or fat-free milk or foods made from lowfat or fat-free milk. Choose lean meats and get more of your protein from fish and beans. Eat less often foods high in saturated fat or trans fat, or with added sugars.

Track your progress by writing down your goals and what you have done each day, including the type of activity and how long you spent doing it. Seeing your progress on paper - in black and white can really help keep you motivated. Celebrate your success. Don't worry if you miss a target or slip and fall. Just adjust you plan - and your actions - and keep your eyes on the big goal. Enjoy your journey. Don't let little setbacks get in your way! They happen to us all!

Decide to Live Healthy

For centuries women and men much wiser than I have suggested a very simple route to self improvement - We are what we think we are. Our present state is often the result of where our thoughts ( and the resulting actions ) have taken us.

Success is in the blood. There are men whom fate can never keep down - they march forward in a jaunty manner, and take by divine right the best of everything that the earth affords. They are ever alert and alive to any good that may come their way, and when it comes they simply make the best of it and move steadily on.


Whenever you go outdoors, take a nice, deep breath and fill your lungs to the utmost; drink in the sunshine; greet your friends with a smile. Do not fear being misunderstood; and never waste a moment thinking about your setbacks. Try instead to fix firmly in your own mind what you would like to do, and then move straight towards your goal.

Fear is the obstacle on which many a goal gets stranded. When we become fearful, the judgment is as unreliable as a broken compass.

Keep your mind on the great and splendid thing you would like to do; and then, as the days go gliding by, you will find yourself unconsciously seizing the opportunities that are required for the fulfillment of your desire, just as the coral insect takes from the running tide the elements that it needs. Picture in your mind the able, earnest, useful person you desire to be, and the thought that you hold is hourly transforming you into that particular individual you so admire.

Thought is supreme - Preserve a right mental attitude - the attitude of courage, frankness and good cheer.

Darwin and Spencer have told us that this is the method of Creation. All things come through desire and every sincere prayer is answered. We become like that on which our hearts are fixed.

The choice is ours to make. We can direct and control our thoughts! And our actions! Our achievements are the result of two things - mental attitude, and the way we spend our time. It is what we think and what we do that make us what we are. Choose to enjoy eating healthy foods. Choose to exercise daily. Choose good, clean thoughts. Make the choice for better health!

Its All in Your Mind!

Is better fitness one of your goals this year? Do you ever find it difficult to maintain your enthusiasm – or feel like skipping a day in your workout schedule?

Sometimes the biggest challenge is really all in your mind! It’s just a mental roadblock or speed bump. Don’t be deterred – try these five tips to help sustain your efforts:

1) View workouts as time for yourself, rather than as a chore. On days when you’re unmotivated, promise to do just five minutes of exercise. Once you get started, you’ll feel the urge to keep going and do much more.

2) Whether you hope to lose 20 pounds or run a mini marathon, you can if you think you can! Set yourself up for morale building victories by establishing short-term goals and rewarding yourself as you reach your milestones.

3) Vary your workouts occasionally by trying different exercises or sports. Enjoy playing a variety of different sports! Choose different exercise routines and gradually build upon your exercise time and intensity. Give your body a variety of challenging thrills and make it fun! Your fitness efforts will seem much easier if you’re having fun. Enjoy your journey to better health and fitness!

4) Bring your long term goal goals to life through visualization. Imagine how you’ll feel slipping into that slinky new dress or walking confidently in a hot little bikini at your favorite beach.

5) Take pictures every week or so and document your progress! After just a few months you’ll most likely be amazed at your progress.

You can have a better life. A healthier and happier life - full of more fun and energy! Start today! If you are wanting to lose some weight this year - the quickest way to lose weight is start getting in shape fast! Exercise most days and keep eating healthy foods. Soon you'll feel better and look better.

Enjoy Life More!

Is it a realistic hope to get in better shape between now and the end of summer? Can you lose some of those extra pounds before school starts up again? The answer is a resounding Yes! You know you can do it! You can get with the program and lose those unsightly bulges. Trim that waist and work on slimmer thighs. You can firm up that butt. And strengthen your ab muscles.

Six-Pack abs may be just a dream - before Labor Day! And - you can start getting some serious aerobic exercise in most days and have a tighter tummy by Halloween! Just in time for all those hilarious Halloween parties!

Yes, there is time to shed those unwanted extra pounds. Time to slim down and look real hot in whatever outfit you put on! There's still time to get in better shap shape and fit into that beautiful little bikini. Getting in shape fast is possible. You CAN have a healthier, sexier body before this Summer goes into the history books.

The key is getting started. Right now! Don’t delay. Just do something to get rolling. And keep increasing your physical activity each day. Enjoy a better diet.

Getting in shape fast is a realistic goal. Start eating healthy foods, exercising and building muscles! The sooner you starter the sooner you too can enjoy the countless benefits of better health!

Have fun with whatever exercise routine you go for. Try new things. A variety of workouts and exercises will help you maintain a better balanced physique! Take up a new sport – or two. Work hard at having fun!

You can reshape your body into a leaner, sexier body with plenty of energy for just about any pursuit. People will start to notice your better health. You’ll start to display a renewed vigor for life and have a much better attitude. Your self confidence will continue to grow. You can enjoy life more!

Try Yoga To Reduce Stress

What does meditation have to offer? For centuries millions have used the simple acts of yoga, exercise, and meditation to reduce stress. The connection between our mind and body is amazing! Feed and nurture your mind and exercise regularly to reduce stress!

Consider the following excerpt from An Intro To Yoga - A series of lectures by Annie Wood-Besant around 1900.

Meditation cannot be the same for every man. Though the same in principle, namely, the steadying of the mind, the method must vary with the temperament of the practitioner.

Suppose that you are a strong-minded and intelligent man, fond of reasoning. Suppose that connected links of thought and argument have been to you the only exercise of the mind. Utilize that past training. Do not imagine that you can make your mind still by a single effort.

Follow a logical chain of reasoning, step by step, link after link; do not allow the mind to swerve a hair's breadth from it. Do not allow the mind to go aside to other lines of thought. Keep it rigidly along a single line, and steadiness will gradually result. Then, when you have worked up to your highest point of reasoning and reached the last link of your chain of argument, and your mind will carry you no further, and beyond that you can see nothing, then stop.

At that highest point of thinking, cling desperately to the last link of the chain, and there keep the mind poised, in steadiness and strenuous quiet, waiting for what may come. After a while, you will be able to maintain this attitude for a considerable time."

You can reduce your stress. You can equip yourself to better handle life's ups and downs! Try exercise and simple meditation to reduce stress!

Never Too Late for Better Fitness

It is never too late to start exercising and moving more. Physical activity may help you manage or even avoid health problems like arthritis, osteoporosis (bone loss), and coronary heart disease. Regular exercise may also help:

* Keep your body flexible.
* Keep your bones and muscles strong.
* Keep your heart and lungs healthy.
* Control high blood sugar, especially if you lose weight.
* Let you keep living in your own home without help.

Fitting in physical activity is not as hard as you may think. Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (like brisk walking) on most days of the week.

Also try to do strengthening activities two or three times a week. These activities are important because older adults—especially women—lose muscle and bone every year. Strengthening activities may help prevent or lessen bone loss.

You can get plenty of heart healthy exercise without spending a small fortune joining a health club. There are lots of ways to be physically active that are free or low-cost.
Here are a few easy and inexpensive ideas:

* Finding a local park or school track where you can walk.
* Walking around a mall.
* Being active with your grandchildren—take a walk, toss a softball, or ride bikes.
* Walking your dog or meeting up with a neighbor to walk together.
* Checking out a fitness video from the library and following along at home.
* Get some simple home fitness equipment and start your day off right - with exercise!

6 Steps to Better Health and Fitness

Another Wimbledon is in the record books. The 4th and all the fireworks are now another pleasant memory. These long, hot days of Summer give us a little extra time to enjoy our favorite outdoor fun!

July is a great time to evaluate your fitness goals and the progress you are making! With almost 6 months left in this year – why not take a few minutes now to assess your progress and where you’d like to be in 6 weeks or before the Holidays roll around! Are you on track to meet the goals you set forth for this year? If not, don’t panic – there’s plenty of time to make some good progress before the kids head back to school!

Here’s a few ideas to help you keep you going:

1) If you ever find yourself pressed for time – remind yourself that better health can lead to a lifetime of benefits. View workouts as time for yourself, rather than as a chore. On days when you’re unmotivated, convince yourself to exercise for just ten minutes. After getting started, you’ll probably do much more.

2) Whether you want to lose a few pounds or enhance your physical performance, set yourself up for success by establishing reasonable short-term goals. Then, try rewarding yourself as you reach each milestone. Treat yourself to a new pair of running shoes after you lose those first five pounds. Or take the family out to your favorite eatery after you run a whole mile – without stopping! Keep your goals simple and within reach – you’ll accomplish them sooner! Then, set new goals!

3) Make exercise fun. Enjoy playing different sports. Vary your workouts with different exercises. Ever tried yoga or swimming? Many healthy fitness lovers enjoy the benefits of using low-impact exercise equipment. Buy an elliptical and turn your extra room into a mini fitness center! Choose different exercise routines and gradually build your times and intensity. Or try a new sport. Give your body a variety of challenging thrills and make it fun! Your fitness efforts will seem much easier if you’re having fun. Enjoy the journey!

4) See yourself reaching your goal. Visualize your success. Imagine how you’ll feel slipping into a new smaller size or walking down the beach in that really hot new swimsuit! Hang a picture on your refrigerator of someone who already has the kind of body shape you want. Every time you go to the ice-box you’ll have a pleasant reminder to eat healthy foods!

5) Some find it helpful to keep a fitness journal and even take pictures along the way. Document your progress. This can do wonders for your ongoing motivation. Every few weeks – look back and see for yourself how much you’ve accomplished! This can be a powerful strategy to help you assess what’s working and, perhaps what’s not.

6) Hold onto your goal. Add new, short term targets or goals as often as you feel necessary – always keeping an eye on the ultimate goal.

Be proactive - enjoy a healthy lifestyle. You'll have more energy and more fun! Get more sleep, exercise most days, and keep eating healthy foods! You’ll feel better and look better!

Looking to be more fit then you were in 2008? Let Bodybuilding.com provide everything from workout plans to nutritional supplements.

Lose That Belly Fat

Do you find yourself wondering how to lose that belly fat which seems to have mysteriously emerged over the years? The good news is – You can reduce belly fat if you start a regular exercise routine and start eating healthy foods! Start walking, jogging, rowing, or working out 4 or five days a week. Add in some muscle building strength training every other day!

Walking is great fun any time of the year. If you don’t mind spending a little extra time to burn off those extra calories, walking is a great for getting rid of fat. A brisk paced walk can help ease your stress and the tensions of the day! Get outside – if you can – and enjoy a nice long walk. The benefits are tremendous and you’ll come to enjoy your regular walks.

Swimming is another great low impact exercise. And many people enjoy water aerobics programs offered by the YMCA. Exercise in water means way less stress on your joints. Any exercise in the pool can be a quite refreshing workout. Stop by a public pool and get in some laps or check into a water aerobics class and you can enjoy a whole new way of getting in shape!

Can you lose some of those unsightly extra few pounds before this summer goes into the record book? Yes! You can do it! The choice is yours to make. We can get with the program and lose those unwanted pounds. Trim those thighs and waist. You can firm up that rear. Get rid of that belly and strengthen those ab muscles!

Six-Pack abs might be mere wishful thinking for some ( or, in my case – totally out of the question ) between now and September. And we can shed some of that belly and be on the road to a trimmer, sexier body! Some of us may already be on the way to tighter abs and a much flatter stomach. Make some progress each day and you'll start seeing results sooner than you might imagine.

There is time to shed those unwanted extra pounds. Time to slim down and look real good in that sexy swimsuit you know you want to wear. There is still time to get in shape and fit into that beautiful bikini. Getting in shape fast is a goal you can definitely achieve. You can have a healthier, sexier body by Summer. Why not start today?

The key is getting started. Right now! Don’t delay. Just do something to get started. Get out and jog around the block. Enjoy the spring-like weather many of us have had this week. And keep increasing your physical activity each day. Try to improve upon your diet.- enjoy eating healthy foods. Get your protein early in the morning to fuel your exercise throughout the day!

The best way to lose belly fat is with a whole bunch of exercise and sticking with a healthy eating plan!

Start Your Day Right Get Rid of that Belly!

The best way to lose belly fat is burn away those extra pounds with plenty of vigorous exercise! Not only will you get a slimmer, sexier tummy - you'll realize the many benefits of better fitness! For the quickest and lasting results compliment your exercise program with a steady diet of healthy foods.

Forget the pills and magic elixirs. Sustainable weight loss is best achieved with frequent exercise. Can you find as few as 30 minutes a day to improve your health? Countless fitness enthusiasts get up a little early and get some quality quiet time and exercise before the rest of the family even gets out of bed!

You won't need much to get started. A good pair of running or walking shoes. Maybe a few simple pieces of home fitness equipment to get you started. You can get a great workout without even leaving the house! Or maybe you'd prefer getting outdoors and enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds of nature!

Many healthy people find early morning workouts give them an extra boost of energy hours into their day. Your metabolism continues to burn off calories long after your workout ends. Remember to enjoy eating healthy foods as your take the journey to a slimmer, more toned body shape.

Start today. Summer is an ideal time for working off those extra pounds. Get out there and sweat off a few pounds each week. The harder you exercise, the easier it is to get rid of that belly fat! You can have tighter abs before Summer ends - if you get in some heart-pumping exercise at least four or five days a week. ( Rest is important too - so give your body a day or two to recover and restore itself! )

You've seen the ads and heard the amazing results some fitness lovers get from just walking their way to better health! Your options are plentiful. Find some kind of exercise or sport that you enjoy. Losing weight is much easier when you are having fun! Sign up for a Yoga class. Or join a tennis league. Whatever gives you the most enjoyment.

Today is the perfect day to get started. Find some time for you. Get yourself some simple home fitness equipment and start your day off right - with exercise! Try it - you'' love how you feel and soon people will begin to notice your slimmer stomach! You can shed those unwanted pounds and enjoy life more in the process!

Steamy Summer Nights

Summer means more time for fun! Fun at the beach or the lake. Fun at the baseball diamond or the tennis courts. Swimming in the local pool or even jumping in your favorite fishing hole! Sipping lemonade on the front porch watching the the children chase lightning bugs all around the yard. The ways to Summer fun are practically endless!

Enjoy this Summer and do your body some good getting in better shape while you're at the beach or on the basketball court! Have fun and burn off those extra pounds. Hit your favorite trail for some fitness time! Run ( or walk ) away those extra calories! The benefits can be nothing short of incredible. Start getting in shape and you can have -

* more energy and capacity for work and leisure fun!

* greater resistance to stress, anxiety and fatigue

* a better outlook on life

* increased stamina, strength and flexibility.

* improved efficiency of the heart and lungs for a lifetime of better health!

Sumer is the perfect time for outdoor fun - or indoors if you don't like the heat! The warmer, longer Summer days give you more opportunities to lose those extra pounds or body fat. You can burn off that belly and have fun in the process! And find it easier staying at your ideal weight!

Regular exercise and strength training:

* helps you to be more productive at work

* builds stamina for more fun during those steamy, late night romantic endeavors!

* increases muscle strength

* tone your body into a leaner sexier shape!

Make this your best Summer ever. Get out there and have more fun this year. Start getting in shape fast and burn those extra calories while you're having the time of your life. Make more time for fun and fitness and share the fun with your friends and family!

Looking to be more fit then you were in 2008? Let Bodybuilding.com provide everything from workout plans to nutritional supplements.

Summer Fun

What are your children doing this Summer? Encourage them to get outside and play - as often as possible. Take them to the park for some late evening running and play time - or head out to the local pool for some fun in the water!

Childhood and adolescence are vital periods times to lay the foundation for lifelong fitness and physical activity. Unfortunately, too many young people, especially girls, are not active enough. As children grow into adolescence, their participation in physical activity declines dramatically. A recent government health organization report tells us, almost half our young people aged 12 to 21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis and 14 percent are completely inactive. For some reason young girls are twice as likely to be inactive as young boys.

These are alarming, and potentially dangerous trends. What can we do to change them?

A regular, preferably daily routine of at least 30-45 minutes of exercise - like brisk walking, bicycling, or even dancing will reduce the risks of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes. Regular exercise and physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety; help control weight; and help build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints!

We need to provide more quality school-based physical education for girls. We can encourage girls to get involved in sports and physical activity at an early age. We can challenge those age old stereotypes that impede girls’ participation in some sports.

The conclusions are clear - regular physical activity can reduce girls’ risk of many of the chronic diseases of adulthood. Numerous studies have shown that female athletes do better academically and have lower school drop-out rates than their nonathletic peers. Regular exercise and physical activity can enhance girls’ mental health, reducing symptoms of stress and depression and improving self-esteem.

Lets encourage our youth to get out and have some fun this Summer. Or, better yet - join them for some great family fun in the Sun!

Ditch the Pills - Use Exercise to Lift Your Spirits

Dealing with life's unexpected twists can be a challenge to even the most positive thinkers. Corporate downsizing and these economic hard times can do a number on your stress levels.

When a potential employer takes a look at two ( or more ) seemingly equally talented prospects - you can have a distinct advantage if you are in decent physical shape. Softs skills - including your level of optimism and a positive outlook can also make a big difference.

Don't let your job loss get you too far down in the dumps. Stay with your fitness program or start a new. If you've been too busy to exercise - schedule some time for yourself and improve your health! Its a well documented fact - optimists tend to live longer, more satisfying lives. And getting in better shape can play a big role in your level of optimism!

Today, during my 90 minute commute coming home NPR interviewed a lady who had to take anti-depressants to deal with her job loss. Exercise can have a big impact on your mental health. Scientific studies have shown a decreased need for anti-depressants when you get plenty of exercise. The more exercise - the less need for expensive pills.

Take control of your life. Leading a healthy lifestyle will have lasting and positive benefits on not only your physical well-being, but your mental health as well. Ward off stress - and don't let yourself reach the same depths of depression as the poor soul who is faced with an expensive pharmacy bill every month. If you know someone like her - encourage them to join you in healthy pursuits.

You don't need to spend a thing. Walking is excellent, and free! If you want to lose some weight - you might have to pump it up a bit from your usual pace, especially if you've been exercising for a while and the flab isn't budging.

If you work out two days, go to three. Or if you're jogging for half an hour, increase it to 45 minutes or an hour.

Interval training -- that is, alternating bursts of intense activity with bursts of lighter activity -- is a good way to burn more fat, and hasten your results. Try these easy and inexpensive tips for better fitness.

You can improve your outlook and your life if you start getting in shape fast!