As we draw to the end of February and with Valentine’s Day, in our “rearview mirror,” let’s reflect on the Month of Love. More importantly, the concept of Loving Your Body. To be very specific, Loving Your Heart.

Heart To Heart Facts.

Did You Know?

• The heart beats 100,000 times per day.
• The heart sends 2,000 gallons of blood through your body daily.
• The heart is no bigger than your fist, yet is the hardest working muscle in your body.
• The heart never rests!

In 2016, love your heart. Get your heart working. Here are some helpful hints

1. Eat better. Have a well balanced diet, rich in Heart Healthy Foods. Here are some key foods to add to your daily/weekly diet:

• Eat Fresh fruits and vegetables,in a variety of colors.
• Eat whole grains,beans and nuts.
• Eat fresh fish,that contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.Such fish as Salmon,Mackerel and Sardines. These are key heart healthy fish options.
• Eat Oatmeal, which is high in soluble fiber and can lower cholesterol.
• Eat blueberries,which can decrease blood pressure.
• Eat soy products, such as tofu and soy milk.

2. Do more aerobic based activities. Take a run or walk. Put in time on the treadmill or elliptical machines. Even simple habits, such as using the stairs, instead of an elevator, have a positive effect on your Heart Health.

AquaBells offers a wide range of aerobic based exercises, using the AquaBells Ankle Weights. A few examples are listed below:

• Standing Single Leg Side Extension Lift: standing with back straight and feet shoulder width apart,raise one leg out to the side as high as comfortable,while maintaining balance. Do 15-20 reps, rest 30 seconds and repeat. Do 3 sets each leg, using the AquaBells Ankle Weights.

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• Lay on back, two leg Bicycle Motion: While on back, alternate legs in a bicycle pumping motion. Use your AquaBells Ankle Weights on each ankle. Execute 20-30 alternate leg bicycle pumps, rest 30 seconds and repeat. Do three sets of this exercise.

• Standing Scissor Motion: Put both hands on the back of a chair. Swing one leg across your body in a scissors motion. Do 15-20 reps, rest 30 seconds and repeat. Do three sets of this exercise, with both legs. Another ideal, AquaBells Ankle Weight exercise.

Think about your heart health,while at your place of work. If you work at a desk for long periods of time, there a number of Heart Healthy fitness breaks everyone can do. Get-up periodically and take a short walk. Stand behind your chair and do a series of knee bends. This will activate your heart and stretch your legs.

Last, but not least. To gain optimal heart health, don’t smoke!

Use February as a springboard to better Heart Health in 2016 and beyond. Love Your Heart.

 

Today’s world,is a technically crowded place! We all have I Phones,I Pads and I Pods to contend with.We are literally and figuratively “plugged in constantly” Traditional written and verbal communications,are rapidly going the way of the Horse and Buggy.Now,to further capitalize on this “tech boom”,companies all over the world are designing,developing and marketing fitness devices designed to monitor our every movement and physical function.Consumers are now “pitched” not only the popular Fitbit,but an array of emerging products. Such products as Smart Belt(counts steps and measures weight) and Smart Sox(with embedded sensors and a GPS to tell runners how their feet are landing)

Don’t get me wrong! Tech can be good,BUT……. Fitness and training are very individual processes.Everyone approaches fitness and training differently.We would agree that a specific type of program that works for one person,may be totally wrong for another.

“Your body is precious.It is our vehicle for awakening.Treat it with care”-Buddha

For many people,to awaken your body,you must get into a zone.When you walk into a fitness center,start on an outside run,or simply do some exercising at home,you are getting ready for a different experience.You aren’t at work,shopping,studying,or watching TV.Your awareness and senses should be sharper.Your are beginning the process of Listening To Your Body. Basically,you can’t listen to your body if you are using some sort of device.The devices take way your focus and mask your awareness and senses.

Much has been written about the use of fitness devices,while training.Most of what has been written is marketing and sales driven,prompting consumers to buy the newest,greatest device.This marketing and sales driven strategy is designed to influence consumers,to believe that a particular product will enhance fitness,help lose weight etc.

Endeavor Partners Research found,”more than half of US consumers who have owned a fitness device,stopped using the device within six months of receiving it” Many want and crave the newest tech gadgets.Many think the newest tech devices will offer a “quick fix” for their lack of fitness or better health.Generally,when people rely on game like incentives to motivate their behavior,the games get old and stale and the newness comes to an end.Now,money has been spent,the device has been used and if a miracle cure doesn’t happen,the individuals fitness program takes a step backward.

The natural alternative to a fitness device telling you how many steps you have walked,or the number of hours you have slept,is to Listen To Your Body.Start by following these simple steps when doing your exercise program:

. At the start of the workout,relax and take a deep breath

. Feel your heart beat

. Align your body correctly

. Use good posture.Stand tall,head up.

. As you exercise,listen to how your body responds to the routines you are executing.If you feel some fatigue,off balance,or out of rhythm,stop! Take a short break and resume your program.If you can’t continue,that is OK.Note,where you stopped and try to do a little more during your next session.

Our bodies are incredibly smart,when you Listen,not plugged into a device.Feel the movements,experience the sweat and enjoy the moment.Find the type of fitness program you most enjoy.Workout because you love the experience,not because a fitness device tells you what to do.

 

Good Luck