Aquasize For A Flatter Stomach This Summer

When the weather is warm, there is nothing quite like going for a refreshing swim at the local pool. To add to the benefits, you can use it as an opportunity to work on those stomach muscles. The water provides natural resistance, making the pool a great place to do stomach exercises to flatten out that tummy. Despite the greater resistance water has than air, aquasizing is low-impact, meaning less strain on joints. Try out these exercises next time you take a trip down to your pool. Remember, consult your doctor before beginning a new workout routine, and always warm up properly to prevent injury.

The first set of exercises to try is called the jump and dig. There are two moves in this set, one for the upper body and one for the lower body. The former is great for your obliques, and the latter works on your abdominals. To start, stand in water that is between your belly button and chest. To work the lower body (including your abdominals), put your feet a wide distance apart, then jump so your knees come up to the surface of the water and back down. Picture a frog as you do it; this will help you get the form right. Next, to work the upper body, begin by making a scoop with both hands at the surface of the water. Bring your hand scoop below the surface, then scoop up and to one side. Alternate sides to work the obliques on both sides. Start by doing the two moves separately for three minutes each. Once you have mastered the form, do them at the same time to exercise both sets of stomach muscles at once.

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As you build strength and endurance, you can add water gloves to increase resistance. You can also do the exercises faster, packing more reps into each three minute period. Form is key, though. Do not sacrifice form for the sake of speed. It is better to do it properly than quickly. Also remember to set fitness goals and work toward them at a gradual pace. Do not push yourself too hard, too fast. You may want to see results fast, but an injury will seriously delay your workout goals. Start small, know your limits, and build gradually.

As long as you are working on your midsection, here are a few additional tips.

First, proper diet is essential to any fitness routine. A great, hard workout can be completely negated by improper eating habits.

Second, stay hydrated both while working out and in everyday life. A good rule of thumb is to take your body weight in pounds, divide it by 2, and drink that number of ounces of water each day. This helps to keep the body functioning at it's highest level.

Third, rest up. This means not only getting plenty of sleep, but also getting the right kind of sleep. Spend all night sleeping on your stomach, and you will wake up with a sore back or neck, making it difficult to do your stomach exercises.

Also be sure to schedule off days into your routine to give your muscles a chance to rest up and rebuild. Now you have a great start on a toned, flat stomach to show off this summer!

Fun Summer Workouts for the Whole Family

These days, after what seemed an endless winter, it finally feels like summer! Summertime is all about feeling the sun on your face and getting some fresh air. But, many people stay inside and miss out on what nature has to offer. Here are some fun ways that you and the family can get out there and get healthy.

Even better than enjoying a summer day is enjoying it with someone else. As parents we try to send the kids outside but may not go out ourselves. But the sun is good for everyone and you can have even more fun outdoors.

Getting Outdoors

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Create a family activity day at least once a week. This is the time when all of the family spends time together sharing a fun activity outdoors. The name of the game is injecting some physical activity into your day.

Let everyone choose a fun activity that they like. Place them on a list. Each time you have an activity day, take one suggestion from the list. But, what activities can you do as a family that will be rewarding physically and mentally?

Here are some fun summer workouts to start with:

* Bicycling – If everyone doesn’t know how to ride a bike, this is the perfect time to learn. Bike riding builds up the leg muscles and also your cardiovascular fitness. You can ride and talk about your day. Go to the park and have a leisurely ride, enjoying the summer breezes and blossoms along the way.

* Basketball – All you need for this is a hoop and a ball. Have a family pick-up game after dinner or after work. You can divide into teams and play for points. Even better, play games to see who has to do the most chores that week!

* Hiking – Explore your local area with your family. Even though you are having fun and exploring, you are burning tons of calories on a hike. And, you get to learn about nature. Combine it with a camping trip for a fun weekend getaway the kids will love.

* Swimming – You don’t even have to have your own pool. If there is a neighborhood pool or one at the gym, use it. Doing laps is an easy way to gain muscle tone all over your body while you have fun. Take a water aerobics class as a family. There is no shock to your joints so it benefits both young and old alike.

* Backyard games – One of the often neglected parts of the house is the back yard. Act like a kid again. Play kickball, volleyball, soccer, flag football and many other games that will make you sweat and give you great memories to hold on to.

There are lots of activities that the family can do this summer to gain fitness and have some fun. Start with those above and add to the list with your own fun ideas!

Exercise Ideas for Weight Loss

There are all kinds of ways you can work exercise into your life. You can workout anywhere doing all sorts of things.

Playing with children, for example is a great way to get some exercise. When you get down on the floor and play “horsey”, you are giving yourself a heck of a workout – and it is fun for the kids!

Throw a ball around in the backyard and really get into it! Jump on a trampoline, or just play tag! Exercise like this not only give you the physical benefits, it can remind you of the joy of youth and put a real smile on your face!

At work, take the stairs instead of the elevator. When you park in a parking lot, park as far away from the door as possible so you have to walk further.

Use your imagination and you will find ways to exercise almost anywhere!

Image via WikipediaMany people love the idea of being in a gym surrounded by sweaty people who are lifting weights and using the stair-stepping machine. If this is what you like, by all means, get into a gym.

Weight training gives you the opportunity to sculpt your body by pushing your muscles toward working harder than they normally would. You will also boost your metabolism by adding more muscle (muscle fibers burn calories - even at rest!).

We suggest that you get the advice of someone in the gym like the trainer or owner to give you some exercises to start out with. They will be the experts in the field for you and will know what works when you’re just beginning a weight training program. They can also help guide you when it’s time for you to “step up” your regimen.

Aerobics classes are another great way to get a terrific workout. You can find classes like these in many, many places, but mostly in gyms and workout studios. Keep in mind that there will be a fee to take these classes, but it might very well be worth it to have the camaraderie that comes with other people sweating along with you!

We highly recommend looking into taking water aerobics. Exercising in the water has so many benefits. You have less stress and strain on your joints, plus the natural resistance of the water will work your muscles more than if you were taking a class “on land”.

Water aerobics can be done by just about anyone – young and old alike. It’s a great alternative to strength training and you won’t have the problem of excessive sweating that many of us just hate! You’ll get an amazing workout and it’ll be fun too!

Image via WikipediaMany people – the Hollywood elite included – are beginning to advocate Pilates as a very effective weight loss method. This exercise regimen was developed in the early 20th century, but has just now come to global popularity - and it's definitely one of our favorites!

Pilates is more than exercise program, it is based on the principles of many different types of movements. It takes some of its movements from yoga, acrobats, stretching, and more. Plus, Pilates concentrates a lot on the mind as an exercise tool.

We can’t tell you how to do Pilates because it’s so involved, but there are many helpful tools out there that can help you with a Pilates program if you think that the route you want to go. Our favorite Pilates book is The Pilates Body, by Brooke Siler. But you can also look for web sites, videos, and classes in your area. Once you learn the basic movements, you can then practice them on your own!

A Few Good Pilates Resources:
   

Splash Around and Lose Pounds with Water Aerobics

If you've tried regular aerobics and found it wasn't very fun for you, or you didn't like the sweaty and sore aftermath, water aerobics might prove a fun surprise to throw into your exercise routine.

Image via Wikipedia 
When it comes to using the water to work out, there are many ways that water aerobics can work for you. You can either do some of these exercises on your own, or you can join a club or a group that will teach you how to do them. No matter what you decide to do, you may find that water aerobics fit right in to your regular work out routine.

Basically, doing water aerobics means that you are going to be providing your body with great exercise, in a way that is easier on the joints. You are going to be doing aerobic work outs in much the same manner that you would if you weren’t in the water – for instance you are going to be able to run, walk, and do other movements during your work out. The difference is that you’ll be doing them in the water, which adds to the work out, while cushioning your joints from the shock of doing these activities on a hard floor.

Image by Bekah267 via Flickr
By doing your workout in the water, you are getting more resistance than if you were doing it in the air. Everyone knows that when you try to move through water you have to exert more force in order to make the movements that you want to make. This means that as you do your water aerobics, you are forced to use more of your muscle groups and you are forced to get stronger.

You may want to start with a water aerobics class, which will help you figure out how best to do your water aerobics. This is a great way to make sure that you know what you are doing, and to make sure that you are actually getting as much out of your exercise as you can. The instructor will guide the class through a series of movements, where you’ll be able to do the same repetitive motions over and over again. Hopefully, you’ll find that this will increase your heart rate and allow you to be able to start to work your body in a great and aerobic way. By doing water aerobics, you can get exercise and strengthen every part of your body – plus, water aerobics can be the most fun you’ve had in a pool since you were a little kid!