Exercise Newbie

Stretching is the deliberate act of lengthening of muscles, in order to increase muscle flexibility and/or joint range of motion (Weerapong et al 189–206). Stretching is a natural activity often performed without thinking by most people and many animals, and can simply be pleasurable. It can be accompanied by yawning. Stretching often occurs right after waking from sleep, after long periods of inactivity, or after exiting confined spaces.

Many athletes stretch deliberately before or after exercise in order to increase performance and reduce injury. Whether this is helpful, has no effect, or even has detrimental effects is in dispute. While common, it may not be beneficial for all athletic activities. (Read More…)

Nearly 5 million Americans suffer from cardiovascular disease and each gender is equally at risk. Cardiovascular disease has killed more women then men every year since 1984 and is the #1 cause of death for women age 35 and older.One of the safest and most effective ways to reduce your risk and improve your cardiovascular fitness is through aerobic exercise. Unfortunately, 70% of American women don’t exercise regularly and inactivity nearly doubles a person’s risk for heart disease, ranking it among the leading risk factors. The American Heart Association reports that regular physical activity is as important for heart health as the other three major lifestyle factors: quitting smoking, lowering blood cholesterol, and controlling blood pressure.
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Cardiovascular fitness can be defined simply as your body’s ability to get oxygen and blood to the muscles. The slang term “wind” sums it up nicely.

* When you do physical activity and your pulse quickens and your breathing gets deeper, you are using your cardiovascular system.
* You can improve your cardiovascular system’s efficiency through regular training.
* The short term used when referring to cardiovascular exercise is Cardio.
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Hold on a second, if - deep-down - you really don’t want to exercise, then don’t bother reading further. You will need to get to the bottom of those feelings before moving on. Ambivalence and double-mindedness will only lead to a constant cycle of disappointment. But - if you want to reap the many mental and physical benefits of exercise — then read on.
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There are probably a lot more positive effects to cardio and endurance training than you may think. Sit back for a minute and think about it. How do you feel when you’re done with a 30 minute - 1 hour run? How does it make you feel? Do you feel happy? Do you feel you have accomplished something? Do you feel good about yourself? Think about it for a minute or two.

Now, if you’re still wondering what some of the psychological and physical effects of good endurance / cardio training are, I won’t hold you back from the answer.
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