Easy Workouts At Home

Who loves going to the gym?  Who has the time?  Here are some benefits of working out at home and some exercises I do at home.

• No wasted time driving to and from a fitness club
• No waiting in line to use the equipment
• Workout on your schedule, rather than just when the health club is open
• No expensive monthly membership fees or long-term contracts
• Motivation to workout as you pass by the equipment every day.
• Being comfortable in your own home if you don't like to work out in a club with lots of people

While some people religiously hit the gym for a workout, it is not possible for many to do the same due to varied reasons. But this does not mean it should stop us from taking care of our health and fitness and not workout. I understand it is not possible for everyone to set up a gym in their home. So to help you out here are some easy workouts / exercises that can be performed any time at home. Also another great option is home video workouts. If you need motivation and don't have a workout buddy then just follow the video and they will keep you going.

Walking (this is our favorite)

• Walking, jogging or running happens to be the simplest and cheapest kind of cardiovascular workout. This can be done in the neighborhood parks, in your neighborhood or along trails.
• Walking briskly for 15 to 20 minutes is the best way one can initiate exercising.
• It is convenient compared to other home workouts.
• Trick is to begin slowly and then steadily increase the stride and fasten pace.

If you have a walking partner, he /she will keep you motivated. And don't forget about your dogs they will always be up and ready to go with you. What a great treat for them too.

Push-Up Exercises for Anybody

• Lie chest-down with your hands at shoulder level, palms flat on the floor and slightly more than shoulder-width apart, your feet together and parallel to each other.

• Look forward rather than down at the floor. The first contact you make with the floor with any part of the face should be your chin, not your nose.
• Keep your legs straight and your toes tucked under your feet. Straighten your arms as you push your body up off the floor. Keep your palms fixed at the same position and keep your body straight. Try not to bend or arch your upper or lower back as you push up.
• Exhale as your arms straighten out.
• Pause for a moment
• Lower your body slowly towards the floor. Bend your arms and keep your palms in fixed position. Keep body straight and feet together.
• Lower body until chest touches the floor. Try not to bend your back. Keep your knees off the floor, and inhale as you bend your arms.
• Pause for a moment. Begin straightening your arms for a second push-up. Exhale as you raise your body

Squats for the Legs
Squat happens to be a great at home exercise.

• Position feet about shoulder-width apart.
• Keep your torso straight. There should be a slight arch in your lower back.
• Now begin movement by bending the knees.
• Lower your body / go down only till you feel comfortable. If you are able to lower yourself till both your thighs stand horizontally parallel, do so.
• Now using the power in your legs, push yourself steadily back up to the starting / original position.

Initially one can opt to use a bar to grip while doing this exercise for balance.  Stop using the bar when you get stronger with squats.

Crunches for the Abs

• Lie down flat on your back. Your knees should be bent and your feet placed comfortably on the floor.
• You can choose to hold clasp your hands either on your chest or behind your head. Just make sure that you do not pull on your head.
• In the simple crunch, you are instructed to just roll the upper torso upward.
• Hold for few seconds at the top of the movement and squeeze hard.

To boost effectiveness of crunch exercise, you can instead push your chest and head up towards the ceiling keeping your lower back flat onto the floor.

Just a few tips and workouts that I have found and have used and they really do work. With the combination of working out, eating right and vitamins you are heading down a very healthy path. Please check out our website @ www.goodlivingproducts.com/ for more healthy ideas.
 
GOOD LUCK!!
Roger & Lisa Booth of Good Living Products, LLC

An Enjoyable – Guilt Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is all about abundance or more often, overabundance. But, it doesn't have to and shouldn't have to be that way.  The Thanksgiving holiday is the start of the "seasonal seven," the average amount of weight usually gained during the holiday season. To many, the addition of the holidays to the mix of our daily lives can be overwhelming. Stop, take a breath, and evaluate your priorities during this time of year. 

Here are some planning tips that hopefully can help you stay fit and healthy during your Thanksgiving weekend. Focus on the small tweaks that can have a big pay off. 

 Get up a little earlier - Yeah, it's a day off, but doing things in the early morning doesn't lead to excuses the rest of the day.  Take a walk - you'll feel better

 Drink Water - Many times when we are really thirsty, we reach for food. By keeping hydrated, you will eat less and it will give the stomach that full feeling. 

 Eat less, but more often - It's about portion control throughout the day. This keeps the metabolism burning. When Thanksgiving dinner comes around, you won't gorge on everything in sight. 

 Pace yourself - Thanksgiving dinner is not a contest on who can eat the most the fastest. Take your time eating. This is a time for more family interaction. Put the fork down every so often and enjoy the time together. 

 Remove some fat - Yeah, I know the cooked turkey skin taste great, but remove the skin from your turkey portion. 

 Play some games - Set time aside after your Thanksgiving meal for fun. Don't take the usual post-meal nap. Take a walk after your meal - fight the urge to take a nap. 

 Limit the sweets and pies - Use portion control and don't put yourself over the edge.  Eat to feel full, not engorged!

We spend a great deal of time planning and stressing over the Thanksgiving meal. This year, plan ahead and make your Thanksgiving a Healthy, Happy one. 

We are grateful for each other, our families and you - for having an interest in us. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! - Roger and Lisa Booth of Good Living Products.

What Did Your Dog Eat Today? Here's a Possible Solution

Hello again, I wanted to share with you a new toy I found for Buddy and Gracie.

I don't know if your dogs are the same as mine but they are very distructive when it comes to their toys. First thing to do is find the squeeker and tear it out.

Then there is the stuffing all over the floor and in the back yard. What a mess! Not to mention what gets in their stomachs............

Then I found some Eco Friendly Dog Toys that are an evolution in style, in concept, in color. In an age of disposable everything, this line of sustainable American made dog toys stands the test of time. 100% Recyclable Zogoflex toys and Fabric Toys utilizing fabric and stuffing made from recycled soda pop bottles - gives each toy a life beyond one bite. From the mouth of soda pop consumers to the mouth of your dog...these products live on!  And I don't have to worry about what they have eaten because they can't eat these toys, all they do is play with them.  Isn't that they point?

Please check out our website at http://www.goodlivingproducts.com/Good-For-Your-Pets-c4/ for more eco-friendly dog and cat toys.