Month: September 2011

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Weight Loss Exercise

How Is Stress Affecting You? | stress affects



Stress affects is something everyone deals with off and on throughout life. Stress is how our bodies react to the ever changing external influences in our lives. Depending on how we view it, stress can be positive or negative. Most of the time when we feel stressed, we know it. We can consciously say, “I am stressed out.” But sometimes, our bodies do the talking for us loud and clear.

There are many physical symptoms that can be stress-related

How Is Stress Affecting You?

Stress Affects

  • headaches
  • muscle tension
  • poor sleep patterns
  • rashes
  • high blood pressure
  • chest pain
  • stroke
  • stomachaches
  • ulcers
  • possibly diabetes
  • possibly certain types of cancer

Mental symptoms can include

  • anxiety
  • panic attacks
  • depression
  • suicidal thoughts
  • paranoid thoughts
  • apathy
  • relationship issues

Everyone is different in what they consider stressful and in how they handle stressful situations. Stress can never be totally avoided, and some stress is good because it helps us to grow. Stress can be caused by a loved one’s death as well as a move to a bigger house or starting a great new job.

Short term Stress Affects

Short term stress is easier to manage because the end is in sight and the person knows it’s temporary. When stress is seen as long-term, such as a life-long disability, the person needs to learn ways to handle the stress.

There are many acceptable ways of dealing with stress and it’s a matter of finding what will work in each case. It would be wise to learn several coping techniques so that if one doesn’t work, another can be tried. Sometimes it will take several of the techniques to make a dent in the stress.

What triggers the stress?

Examine the triggers and put a name to them so that they’re not lurking in the subconscious. Sometimes it’s best to walk away or avoid situations that can become stressful.

Meditation is a huge stress reliever as well as a stress preventative. Meditation can be practiced for short time periods and still be effective. Keeping the routine going is key.

Exercise is a good coping mechanism, especially when the “flight or fight” response is racing through the body. Taking a brisk walk, running up some stairs, playing a game of racquetball, or following an exercise tape can work.

Sometimes the answer is a vacation to give the body a break from the stress and give the mind a chance to have a fresh perspective on the situation. Even just a day off doing something entertaining can mean a decrease in stress levels.

Talk it out with an understanding and empathetic friend. It feels like such a relief to get it “off your chest”, as long as both people then move on and don’t keep rehashing it.

There are times when it’s best to seek help from a qualified professional. They can offer even more positive methods of dealing with stress.

Some stress is a natural part of everyone’s life and even helps us to take action and grow. When your body is giving you physical or mental signs of too much stress, be kind to yourself and try the coping methods for stress affects mentioned in this article.


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Weight Loss Exercise

Weight Training Belts – Are They Necessary?



Weight training belts used to be worn only by power lifters and Olympic weightlifters. These days, however, you see more people with varying degrees of skill and experience wearing these weightlifting belts. You may want to know if this device is necessary for recreational lifters. What is the proper way to use the belt, and what adverse effects can arise from the misuse of weight training belts?

Weight Training Belts Are They Necessary?

Weight Training Belts

Weightlifting belts are primarily used for heavy power lifting exercises such as deadlifts and squats. The belts serve the purpose of preventing lower-back injuries and can help increase the amount of weight lifted. While they offer some benefits when lifting heavy weights, a weight training belt is not necessary all of the time.

How Weight Training Belts Work

A weight training belt works in two ways. First, it reduces stress on the lower back while lifting in an upright position. The belt compresses the contents of the abdominal cavity, thus increasing the intra-abdominal pressure or IAP. This provides more support in front of the bones in the lower back, allowing the spinal erector muscles to produce less force while lifting. The belt also reduces lower back compression or spinal shrinkage.

Second, the belt prevents back hyperextension. By forming a rigid wall around the lower torso, back movement is limited. The belt also prevents sideward bending and twisting.

Wearing a weight training belt allows an individual to complete a greater number of repetitions or increase their one-repetition maximum weight. The belt also reduces the risk of lower back injuries.

Disadvantages of Weight Training Belts

Wearing a belt too often especially when performing exercises with weights below your maximum may lead to a decrease in performance. This is because the belt prevents you from engaging and strengthening your core and abdominal muscles used while lifting. Strong abdominal muscles are important if you want to lift more weights especially during squats and deadlifts.

When Should You Use A Weight Training Belts?

It is best to use a weight training belt only when lifting maximum or near-maximum weights for exercises that stress the lower back. When working with lighter weights, leave the belt off. This will help develop your abdominal and lower back muscles. Obviously, you will not need a weight belt for exercises that do not put stress on the lower back, such as bicep curls.

Important Considerations

While a weight training belt can help prevent lower back injuries, it is always best to learn and practice the proper technique when lifting. Also, be sure to lift an appropriate weight. Remember to lift with your legs and not your back. The spine must remain in a stable and neutral position.

Beginners should be able to demonstrate proper form with lighter weights before moving on to maximum or near-maximum weights. Make sure a spotter is available when doing heavy lifting as weight training belts will give you stability but not strength


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Weight Loss Exercise

Benefits of Weight Training Exercises



Once confined to bodybuilders with huge muscular physiques, weight training is now gaining acceptance from men who want to bulk up their body and women who want toned muscles and stronger bones. People who go to the gym or work out at home find it beneficial to add weight training exercises to their fitness regimen.

While fitness experts recognize the importance of cardio workouts, the consensus in physical fitness these days is to include strength training for overall fitness. Cardio workouts increase the oxygen levels in the body and helps burn fat.

However, weight training exercises are also important if you want to firm up your abdomen, thighs, arms, and hips. Cardiovascular exercises can cause your body to sag, but when accompanied by weight training exercises you will have a wonderfully toned and firm body. Strength training exercises offer the following benefits:

* Improve your muscular strength and endurance- Weight training exercises will make you stronger and help your muscles work longer.

* Improve functional capacity and ability- Working out with weights will improve your coordination and balance and help you avoid injuries. For example, you’ll find it easier to climb stairs and reduce the risk of falling.

* Lower blood pressure- People who lift weights experience normal blood pressure levels.

* Prevent osteoporosis- Studies show that strength training exercises lower the risk of osteoporosis especially in women. Lifting weights will help make your bones stronger.

* Increase your resting metabolic rate- Weight training exercises help raise your metabolism. Because muscles burn more calories than fat, if you have more muscles your body will burn more calories throughout the day.

* Improve psychological wellbeing- When you exercise, you will feel good about yourself. This will increase your confidence and self-esteem.

* Reduce lower back pain– People who exercise have less body fat and stronger core muscles. This helps minimize the risk of lower back pain.

Choosing a Weight Training Exercise Routine

For all-around physical fitness, your workout program should include exercises for cardiovascular endurance, strength training, and muscular endurance. You should also include routines to enhance your body’s flexibility.

Weight training exercises for men and women differ slightly. Women usually work out with lighter weights and lesser sets. Also, men go through weight training exercises to bulk up while women prefer to tone their muscles without putting on too much bulk.

You can do weight training exercises at home if you do not have access to a gym. When working out at home, you will need basic exercise equipment such as dumbbells, weight bench, resistance bands, etc. Some weight training exercises like leg extensions and lateral pull-ups require exercise machines that you can find in a gym. You may want to buy some exercise equipment for your home gym, or do other weight training exercises that will work out the same muscles without the use of an exercise machine.