Vacations=Improved Health

Why You Need a Vacation

by Michelle Sutton-Kerchner
Debating that vacation day or getaway week? You can’t afford to skip it …
Although often considered a luxury, vacation time is important for overall health and well-being. Research shows long-term benefits of a vacation. Time off can help ease physical complaints, improve sleep quality, and enhance mood compared to a pre-vacation state. These perks can still be in effect up to five weeks later.

Statistics indicate the majority take less than one vacation every two years, or not at all. Income, demanding jobs, and overloaded schedules are top reasons for avoiding designated downtime. We live in a society that somewhat admires the overworked, and is awed by the overextended. Affirming your degree of stress is akin to children bragging about whom has a later bedtime. I’m stressed! I’m tired! I’m busy! In other words: I’m not lazy. I’m important.

Be important. Be busy. But be healthy...

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Spring Clean Your Life

30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself

Remember today, for it is the beginning.
Today marks the start of a brave new future.

Our previous article, 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself, was well received by most of our readers, but several of you suggested that we follow it up with a list of things to start doing.  In one reader’s words, “I would love to see you revisit each of these 30 principles, but instead of presenting us with a ‘to-don’t’ list, present us with a ‘to-do’ list that we all can start working on today, together.”  Some folks, such as readers Danny Head and Satori Agape, actually took it one step further and emailed us their own revised ‘to-do’ versions of the list.

So I sat down last night with our original article and the two reader’s revisions as a guide, and a couple hours later finalized a new list of 30 things; which ended up being, I think, a perfect complement to the original.

Here it is, a positive ‘to-do’ list for the upcoming year: 30 things to start doing for yourself...

10 Steps To Help You Avoid Losing The Thrill

 If you're starting a new exercise program, you're probably very excited about it, which is great. But that excitement is going to wear off, at which point you'll begin to notice how much time and effort a workout plan really requires....

What's your excuse for not making it to the gym on a consistent basis? Locker room too smelly? Eye candy not sweet enough? Music volume making your ears bleed? Feeling intimidated by buff bodies crowding the free-weight area?

Most people start off strong with an exercise program, and then within a few weeks they've got an excuse for not being there. The majority of people will stop participating in a new workout program within the first 90 days which is why health clubs that are packed in January can seem virtually empty by March.

Don't become a statistic - read our 10 steps to help you avoid losing the thrill.

This article was provided by Garrett J. Braunreiter, CSCS, GHF's Success Coach.
Thanks for being part of the Core Family,
The Core Fitness Team

Mindset

By Doug Betts

After all my big talk about the most effective weight loss strategies, I’m going to completely pull a 180 and change gears. 

While I believe the most effective strategies are important, I believe it’s equally important to keep a long-range focus. It’s easy to get caught up in the trap of trying to drop as much weight as possible in as short amount of time as possible. There’s nothing wrong with this, in theory, but let’s not forget that it does no good to lose a bunch of weight only to gain it all back. 

Read An Effective Mindset at CFS Weight Loss Camp.

3 Easy Full-Body Exercises, 1 Piece of Equipment

If you are looking for one very efficient piece of exercise, look no further than the kettlebell. Kettlebell workouts are famous for burning fat by increasing lean muscle while building balance and grace. Plus it is an amazing stress-reliever that relieves tension in both the muscles and the mind. 

The exercises are simple, yet effective. Click Here to read the complete article.