Do you think of your body the way you think of your car? When a few lucky individuals buy a top of the range car that has some of the best automotive engineering available today, watch them read the maintenance manuals cover to cover.

They take their car for inspection even when it purrs like a kitten and book it in for repairs as soon as something does not feel right. And they’re very concerned.

That car is their most prized possession, a badge of all the long and hard hours they put in at work so they could finally own it. It cost a LOT of dollars, so looking after it is logically, their # 1 priority.

But how valued is the person that drives that car? Shouldn’t that person – shouldn’t YOU – be the #1 priority?

The average lifespan of men and women is 80 years, give or take a few years. The sad truth is, a large number of men and women look and feel 80 before they even reach 50! You spot the tell-tale signs from their physical appearance:

* sagging dry skin
* bad posture
* uneven and unsteady walk (they need to drag around those heavy pounds)
* sore joints
* sporting the “I’m not happy because I look terrible” look

Now, if their outward look is this awful, just imagine what the inside machinery is like! Most likely, it’s even worse:

* clogged vessels
* inefficient heart
* mounds of fat parked in or around vital organs
* Conditions such as diabetes, nervous tension, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease that are silently brewing.

If fitness gurus had it their way, they’d introduce legislation to make exercise compulsory as soon as a baby leaves the cradle, not during the teenage years when obesity is likely to strike.

But fitness shouldn’t be associated with any age limit. You can commence at 9 or at 27 – even at 50 and 60 – the idea being that fitness should not be seen as the answer for an ailment that’s already come about. As the saying goes, don’t wait for illness to strike.

Brad King and Dr. Michael Schmidt in “Bio Age, Ten Steps to a Younger You” (Macmillan, Canada, 2001) devised a questionnaire for determining physical damage to a body as a result of lack of exercise. Some of their guidelines include:

Begin with the question, “How do I look?” Do any of these apply to you?
* Am I overweight, looking like an apple or pear?
* Do I have a spare tire around my waist?
* Has my skin become very dry, almost paper-thin?

Next, ask: “How do I feel?”
Do my joints hurt before or after any physical exercise?
* Am I continually anxious and worried?
* Do I feel tired and sluggish most of the time?
* Do I suffer from mood swings?

Finally, “How am I doing?”
* Are simple walking and climbing stairs difficult?
* Do I have problems concentrating?
* Is running an impossibility?
* Am I unable to sit in a good posture, preferring to slouch or stoop my shoulders?1

You’ve finished your basic assessment. Note, however, that other exercise or fitness gurus will have developed their own parameters or indices for assessing your body’s overall state and one isn’t better than the other.

As long as they include all dimensions of the self – physical, psychological and mental – they are as valid as the next person’s assessment charts.

Now you need to create your very own ACTION PLAN.

References: 1 Brad J. King & Dr. Michael A. Schmidt. Bio Age – Ten Steps to a Younger You. Macmillan, Canada. 2001.

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Making the perfect choice of an elliptical machine can be quite a challenge. There are just too many models with differing features available in the market. And as their prices vary greatly, one can easily be confused with all the advertisements on print and TV. As we all know, workout is an important part in any weight loss plan

There are two factors to consider in selecting the right elliptical machine for your use: resources and affordability, and what your particular needs are.

The use of elliptical machines is growing in popularity because with this one machine alone, you can get the combined benefits from using a stationary bike, a treadmill, a stair-climber and even a cross-country skiing device.

Workouts using elliptical machines are low impact and hence create minimum friction to the joints. This makes the elliptical machine the equipment of choice by people who suffer from conditions affecting their joints, especially the elderly. Fitness levels are programmed on the machine to help users burn the calories they need to burn if you are on weight loss.

How to Shop for an Elliptical Machine

* According to Personal

If you do your workouts in gyms or fitness centers, it is easy to pick the best elliptical machine from amongst the many equipment available there. You can find one that would meet your needs perfectly. Then again, if you have many other activities that prevent you from regularly visiting the gym, you may want to consider getting an elliptical machine for your own use at home. This way, you can religiously maintain your exercise program. Be sure to choose a model that best meets your requirements.

* Look Closely Before Buying

Buy the best elliptical machine that you can afford. But before actually buying one, make a little research into the model that you are interested in. Your choice should be a high quality machine that not only works but would also last and priced well within your budget. Before making up your mind on a particular elliptical machine, it would help if you list down the specific features you need. And if you intend to order online, it would be a good idea to visit the nearby retailer and check on the different models. It would be great if you can try those that you think you like.

* Buy What You Need

High priced items are not always the best choice. With elliptical machines, those sporting the brands of Quantum Fitness or Life Fitness, Precor and SportsArt Fitness support users up to a maximum of 400 lbs. And they cost anywhere between $1,200 to $5,300. But if you only weigh 250 lbs. or less and if price is a major factor, you may want to go for models in the lower price range. There are good choices selling for $1,000 or less.

When you have a clear picture of what you want in your elliptical machine, and when you have set a realistic budget for it, buying one should be fairly easy. Be sure not to fall into marketing gimmicks or other traps where you fork out extra dollars for added features in your machine you do not need and may not use at all.

It only takes a little effort and enough sense to get hold of the best elliptical machine that can help you obtain the most benefits from your work outs. And with your continued use, you can easily achieve your fitness and weight goals in no time.

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Weight Loss With Green Tea

If you want to watch your weight and make sure you are getting healthy while dieting then you need to learn about not just what you eat but what you drink as well. We all could use a little more education when it comes to what we eat and drink.

One thing you might want to consider is green tea. Green tea is one of the oldest drinks around and its health benefits have been known for a very long time but have only been recognized in America in the last couple of years. In china it was common knowledge.

The number of health applications for green tea continues to increase; the antioxidant properties of green tea are renown but there is still much to learn about this unusual herb. Green tea weight loss extracts can be purchased easily in liquid and tablet form but whichever way you take it; you will burn calories, naturally.

Although known more for its weight loss properties, extended use has other beneficial affects by slowing the oxidation process of our cells to reduce the signs of aging. With weight loss however, both the laxative effects and anti-oxidant abilities are used to help improve the metabolism. Our body loses more calories because it is speeded up thereby reducing the amount of fat tissue which would normally form.

No matter how good green tea weight loss products are, some steps must be taken by the user to be careful with their diet so if you are a junk food addict, this will not work. For it to work, adjustments to diet and mental attitude are necessary for a person to become healthier, it is not just a case of losing weight.

The greatest benefits are seen when people who drink green tea, do so before they go to sleep even though it can be used at anytime. There is generally an acclimatization period of a couple of days when using this product, during which time the user may feel some stomach and bowel discomfort but it shouldn't take too long before this vanishes. Such green tea weight loss effects are normal, particularly if you haven't used the plant before as the body adjusts to the accelerated metabolism that eliminates the toxins much faster, before they pass into the blood. Results are normally obvious within the first week, particularly if you complete the diet with physical exercise, lots of liquids and green food.

The attributes of green tea can be further enhanced when it is used in combination with extracts from the root of ginseng. The ginseng extracts add essential vitamins and supplements to the products and have been used in china for millennia.

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Ginseng is a valuable source of energy when added to green tea products especially noticeable when a person is trying to lose weight and it helps improve the immune system during a difficult time. Ginseng and green tea have an excellent safety record with people using them for up to six months without incident.

Bally Total Fitness is a fitness company offering gym club memberships nationwide. They offer individual training, group exercising and professional trainers. Their clubs have state of the art exercise and boxing equipment, swimming pools, exercise classes and nutrition and weight loss programs.

Cost Of A Bally Total Fitness Membership

Membership prices seem to depend on a lot of variables. What area you live in, the service level you want and whether you want access to all the clubs when you travel are some of the considerations. You can sign up for membership on their website, but in order to find our how much a Bally Total Fitness membership will cost you must complete a form and wait for a representative to contact you.

A thirty-day trial membership can be purchased on line for under twenty dollars. This trial membership allows you to access the Bally Total Fitness Center of your choice. Access to all group fitness classes and their new on-line weight loss program are also included. Within the trial period you can have your fitness levels assessed with three nationally standardized fitness tests. A personal trainer will use these tests to evaluate your cardiovascular endurance, muscular fitness and flexibility.

Bally Total Boxing Fitness has a complete line of athletic apparel, fitness accessories and nutritional supplements available at over 350 locations. Called “The Fitness Formula” they carry brand names at great prices.

Pros And Cons Of A Bally Total Fitness Membership

Each Bally Total Fitness location is different and each person is different so one person’s complaint is not another person’s complaint. While some members are unhappy that their club is too pretentious another is happy because the club is social.

Most of the good reviews related by members are that Bally Total Fitness has lots of state of the art machines, many classes and are open long hours.

Some of the negatives include no basketball courts, pushy sales staff, and the boxing training staff is under trained and unprofessional. Quite a few complaints mentioned how difficult it is to end or cancel a membership contract at Bally’s Total Fitness.

So if you want to join a gym you might want to further investigate Bally Total Fitness for yourself. Maybe tour your local center and take advantage of a trial membership before you obligate yourself. Just don’t allow yourself to be pressured. If the gym doesn’t suit you don’t sign the contract.

Are you trying to lose weight; let's say a few pounds, or perhaps more than a few pounds? If so, you're not alone. Weight loss is one of the major problems prevalent in society, with so much of the population either overweight or obese. However, it doesn't have to be that way, and you can lose weight quickly and healthfully with relatively little effort, as long as you know what to do.

The first thing you need is a change in diet. You can avoid any feeling of deprivation by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. It is best to eat them fresh although frozen will do if nothing else is available. Try to eat fruits and vegetables raw and unprocessed, or prepared closest to their natural form. Do stay away from those that contain additives particularly sugar. Many people turned obese from consuming too much sugar, refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats.

Then, increase your water intake. Water does's not have any calories and can quench your thirst. If you feel bored with plain water, you can opt for the carbonated "flavored" waters. They may have a little added flavor but they do not contain sodium and neither do they have calories. Try to wean yourself away from diet soda as its phosphorous content is harmful to your bones and teeth. There are some studies that suggest that the artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas can contribute to weight gain.

Also, it is important for this weight loss program that you to get a little exercise. You need to gradually increase your physical activity. One word of caution -- do not try to do too much too soon especially if your body is not used to physical exertion. You can start off by taking a brisk walk for say five minutes on the first day. Then increase your activities on the succeeding sessions and slowly work your way up to more strenuous routines. If you have any medical condition, be sure to seek clearance from your doctor before implementing any change in your diet or engaging in any exercise regimen.

When you have started on the first three steps mentioned above, it is time to review your total food consumption both in terms of quantity and quality. If your diet consists more of simple carbohydrates or junk food, or any other foods considered unhealthy, you will still gain additional pounds despite your other efforts to lose weight. What you need to do is to eliminate those foods totally from your diet and go for healthier alternatives instead. You may also wish to cut down on the amounts consumed.

Let us say you are fond of eating potato chips. Instead of buying the popular brands that are loaded with sodium and cooked in unhealthy fats, you can make your own, prepared in a healthier way. Simply slice a couple of potatoes and pan fry them using non-stick spray. For added zest in flavor, you can a sprinkling of some herbs. And in terms of quantity, you are still safe to finish up one whole potato without ruining your weight loss plan. Moreover, eating in this manner can fill you up and satisfy your hunger more. It is unlike junk food that can raise your blood sugar level in one moment and send it plunging down the next resulting into feeling hungrier than before.