Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Test your Fitness for Running


If you want to be Fit and wants to improve your fitness level, then Running is very important and is essential part of your exercise. But are you Fit enough to be Run? Your Fitness on Running depends upon three keys.

1. Stamina
2. Flexibility
3. Strength


If you want to be a Runner, but are not sure that weather you are ready or not, then I would suggest you to test your fitness, against these three Key strengths, and the follow the following recommendations to improve your Fitness for running.

Test 1
Test your stamina First:

These is first test you need to perform. Can you walk 2 miles in 32 minutes or less? If you can then you need to go to Test No. 2, or else,
If you answered no: then you need to perform following exercises.

You need to start walking 15- 20 minutes that also 3-4 times in a week. After following this for a week, add 5 minutes for the next week and then continue this process until you reach 45–60 minutes. Once a week, work on your speed, aiming to walk 2–3 miles at 15 minutes a mile.

Test 2
Test your flexibility:

Lie straight-legged on the floor with a towel wrapped around your left thigh, both ends in your left hand. Keeping your hips and right leg glued to the floor, use the towel to raise your left leg toward your chest while keeping it straight. Can you reach 90 degrees? If you can then you need to go to Test No. 3, or else,

if you answered no:
You can still run, but do this move daily, holding it for 20–30 seconds. Also, incorporate stretches for your hips, calves, thighs, chest, and back. Limber muscles are key to preventing injury and will give you a better stride.

Test 3:
Test Your strength:
Can you hold a plank (a.k.a. the “up” part of a push-up) for 3 sets of 30 seconds, plus do 2 sets each of 10 squats and 10 push-ups? If you can then you are fit enough for Running,

If you answered no:
Strong arms, legs, and core are running essentials. Practice the above moves, plus add 1–2 sets of 30 crunches and 10 each of lunges, leg curls, calf raises, and upper-body rows 2–3 times a week to build all the muscle you need.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Interesting News : Swine Flu Dog Shocks Health Experts

A swine flu dog case has taken medical experts by surprise, as previous information indicated that there is no evidence humans can transmit swine flu to their pets.

However, a 13-year-old dog in New York has apparently contracted swine flu from his owner. And while both of them are recovering, the science community is scrambling to reassure pet owners that such cases are rare, reports the startribune.com.

The dog, who began experiencing breathing problems, was taken to a Bedford Hills, NY veterinary clinic on Dec. 13, reports the paper. The doctor, who knew the owner had swine flu, decided to have the dog tested for the virus.

The dog was found to be infected with the same strain of the disease as his owner.

He is now recovering along with his owner, who refused to speak with reporters.

According to the ASPCA website, there is an extremely low risk of cross-infection between humans and their cats and dogs, although they do offer guidance for pigs and other swine farm animals.

If your pet demonstrates any signs of influenza, including a fever, runny nose, cough, or trouble breathing, take them for a visit to the vet as soon as possible. Keep your hands and face clean, and don't let your pets lick your face to be on the safe side.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

More Fruits to Stay Healthy


Fruits are the easily available source of the essential nutrients. They provide us with all the necessary elements that help in the body growth and proper functioning of the body organs. Nowadays we are more used to eating the fast foods and have neglected the intake of fruits completely. This is reason why we are facing the problems of vitamin deficiency. If you eat the adequate amount of the fruits then certainly you would never face the problem of the vitamin deficiency. I do understand that we are living in a very fast paced world that gives us no timing for paying attention on our diet. This way we neglect the diet and get prone to various health abnormalities. We need to take the balanced diet in order to stay healthy in this fast paced world.

Many people would say they daily eat one fruit, but remember that eating one fruit in a day is not enough to attain the optimum health. Instead of eating some fried food stuffs or any another fatty foods you can certainly opt for the fruits. This will help you to maintain the health at the better status. Fruits intake help to build the strong immune system. The production of the antibodies is being boosted as the essential nutrients for this process are supplied by eating the adequate amount of fruits. As the antibodies are present in the body in the enough amounts, it improves the resistance power of the person. This way you stay away from the health ailments.

Fruits like apple are very rich source of the iron that helps in the repair and maintenance of the body. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. The only thing to remember here is that if you are having the constipation problem then you will need to avoid the intake of the apple. In this case I would suggest you to drink the apple juice this will reduce the risk of suffering with the constipation. The intake of the Pineapple is said to be very good for the health. It is a very good source of the manganese that helps your bones to stay strong and healthy. Manganese also helps in the protecting your cells from free-radical damage.

Oranges are the fruits that all of us know, but make it a point to eat them regularly in order to keep your health at the best. They are the rich source of the Vitamin C. It helps to maintain the body temperature low and plays a significant role in throwing down the impurities out of the body. It also helps to keep your weight in control. If you are fat then eating the oranges daily would help you a lot in losing the body weight. Drinking the juice of the lemon is also very advantageous in the weight loss process. It also helps in making the process of digestion. The juice of sweet lime is also recommended if you have any digestion problems.

Rather than eating only one fruit daily it would be better if you opt for the variety of the fruits daily. The combination of two to three fruits in the daily diet is necessary. The intake of watermelon is recommended to the people who have the liver or kidney problems. If you have the dehydration problem then also eating the watermelon or drinking the watermelon juice would be very beneficial. If you are facing any of the problems in the sexual life then intake of the papaya is suggested. It boosts the process of the sperm development. Eating banana everyday is recommended for the weak people. It builds the strong immune system and also helps in development of the body mass. There are many other fruits like grapes, strawberries, mango, guava, which also have a very good impact on the health. So, if you want to stay healthy then eat more fruits.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Importance of Water in your Health


Water Is Life, Drinking adequate water can help you in staying healthy and fit.
Here are some Reasons why you should Drink adequate water, and the importance of water in staying healthy....
1. Drinking adequate amount of water in a day reduces the list of the heart attack as it washes out the plaque deposition in the arteries and keeps you away from atherosclerosis.

2. Water intake regulates your body temperature. Water keeps your body temperature normal reduces the chances of the disease caused by increase in the body temperature.

3. Keeps your weight under control. Water intake throws out the unnecessary fats and carbohydrates from your body and hence keeps your body in good shape. Adequate intake of water reduces the chances of obesity.

4. Drinking sufficient amount of water maintains the blood circulation in the body and safeguard you from the problems caused by the inadequate supply of the blood to body parts.

5. Adequate quantity of water in the body helps all the organs in the body to work better. All the metabolic processes in the body require water, so with sufficient amount of water these processes are performed at ease maintaining the health of an individual

6. The problem of the headache can be solved by drinking adequate amount of water in a day. Yes, it was proved in the study that individuals who intake ample quantity of water in a day never face the problem of headache.

7. Water improves your thinking ability. Yes, the mental health of the individual who take adequate amount of water in a day is found to be very good. The functioning of the brain depends considerably on the water content in the body. So, drink water to think better.

8. Drinking water keeps your skin in a well condition. No skin infection or problems are noted by the individuals who drink ample amount of water in a day. Healthy skin is the gift of drinking sufficient water.

9. No digestion problems are faced by the person who takes proper amount of water in a day. In fact water is a very essential component of the human digestive system. So, drink adequate water and remain free from the stomach problems.

10. Even the hazardous diseases like Cancer can also be prevented by drinking an adequate amount of water in a day. High blood pressure problems are found to be resolved by drinking water in sufficient amount.

Finally, I would like to say that water has got many of such benefits and even some benefits are still unknown to us. So, please drink the sufficient amount of water everyday to enhance your health.
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