"Hooping" as a form of exercise has been around for centuries. The early Greeks were the first to use hoops for exercise and "hooping" was introduced to Great Britain during the 1300's. In the 1800's, British soldiers discovered a dance by Hawaiians that looked similar to "hooping." Hence, the name "hula hooping" was born. The first true Hula Hoop, or at least as we know it, was trademarked in 1958 by the Wham-O company. Wham-O was a company founded by Richard Kerr and Authur "Spud" Melin who also marketed the first frisbee, another great "toy" for exercise. Within the first 6 months of its introduction, 20 million Hula Hoops were sold... at $1.98 each! (1)
So, its no wonder that Michelle Obama chose the Hula Hoop for her "exercise device" in this video! With its rich history, the Hula Hoop is an effective and fun means of exercise. Hula Hooping is a favorite Exercise Craze that all ages can enjoy! Hula Hooping is easy, inexpensive, although no longer $1.98 a piece, and portable so most anyone can "hoop!" Hoops now come weighted to increase difficulty and increase performance. Hoops are made collapsible for easier mobility and they come in many wild and crazy colors. How could exercise get any better?
As far as an effective exercise alternative, the "average" calorie expenditure is anywhere from 300- 600 calories per 60 minutes, according to Hooping.org, www.hooping.org. This is obviously a wide range but "calorie kill" will vary greatly based on several variables such as a person's weight, muscle vs fat composition, intensity and the like.
So if you're looking to experiment with new ideas for fitness for the coming new year or just want something fun to do while watching TV, why not try the Hula Hoop? You may only need to look as far as your child's room for one of the nations fastest growing Exercise Crazes, Hula Hooping!
(1) About.com Inventors.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Montgomery Running Club Schedule!! Start training now and "run through 2011! !
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Sunday, December 12, 2010
The night of the party!
Yes it's that time of the year! Party this, party that, party party party! It's also the time of the year for panic, panic, panic! You read Rory's and Kim" Skinny Bitch, you read Jillian Michael's Master your Metabolism. But, you're still just not THERE! What do you do?
Well first off, don't expect miracles! But, there are some "quick fixes" that I've been know to use "the night of the party". Actually they're more the "day of the party" fixes. They're just a few "red carpet secrets" that really do make a short but significant difference for those last few hours before the party! First, the fixes will vary depending on the style of dress or outfit you're wearing. Or more accurately, the amount of SKIN you plan on exposing!
So, let's get started! If you're going strapless or a "little number off the shoulder" you'll want to workout HARD on the upper half! I mean HARD because in order to get the "pump"effect you have to spend some time focusing on the shoulders, chest, upper arms-front and back, and the upper back. Do exercises with free weights since they tend to give you the "pumped up" effect versus say a workout with bands or the like. If you want to burn some calories, try the rowing machine. It will not only row off calories it will really target the upper body. Push ups and pull downs will also target the shoulders, back, upper arms and chest. Take away: spend time where it counts, the upper body!
If you're wearing a dress with a deep high slit, pump up those legs! Legs presses, squats, add weights while doing the squats and do bicep curls to double your efforts and save time! Lunges, again try with hand weights to double you efforts, or running can really give you the long leggy look you'll love...and others will envy!
OK, now the food! Eat small meals the day of the party. Do NOT starve yourself since you'll over indulge at the party and derail ALL of your efforts! Eat your largest meal of the day at breakfast. Eating earl in the day will allow your body ample time to digest food and rid itself of toxins. Breakfast will also rev up your metabolism and make you less hungry throughout the day. Stay far far away from sodium! Today is not the day for water retention! Eat small meals throughout the remainder of the day. Stay away from high fiber foods ESPECIALLY if you usually don't eat a lot of fiber in your normal diet...it can cause bloat...and gas, two things that are unattractive at parties! Stay away from diary products, cheese, milk and etc, since dairy can cause bloating. Again, we don't want that! Fluids...drink water! It will help you to feel more satisfied hence eating less throughout the day but not feeling deprived. I usually wouldn't recommend drinks high in caffeine but today is a special day! Coffee, teas, diet sodas or etc. all contain caffeine. Caffeine acts as a diuretic which will help eliminate water making one appear less "puffy". Also, choose caffeinated drinks that contains no or low calories so they won't add additional calories. Remember, if the drink are low cal you'll have fewer calories that need to be worked off tomorrow after the party! And...there's still New Years parties to attend!
So, its time for the party. Take one last look in the mirror. Turn completely around and admire yourself! You've worked hard...with a few "last minute fixes". Now its time to enjoy...the party and yourself! Have fun! I know I will!
Well first off, don't expect miracles! But, there are some "quick fixes" that I've been know to use "the night of the party". Actually they're more the "day of the party" fixes. They're just a few "red carpet secrets" that really do make a short but significant difference for those last few hours before the party! First, the fixes will vary depending on the style of dress or outfit you're wearing. Or more accurately, the amount of SKIN you plan on exposing!
So, let's get started! If you're going strapless or a "little number off the shoulder" you'll want to workout HARD on the upper half! I mean HARD because in order to get the "pump"effect you have to spend some time focusing on the shoulders, chest, upper arms-front and back, and the upper back. Do exercises with free weights since they tend to give you the "pumped up" effect versus say a workout with bands or the like. If you want to burn some calories, try the rowing machine. It will not only row off calories it will really target the upper body. Push ups and pull downs will also target the shoulders, back, upper arms and chest. Take away: spend time where it counts, the upper body!
If you're wearing a dress with a deep high slit, pump up those legs! Legs presses, squats, add weights while doing the squats and do bicep curls to double your efforts and save time! Lunges, again try with hand weights to double you efforts, or running can really give you the long leggy look you'll love...and others will envy!
OK, now the food! Eat small meals the day of the party. Do NOT starve yourself since you'll over indulge at the party and derail ALL of your efforts! Eat your largest meal of the day at breakfast. Eating earl in the day will allow your body ample time to digest food and rid itself of toxins. Breakfast will also rev up your metabolism and make you less hungry throughout the day. Stay far far away from sodium! Today is not the day for water retention! Eat small meals throughout the remainder of the day. Stay away from high fiber foods ESPECIALLY if you usually don't eat a lot of fiber in your normal diet...it can cause bloat...and gas, two things that are unattractive at parties! Stay away from diary products, cheese, milk and etc, since dairy can cause bloating. Again, we don't want that! Fluids...drink water! It will help you to feel more satisfied hence eating less throughout the day but not feeling deprived. I usually wouldn't recommend drinks high in caffeine but today is a special day! Coffee, teas, diet sodas or etc. all contain caffeine. Caffeine acts as a diuretic which will help eliminate water making one appear less "puffy". Also, choose caffeinated drinks that contains no or low calories so they won't add additional calories. Remember, if the drink are low cal you'll have fewer calories that need to be worked off tomorrow after the party! And...there's still New Years parties to attend!
So, its time for the party. Take one last look in the mirror. Turn completely around and admire yourself! You've worked hard...with a few "last minute fixes". Now its time to enjoy...the party and yourself! Have fun! I know I will!
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