Fitness: Definitely Not a Waste of Time

Fitness basically refers to the state of being healthy. Hence, it will really be wonderful if people will commit themselves to fitness throughout their lives.

It is stated in the Bible that our body is our temple. Therefore, it is our obligation to preserve it. For this reason, maintaining the health of both the mind and the body is a noble act.

But of course, this involves a great amount of effort as well as thorough actions. Anyhow, no matter how tough it will be, the fruit is very rewarding. A happy and healthy life, not all is privileged to have it, only the diligent few.

Fitness exercise is very important on ones routine. Through fitness exercise, people are able to fight several diseases. One of which is the killer disease, the heart disease.

Sadly, more and more people nowadays tend to ignore this kind of activity. Hence, more and more people too are suffering from different diseases. No wonder hospital businesses are prospering by gaining lots of clients, even it is against the will of these patients.

In fact, the suggested activities for fitness and health by the Council of the President on Physical Fitness and the Surgeon General are not generally followed by high school students nowadays. This covers the 33 percent of its population throughout the United States.

The attitude of neglecting physical fitness of these youths is usually carried by them as they turn into adulthood. Of course, there will be an increase on the number of sufferers from various diseases caused by weak resistance.

The National Institute on Aging showed a report that America comprises only 58 percent of its people who are engaging in a program of lifetime fitness. And this fitness program is done only in their free time. Only about 26 percent are regularly performing the lifetime fitness program. Most often, about three times each week.

The importance of a commitment to lifetime exercise is always being stressed. However, more people often times neglect it. Frequently, people use to disregard the fact that it can really do an enhancement on the value of one's life.

Most probably you have already heard that the common causes of deaths in this country are heart disease, stroke, accidents caused by unintended injuries, cancer and chronic lower respiratory ailments. These diseases are actually the five most common causes of deaths yearly as reported by the Center for Disease Control.

Think about it. All of the mentioned common causes of deaths can easily be avoided. But only if people will give enough attention on fitness exercise, much more if they commit themselves into lifetime fitness. But definitely, accidental deaths are excluded.

When referring to lifetime fitness program, we are not only dealing on physical exercise. But also, this program includes a diet that needs to be observed.

It is very imminent that with lifetime commitment of physical fitness, life will be lengthened. And definitely be enjoyed. With a healthy mind and body you can enjoy life more, you can pick more daisies.

The last sell is yours. Will you be cautious of your health and commit to lifetime fitness? Or do you just prefer to abuse it and suffer more in the end?

Fitness basically refers to the state of being healthy. Hence, it will really be wonderful if people will commit themselves to fitness throughout their lives.

It is stated in the Bible that our body is our temple. Therefore, it is our obligation to preserve it. For this reason, maintaining the health of both the mind and the body is a noble act.

But of course, this involves a great amount of effort as well as thorough actions. Anyhow, no matter how tough it will be, the fruit is very rewarding. A happy and healthy life, not all is privileged to have it, only the diligent few.

Fitness exercise is very important on ones routine. Through fitness exercise, people are able to fight several diseases. One of which is the killer disease, the heart disease.

Sadly, more and more people nowadays tend to ignore this kind of activity. Hence, more and more people too are suffering from different diseases. No wonder hospital businesses are prospering by gaining lots of clients, even it is against the will of these patients.

In fact, the suggested activities for fitness and health by the Council of the President on Physical Fitness and the Surgeon General are not generally followed by high school students nowadays. This covers the 33 percent of its population throughout the United States.

The attitude of neglecting physical fitness of these youths is usually carried by them as they turn into adulthood. Of course, there will be an increase on the number of sufferers from various diseases caused by weak resistance.

The National Institute on Aging showed a report that America comprises only 58 percent of its people who are engaging in a program of lifetime fitness. And this fitness program is done only in their free time. Only about 26 percent are regularly performing the lifetime fitness program. Most often, about three times each week.

The importance of a commitment to lifetime exercise is always being stressed. However, more people often times neglect it. Frequently, people use to disregard the fact that it can really do an enhancement on the value of one's life.

Most probably you have already heard that the common causes of deaths in this country are heart disease, stroke, accidents caused by unintended injuries, cancer and chronic lower respiratory ailments. These diseases are actually the five most common causes of deaths yearly as reported by the Center for Disease Control.

Think about it. All of the mentioned common causes of deaths can easily be avoided. But only if people will give enough attention on fitness exercise, much more if they commit themselves into lifetime fitness. But definitely, accidental deaths are excluded.

When referring to lifetime fitness program, we are not only dealing on physical exercise. But also, this program includes a diet that needs to be observed.

It is very imminent that with lifetime commitment of physical fitness, life will be lengthened. And definitely be enjoyed. With a healthy mind and body you can enjoy life more, you can pick more daisies.

The last sell is yours. Will you be cautious of your health and commit to lifetime fitness? Or do you just prefer to abuse it and suffer more in the end?

24 Hours Fitness: Not Getting Uncommon

Americans are said to be the most unfit group of people throughout the world. This notion is rooted from the fact that many of the American populace suffer from obesity. This is because Americans are fond of eating their victuals in fast food restaurants.

It’s a good thing that exercise exists. Hence, the fast food eating habit of Americans is being balanced.

Good exercise is known by everyone as a very vital thing to maintain good health. And this is more ideal when this taken along with a good nutritional plan.

The populace of the United States is advised by their doctors to lose their weights. In this way, they will be able to evade the other threats on their health, like heart ailments and diabetes.

As a result, 24-hour fitness centers have started to proliferate. It is in this place where the term fitness is branded. In the United States alone, several numbers of 24-hour fitness sports centers already exists.

The 24-hour fitness sport center is common to a place where there are lots of swimming pools, wonderful beaches. And most probably, a place where there are a good number of celebrities.

What makes 24-hour fitness sport popular is the fact that this gives people more time to do exercises. This is even more convenient to busy people who do not have the time of the day or works odd hours. The people who are occupied in the whole day, and who only have their night time to spend in this kind of activity.

The centers of 24-hour fitness sports, as its name implies, operates barely 24 hours.

Because these centers give more time to people to exercise, they become more and more fond of it. In fact, more and more numbers of these centers are opening up in the United States now. This is because Americans appear to be addicted in this activity for they want to have a thin shape and maintain their beauty.

Anyhow, these people have a good reason for staying that long in these types of sports centers. The 24-hour fitness sports centers offer a multitude of activities. Examples of these are swimming, racquetball, spa, tennis, weight training, bicycling.

Not just that, the instructors of these centers plan for the appropriate exercise for clients as well as nutritional plans suited for their needs. Hence, when your doctor gives you a physical report, you can present it to your fitness instructor.

Your physical report will guide your instructor to design the best fitness program for you. This goes along with a nutritional plan that fits to your needs.

No doubt, 24-hour fitness sport centers help people to achieve their want for a beautiful body. Here, people achieve beauty in a healthy manner. No need to undergo into liposuction to trim those fats. An exercise is enough to burn them all in good shape.

In addition, 24-hour sports centers are also a place where one can meet and mingle with different types of people. A place that is also good for socialization.

This is also one of the reasons why more people are conducting exercises in this type of centers. And why they make this activity as part of their routines.

Outdoor Exercise and Fitness

More and more people are now attuned to their fitness needs. Whether it's an indoor or outdoor exercise activity, they will always take the chance to stay physically fit and healthy.

Outdoor exercises are also popular nowadays. Like indoor exercises, you can get a lot of benefits like:

- little equipment is needed in order to have a good workout; but there are also exercises that don’t require any equipment at all
- no more obnoxious people or crowded gyms
- no need to drive back and forth a fitness facility
- you can enjoy the fresh air
- doesn’t require special workout outfit or make-up
- you get a lot of sunshine and vitamin D
- you can work out anytime and anywhere

Some of the reasons for preferring outdoor exercises as a fitness routine may not be included on the list but whatever your reason is, there are still other things to think about. Now that you know the benefits, the next step is to learn the different activities fit for the outdoors.

There are seven top outdoor exercises; if you want to get all sweaty, feeling great and worn out, you can check out these exercises.

Lunges – this kind of exercise should be done in perfect form so that all your leg muscles, as well as your buttock muscles will work with every motion. You can also include some variations like standing lunges, alternative, elevated, walking, and rear lunges.

Push ups – this is truly an effective exercise for your upper body but very few people do this now because they prefer press machines. The push up is a productive exercise that doesn’t require any equipment. The basic movements include standard, wide, and close grips. By doing the three basic movements alternately, you can stimulate the muscles on your shoulders, chest, and triceps. You can achieve easier movement by elevating your hands; for harder movement, try elevating your feet. If you're brave enough, you can try clapping and bounce push ups.

Squats – doing squats the proper way can provide incredible power. Its effectiveness has been lost due to inappropriate form, improper instruction, and laziness. You can do variations like one leg, standing, pile, wide-stance, and overhead squat. By doing repetitions, you can feel your legs getting tired which means its taking its effect.

Step ups – if you do this exercise properly, then you're doing a brutal exercise. A bench will do as your equipment, and all you have to do is to step up and down. Just make sure that your head is up at all times and your back is in a straight position. This is also a great cardio exercise.

Chin ups – also called pull ups; use a tree branch or any playground equipment that allows you to pull yourelf up and down. You can repeat this exercise as many times as you like.

Uphill sprints – try this exercise only if you can do a 100 meter dash. This is carried out by running uphill. Find a decent-sized hill and run up fast. Then walk right down. Just keep on repeating.

Duck walks – walk like a duck; squat down and stay put, then start walking. Repeat as necessary.

Doing outdoor exercises the right way is hard, but the benefits you can get can't be easily ignored.

Thirteen Sales Basics: The Elite Fitness Systems Secrets Revealed

Elite Fitness Systems (EFS) is well known for providing their customers with strength training services and products with highest quality.

EFS were founded by Dave Tate after he made an assessment in some internet sources about sports training. Many coaches as well as athletes are searching for training advices but do not get the best and comprehensive information. So, EFS was created to answer this demand.

Dave was once an elite strength athlete. For twenty years in the fitness world, he has encountered every training program and equipment in the industry. The EFS driving force is to put success in any training program above other things. This makes EFS the world's leader in the field of conditioning and strength training.

The secret behind the EFS success lies on the thirteen basics of sales to improve the ability for selling products and services.

1. Believing in ones self as well as in the services being provided. Your potential clients can appreciate your high energy. They will hire you because you are confident.

2. Understanding that the main objective is not about money. When people give value to fitness, they will pay your services happily. Likewise, if you help them achieve their desired results.

3. Selling the services to the people who need help.

4. Recognizing that money is traded in exchange for allotted time and given efforts.

5. Accepting that regardless of the amount of money being charged if the services are good, the client will always come back.

6. Knowing the distinction between a client and a prospect. Someone who pays for the services is a client, while someone who may hire you or not is a prospect.

7. Accepting that selling services and products is an important skill that must be learned by personal trainers. Helping more people means becoming more proficient when closing sales.

8. Knowing that people are hiring personal trainers if they see options that are less expensive. These people can be the best prospects.

9. Understanding that you have the freedom for setting your sales appointments. The most valuable asset you have is time. Meet prospects with greater possibility of hiring you.

10. Knowing that people more often make their purchasing decisions emotionally. Make the prospect emotional to sell the services easily.

11. Realizing that it is a sale if the money is already paid to you. Ensure that your plan is effective, so let the prospect pay you before the end of the sales appointment.

12. Setting the appointment immediately after talking to the prospect. People can be easily distracted. As much as possible, meet prospects who consider fitness as their first priority.

13. Understanding that people are lovers of buying things. However, are haters of being sold things. Guide your prospects and ask them appropriate questions to encourage them in purchasing your services.

EFS customers became their greatest source of advertising. They put customer's success first in their training programs. In return, they developed their passion on the EFS by doing business repeatedly and visiting their websites daily.

How to Achieve 'Anytime Fitness'

Modern life demands that all individuals should stay fit in order to keep up with the wild pace. Fitness refers to a person's capacity to adapt favorably and take stress brought about by changing conditions. In this kind of situation, if you're physically fit, then your mind or body will not be disturbed in any way. As you can see, fitness is not only about physical strength but of mental stability as well.

In many ways, fitness is synonymous to health. Modern living requires good health and to achieve such state, a person must stay fit. Good health and fitness are interrelated. When a person is fit, then that person is considered healthy; and if a person is healthy, his or her fitness level naturally goes up.

But if fitness only pertains to healt,h it's inadequate. Have you heard about the Evolution Theory? It states that only the fit of all species can survive and pass their genes. So fitness is not entirely about health; you should also suit the environment that you live, anytime and anywhere. Therefore, a person should be able to adapt to any environment in order to survive, together with proper fitness exercises.

Oftentimes, people disregard the importance of fitness. They overlook their responsibility to stay fit at all times. Perhaps they don’t know the benefits of 'anytime fitness'. Life holds a lot of pleasure for individuals; but if you're always ill you can't enjoy such pleasures of life.

Is fitness anytime possible? Well, of course it is; just look on the positive and bright things in life. You will surely improve your life, look fresher, don’t fear any form of infection, and no worries if your car broke down; at least you get to walk an extra few blocks before reaching your home.

Think of every situation as an opportunity to stay fit and this is the key to fitness anytime. You can make the most out of your independence, have peace of mind, and you're quite confident that you can handle everything.

Training for fitness focuses primarily on the different groups of muscles of every human being; this results to muscular fitness, aerobic fitness, and increases stability and flexibility. There are other factors to consider before deciding to do a physical activity, like your physical capability. Do check with your doctor before performing any activity that requires physical strength.

Aerobic exercises are of different kinds. You can do running, dancing, swimming, or even cycling. Make sure that you limit your exercise to about 30-40 minutes every day.

In order for your muscles to exude endurance and strength, focus more on muscular fitness. You can better enhance your muscular fitness if you do some strength training; this will result to an increase in mass of your lean muscles.

Related to your muscle strength's core are balance and stability. Do exercises that can help in making your muscles tough, especially for your trunk area.

With fitness training, you can also achieve flexibility. By doing exercise like pulling and stretching, your muscles can function in its widest possible range. You can try tai chi or yoga, they are great stretching exercises.

Another important factor is eating a well-balanced diet. With all these factors present, you can totally experience fitness anytime and anywhere

Age Defying Fitness by Moffat and Lewis

As you grow old, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need to do fitness exercises. In fact, you need them more than ever. This way, your body will stay physically fit and combat certain health problems which old people are more prone to having.

If you don’t believe these things, its time that you buy Marilyn Moffat and Carole Lewis' book entitled Age Defying Fitness. This is a good book that will open your eyes to the importance of health and fitness as people age. You can get the book under $20 from leading bookstores and online bookstores.

Different individuals have varying fitness levels. With the right physical therapist or doctor, you will be provided with your very own specific profile and assessment. This way, you can determine which physical exercises are suited to your level and age to achieve the most favorable health.

The physical body changes as a person grows old, and there's no doubt about that. Many old people are slowly realizing that and most of them can't easily accept such fact. Changes related to an individual's age is often induced, reversible, and inevitable. That is a fact that old people should accept and deal with.

With the aid of the book by Moffat/Lewis, old individuals can now overcome almost all the aches, unsteadiness, and stiffness of their joint muscles. By using their self-administered tests which are very simple, you can now assess your physical performance level based on the five vital domains. The five domains are balance, posture, flexibility, strength, and endurance.

Based on the results of the tests provided, the authors are able to develop your personal profile. The book features very easy stretching and strengthening exercises that are largely based on the newest clinical researches. A Theraband is also included; it is a resistive band used in certain kinds of exercise.

Age Defying Fitness is not just the typical how-to reference book because it encourages its readers to take full responsibility over their physical wellness. Straightforward everyday approach is also offered by the authors in order for the reader to achieve better health.

The book's authors are widely recognized in their own fields. Marilyn Moffat is a physical therapist recognized internationally as a leader/professor in the University of New York. She also was the president of APTA or the American Physical Therapy Association for a term of six consecutive years. At present, she is currently included on the World Federation of Physical Therapy's executive committee. For nearly 40 years she is practicing her profession in the private sector.

Carole Lewis is also a physical therapist, and is the owner/founder of a huge PT practice in Washington. She is a full-time professor in the Geriatrics Department of GWU (George Washington University). Lewis also published various articles and textbooks about aging.

The book is very interesting to read and the aging reader can appreciate very much all the photographs and drawings. Many reviews have given Age Defying Fitness very high ratings and they encourage other people, especially aging baby boomers, to purchase the book.

Old people will likely get a low assessment on the quizzes, but if you continue reading, you might be able to pass the different tests provided on the book. Purchase the book now and don’t miss the chance to stay fit in your golden years.

24 Hours Fitness Center: Freeing You from the Stress Brought by Time

You can be sporty though you are not a bona fide sportsman. You can do your exercise in a fitness center even at night time. You can be beautiful by having a slim body. You can be healthy enough to fight diseases. You can have fun. And meet new friends.

If you think they sound like too good to be true? You are mistaken.

These descriptions are indeed too good. And yet they are true. How? Where? Simple, through having your exercise regimen in 24 hours fitness centers.

24 hour fitness centers offer all of the mentioned possibilities above. In fact, it is because of these truths that they became popular to the people.

24 hours fitness centers have become a part of the routines of people seeking for beautiful body, good health, as well as entertainment. And this is open even to busy people during the daytime.

Because this type of center presents flexibility in time, this has become the Mecca for many of its patriots. The fitness specials here, as its name implies, go for 24 hours.

Here, the people who seem to be very occupied by their work still have time to ensure their health through exercise. Whenever they find time, they only need to go to the center and attend a class. Even it is in the middle of the night, or perhaps, before dawn.

The fitness class schedules are very convenient to the clients too. According to the fitness instructors of these centers, the truth is that 24 hours fitness centers play a vital role in molding the attitude of its clients and should be given emphasis.

To be specific, these centers likewise shape the strong willingness of its regulars. Additionally, these centers also develop a significant moral conduct. Like for instance, these helps in developing the self-confidence and determination of their regular clients.

However, these centers still prioritize on its significant contribution in building a physically fit body and good health to its regular clients.

The truth is that the instructors believe that through shaping the moral conduct of their clients, it alone will provide enough motivation to vigorously pursue and achieve their goals.

They perceive that the right amount of determination is more effective as compared to any of the finest fitness equipment available today in improving the body.

Just as the muscles become more firm, the amount of determination are also getting more compact. And as the body achieves a beautiful shape, it is directly in proportion to the efforts that have been exerted during the training.

Because of these facts, 24 hours fitness centers are undeniably popular now to more people. These centers play a big part in improving ones perception of his life. In a simple way, these centers develop the inner and outer strength of their regular clients.

24 hours fitness centers are high in quality when it comes to the equipment they use. At the same time, the fitness instructors always aim to meet the needs of their clients, especially for the amateurs.

Tips Associated to Diet and Fitness for Keeping Your Body Healthy

One of the most complicated things to do is getting started with a valuable project such as attaining a healthy body. This is often the basic nature of humans. There is always a tendency to set aside important things today and instead prefer to do it some other day.

To become successful in such undertakings, you need to set goals that are more realistic. It is easy to follow besides minimizing your pressure. For example, losing forty pounds as well as keeping it as realistic as possible to become an attainable goal. But never fear because there are several tips that can integrate your mind, body, and spirit to stay in the right track.

1. Follow a healthy nutrition and diet. Experts on health care advise people to provide their body with quality fuel to function properly. Eat food that are healthy, high in important nutrients, and free from chemicals. Also take vitamin and herbal supplements to support good health.

2. Get enough rest. If possible, get the right amount of sleep without interruptions for engaging your REM (rapid eye movement) patterns. This is the way of your nervous system to heal and refuel your body. If you feel overly sluggish, then rest, sits, or takes a nap shortly. You must report sluggishness and chronic sleep problems to your doctor. You cannot do your exercises properly if you are in this situation.

3. Keep your concentration at the present. Avoid feelings of worry or regret because you failed your fitness goals in the past. It can stress out your body. Instead appreciate the gifts that are offered to you at this moment. Continue what you have started and stick to it this time.

4. Do your exercise. Your body should stay in movement and action. Burn your excess fat and calories. Mental stimulation and exercise can be incorporated to keep you mind sharp and sound. Challenge your mind to grow, expand, learn, explore, decipher, and experience. You can do meditations as well. It can reduce your stress and heart rate, keep you at present, and maximize your feelings of joy, serenity, spiritual faith, and peace to stay fit.

5. Keep yourself surrounded by a good support system like your family and friends. Achieving your diet and fitness goals will be easier if there are people who care, love, appreciate, and support you.

6. Laugh often. Some studies revealed that laughing is significant in keeping people healthy and to heal a sick body.

7. Your thoughts should always stay positive to look and feel great. Closely monitor your thoughts to ensure that only positive things are stored there. Reverse negative thoughts into positive thoughts.

8. Learn to handle your emotions. Stifled emotions can affect your life. It also causes poor appetite. Your emotional energy should also stay positive. You cannot achieve the best fitness results as well as maintain your diet.

Follow these tips properly to ensure a happier and longer life. It is not too late to set your goal to meet your fitness needs.

Show Your Body Curve and Achieve Fitness through Belly Dancing

Belly dancing is quite popular in western countries for both children and adults. For the adults, it's the best way to appreciate your curves and even enhance them further. There are different belly dancing classes that suits every individual; from beginners to intermediate and advanced levels. If you want to start belly dancing, choose a class that suits your skill and level.

Before, belly dancing was practiced in the Middle East to strengthen the hips of women, preparing them for childbirth. This is a tradition that soon became a form of entertainment, exercise, and art. Advanced belly dancers can do more than 30 moves. As a beginner, it is good to know that you don’t have to memorize every step to start learning. All you have to do is to learn how to be in proper motion since belly dancing involves certain isolated body parts by listening to the music's rhythm.

Belly dancing movements are isolated. Your hips thrust, lift, and shimmy; and at the same time, the muscles on your pelvic should tilt and your belly should roll. You will learn how to make your arms move like a snake. Your legs either shimmy together or just one at a time. In order to achieve a beautiful belly dance routine, all these movements should be mastered. Once you've done this, you can put all the movements at work, the basics, and in parallel or several positions. Floor work will soon follow wherein you will learn sitting, dropping, and standing. To top it off, veil work is one of the most important parts of belly dancing where many women love to play.

There are a lot of things to learn when it comes to belly dancing. Different teachers give the movements diverse names but it only means skilled moves. Belly dancing is all about body quake, shake, lock, thrust, drop, and curve. Fluid motion is exhibited once your arms, hands, and legs follow. The costume is really sexy, where women can show-off their body curves. The dancer should expose more skin for her to make sensual movements. With the mid-rift and hips exposed, the dancer can show all her grace and art to spectators.

Belly dancing is not just an art in itself. In fact, it's a healthy form of exercise. When you do the dance, your working on the muscles of your body and at the same time making you fit.

Belly dancing is indeed a good addition to your fitness routine. You can do stretching with the use of your exercise ball or perhaps do some yoga stretches. The next things that you have to focus on are the basic movements of your belly, hips, shoulders, waist, and thigh movements.

In order for belly dancing to be a good fitness exercise, make sure that you do it for 30-40 minutes at least five times every week. By incorporating belly dancing in your fitness regimen, you can actually control or lose weight together with a balanced and healthy diet.

If you want to keep fit and show off your beautiful curves, belly dancing is just the thing for you.

24 Hour Fitness Centers and Clubs: Providing You with a Healthy and Fit Body

If you like staying fit, you have to consider going to the gym or health clubs in order to stay healthy and maintain a well-toned body. However, you have to realize the fact that not all health clubs and fitness centers offer great quality services that will provide you with positive results. When joining a fitness center or a health club, you have to make sure that the fitness club you join isn't only after your money. It should provide great quality service that will enable you to see positive results in the quickest time possible.

One kind of fitness center and health club is called the 24 Hour Fitness. They have different fitness programs for different people that will enable their clients to get results as quick as possible. 24 Hour Fitness is one of the leading fitness centers in the world. They only hire professional fitness experts in order to assist you with your workout needs and they also hire qualified nutritionists that will advice you on what kind of food you should eat and what to avoid.

They have programs that have been proven to be effective and they also offer their membership at a very affordable cost. They have different fitness programs for different people and they even have membership for the whole family. Their fitness plans are proven to be very effective and they have professional fitness trainers that can assist you, your family and friends to have a better body and a better health.

If you have experienced fitness centers where there are incomplete equipments and existing equipments are obsolete, rusty or difficult to use because of maintenance problems, you have to consider becoming a member of 24 Hour Fitness. They offer state-of-the-art exercise equipments and complete amenities that are well-maintained. This means that you will avoid the frustration of working out in an unreliable exercise equipment or waiting for your turn in a machine.

24 Hour Fitness can be found almost on every continent and you won't have any difficulty locating one. They also offer different kinds of workout that will suit your needs and one that you can easily adjust to. 24 Hour Fitness is also a participant of the Passport Program where you can workout in other fitness centers. All you need to do is show your 24 Hour Fitness Passport Program ID, pay the fee and you can workout like you are a member of that particular club that is also a member of the Passport Program.

The Passport Program can be very useful if you are traveling and you can't find 24 Hour Fitness in that area. This means that you can workout anywhere in the world. With over 3000 fitness clubs all over the world that are participants of the Passport Program, you can be sure that you can still workout even if there isn't a 24 Hour Fitness Club near the area you are traveling to.

Working out in 24 Hour Fitness is fun, easy and can provide you with positive results in your body and also in your health.

A Better You" Your 7 days program to self-improvement

I seem to lost count on how many times I've read and heard of celebrity marriages failing almost left and right. Not that I care (and personally I don't), it seems strange that we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairytale life of riches and glamour. I suppose we all have to stop sticking our heads in the clouds and face reality.


There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite of how trivial it could get. But whatever happens, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.

So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think and improve on that should be enough for a week.

1. Know your purpose

Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight or even dead end. But there's always that little loophole to turn things around and you can make a big difference to yourself.

2. Know your values

What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals for 2005 - check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

The number shouldn't discourage you, instead it should motivate you to do more than you can ever dreamed of.

3. Know your needs

Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!

4. Know your passions
 

You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be. Express yourself and honor the people who has inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

5. Live from the inside out

Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. For most of us city slickers it's hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own home. In my case I often just sit in a dimly lit room and play some classical music. There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.

6. Honor your strengths

What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.

7. Serve others

When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.

Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. It shouldn't always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better

3 Little Known Tips To Buying Fitness Equipment

Did you know that buying fitness equipment for your home isn’t really that difficult?
It’s true that the world of fitness equipment can seem like a maze at times and that there are literally hundreds of different types of fitness equipment pieces that might work well for your home arrangement. However, with a little guidance, the process really isn’t that hard and you will be amazed at the bargains that you can find if you just dig a little deeper than the average consumer is usually prepared to. Let’s take a look at some tips to help you out in your quest for new fitness equipment.

1. Look at used equipment. This is where some good deals can be found. Fitness equipment can obtain a weird status in a person’s home. They might have been really excited to buy it initially and dreams of a fit body and monthly gym savings might have filled their head. However, after 3 months, the equipment often sits vacant in that person’s home. Used equipment can be a really good deal due to the fact that it’s often times almost as good as new but now it’s for sale. To you. For cheap. Check out newspapers, Ebay, and other places; compare prices and get a deal.

2. Consider commercial fitness equipment. Often times, you can buy the same equipment that your local gym has. Imagine, you can have that same (gasp!) Stairmaster that has dogged you for years at the local Ballys, right in your basement. This might be appealing to some who have the capital to invest in a large piece of equipment. If you no longer have to pay a $50 monthly fee to go to a gym every month, this might be a really smart investment. Look into commercial equipment, you might be pleasantly surprised.

3. The first two points are almost worthless without considering the financing of your new fitness equipment. When looking to finance your new set of fitness equipment there are tons of important factors to keep in mind. You really don’t want to be paying too much for equipment that might be found at a cheaper price (after everything is considered) elsewhere.

4 Easy Health and Fitness Tips

The US has seen an enormous increase in the mumber of people considered obese by the medical community. In fact many call it an obesity epidemic. To combat this we find all sorts of pharamceutical companies selling the "quick fix" pills, powders, and lotions that do nothing to actually help people take the fat off and keep it off.

Of course the same could be said of the diet industry as well. There are so many different diets going around now you could pick one a month and in a years time still have more to choose from.

What is truely needed are some sensible proven weight loss tips that people can implement no matter what their present physical condition is. That said let's dive right in.

#1 Drink more water. All too often Americans are borderline dehydrated and so their bodies are working on the water starvation reflex and not flushing the toxins and junk out.

#2 Eat more often. I bet you thought I was going to say eat less. While it is true that to lose weight you need to eat less calories than you expend...you need to eat more often to get the metabolic furnace stoked up and burning right. Get it out of starvation mode. So start the day off with breakfast. Even an instant breakfast drink and a piece of fruit as we head out the door in the morning.

#3 Move more. Depending on your physical condition you need to be moving more. Use the stairs rather than the elevator, park farther out from the office or the store, go for a walk around the block, go dancing, play with your kids. Make it fun. Running is not the only way to burn more calories.

#4 Finally, determine your "Why". Decide why you want to discard fat. Make your reason big enough to motivate you through the slumps that invariably happen.

Personally my reason was to be able to live to see my great grandkids graduate college. My youngest kids are 4 and 6 now. Besides I wanted to get out and play with them without being out of breath all the time.

5 Healthy Benefits of Following a Mediterranean Diet Plan

The Mediterranean diet has been around for centuries, but if you don't live in countries where this diet is prevalent such as Greece or Italy, you may not realize the many benefits of eating healthy foods "Mediterranean" style. According to studies, the Mediterranean diet encourages healthy weight loss and helps to reduce risks of many life-threatening diseases. Below are five of the top benefits of following this diet.

 

1. Fast Weight Loss

One of the key benefits of the Mediterranean diet is fast weight loss. This is not from the results of a diet pill or a crash starvation diet, but from healthy, portion-controlled eating. Weight loss rates will vary, but some have reported losing an average of 10 pounds per month. Delicious diet recipes are often provided when following the Mediterranean diet that help to speed up the weight loss process without depriving you of much needed vitamins and nutrients. Losing weight alone can offer many health benefits.

2. Good Heart Health

The delicious diet recipes provided while following a Mediterranean diet are all designed to promote good heart health. The Mediterranean diet consists of healthy doses of olive oil, fruits and vegetables, and oily fish. With some participants, a moderate amount of wine is consumed with meals. All these help to lower cholesterol and keep the blood flow to the heart at a normal level, thus, reducing the risk of heart disease tremendously.

3. Lower Cancer Risks

Having too many toxins in the body can cause some types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Eating the types of healthy foods promoted in the Mediterranean diet such as fruits and vegetables will lower the amount of toxins in the body because these foods are natural antioxidants.

4. Prevent Gallstones

Those who have fallen victim to gall stones realize how painful they can be. With around 639,000 people being hospitalized per year with gallstones, many studies are being conducted to help find a cause and cure. The Mediterranean diet is rich in nuts, vegetable oil, and fish. Though gallstones are not always diet-related, consuming these foods can help to reduce the risk of gall stones or eliminate them altogether for some according to recent studies.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

The healthy foods in a Mediterranean diet can also work to lower and regulate blood pressure. Blood cholesterol levels can return to normal when eating less fatty foods and salt, and more healthy vitamins and minerals. Cooking procedures on a Mediterranean diet usually involve roasting or grilling rather than frying, so more nutrients are retained in the food during preparation, and there is much less fat consumption.

These are only a few of the benefits. The Mediterranean diet also offers many other benefits such as reducing the risks of blood clotting, diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and other life-threatening diseases. Don't deprive yourself. Start eating delicious diet recipes on the Mediterranean diet for healthy weight loss today.

10 Easy Steps to Turning Dreams into Reality

1.Mindset vs. Knowledge 

The first thing that we need to understand about turning

dreams into reality is that we will need two distinct attributes.

We need to have both the right Knowledge and a positive

Mindset. Many people forget about Mindset and consequently

are more likely to fail in their attempts to achieve what they

want, when they want.

As you can see the act of achieving anything is mostly having

the right mindset. In fact it is about ¾ Mindset and ¼

Knowledge.

Having the right Knowledge is pretty straightforward, it is

learning the skills and strategies required to carry out the tasks

you will set for yourself. The Mindset however is something

the many people struggle with.

To have a champion Mindset means that you are highly

Motivated and have the Determination and Will Power

required to make the sacrifices you will need to make. 

2.Finding Your Life Purpose

 

One of the biggest Barriers holding most people back is that

they do not have a clearly defined ideal to strive for in their

lives. That is that even though these people may state they want

a big house and a Porsche, and even go as far as setting these

items as goals, they do not realise their true purpose in life.

To work out you Life Purpose your need to ask yourself

some questions. You need to make a list of what you do and do

not want in your life. These can be feelings, people, ideas or

objects, anything you can think of.

Next make a list of Obstacles that stand in your way of

getting these things that you want in your life.

Then think about what you want your family, friends and

colleagues to say about your life after you have died. I know

that sounds a bit morbid, but thinking about your life in this

light can be very motivational.

Finally, write up your Life Purpose as a statement of a few

sentences. Print this out, pin it up in a place were you can

review it daily.

3. Getting Motivated 

will give you a basic run down here.

One of the great methods I like to use is dream posters. The

basic idea of this is to cut out pictures from magazines of

houses, cars and boats etc that you want to have in your life.

Then take some time every day to review your poster and

Visualise the life you want for yourself.

Another method is to print out Inspirational ph

rases and

Quotes and place them on the walls in your personal

workspace.

Take some time to Meditate, just sit quietly with some music

that you like and Visualise your life the way you want it to be.

See yourself on a holiday in the Bahamas or spending time with

your kids in the park, use your imagination.

4. S.M.A.R.T Goals

Before we set any goals it is important that we have an idea

of how to write effective goals. We want goals that are Well

Defined and are easy to motivate ourselves toward and,

ultimately, achieve.

The best framework that I have come across is the

S.M.A.R.T. philosophy. That is our goals must be:

Specific,

Measurable,

Action-oriented,

Realistic, and

Time/Resource constrained.

So, now that we have a proven framework to base our goals

on, we can now start setting some goals.

5. Defining Objectives

We now need to think about an Objective that we want to

achieve. This is something which is quite large like owning a

house on the waterfront or getting a job as an Engineer.

We will of course break this down into Milestones and then

into individual Tasks later to make them more achievable.

However, for now you need to decide on some area that you

want to improve and then write it out using the S.M.A.R.T.

philosophy outlined above.

6. Signposting Milestones 

Now we can look at the main Milestones that we need to

take in order to achieve our Objective.

Carrying on with the example of getting a job as an Engineer,

there are certain major steps we need to take in order to realise

this goal. For instance, the most obvious Milestone we need to

reach is to complete an Engineering degree.

As you can see, we are progressively breaking our goals

down into smaller, more manageable pieces.

7. Setting Tasks 

Next we need to break these Milestones down into specific

Tasks. These are great because you can effectively set yourself

a Task and then check it off your list. It is so easy to check your

progress.

To use another example; our Objective this time is to `make

$1 million from the stock market in 3 months, from an initial

investment of $10 000, by investing in stock options,' notice this

is a S.M.A.R.T. goal.

Then let's make our first Milestone to `learn how to invest in

the stock market,' we could then proceed to break this down

into smaller Tasks.

Our first Task could then be `read Options Trading by Joe

Bloggs by 02 Mar 07, one chapter a night,' notice this is also a

S.M.A.R.T. goal.

We would then of course write this up on a checklist, in our

Daily Planner or on a wall etc. And check it off when done.

8. Success Credo 

You can draw parallels between your Success Credo and the

statement of your Life Purpose. However, your Credo is more

of a statement of your Beliefs and Promises as to how you will

live your life.

It will provide a basis for your decision making and also

serve as yet another motivational reminder. Feel free to include

some affirmations like `I am always calm in a crisis,' these

words will provide some extra motivation.

And if you state and believe these words often enough, with

conviction, your behaviour will change subconsciously to

reflect this. 

9.Success Questions 

It does not do much good, when you are reviewing your

goals every day, to simply say to yourself "well, I think I'm

going OK" and that is the end of it.

You need to actually look at your progress and ask yourself

Questions along the lines of; `How can I be doing this better?'

By asking these questions, answering them and then

implementing the solutions you will truly start to make same

PHENOMENAL progress.

10.Confidence 

The final part of the puzzle all comes down to Confidence.

This is the most important part of effective goal setting.

Confidence is closely related to having the right Mindset,

which we discussed in section 1.

It is crucial to believe in yourself and your ability to achieve

your goals or you will never carry through with any of the

promises that you write down on paper.