Beware of the Calories You Drink!

You’re sipping a soda after your workout, and wondering why the pounds aren’t falling off as fast as you had hoped. Could there be a connection here?

In recent studies, researchers found that people who consume excess calories in the form of sodas, sweet teas, and sugary “designer” coffees gained more weight than did people who eat a higher-calorie diet of solid foods. Such liquids do not seem to trigger the signals the body usually sends us to tell us we’re full. Therefore, the body does not automatically compensate for those extra calories by reducing intake of additional calories. The predictable result is weight gain.

So, if you’re counting calories remember, “You are what you drink!” Also remember there are no calories at all in water.

making exercise a part of you

by Tony Romano

Warmer weather is just around the corner, and fitness is on the minds of many people. Exercise is key, but the real secret is…sticking with it!

Workout With a Purpose

Many people belong to health clubs, or use stationary bikes, treadmills and the like. But for some folks, just how inspiring are such exercises?

According to William F. Morgan, sports psychologist at the University of Wisconsin , “The reason for dropouts in these programs is [the] nonpurposeful physical activity…. What people need is physical activity that is part of their daily lives and has purpose.”

Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, working in the yard, or walking the dog are good examples of meaningful exercise. People often don’t even think of such things as “exercise,” but simply as necessary activities. While a walk around the neighborhood can be very pleasant, walking to an actual destination – a store, the library, or to work – helps you accomplish something besides just burn calories.

Endorphins: Your Secret Weapon

The human brain naturally produces chemical substances called endorphins, which are released whenever physical activity occurs. The more strenuous the exercise, the more endorphins are produced. The best way to produce lots of endorphins is aerobic exercise: vigorous walking, jogging, hiking or dancing, for instance. These exercises involve a great deal of movement – for which the body is naturally designed.

The result of such exercise is that you feel great! Your endorphins help regulate blood pressure and body temperature, and they control pain. They also stimulate brain activity, and they increase your alertness, stamina and energy levels. Endorphins are also far more powerful than many costly, manufactured drugs.

The Difference Is Attitude

Incorporating meaningful exercise into your daily routine can, in effect, touch off a natural cycle of self-motivation: Get exercise…release endorphins…feel more energized…use the extra energy to do more, and so on. Such a positive “natural high” has benefits well beyond physical health, of course. It translates into better overall attitude, making many of life’s challenges seem so much less challenging.

Links:

Exercise Diary
Exercise for Kids

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