5 Reasons Why You Need A Treadmill

So why are treadmills the #1 home exercise machine choice among buyers? Well, here are five reasons treadmills come out on ahead of other exercise machines year after year. Here are the top 5 ways home treadmill workouts can help you lose weight and get in great shape!

Reason #1: A Treadmill is the PERFECT exercise machine for those who hate exercise!

We all know that in order to lose weight, get firm & fight gravity’s pull, exercise is a must!

But what do you do if you don’t LIKE working out?

What if your motto is “I don’t exercise. If God meant us to touch our toes, He would have put them higher on our bodies.”? What if you get bored or don’t like logging hours in the gym with all those muscle boys or short-shorts women?

One viable option is the home treadmill, because of all the things it allows you to do to FORGET that you are exercising in the first place!

You can set it up in front of the television and watch your favorite episode of ER or Oprah. An hour will fly by and you won’t even notice that you’ve been walking (or running)!

What about popping in your favorite CD and taking an invigorating power walk? You’ll be burning a truckload of calories without even realizing you’re sweating!

Many treadmills also come with a magazine or book rack.

What about walking uphill (a HUGE calorie burner) while reading the latest edition of Woman’s World? Or Time? Or your favorite novel?

How easy is that?

Treadmills are perfect for those people who get bored easily or hate exercising because they allow you to do so many things WHILE using them. (for all of us multi-tasking queens and kings!)

Reason #2: A Treadmill is Unmatched For Workout Versatility!

Most funky fly-by-night exercise gadgets out there only allow you to do one thing. One repetitive motion that your body will quickly get used to (and that means less calories burned!)

A treadmill on the other hand gives you a LOT of workout versatility!

If you’re just starting an exercise program you can start with a slow walk and then speed it up as your body gets into better shape. If you’re training for a marathon, you can run at a steady pace and even build in sprints.

You can power walk or do a slow steady jog. You can skip if you want to or build in fast-walk-slow-walk intervals. Many treadmills will let you walk uphill (which explodes the number calories burned!). Some will even let you walk downhill (a great way to cross-train).

Some treadmills come with handweights to incorporate into your workout. (Building muscle WHILE burning calories is a double weight loss whammy!)

There are countless ways you can vary your workout with a treadmill so that you continue to challenge your body and burn those calories!

Reason #3: A Treadmill Can Help You Burn MORE Calories by Increasing Your Exercise Time!

Did you know that a new 3 year study conducted by the University of Stanford’s Graduate School of Business has found that consumers are overpaying for gym services? The study concludes that most people overestimate how often they will use their gym membership and that most don’t visit the gym often enough to justify their membership costs.

I may be going out on a limb here but I suspect that the reason may be that many people just don’t have the time to go. But here’s where a home treadmill can help you actually increase your workout time and frequency (which means more calories burned…)

Did you know that experts tell us that 2 x 15-minute workouts can give us the same exercise benefits as 1 x 30-minute workout?

And did you also know that the number one obstacle that keeps people from exercising is ‘lack of time’? (that explains those gym study results above doesn’ it?)

Here’s where a home treadmill can help:

A treadmill allows you to split your workouts up into mini-workouts and still burn just as many calories! Maybe you want to go for a 15 minute wake-up walk in the morning. Maybe it’s a 20-minute light jog at lunch. What about a 10-minute power walk just before dinner to curb your appetite or fight night-time boredom?

Many of us just don’t have the time to take 45 minutes to an hour to go to the gym every day. But most people can find 15 minutes during the day. Three of those mini-15-minute workouts and you’ve just done that 45 minutes!

And remember, whether it’s 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 or 20, it all adds up in weight loss! With a treadmill, YOU’RE in charge of your workout time!

Reason #4: A Treadmill Gives You the Benefit of All-Year-Round ANY Time Exercise!

Ok, here it is: in my opinion one of the MOST IMPORTANT benefits of having a home treadmill is :CONVENIENCE, CONVENIENCE, CONVENIENCE! If you live in northern climates you know that walking or jogging in the snow and ice is NOT the definition of fun.

What about when it’s raining? Scratch exercise off the list today! What about when it’s late or really early and the gym isn’t open? Forget about that workout today!

A home treadmill can be one of the best exercise comforts around because you can use it regardless of the weather or time.

How many times have we gained some unwanted winter weight and then exercised like crazy when the weather turned fair, trying to get it off? What a pain!

With a treadmill you can look great all year round because you’re not missing those winter workouts!

AND you can also exercise any time in any type of clothing you want (no worrying about wearing that ratty t-shirt to the gym!). Call me petty but this is a huge convenience!

Reason #5: By Using the Large Muscles of the Legs, A Treadmill Is Helps You Burn MAJOR FAT Calories

A recent Woman’s World article made the startling claim that, contrary to popular belief, gentle walking is one of the BEST ways to burn fat!

Why?

It seems that gentle walking allows your body to go STRAIGHT to the fat stores for energy instead of first depleting your sugar (glycogen) stores (used by your body for quick energy).

Not only that, there’s been countless studies including one by the American Medical Association, that rank a treadmill as the number ONE cardiovascular machine for losing weight and burning calories.

By using the large muscles in your legs, you burn the maximum amount of calories. You can even increase your calories-burned by walking uphill which uses even more muscles!

Given all their benefits it’s no wonder that treadmill sales have increased by 50% over the past five years!

No matter which treadmill you choose, make sure it fits your needs and lifestyle. And ENJOY!

Source: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/ONeill9.html

We’ve done the work for you – discover the TOP TREADMILL and EXERCISE EQUIPMENT picks.  We’ve also found you the lowest prices on the hottest fitness equipment.  View best prices on treadmills and exercise equipment.

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Preparing For Winter

The “W” word – winter.  It’s just around the corner, yes it’s only August but we’re in the last few days of August and then it will be back to school for kids everywhere and before you know it, Halloween will have come and gone and you’ll be getting ready for winter.  Depending on where you live in the world, winter could come with cold and snow, or a lot of rain.

Nothing makes it more difficult to try and lose weight or maintain weight loss than getting sick.  So what can you do this winter so that you don’t get sick?  Here are some simple suggestions…

1. How do you avoid a cold? Keep your hands away from your face and wash them often. Avoid people with colds, and ask your doctor if vitamin C may be helpful and safe for you.
2. Although depression can easily be assumed to be a result of your chronic illness, you could be someone who has Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you find yourself blue between October and March, it may be because of the lack of sunlight, which can be a natural antidepressant. Ask your doctor.
3. Feeling stressed about the holidays? Before reaching for that piece of pumpkin pie, grab a banana. Foods that are natural stress fighters include orange juice, yogurt, low caffeine intake, carbohydrates instead of sugar, and lots of water!
4. Need a boost of energy? Here are some ideas that are recommended by health professionals.
   1. Get out into the daylight at least thirty minutes a day, or at least pen up those blinds.
   2. Exercise when possible, but never exercise when you have a temperature of 99.5 degrees F or above.
   3. Eat vegetables! B-vitamins, found in whole grains, green vegetables, potatoes, and beans, keep your immune system primed and stave off winter bugs. They also help produce neurotransmitters in the brain, which moderate your moods. When your vitamin B supply is off-kilter, you’re more likely to feel depressed, stressed, anxious, and cranky.
   4. Make personal time for yourself. Splurge on a new journal or some new pjs to get you through the winter months.
5. There are over 200 viruses that cause the common cold. Before cold season hits, talk with your doctor about what is “normal” and “not normal” for someone with your illness-make a “cold plan.” This way if you get a cold, you will know how soon to call your doctor and what over the counter medications you can safely take. Talk to your doctor now about whether a flu shot would be recommended.
6. Chapped lips bothering you? The Mayo Clinic recommends applying a moisturizer to your lips daily or as needed. You can use a lip balm or skin moisturizer. Generally, the greasier the products, the better. If all else fails, a humidifier in your home may help.

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Should I Buy Controlled Servings of Food?

There are many diet programs out there, some – like Weight Watchers teach you the right foods to eat and in the right portions.  There are others that tell you to buy their foods which are pre-packaged to the right serving size.  Aside from commercial diet programs, you can also buy controlled serving sizes of foods as well – but is that the best way to lose weight?

Lets look at a few items that you probably want to buy controlled sizes:

• Chocolate – lets face it, you’re trying to make lifestyle changes.  That doesn’t mean giving up everything you enjoy because if you do you will end up binging.  Chocolate is ideal to purchase in controlled sizes.  You can purchase chocolate bars that are 100 calories and even others that are less than that.  When you’re in the mood for something sweet, grabbing one of the controlled portions is better than a candy bar laced with well over 300 calories.
• Chips/Snack Crackers/Soda – I love chips but buying a bag that can eat 10 and having it yourself is not an option.  I buy those small bags that are under 130 calories and contain anywhere from 10-20 chips in them.  I still get to eat something I like without binging.  The same can be done for snack crackers or soda pop.  If you must have them, buy the small versions and save your waist.

But when it comes to frozen dinners – I’ve got mixed feelings on these items.  While you are getting food that is portion controlled, you are  not learning how to build the correct portion size yourself and are relying on what the food industry is giving you – perhaps the same could be said for chocolate or chips – but in this case you are also taking on a lot of food additives and preservatives.  You have little to no control over salt – something that you need to watch if you are overweight as it can lead to hypertension (or high blood pressure).

When it comes to your main meals, I firmly believe that this is where you need to learn yourself how much is enough.  What you need to learn is portion sizes, it is especially important when it comes to your main meals – lunch and dinner because that’s typically when most of us will end up overeating or binging without even realizing it.

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Sample Walking Program

Losing weight, and maintaining that weight loss is all about making lifestyle changes.

If you eat, and then sit in front of the TV you will gain weight.  There is no doubt about that.  But if you eat, and do a little work before sitting down, you will not only feel better but you’ll not have any guilt that you sat down without doing some level of activity.  The cycle is easy to get into:

• Eat
• Sit on the couch in front of the TV, or on the computer or start playing video games
• Feel guilty and promise yourself you won’t do it tomorrow

Next day…

• Eat
• Sit on the couch in front of the TV, or on the computer or start playing video games
• Feel guilty and promise yourself you won’t do it tomorrow

And it repeats itself.  You need to break this cycle – nobody, not your spouse or significant other, nor your kids can break this cycle.  YOU have to do it yourself for yourself.

This is like binge eating.  You binge on anything you can find, only to feel guilty later on and rather than STOP EATING you keep going because you’ve already started so what the hell…

But once you break the cycle the first time, then the second and third, fourth, fifth… slowly it becomes habit to NOT sit and instead you will force (use the word lightly) yourself to not sit but remain active for about an hour afterwards.

Once you’ve gotten out of that rut – start walking.  Outside.  You DO NOT need a walking program, or plan.  Just walk.  Walk to the corner store and back.  Walk to the grocery store.  Walk around the block.  Walk to the park.  Walk on a trail.  Just walk.  Walking is the least expensive exercise you can do.  It doesn’t cost a lot (a good pair of walking shoes will cost you between $30 and $100) and all you need is some outdoor clothing – track pants, and a light shirt and hat.  You probably have all that at home already.

Walking gets your body moving.  It keeps your mind active.  It helps relax, and refocus.

If you’re a busy professional, walking will allow you to sort out your day and put what has happened into perspective.  Even though you may be thinking about work, it’s in a stress free environment.

You don’t need a walking program.  Just go outside, put one foot in front of the other and see where it takes you.

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Miracle Drink Helps Lose Weight, Eliminate Fat

I really hope that this study was not funded by tax payer dollars, but if you pay attention to the news you probably heard that drinking water will help you lose weight.

Drinking a glass of water before each meal could help you lose weigh, or make your current diet more effective. That’s the conclusion of a study just released by researchers at Virginia Tech University.

Think about the logic behind this – by drinking two 8 ounce glasses of water, you’re filling your stomach up and tricking your body into feeling more full so when the time comes to eat you won’t feel as hungry and as such you will eat less.

This isn’t new – my doctor has been telling me this for years and for those of us that are older it’s anecdotal advice given to us by our parents and perhaps grandparents.  Maybe with this study and it being made “official” people that are trying to lose weight will drink water before each meal.

Has the long-sought magic potion in society’s “battle with the bulge” finally arrived? An appetite-control agent that requires no prescription, has no common side effects and costs almost nothing?

Scientists today reported results of a new clinical trial confirming that just two 8-ounce glasses of the stuff, taken before meals, enables people to shed pounds.

The weight-loss elixir, they told the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), is ordinary water.

“We are presenting results of the first randomized controlled intervention trial demonstrating that increased water consumption is an effective weight loss strategy,” said Dr. Brenda Davy, senior author on the study.

“We found in earlier studies that middle aged and older people who drank two cups of water right before eating a meal ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories during that meal. In this recent study, we found that over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake.”

“People should drink more water and less sugary, high-calorie drinks. It’s a simple way to facilitate weight management.”

Davy pointed out that folklore and everyday experience long have suggested that water can help promote weight loss. But there has been surprisingly little scientific information on the topic.

Previous studies hinted that drinking water before meals reduces intake of calories. Lacking until now, however, has been the “gold-standard” evidence from a randomized, controlled clinical trial that compares weight loss among dieters who drink water before meals with those who do not.

Groups

The study included 48 adults, 55-75 years, divided into two groups. One group drank 2 cups of water prior to their meals and the other did not. All of the subjects ate a low-calorie diet during the study.

Over the course of 12 weeks, water drinkers lost about 15.5 pounds, while the nonwater drinkers lost about 11 pounds. Davy said water may be so effective simply because it fills up the stomach with a substance that has zero calories.

People feel fuller as a result, and eat less calorie-containing food during the meal. Increased water consumption may also help people lose weight if they drink it in place of sweetened calorie-containing beverages, said Davy, who is with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

Pop

Diet soda pop and other beverages with artificial sweeteners may also help people reduce their calorie intake and lose weight, Davy said. However, she advised against using beverages sweetened with sugar and high-fructose corn syrup because they are high in calories.

A 12-ounce can of regular soda pop, for instance, contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar.

Davy noted that that nobody knows exactly how much water people should drink daily.

The Institute of Medicine, an agency of The National Academies, which advises the Federal Government on science, says that most healthy people can simply let thirst be their guide. It does not specify exact requirements for water, but set general recommendations for women at about 9 cups of fluids — from all beverages including water — each day, and men at about 13 cups of fluids. And it is possible to drink too much water, a situation that can lead to a rare, but serious, condition known as water intoxication, Davy pointed out.

Source

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Making Great Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Aaaah, the sound of sizzling cheese on a grill.  The smell of bread, butter and of course your favorite cheese.

Who doesn’t love grilled cheese sandwiches?  And using thin sliced bread, fat-reduced cheese and light butter allows you to enjoy a treat that you may not otherwise try.  But how do you make the best grilled cheese sandwich?  Just follow along on this video over at CNN.

Don’t like making grilled cheese on a pan? Why not try one of these sandwich makers! Makes the job easier, not as messy and a cinch to clean…

I use the Cuisinart GR-1 Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press.  I bought if for around $50.00 on Amazon and it works great!  With over 150 positive reviews on Amazon and a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 this is the sandwich press you should buy.

It does more than just sandwiches!

Creating restaurant-quality paninis–as well as grilled sandwiches, veggies, pork chops, and more–is simple with this convenient panini press and sandwich maker. The unit’s upper and lower 11-by-7-inch nonstick, non-removable grill plates provide even grilling and toasting, plus offer a drip spout that makes it easy to drain grease away from food for healthier cooking. Designed like professional units, its floating hinge adjusts to accommodate any thickness for perfectly grilled thin or thick panini and sandwiches. In addition, the panini press and sandwich maker features “power-on” and “ready-to-cook” indicator lights and a preset temperature to ensure crisp, golden-brown results. An instruction book with recipes and a cleaning

Features include:

• Panini press and sandwich maker in brushed stainless-steel housing
• Upper and lower 11-by-7-inch nonstick, non-removable grill plates
• Floating hinge adjusts to accommodate any size sandwich; preset temperature
• Helpful indicator lights; instructions, recipes, and cleaning tool included
• Measures 14-1/2 by 6-1/2 by 12 inches; 3-year limited warranty

Another great one is the DeLonghi CGH800-U Retro Panini Grill, also found on Amazon. The other one that I liked is the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler Stainless-Steel 4-in-1 Grill/Griddle and Panini Press – almost 500 4 star reviews cannot be wrong – again you will also find this on Amazon.

Here is a picture of the DeLonghi CGH800-U Retro Grill:

Here is a picture of the Cuisinart GR-4 Stainless Steel Grill:

I buy almost everything on Amazon, great (best) prices and most items are delivered FREE OF CHARGE right to your home. What more could you want?

Regardless of which one you buy, they are all great machines and all make fantastic grilled cheese sandwiches along with many other items.  The stainless steel looks really sharp, and is pretty easy to clean.  Stylewise they are all nice to look at and will look good on your counter.

If you are seriously looking to buy – just click the pictures of the different grills.  When I last checked earlier today the Cusinart GR-4 was on sale at 62% off the regular price!  It was selling for $235.00 and was on sale for only $88.50.  Don’t forget to pick-up a Panini Recipe Book if you don’t have one.  They had a deal on the GR-4 along with two recipe books for only $119.00 – definately a good deal.

ALERT: There is a newer version of the GR-4 our that is less expensive.  Check out the newest Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler.

Bon Apetite!

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