December 2006

Gifts of Health

Essential Gear, Fads, and Fun

We cannot exercise in the nude.  Well, at home we can, but it's probably not a good idea.  Shoes for everyone, plus support bras for ladies and suuportive underwear for men is the safest way to exercise in the near-nude.  We need exercise gear for our bodies and feet, and sometimes special equipment can help keep us motivated.  Fitness tools can give you more time to fit fitness into your life and into your home.  We have so many excuses not to work out, any tool that helps you get out there and start sweating is beneficial.

Committing to fitness starts with being honest with yourself. Some fitness accessories will be helpful in all of your future fitness programs, some will be used once or twice and then forgotten in some dusty corner.

Essentials:

Good shoes. Expensive does not equal good.  Look for shoes with reinforcement across the toes, good arch support, and a wide base to support you during sideways movements.

Running shoes are not necessarily best for aerobics or step.  Running shoes, basketball shoes, and aerobics shoes are all designed to support your foot in different types of activity, so wear the one that is right for you.

Water bottle. You must drink water while exercising for maximum health benefits and safety.  See our article at http://www.randomosity.com/aquaSAFETY.htm

Fun:

A reading rack.  It props up a book or magazine while you use a fitness machine.  Most healthclubs have them on their equipment, along with a headphone jack for plugging into the TV.

Workout Journal.  Track your exercise and weight loss progress in a notebook or journal.  Each day, record the details of your cardio, strength and/or flexibility workouts as well as your nutrition goals.  You can also record your measurements and vital statistics every few weeks to make sure you're on the right track.

This is not intended as medical advice which should be obtained directly from your doctor.