Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Dance Aerobics Workout- A Great Fun

If you have a hard time exercising, but wish to have a beautiful body, then the perfect idea to keep yourself in shape is to perform dance aerobics workout.
It's a great fun activity that helps in strengthening your body, giving you energy to carry out your day-to-day activities effectively and efficiently.
There are innumerable benefits of aerobic dance. It provides you the best of all, on one hand, it helps in losing weight, and then on the other hand, it helps in keeping you fit.

Following a regular aerobics program gives you a sense of commitment and control, positive mental attitudes that help counteract stress. Aerobics also relax tense muscles, thereby relieving your body's stress response.

Aerobic dance steps are actually a blend of distinctive dance forms like jazz, disco and ballet.
It has acquired the status of a popular sport that can be enjoyed by all age groups, by both men and women. Dance aerobics craze is spreading everywhere and is sweeping millions of people.


Tips for bringing aerobics safely into your daily life

  • Maintain a comfortable pace. For example, you should be able to hold a conversation while walking briskly. If you do not feel natural again within 10 minutes following exercise, you are exercising too hard. Also, if you have difficulty breathing or feel faint or weak during or after exercise, you are exercising too hard.
Increase your workout in stages to get the most benefits with the fewest risks. If you have not been exercising, start at a slow pace and gradually increase the amount of time and the pace of your activity as you become more fit.
  • Select activities that fit your personality and have an element of fun. For example, if you like team sports or group activities, choose basketball or an aerobics class. If you prefer individual activities, choose swimming or walking. Also, plan your activities for a time of day that suits your personality. If you have more energy in the morning, plan activities that can be done at the beginning of the day.
  • Plan a workout schedule. To gain the most health benefits it is important to exercise as regularly as possible. Alternating your aerobic activities helps to keep the excitement and anticipation in each sport alive.
  • Maximize your safety and comfort. There are legitimate reasons why so many athletics shoes exist in the market today. Diverse exercises like walking and tennis require a shoe designed quite differently than an aerobics or running shoe. Also, the proper workout attire that moves and breathes properly is essential.
  • Encourage your family or friends to support or join you in your activity. When parents are active, their children are more likely to be active and stay active for the rest of their lives.
  • Challenge yourself. Set short-term as well as long-term goals and celebrate every success, no matter how small. Whether your goal is to control your weight or just to feel healthier, becoming physically active is a step in the right direction. Take advantage of the health benefits that regular exercise can offer and make physical activity a part of your lifestyle.
  • The Top Five Cancer-Causing Foods

    There are some foods that people who are at high risk for developing cancer should definitely avoid-- A BIG NO NO to them. Generally, says natural health researcher Mike Adams, they should avoid foods that contain ingredients known to cause cancer, such as refined sugars and grains , hydrogenated oils, and nitrates. But which foods are the absolute worst?

    The top five cancer-causing foods are:

    1. Hot Dogs Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.

    2. Processed Meats and Bacon Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

    3. Doughnuts Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

    4. French Fries Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acrylamides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .

    5. Chips, Crackers, and Cookies All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

    Ten Foods for Long Life

    1. Tomatoes. A major source of the antioxidant lycopene that reduces the risk of cancer by 40% -- notably prostate, lung and stomach cancers and increases cancer survival. Tomato eaters function better mentally in old age and suffer half as much heart disease. Concentrated tomato sauces have 5 times more lycopene than fresh tomatoes, and canned tomatoes have three times more than fresh.
    2. Olive Oil. Reduce death from heart disease and cancer. Recent research shows that heart-attack survivors on a Mediterranean diet had half the death rates of those on an ordinary low-fat diet. Olive oil is also high in antioxidant activity.
    3. Red Grapes. Red grapes have moderate antioxidant power, while purple grape juice has four times more antioxidant activity than orange or tomato juice.
    4. Garlic. German researchers have found that garlic is packed with antioxidants known to help fend off cancer, heart disease and all-over aging, and prolong cancer survival time. Let crushed garlic "rest" about 10 minutes before cooking to preserve disease-fighting agents.
    5. Spinach.Second among vegetables only to garlic in antioxidant capacity and is also rich in folic acid, which helps fight cancer, heart disease and mental disorders. New University of Kentucky research shows folic acid may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Eat both raw and steamed for benefit.
    6. Whole grains.A University of Minnesota study suggests the more whole grains you eat, the lower your odds of death by 15%. Whole grains contain anticancer agents and help stabilize blood sugar and insulin, which may promote longevity. Whole-grain "dark" breads, cereals such as All Bran, and "old fashioned" oatmeal are an excellent source.
    7. Salmon (and other fatty fish). Contains high amounts of omega-3 fat that performs miracles throughout the body, fighting virtually every chronic disease known. Without it, your brain can't think, your heart can't beat, your arteries clog, and joints become inflamed. You need one ounce a day, or two servings of salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring or tuna per week.
    8. Nuts. Eating more than 5 ounces a week can cut heart-attack deaths in women by 40% and help prevent deadly irregular heart beats in men a Harvard University study found. Almonds and walnuts lower blood cholesterol. Most of the fat in nuts is the good-type monounsaturated and/or omega-3. Unsalted nuts are best.
    9. Blueberries. High in antioxidants, Tufts University researchers say a half-cup of blueberries a day can retard aging and can block brain changes leading to decline and even reverse failing memory.
    10. Tea. Green or black tea has equal antioxidant benefit. One cup a day can cut heart disease risk in half Harvard researchers found. Make from loose tea or tea bags, instant and bottled tea has little effect Tufts University shows.