A recent medical research done by U.S. researchers showed that old people who have diabetes are twice as likely to die from heart disease as who do not have diabetes.

 

 The goal of the research was to find if diabetes makes old people die earlier more they would, and what position heart troubles affected death rates. Because heart disease is considered as the number one killer in the United States and some other developed countries.

 The study was done by Dr. Joshua Barzilay and some of his students of Kaiser Permanente in Georgia. The study which took 11 years involved around 6,000 who are older than 65 years.

During the period of the study, more than 40 percent of the old elderly people died. However, between 50 and 60 percent of the deaths were related to heart disease problems.

 

 The results found that the contributors with diabetes were twice as likely to die from heart disease as the ones with no diabetes, but people with diabetes who used insulin injection were at more risk.

 

 The results were attuned for factors that are considered to affect heart disease risk like: Drinking alcohol, cholesterol levels and smoking.

 

 The study also showed that contributors who were not taking insulin were sixth times less likely to die from kidney failure or infectious diseases than people who were taking insulin in their treatment. Though, women who treated with insulin had a high death risk.

 

 As we know that heart disease is increasing in the world because people do not eat healthy food and lack of exercises. That will lead to very high number of heart patients in the next few years if we did not become aware of cardiovascular disease symptom.

 

 Many studies have found that diabetes raises the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease in young and middle-aged people, However it is not know how elderly people were affected.

 

 The commentary of the online journal Public Library of Science said “the estimate is that old people with diabetes are twice more to die from cardiovascular disease from people without diabetes”. 

 

 The best way keep yourself away of cardiac disease is to prevent it, therefore you should keep an eye on your food. Do not excess in eating fast food and eat more fruits and vegetables and try to reduce salt and sugar in your food. Also play sport, at least two times per week for half an hour.

Mark Haddon wrote a marvelous book that became a bestseller and won both the Whitbread Book of the Year and Whitbread Novel awards. It was said that Mark Haddon himself exclaimed, “Who on Earth would want to read about a fifteen-year-old boy with a disability?,” while he was making this book. Little did he know that it was exactly the fifteen-year-old boy with a disability that made his book stand out, win awards and become a bestseller. The book is called, “The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time and the boy is Christopher.”

    Christopher is an autistic-savant. He can name all the countries in the world and their capitals. He has a photographic memory and a genius in math and science. Despite of his unusual intelligence, he cannot imagine, understand figures of speech and relate to jokes. He also does not like places with a lot of people and people touching him. People who are autistic-savants exhibit both characteristics common among those with autism and those with Savant Syndrome. Autism is one developmental disorder among the group of Autism Spectrum Disorders. This condition is mainly characterized by impairment in socialization, imagination and communication. Savant Syndrome is characterized by very low general intelligence but extraordinary narrow intelligence usually in the fields  of mathematics, music, art and memorization.

    In the story, Christopher’s parents are separated. His mother decided to leave Christopher and his father because she cannot cope anymore with the demands of having an autistic child. Parents who take care of special children such as those with autism may probably have a higher stress level compared to most parents. This is mainly because their children have special demands, unusual behaviors and different abilities compared to other kids of the same age. These children will most likely find it difficult to communicate, thus, resulting to unusual reactions. An example of this is when an autistic child cries for no apparent reason and begins hitting himself or herself. Most likely, something has caused him or her to feel upset but cannot convey what it is because he or she does not know how. Some autistic children with sensory integration problems may either be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to touch, pressure, movement and sound. They will show certain behaviors that are sometimes difficult to understand such as avoidance of certain types of food and drinks, pinching or hittin
g, repetitive movements and screaming. Some of them can also exhibit strong adherence to certain routines and fear of new places or people. To accommodate the needs and cope with the behaviors of these children is not easy and, therefore, can result to a lot of stress.

    Autism can greatly limit a child’s world. They thrive in security and anything they perceive as a threat to their security should be avoided. However, a lot of factors, situations and demands of society make them insecure and being forced to deal with these makes them very anxious most of the time. Unconsciously and unintentionally, children with autism have a constant feeling of anxiety to anything that is new or foreign to their understanding. Just like in the book, when Christopher had to go beyond the area of the town that is familiar with him, he felt physically sick and afraid. Unlike most children, those with autism cannot easily adapt to new environment or situations. The process of learning to understand and accept what is previously unknown to them results to a higher level of anxiety.

Despite what seems to be a difficult task of adapting and coping with autistic children, a lot has already been studied and published regarding proper management that will not only lessen the children’s anxiety but also their parents’ stress. Certain methods such as Cognitive Behavior Modification, Behavior Modification Techniques and Environmental Modification Techniques had been proven effective in changing the inappropriate behaviors  and improving the learning skills of children with autism. Some, having compounding conditions other than autism, may need additional treatment as advised by the doctors. Autistic children who also have manic depression due to their unhappiness with being involuntarily trapped in their self-protecting behaviors may need more therapy than what was mentioned earlier. Consulting a psychiatrist is highly advisable in this situation and other medications may be prescribed.

    Christopher’s story ended with him being able to overcome challenges that have caused him too much anxiety and his mother deciding to return to take care of him. Just like in this fictional novel, the same can be achieved in real life in terms of dealing with stress and anxiety among families who need to cope with the condition. Through proper management, medication or treatment, stress and anxiety among parents and autistic children can be addressed effectively.   
 

Landice Inc. has been in business for over 35 years and specializes in making only treadmills. Landice has placed over 50,000 treadmills in health clubs and gyms. Landice treadmills are generally viewed as commercial treadmills.

Landice treadmills are not affordable for every user. Landice treadmill price starts at $2995.

Landice makes commercial and high end home treadmills. The LTD series of Landice treadmills is built for home use or light commercial use, whereas the Club series is constructed for very heavy use in club or gym environments.

Landice treadmills include a range of features. Few Landice treadmill models offer buyers the protection of a lifetime residential treadmill warranty. This warranty keeps the retail value of the Landice treadmill models at a high price. All Landice treadmills have large walking/running areas with the motor power (3HP) to back it up. Landice treadmills are known for customer satisfaction and have been rated well by users. Landice treadmills offer some of the highest quality construction in the market.

All Landice treadmills offer aircraft locking hardware which makes the frame stronger, high inertia cast flywheel that gives a smooth feel while protecting the motor from stress, wear & tear, 400-500 pound user weight capacity which is great for heavier users, 4 ply tread belts which are twice as strong as the 2 ply tread belts which prolongs the life of the tread belt and VFX (Variable Flex) cushioning which absorbs shock in vertical, side to side or rocking motions to avoid injuries to joints and knees.

The high price is the only drawback of the Landice treadmill. For runners, serious trainers, high end home users and gyms, Landice treadmill is the best option.

The Landice L7 tre
admill features a 3.0HP motor with whisper drive, a 20 x 58 inch four-ply tread belt cushioned by VFX shock absorption and 15% electric elevation. This treadmill offers 2.5 inch and 14 pound rollers to bear user weights up to 400 pounds.

The Landice L7 treadmill is good for weight-loss programs. This model offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, parts and wear items and one year on labor for residential and home use treadmills.

The Landice L8 treadmill is a full featured treadmill suitable for weight loss programs and for larger users requiring a wide training surface and durable machines. This model of treadmill offers running surface up to 22 x 63”, 500 pound user weight capacity, 3-1/2 diameter & 22 pound steel rollers, 15% electric grade elevation and maximum speed range between 0.5 – 12 mph.

Landice Inc. offers commercial grade treadmills in their L9 series and in the L7 and L8 club-grade models. All of these offer heavy-duty features and stronger warranties to meet the rigorous demands of the club and sports fitness markets.

Landice treadmills are high quality and reliable treadmills. However some of their features are not needed by users. Landice treadmills are mostly used for commercial purposes.

Saurya Ghosal for http://www.treadmill-walking.com
Read more about Treadmills http://www.treadmill-walking.com/treadmill-accessories.html
Copyright 2005 http://www.treadmill-walking.com

Menopause

In medical terms, menopause is the stage in a woman’s health when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and the reproductive cycle begins to wind down. The most common age for the onset of menopause is around 50 years old, although women who have had cancer, diabetes, thyroid disease or other autoimmune deficiencies can have the onset of menopause as early as 40 years old. For a very small number of women, menopause can begin at as early as 30 years old. Menopause can also come about as a result of surgery, such as a hysterectomy where the ovaries are removed.

Menopause Symptoms

Menopause represents a dramatic change in a woman’s hormone levels, and results in a number of side effects, some of which can cause a far bit of discomfort and disruption in a woman’s life.
 
The most common symptoms are hot flashes and night sweats. Menopause can also cause urinary problems, such as increased urgency or frequency. The change in hormones can cause joint pain, and – most troubling – speed up the onset of osteoporosis. Even more troubling, menopause can have a large effect on a woman’s psychological health. A woman going through menopause will often feel tired and irritable, with a lowered sex drive and even memory loss.

Dealing With Menopause

The most common way to deal with menopause is with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A HRT treatment reduces many of the common symptoms of menopause by giving the body a synthetic estrogen. This approach is particularly useful for women at heightened risk for osteoporosi
s because it slows the reduction of bone mass. However, while many health professionals still recommend HRT as an important treatment, some studies have shown that it can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and breast cancer. Some women also object to treating menopause as a ‘disease that needs to be cured with drugs.

Regardless of uses HRT or not, a key component of any attempt to deal with menopause is exercise. Indeed, all women should exercise at least 30 minutes a day to help prevent many of the problems that can later be associated with menopause. The younger a woman starts exercising, the lower her risk of osteoporosis. Along with a active lifestyle, women should also have a healthier diet, focusing on foods low in fat and cholesterol. Women should also ensure that they are getting large amounts of Vitamin D and calcium.

While there is no way to make the symptoms of menopause go away, women can adopt strategies to deal with them. If a woman is having trouble falling asleep at night, she should avoid caffeine in the evening, and establishing a set routine for bed times. Women effected by mood swings can try relaxation techniques such as yoga, while women dealing with memory problems can keep her mind fresh with memory exercises. If a woman is experiencing hot flashes – a common complaint – they should pay attention to what they are eating or what else is going on in their lives could be triggering the flashes. Caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods and stress, for example, have all been found to trigger hot flashes in some women.

Human being is the god’s best creation. Every body has some problem in their lives. Some has financial problems, some are facing family problems and some the most critical problem i.e. health problem. Constipation, indigestion, jaundice, skin problems, liver disease are few problems that human being face very frequently.

 

Now a day, herbal medication is on the top. Herbal plants are used for the herbal medication. Herbal plants either grow naturally or are cultivated. Besides being used in pharmacies and cosmetics, it is also used as spices or flavoring agent. SENNA is one of the herbal plants which used to treat above problems. Senna is the member of Leguminaceae family. Actually senna is the shrub which is mostly found in china, Pakistan and India. Senna is also used as a stool softener. Senna is used to treat the bowel. Senna leafs in the paste form can be applied to many skin related problems.

 

Senna pods and senna leafs are used for the medication. Senna leafs are WHO (world health organization) approved. Senna leafs are commonly used for constipation treatment. You can also use it to treat ringworms, acne and other skin diseases. Senna leafs get matured from the seed. Its height is around 5 to 8m. It grows like a straight woody stem with bunch of flowers.  These bunch of flowers turns into the senna pods. Senna pods are used as a laxative for centuries.  Cassia angustifolia is the scientific name for senna pods. Overdose of senna pods can lead to a diarrhea or stomach cramps.

 

Before taking senna dose let your doctor know whether

·         You are pregnant.

·         You are breast feeding.

·         You are taking some other pills.

·         You are having other health problem.

 

Dosage:

Don’t start taking senna without any consultant. Ask your care taker for the dosage. Dosage depends on the reason why you are taking and how powerful the medicine is.

 

Where to store:

            Keep the medicine in cool and dark place. Avoid it from the direct sunrays. Keep it away from the reach of children. Throwaway the out dated medicine and never try to share your medicines.

 

Warnings:

·         Consult your doctor before use of senna.

·        
Don’t use senna for more than 1 week.

·         Don’t use if you are below 12 years.

·         Don’t use if you are breast feeding or pregnant.

·         Don’t use senna if you are having a problem of appendicitis.

·         Don’t use senna if you had a stomach pain.

·         Use of senna for long time and in excess amount can make your body prone to it.

 

Side effects of senna:

·         Chest pain

·         Skin related problems like itching or swollen skin.

·         Breathing problem or tightening of chest or throat.

·         Stomach cramps or pain or diarrhea.

·         Reddishness around anus or itching.

·         Change in the finger nail.

·         Change in the color of urine like pink or yellow-brown.

If you feel any of the above symptoms then immediately stop the intake of medicine and ask your doctor.

 

 

 

           

Adult acne is a very common problem.  Boys are more likely to suffer acne scarring than girls. But girls are more likely to have adult acne. Adult acne affects 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some time in their adult lives. People can develop unpleasant acne or have an acne recurrence in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond.  It can be difficult to cope with no matter your age, and can cause depression and social anxiety. It can be difficult to cope with no matter your age, and can cause depression and social anxiety in an adult the same way it can in a teen. Male adult acne, Testosterone is the dominant hormone which is then converted to DHT resulting in prominent lesions throughout the skin. For most people, acne is characterised by occasional flare-ups of blackheads, pimples and pustules. Most often, these develop on the face, neck, upper chest, and/or the back. More severe forms can result in inflamed nodules and cysts with scarring. Acne is not caused by poor hygiene or oily skin – although both can make the problem much harder to control – rather, it is a condition of the sebaceous glands, which are attached to hair follicles and produce an oily substance called sebum. A spot forms when a hair follicle becomes plugged with sebum and dead cells.

Many cause of adult acne including Stress ,Bad cosmetics ,Hormones  and medications. Acne that appears for the first time in adulthood should be examined by a dermatologist who can investigate the underlying cause. Some medications that can induce acne include anabolic steroids , some anti-epileptic medications, the anti-tuberculosis drugs isoniazid and rifampin, lithium and iodine-containing medications. Chronic physical pressure on the skin. Chafing from the straps of a backpack or tucking a violin between the jaw and chin can cause chronic physical pressure on the skin and may induce a condition known as acne mechanica. Chlorinated industrial chemicals. These may induce the occupational skin disorder known as chloracne. Metabolic conditions. Changes in the hormonal balance, such as those brought about by pregnancy, menstruation or hormonal abnormalities can induce acne.

 
Teatment of Adult Acne

1. Azelaic acid cream.

2. Alpha-hydroxy acids (including glycolic acid, lactic acid, and gluconic acid).

3. Overall best treatment for adult acne is identical to the best treatment for teen acne, benzoyl peroxide.

4. Topical antibiotics (gels, lotions, and solutions) 

5. Antibiotic pills (haphazard use may lead to antibiotic resistance)

6. Birth control pills for women

6. Accutane or Sotret for severe acne

Home Remedies of Adult Acne

1. Acne is often a hormonal problem, so you should check with your doctor to see what help he or she can offer you. 

2. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables each day so that you have your best opportunity to feel and look as attractive as possible. Try to avoid fried fatty foods and junk food.

3. Unusual amounts of stress and anxiety can cause your acne to get worse, so be sure to take time each day to relax and keep your stress levels down.

4. Daily exercise can help relieve some of that excess tension by getting your body moving rapidly.  

5. As an adult you’ll want to avoid some of the products that are made just for teenagers. That’s because your skin is less elastic and some products that help a teenager’s skin to clear up are too drying for an adult’s skin.

6. Don’t forget about the numerous natural acne remedies that are available, such as apple cider vinegar and herbal remedies. 

7. Women need to avoid spreading heavy makeup to cover their blemishes since all that will do is plug up your skin’s pores even more. Be sure to remove your makeup every night or else your acne will get even worse.

8. Avoid spreading bacteria.

9. Green tea is used as a traditional remedy for many diseases such as liver inflammation, gastric discomfort and Adult acne.

For the past few decades, the field of medicine has been largely influenced by the medical philosophy of the Western world.  The emphasis of Western medicine has been predominately curative, relying on chemical preparations and invasive surgery as means of treatment.  

In contrast, Eastern medical and therapeutic philosophy focuses on the more metaphysical side of human illness and treatment.  Its practice is hinged on the use of a variety of methods ranging from the use of medicinal plants and herb, massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, pulse reading, and other alternative healing methods.  These methods are now gaining acceptance even in modern societies, in a large measure, due to the increased awareness about the healing arts of China and India. There are volumes of literature on traditional Chinese medicine.  But what also deserves wide recognition is the folk remedies and traditional practices in India which are also ancient and effective, at least, according to those who have tried them.     

Ayurveda, a healing system native to India, is a centuries-old practice that has recently been given attention by Western science. Like traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda practitioners adhere to a particular medical philosophy that regards illness as an imbalance in the body and influenced by internal and external factors, similar to the Chinese principles of yin and yang. Ayurveda also takes into consideration a patient’s emotions and state of mind alongside the study of infections that make the body sick.  It places a high importance on the patient’s sense of taste and diet.  

In Ayurveda, it is believed that the healing of a person must take into consideration three elements found in nature:  air, water, and fire. Each of these elements has a deep philosophical background.  These elements also govern the major functions of the body. Ayurvedic theory rests on the belief that the balance of the three elements is the basis of health.  Any imbalance, blockage, or weakening in these elements causes illness. It is the task of the Ayurveda practitioner to determine and restore the patient’s elemental harmony. In other words, an infection or ailment is the result o
f an imbalance in the patient’s natural internal or elemental harmony. These imbalances can be caused by internal or external factors, and may be aggravated or alleviated by the patient’s emotional state and, in some cases, mental health.

The primary concept of Ayurveda is that the restoration of imbalances in the body requires a very personalized concept. Treatment can involve the use of natural oils, minerals, herbs, metals, and even animal ingredients. Similar to how herbal medications are administered in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda medications are given base formulas that are modified by the physician according to the patient’s needs. This process makes getting a treatment for an infection different from Western medicine, where the formulas are constant and only the dose is altered based on the patient’s metabolism and constitution. As mentioned earlier, diet and taste play a central role in Ayurveda. However, unlike Chinese medicinal doctrine, the taste and quality of the food plays a much larger role in traditional Indian healing arts. Different tastes correspond to different conditions in the body. These tastes are taken into account by an Ayurveda physician before prescribing an appropriate treatment. For example, food with a bitter taste is generally considered to cool the body, dry out moisture, and work to remove toxins. This concept also extends to the herbal and animal ingredients that are used in Ayurveda medication.

Ayurveda also prescribes a particular form of massage known as “Panchakarma” for the treatment of emotional distress. This practice is highly similar to acupuncture except that no needles are used.  The strokes, presses, and body manipulations used in Panchakarma supposedly stimulates energy flow throughout the body, a process that is necessary to ensure good health. Problems arise when the energy flow is disrupted, clogged, or stalled.  Massage is often prescribed in conjunction with a diet plan and herbal remedies to relieve problems such as sinusitis, conditions associated with stress and anxiety, and other problems that Ayurveda practitioners see as symptoms of emotional disharmony rather than just purely physical ailments.

Stress relief is something that everybody needs to get regularly, no matter how much they complain that they don’t have the time. Especially if they complain that they don’t have the time! There are a thousand and one ways to get stress relief, with some of them being considered to be “tried and true” methods. However, there are some problems with these old methods, particularly because the old methods may or may not work that well with people who have “new” mindsets. While making someone listen to Mozart may not be a cause for complaint, it may not work that well in relieving his stress either, particularly if classical music isn’t really suited to his tastes. For people with that sort of personality, perhaps the best stress relief is one that might be considered a little…unconventional.

There are, of course, “conventional” stress relief techniques. These are the ones that people have used for centuries on end, and will likely outlast even the societal factors causing the stress and anxiety in the first place. These methods include the aforementioned music, though some more modern genres are better at causing stress and anxiety, rather than relieving them. Another typically suggested one would be exercise, which not only serves as good stress relief, but also has a few other benefits on a person’s physical well-being. Some types of tea, with jasmine, oolong, and green tea being most commonly mentioned, are also said to be a good way of achieving stress relief, as they calm both the mind and body. However, as previously stated, these may not work on some people. So, what are the unconventional methods of stress relief?

Well, chief among them is physical violence. Sometimes, the best way to let go of all your stress and anxiety is to hit something — and hitting it over and over again, if necessary. This does not mean that you should go around hitting people at the slightest sign of frustration. This is often suggested as a means of finding re
lease from one’s negative emotions, letting go of the stress they cause at the same time. Since it would be unwise and potentially problematic to lash out against people, it is best to lash out against objects such as pillows, stress balls, and the occasional lump of clay. Items such as these can take a tremendous amount of punishment, allowing someone with a lot of stress and anxiety to work through his problems physically, without risking harm to himself or anyone else.

Another alternative comes from the advent of modern Internet technology and trends: blogging. Blogging, which is basically a journal or diary that is available on the Internet for the general public to read, can really help someone with stress relief in the workplace. It allows a degree of anonymity that can’t be found anywhere else, giving the person the freedom to write whatever comes to mind, even if what comes to mind happens to be criticisms of management’s latest blunder or your direct supervisor’s tendency to show off his incompetence. An added benefit is that the blogger can look back into his past entries and hopefully be able to do a little self-analysis at a later date.

The final unconventional method of stress relief is derived from the German word schadenfreude, which means “happiness at the misery of others.” The final oddball stress relief method is to watch reality TV. It doesn’t particularly matter what show you watch, as long as someone’s being made miserable or there’s some serious drama going on. How many of us have had a horrible day, only to feel just a bit better after watching Simon Cowell rip into some aspiring recording artist on “American Idol”? Watching that poor contestant get his hopes and dreams dashed, in a sadistic manner, uplifts your own mood and makes your day just a little bit better. Some people listen to the police frequency of the radio for the same reason. Hearing about other people’s dismal lives makes their own lives seem better by comparison.

1.  Shampooing

    
•  Brush or comb hair thoroughly to loosen  dirtand dead
skin cellsfrom
thehead.         
Wetthehair well so that the underneath layers as well as the
toparewell              saturatedwith
water.

 •   Pour about 1 tsp of shampoo in
alittle water toget a diluted solution
andmassage      this diluted shampoo
gentlyinto the roots with your fingertips,covering 
thewhole      of the head.

 •  With
the flat surface of your hand work thatshampoo  into the bulkof
thehair          overthe
top layers.

 •   Rinse thoroughly with water until the shampoo has been completely washed off.

 •   Repeat the same procedure if necessary.

2.  Conditioning

 •   Shampoo the hair as directed above as many times as  desired and wash thoroughly.

 •   Pour approx. 2-2 1/2  tsps of conditioner in your hair all over.

 •  Leave
on far about  5 minutes and rinse offthoroughly until
theconditionerhas         beencompletely
washed off.

3.  Drying
 
   Note
that wet hair loses upto 20 percent of itselasticity and with it,much
of its      natural resilience. Sotreat
it as gently as you possibly can afterwashing :

 •  Squeeze
out excess water, wrap hair loosely in a clean
towel,turban-fashionand        
pressfirmlyagainst the head. Do not  rub vigorously.

 •  Once
the hair is no longer soaking wet, the bestthing you can dois  to
leave it to     dry naturally.
 
 •  When
using a blow dryer, capitalize on the control,minimize on thedamage :
(a) do      not  startdrying 
until the hair is three quarters dry;  (b) do nothold the
dryer      overone area of the headfor too
long ;  (c) do not allow the scalp
tobecomehot;       (d) use a brush
gentlytopersuade the hair into the style you want; and
(e)donot       continue to blow dry on
tohairthat is already dry.

4.  Brushing and combing
 
    Always
brush hair when it is dry becausebrushing wet hair cause
theendsto             split.

 •  Tilt 
your head forward while brushing as thisincreases  theblood supply
tothe         headand
stimulatesthe hair.

 •   Never use a sharp teethed brush or it may tear the hair apart.

 •  Fine
hair needs a softer brush while thick longhair needs a biggerbrush with
stiff     bristles.

 •   For combing wet hair, use a comb in which the teeth are widely spaced.

 •   The best way to comb out tangles hair (knots) is to start at the ends and work upwards gradually.

  

As beginning runners (or any runners for that matter!), we often tend to stick to the one thing we know: Running.

And at Ordinary Runner (http://www.ordinaryrunner.com/) we certainly believe EVERYONE should be a runner!

However, running does give us quite a pounding on our legs! Our joints and muscles are repeatedly shocked throughout the course of a run… And the more intense the run, the more pounding they take!

Cross training a day or two a week can work wonders!

What is cross training, you ask?

It basically means that you “cross over” for a day into another aerobic exercise area, instead of only running, in order to help prevent injury. (Or to recover after an injury!)

Don’t get me wrong! Running, as we’ve stated before, is NUMERO UNO as far as aerobic exercises go! Nothing gets your heart rate going like a good run!

But running does give you a good pounding!

So lots and lots of runners take a day or two a week and cross train.

For cross training, you want to do another activity that elevates your heart rate, but doesn’t pound you quite as much as running.

This gives your muscles and joints a rest, while keeping your heart going!

Cross training has some great benefits:

1) Gives joints, bones, and muscles a much needed rest, making them fresher for your next run.

2) Still increases your heart rate, so you still get a good aerobic workout even on the days you don’t run.

3) Breaks the routine. (I mean, we love running, but sometimes it’s just nice to do something else!)

So, what kinds of cross training are there?

There’s riding a bike… But cycling can be expensive!

There are treadmills and elliptical machines at the gym… But the gym can be expensive, too, and one of the reasons we
are
runners is because we like the price!

Water Running

My recommended cross training activity is water running. It does take a one-time investment in an aqua jogger shoes or gloves (around $15-20) or an aqua jogging vest or belt (a $45-55 cost), but after that, you’re good to go!

Just get in the deep water at your nearest pool, and run in the water. (It takes a little getting used to, but it’s really very simple. In no time, you’ll be water running with the best of ‘em!

The health benefit of water running is big!

When you do your water running, your heart rate still gets up there (so you get the aerobic benefit), but your muscles get a rest from the pounding for a day.

So it’s a perfect cross-training activity.

And just by doing water running, you’re helping yourself prevent injury!

And if you’re already injured (Let’s hope not! But occasionally it does happen!), water running is perfect for keeping your aerobic fitness up while your injury heals.

So, take some good advice on running for beginners! For all of you who love running and want to keep doing it for years…

… Water aerobic exercise, in the form of water running, is a great way to cross train and save your legs!

You’ll be saving some of the miles in your legs for another day!

Kely Braswell has been a runner for 27 years. He’s not the fastest… just an Ordinary Runner. But he stays in shape, and he knows a lot about running! Beginning runners can look at http://www.ordinaryrunner.com/, simple advice on running for beginners and mere mortals!