Fitness WAHM

Each year there are famous athletes that are paraded across the news for using performance-enhancing drugs. Unfortunately, there are so many young athletes that look up to them. Many follow in their idol’s footsteps and begin using these drugs as well. When it comes to performance-enhancing drugs and your teen athlete, you want to talk to them and see what they think.

Teenage athletes may not think about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs, especially when their favorite athletes use them. They may think if they use these drugs, too, they’ll be as good as their idol. What they don’t realize is that these drugs aren’t a shortcut to sports supremacy; they could very well lead to death.

Performance-enhancing drugs and supplements promise to boost an athlete’s performance, enhance their physical appearance, and increase muscle mass and strength. Unfortunately they can also be harmful, especially to young men and women who may use or abuse them.

What is it about these performance-enhancing drugs that makes them desirable? What do they promise that causes athletes of nearly every age to take them?

* Creatine is a compound that your body naturally creates, but it can also be found over the counter as a supplement. Using this compound helps athletes recover after a workout. It also promises to increase muscle mass and strength. Besides the good that it can do, it can cause weight gain, nausea, and muscle cramps. If taken incorrectly or in large amounts, it can cause kidney damage.

* Anabolic steroids are the most common performance-enhancing compounds. They build muscle and increase strength which is why bodybuilders and football players use it so often. This drug can halt bone growth which can be particularly hazardous for teens that are still growing. They can also cause heart and liver damage.

* Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the only steroid precursor that is available over the counter. All other forms are illegal without a prescription. They are used to build muscle mass and have similar side effects as those of steroids.

It’s important for your teenage athlete to know that you love them, no matter how well they perform in sports. You may want to discuss your expectations of them as an athlete and you as a parent. Let them know their health and safety is more important than athletic prowess.

Don’t expect your teenage athlete to bring up the subject of using performance-enhancing drugs. Instead, you’ll want to broach the subject. Talk to your teen about the proper way to care for their body, and how doing so will help them be a better athlete naturally. Most importantly, explain to your teenager how dangerous these performance-enhancing drugs are, especially to still-growing teenage bodies.

Teenage athletes want to be successful at their chosen sport. They may feel that using performance-enhancing drugs is the only way to accomplish that. Remember that your teenage athlete is smarter than you may give them credit for. It’s alright if you ask them tough questions. Do your best to talk to them so they understand your expectations and concerns about performance-enhancing drugs and their potential use or use of them.

Exercise Safety Tips for Kids

It is estimated that over 3 million kids suffer injuries when exercising, whether it’s running, bike riding, or becoming overheated due to overexertion.  In an effort to avoid any injuries, kids need to follow safety guidelines when involved in any form of rigorous or playful exercises.

Running:  Stretching exercises should be performed to prepare the body for any type of physical activity.  In addition, kids should cool down after each activity.

Bike Riding:  Wearing a helmet, elbow and knee pads will protect kids from serious injury if they fall off or have a collision while riding.

Sports:  When playing any type of sport, proper gear should be worn to protect kids from injury, including helmets, and knee and elbow pads.  Notice should be taken to ensure the playground or park is in ideal condition for kids to play, as well as any equipment utilized in parks such as swings, monkey bars, teeter-totters, and other stationary equipment which kids utilize.

Dehydration:  When running or engaging in any sport, drinking water should be a primary concern so that kids do not overheat and/or pass out from heat exhaustion.

Health:  Before any kids begin exercise routines or participate in sports, it is a good idea to have them checked by a physician to ensure they are physically able to exercise in any form.  Some kids may be limited due to conditions such as asthma.

Supervision:  Kids who play in parks or on sports teams require supervision, that is, a parent or sports doctor who can assist an injured child while, at the same time, ensuring the kids are having a good time.

Exercising can be a fun activity, but oftentimes kids may not realize they are overexerting themselves and can run into a problem.   More importantly, they may feel invincible when taking on an exercise such as bike riding or team sports and not wear the proper equipment.  Encouraging kids to exercise and participate in sports is important, but teaching them the proper way to do it, without injury, is paramount.

Why not start running and enjoy the benefits of getting fit in the convenience of your home? This solid and durable treadmill is designed with serious runners in mind and gives excellent quality for money. It comes with really fantastic features.

When ready to use, this treadmill easily drops into place and it is just as easy to fold and wheel away for storage.

A special feature is the patented Swing ArmTM Suspension System that is designed to cushion your steps when running and therefore, not only will you have a smooth running experience, but it will also protect yourself from injuries to the hips, knees and back.

The Smooth 6.25 is ultra quiet when running. It is built with the special Whisper WeaveTM Belt that makes it one of the quietest treadmills on the market.

It comes with 8 preset incline and speed programs that can be changed quickly and easily as well as 15 levels of incline. The handgrip pulse monitors reads your pulse and automatically adjust the intensity of your workout in order to achieve the optimal fat burning or endurance training specifically for you and your needs. For hands-free running, there is also the option of purchasing a wireless chest strap for heart rate monitoring.

The design and layout of the LED console computer is very easy to read and it simultaneously displays distance, calories, speed, time and pulse.

The treadmill comes with a lifetime warranty on the motor as well as the frame and also has a 5 year warranty on all parts, including 1 year in home service.

In terms of quality, stability and features, this treadmill gives you excellent value for money as well as enjoyment and a better, healthier lifestyle.

Exercising is healthy, but have you ever thought of paying attention to your heart as well when doing sport?

Heart rate monitors can help you achieve more and are vital for your general fitness. Many runners and sports people use monitors on a regular basis to help improve their level of fitness.

The Cardio Sport Impulse 9 Heart Monitor will give you all the information you need to know to ensure you and your heart will stay in shape. One feature of the monitor is the display and monitoring of maximum, average and minimum heart rates over an exercise period. It also comes with a high and low heart audible target zone alarm in one beat increment.

Others features are:

* Time of day
* Calendar
* 10hour stopwatch
* 10hour single and repeat countdown timer
* Daily Alarm Function
* Lightweight transmitter belt
* Water resistant
* ECG accurate

As part of your exercise regime, Cardio Sport Impulse 9 Heart monitor is a must have piece of equipment and will help you to exercise at just the right level to get results and to stay healthy. Cardiosport Heart Rate Monitors help you train and exercise at a right intensity, not too heavy and not too light, but just the correct intensity based on your workout goals.

Choosing the Right Walking Shoe

Take an inventory of your shoes and determine how many pairs are most comfortable for walking. How many did you choose? One? Two?  Choosing the right walking shoe is essential in preventing foot injuries and other problems.

Sure, buying a pair of the latest styles might be fashionable, but can you honestly wear them all day without grimacing in pain?  Years ago, a good pair of walking shoes consisted of one style which was not at all flattering.  Today, however, you have a wide variety of good walking shoes to choose from, and it is in your best interest to keep your feet healthy by selecting the appropriate walking shoe.

Some of the types of shoes which you can choose are those that are shaped like your feet and provide more toe room.  With tight shoes, you run the risk of bunions, blisters, calluses, and a host of other conditions which can make your life miserable.

According to leading podiatrists, shoes should be comfortable. You should be able to wiggle your toes, and the shoes should have a sole that flexes at the ball of your foot.
Also, it is important to wear the proper size. More often than not, if there is a pair of shoes we have to have, but are a bit smaller, we make the sacrifice. The end result, however, is more pain.

Have your feet sized when you go to the shoe store. As you get older, changes occur to the feet in that their size and shape become more pronounced.

The next time you are sitting at your desk or at home, and you suddenly find you’ve taken off your shoes because they are causing pain, this may be a good time to visit a good shoe store. They will not only measure your feet, but provide you with a variety of shoes more comfortable for wearing.