Mommy Blog, Tips & Ideas
Exercise & Weight Loss
Little Known Ways to Start the Mediterranean Diet
May 4th
a) Can people still enjoy weight loss and effective weight management even if Mediterranean diet is high in fat?
It is true that Mediterranean diet is high in fats. However, these are healthy fats consisting of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. The American diet is rich in saturated fat which is unhealthy. Generally, the fat content of a diet does not determine weight loss. It is the calorie intake of people that is decisive. Mediterranean diet provides plenty of healthy benefits but if you will not reduce your caloric intake, then you will never lose weight.
b) What makes the Mediterranean diet different from the common American diet?
Americans consume high numbers of red meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, while the Mediterranean includes very little. The diet also differs from the typical American diet through its dependence on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oil, beans, breads, cereals, and potatoes.
c) Why people in the Mediterranean have lower heart disease?
Research has indicated that the foods in the Mediterranean diet play an important role in lowering heart disease. Research also indicates that the Mediterranean diet requires a more holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle than most other diets.
d) Does regular exercise has a place in the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle?
Exercise is always essential no matter what type of diet you follow. The best thing about the Mediterranean diet is that it encourages daily regular exercises as part of the holistic approach to achieve a healthy lifestyle. When this type of diet was introduced in the sixties, exercise and physical activities were already part of the culture of the Mediterranean people. For your minimum exercise needs, you have to take a daily one-hour walk and weekly full body exercise.
e) Is there a difference between a Low Carb Diet and Mediterranean Diet?
Mediterranean diet is substantially different from Low Carb diet. For one thing, the Mediterranean program has lower protein component. You will only get 15 percent calories from the protein of Mediterranean diet.
f) Wine has always been part of the Mediterranean diet. What is the recommended daily amount for wine?
The rule of thumb is to consume wine in moderate amounts. Men should get 5 percent of their daily calorie intake from wine. For women, the calorie consumption from wine should be 2.5 percent.
g) A word of advice for dieters
The Mediterranean lifestyle is most effective when including a range of root vegetables, foods high in omega-3 acids, and vegetable oils such as flaxseed or canola. Along with fruits, breads, and cereals, these foods may lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.
About the Author – Eva Alexander writes for mediterranean diet weight loss , her personal hobby blog focused on tips to eat healthy on the Mediterranean way.
Family Fun Exercise: Bike Riding
Apr 26th
Exercise and a proper diet are fundamental to good health. As we have become conscious of various health risks, we want our family to be physically and emotionally healthy as well. To this end, family fun exercise: bike riding, is one way in which parents and kids can not only enjoy exercise, but benefit from it as well.
Whether the family goes out for a traditional bike ride after dinner, or reserves this activity for the weekends, it is important that exercise be part of a family’s routine. Bike
riding is a fun activity, but should be approached in a safe manner. If you have not been on a bike for a while, there are certain safety tips you’ll need to adhere to. To ensure you and your family enjoys this activity; you’ll need to have the proper equipment.
* Helmets
* Knee pads
* Elbow Pads
* A tail light and white headlight for evening rides
* Wear bright colored clothing
* Always ride in the same direction the traffic is flowing
* Ensure the tires are fully inflated
* Wear sneakers
You may ask why you need this equipment. Unlike years ago, when we went bike riding without protection, any fall caused breaks, strains and sometimes – head injuries. Today, these pieces of equipment are vital to the protection of you and your family. Anything could happen when bike riding. Your child may hit a bump in the road; or run into a curb; whatever the case – it is better to be safe than sorry. Whether you ride around in your neighborhood, or use bike paths at your local park, ensure you follow all of the safety guidelines.
Family fun exercise: bike riding can be an enjoyable experience. Seeing mom and dad at the helm and the kids close behind, everyone is having a great time and engaging in good healthy exercise. When this horrible winter is over, take the family bikes out of the garage and begin a Saturday routine with your family. Can you feel the warm breeze against your face? Ah, spring is just around the corner.
Combat Spring Fever with These Outdoor Activities
Apr 25th
Your children have been indoors and are just about ready to burst. Well before they do, here are some ideas to combat spring fever with these outdoor activities.
As soon as you get a whiff of the spring air, open the doors and let your kids out. They may run around the backyard for awhile, or they may want to engage in some activities to release all of their pent up energy. Invite some of their friends over; but before you do, put out the soccer net and/or the basketball hoop. Or, you can gather them all up and take them to your local park. They will never run out of things to do their. If the weather is windy, take along some kits too.
Another idea is to take the kids to the zoo, or to a petting farm. Or you can take the bikes out of the garage and go biking riding at your local park. Bring along a baseball, bat and mitts and play a four inning game. Or have a picnic, weather permitting! Not only are these activities great for your kids, but you’ve probably been itching to get out and about yourself.
Maybe you would like to start preparing your garden for spring. Assign different tasks to the kids – they love to get their hands in dirt! Have them rake some leaves and put them into a pile for compost. If they want to stomp on the leaves, let them. This will tear and chop the leaves which will allow for quicker decomposition.
You could also set up a table outside and have the kids paint the birdhouses you or your spouse has been building all winter. Then the kids could select where they would like them to be hung. You can combat spring fever with these outdoor activities. While these are just a few ideas, undoubtedly you have your own ideas which you’ve been thinking about the last few months.
Start Your Own Home Gym!
Mar 23rd
Were you one of the millions who made losing weight a New Year’s resolution? How are you doing? If you’re having problems making it to the gym, why not start your own home gym?
Let’s face it, having a gym membership is no guarantee that your fitness goals will be reached. In fact, having to pack up and drive to the gym makes it harder to stick with a new exercise program. If you’re able to create a home gym, you’re much more likely to adhere to the program and be a success.
If you’ve already bought an annual membership, it may be a good idea to take advantage of it as much as you can. Head out to the gym to see what machines are there. The trainers at the gym will be able to teach you how to properly use each one. After you’re comfortable using the machines at the gym you’ll have a better idea of what machines you’d like for your home gym. This will also ensure that you’re using any equipment you buy properly and that you can teach others to use it correctly, too.
Perhaps there are others in your family who would benefit from losing some weight or getting healthier. Setting up a home gym would be much cheaper than paying for an annual gym membership for each family member, especially if you’re unlikely to actually use it.
Set up any exercise equipment you buy in a specific location where it will be out of the way but easily accessible to those who want to use it. Not only can you or other family members shape up, everyone can improve their health as they lose weight.
Of course, most exercise equipment is not designed for children, so you’ll want to be sure that children never use it on their own. There should always be an adult supervising, to ensure they’re using the equipment safely and properly. In fact, to be sure children don’t use the equipment without your permission you may want to keep it in a room you can lock.
Design your home gym so you can do all exercises without a spotter unless your partner intends to work out with you. You can still include a treadmill, stationary bike, rebounder, dumbbells or bands, rubber mats, and possibly a television with DVD player to be able to work on aerobic exercises, as well.
You’ll definitely want to do more than weight training; you’ll want to include aerobic exercise, too. This can be done with an exercise video, or by walking or running outside. Try to choose exercises that you enjoy and that you know you’ll do no matter what the weather outside.
No matter which equipment you choose for your home gym, remember it won’t do you or anyone else in your family any good if you don’t use it. You can get your weight back under control as well as help lower your blood pressure and reduce problems associated with some diseases like diabetes. And it will help you feel better.
Fitness Equipment – What You Have to Consider!
Mar 19th
Losing weight and getting into shape is a national pastime, especially when bikini weather is right around the corner. If you’re considering buying fitness equipment, you may want to consider which equipment would be best for you. You’ll also want to learn where to buy the equipment you want.
One of the benefits of buying and setting up fitness equipment in your home is that you don’t have to make a special trip to go work out at a gym. You can set up a home gym in a spare bedroom, basement, or garage. No longer can you use hating to get out in bad weather as an excuse to keep you from exercising. With equipment in your home, that is a moot point.
Before you rush out and buy the latest exercise equipment, however, consider if you’re truly serious about starting an exercise program. Consider the types of exercise you enjoy. If you’re really not interested in bicycling, buying a stationary bike probably isn’t a good choice for you. Choose fitness activities you enjoy and will actually do.
A good pair of shoes is a must, no matter which exercise equipment you choose. You may also want to invest in some free weights or exercise bands for resistance training. If aerobics is more your speed, consider setting up a television and DVD player in your home gym. Choosing carefully which equipment to buy will help you save money because you’ll only spend it on equipment that you plan to use.
Look at your local newspaper or weekly advertiser. They may advertise a gym that’s going out of business and is selling their equipment to the public. There may also be used exercise equipment available through individuals. Sometimes you can find used equipment at yard sales or thrift stores.
Another place to look when thinking about buying exercise equipment is online auction sites. While you probably wouldn’t want to purchase a large piece of equipment that has to be shipped long distance, you may find some available closer to home that you could go and pick up rather than having it delivered.
Think about how much money you want and have to spend on fitness equipment. If you don’t have very much in your budget right now, you may want to consider purchasing an exercise ball or a set of dumbbells. Stay away from exercise equipment advertised through infomercials on television. Even if they have a money back guarantee, you may still end up losing money if you decide not to keep the equipment.
A Step Aerobic Step is a good choice for a new home gym. Not only is this small enough to store out of your way, it’s an excellent choice for cardio activities. An exercise or stability ball is another multi-purpose piece of exercise equipment. Resistance bands and tubes would also be a great addition to your home gym.
Look around your home – if money is tight you can use common household items for exercise equipment until you can afford something more. Canned goods and filled water jugs can be used for weights. If you’re trying to do sit-ups, why not place your feet under the edge of your couch?
You want to know what to buy and where to buy fitness equipment when you’re considering starting a home gym. The above ideas will help you consider what you need, and then know where to get the items when you’ve finally made your decision.
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