Living a healthier lifestyle doesn't only mean you need to work out regularly and eat right. You can get in shape and conserve the planet's resources by 'greenifying' your routine! Here are some easy ways to make your workouts more eco-friendly:

1. Use a sports bottle, not a water bottle. Skip the convenience of plastic water bottles and fill your own sports bottle instead. All that extra plastic is just going to a landfill, so you can take a greener approach simply by using a flask or portable bottle throughout your workout and busy day.

2. Walk to the gym. If you live just a couple of miles from the gym, consider walking or jogging there as part of your workout. You'll be saving emissions from the car, and it's a great way to get outdoors for some fresh air before your gym routine.

3. Wear vegetarian shoes. Vegan and vegetarian shoes are made without leather, but are just as sturdy and strong as regular styles. Vegan shoes are typically made with recycled materials and natural fibers such as hemp, natural cotton and bamboo. Narrow down your search for green shoes as you walk the walk with your eco-friendly lifestyle.

4. Use organic towels. Do you need to carry around an extra towel or two when you hit the gym? Wick away sweat and moisture with organic towels that will show your support for the planet and get the job done. Organic towels are made with supersoft bamboo cotton and natural fibers, and can easily be stashed in your gym bag or tote for your workout routine.

5. Snack on organic foods. From organic energy bars, to trail mix, to granola, make sure your diet is healthy by snacking on organic foods between meals, or before a workout. Organic, unprocessed snacks can give you that much-needed energy boost you need and support your healthy, and green, lifestyle.

There are dozens of ways to 'go green' and enjoy a healthier lifestyle, and you can use any of these strategies to ensure your workout routine not only helps you achieve your health goals, but also supports the planet!

When times are tough, families often give up healthy habits in order to save money. There's no denying the fact that unhealthy foods are less expensive or that gym memberships can put a strain on your wallet. Luckily, there are creative solutions that allow you to continue living a healthy lifestyle, even when you're on a budget. That's exactly what this blog is about. Each week, we'll discuss easy ways to continue living a healthy lifestyle while maintaining a budget. This week, let's discuss gym memberships.

When living on a budget, even a $60 a month gym membership can seem expensive. That's money that could be used towards groceries or other more important expenses. On the other hand, a $25 membership doesn't seem so bad. This is where places like The Y and community colleges come in handy. For unbelievably low prices, you'll be able to workout without breaking your budget. Best of all, some places even offer daycare services at affordable rates.

If you want to save even more money, look for free options. Many communities have recreational centers and parks that are free to local residents. This means you'll have access to walking trails, tennis and basketball courts, exercise equipment, and swimming pools. If you live in a community that charges a small fee, consider volunteering your time in exchange for using the services for free.

The simple truth is that a gym membership doesn't have to cost a small fortune each month. You don't have to give up this part of your healthy lifestyle in order to pay your monthly bills. Do a quick internet search, or even open the local phone book, and look for less expensive alternatives. I must offer one last bit of advice though. Read the fine print before signing up at expensive gyms offering low upfront prices. As with many other services, you may get trapped in a longer agreement that requires expensive payments down the road.

Now, what are you waiting for? Get back to the gym and your healthy way of living.

When most people think about jumping rope the picture of little girls laughing and playing comes to mind. What many people don't realize is that jumping rope is one of the best exercises and has many benefits for adults. It is a great way to burn calories, strengthen your heart, increase your stamina, and tone your muscles. Jumping rope for only 15 minutes at a moderate pace can burn up to 200 calories. That is more than walking, running, biking, and aerobics.

Not only does jumping rope have amazing health benefits, it is also a very cheap exercise to do. A good jump rope will only cost you anywhere from $15-$25 and will last you for a long time. A jump rope and a supportive pair of athletic shoes is all you need to get started with this exercise. Also, jumping rope can be done just about anywhere. It can be done outside, in the basement of your home and at your local gym. A jump rope is small enough that you can pack it in your suitcase and have a workout right there for your trip.

Jumping rope can be a workout all by itself or it can be incorporate with other exercises such as running, biking, and aerobics. It can be used as a warm-up for 10 minutes or can be incorporated into your interval training.

If you plan on using your jump rope alone as your complete workout, the best way to do this is to learn different jump rope exercises and techniques. To get a full workout, you don't just have to simply do the classic jumping rope. You can do double jumps which is one jump with two passes of the rope around your body. You can do jumping on one leg and alternate your legs. You can do crisscross jumping rope in which you cross your arms and jump over the rope with every other jump of the rope. Or you can try get the maximum workout and aim to increase your speed. When trying to increase your speed, think about professional boxers and how fast they jump rope.

Jumping rope is an efficient and convenient exercise that will work your whole body and burn calories quickly. It is definitely not just for little girls.

The weekend is finally here, which means it's time to kick back, relax and enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation. If you're trying to get in shape this season, weekends are also opportune times for squeezing in a great workout. Those two days off can be well spent at the gym or undertaking a high-energy routine, but you probably won't feel like pushing yourself too hard on your vacation from the office.

Here are some fun and easy exercises you can do that are not only enjoyable, but will also blast off several hundred calories per hour and the best part is, you can squeeze them into your weekend schedule with ease:

1. Rollerblading. Rollerblading is a great total body workout, a challenging routine that will get your hamstrings, thighs and glutes in great shape! Just strap on a pair of rollerblades and a helmet, and head out to an area skate park or biking trail for a fun calorie-burning activity.

2. Boating. If you're the outdoorsy type, hit the lake on a canoe or kayak for a great upper body workout. Not only will you be giving your core muscles and abdominals a wake-up call, but you'll also get a killer adrenaline rush that will keep you pumped all weekend long.

3. Cross-country skiing. Head out to the nearest ski park for a fun cross-country skiing adventure across the trails. You don't need real snow to make the most of this adventure that will give your upper and lower body a serious challenge. This activity also burns several hundred calories per hour.

4. Running. If you're used to hitting the treadmill all week, take your activity outdoors and go for a long run at an area park or down a biking trail. The change of scenery will do your body - and mind - some good, and you can team up with a friend or group of runners for a fun, calorie-burning adventure.

5. Swimming. Hit the pool for an energizing and fun workout that will get your body in tip-top shape. Swimming is a great way to give large and small muscle groups a vigorous workout, and it's also a fun routine to look forward to each week.

Most everyone gets depressed from time to time, and many cases do not need drugs, counseling, or hospitalization. What we eat and drink, and how much activity we have in our lives, can directly affect our mood. When we load our bodies up on sodas, fried fast foods, potato chips, and desserts, our moods changes. At first, we may feel more energetic. But once the sugar or carb high wears off - here come the blues.

Some cases of depression are more serious, and do require a doctor's intervention. When someone is suicidal or hearing voices, they need immediate medical care. But for the cases where it's a feeling of blahs and a lack of energy, putting on a pair of tennis shoes and doing some exercise can help turn it around.

Exercise creates endorphins, which are the body's "feel good" chemicals. People pursue this through through many personal activities. But taking a simple walk or doing a little bit of dancing can give your body and mind that natural high it needs - and unlike the one created by sugars and starches, you won't crash back down into depression afterwards.

Even seriously depressed people, once they are out of medical danger, are likely going to be told by their doctors and therapists to walk or do some form of exercise every day. They are going to feel better when they don't eat junk food.

Weight gain is also depressing in itself. Making small changes, like even one walk a week or dropping a few sodas a week, can and do add up over time. Then you can fit into those exercise pants you always wanted but felt you might never get to wear. Walking up the block requires minimal time investment, and no money.

Exercise is nature's antidepressant. Even if you aren't depressed, it can stop you from getting that way. There really are more benefits to fitness and good eating than a healthy, fit physical body. When striving for success in your fitness and diet regimen, don't forget you also need to take care of your mind.

When it comes to shopping for shoes, there's a huge generation gap between the elders (senior citizens, baby boomers) and our kids and grandkids. In fact, shoe shopping often involves a rare generation gap. Think about. Men of senior citizen and baby boomers status, with some exceptions, generally are not persnickety about our shoe-shopping. We want our dress shoes to look good and we know how to do a spit-shine, but shoes are not a big issue.

I*t's the women, among senior citizens and baby boomers, who are really into shoes.* Women in their golden years may make shoe connections with Nancy Reagan, among others. The First Lady of the 1980s was into fashion, down to her shoes, and she didn't shy away behind pastel shades, opting first for vivid red. We also may consider Imelda Marcos of the Philippines, who like Nancy Reagan is still with us at this writing, with ownership of her estimated 2,500 pairs of shoes. That's a different pair every day for seven years!

But now, seniors and boomers, let's consider our offspring and their offspring. Starting somewhere during the late 1980s, it seems that the males have become far more interested in their footwear. This has roots in sneakers, especially Michael Jordan's signature Air Jordans, and the interest in shoes among younger men has extended into dress shoes.

Our lesson? If women are so interested in shoes, we can only logically surmise that women also are interested in the footwear of their male partners, perhaps more than the men realize. This is where senior citizens and baby boomers of the male persuasion may learn from their children and grandchildren. Pay attention to your footwear! The lady in your life is doing so, regardless of age.

Platform Shoes from the Disco Era
Celebrate the disco era of the late 1970s, when platform shoes were the "in" thing? The Mint Museum of Art of Charlotte, N.C., is hosting "The Heights of Fashion: Platform Shoes Then and Now," all the way through April 1, 2010. If you're a shoe lover who lives in the region or is visiting, check it out!

SOURCES
http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Aging/2007/7-04-12-PainFree.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imelda_Marcos
http://www.charlottecultureguide.com/event.php?id=6231

People tend to think that push ups are just for men or just for someone looking to get buff. In actuality, push ups are an excellent exercise to help develop upper body strength and get toned arms. Some women tend to stay away from push ups thinking that they will get too muscular, but women are not designed the same way as men. Push ups will not make a woman look like a man. What many women don't know is that push ups can actually help a women look better with a firmer chest, which means it may look larger and slimmer arms won't flap in the wind when you wave goodbye.

Here is how to do a classic push up:

1. Get down on the floor on your hands and toes so that your hands are approximately shoulder-length apart or slightly wider. Your body should form a straight line with your butt no higher than your back and shoulders.

2. Bend your elbows as you lower your entire body towards the floor.

3. Lower yourself until your chest is almost hitting the floor, but remember to lower your entire body, keeping it in a straight line.

4. Straighten your arms to push yourself back up to starting position.

Beginners or anybody who doesn't have the best upper body strength should start with their knees on the ground. Just like in a classic push up, be sure to lower the entire body and keep the butt down. Also, push ups can be done against a wall, if you would rather develop your strength that way. Wall push ups are much easier than classic ones and are a good option if you back problems as well.

For a more advanced workout, try different arm positions. Spread your arms out wider or move them in closer. Try placing your thumbs right next to each other, forming a diamond with your finger for a variation exercise. When you get really good, you can go for exercises such as one arm push ups and one leg push ups, which will definitely work your arms and chest like you will not believe

It's been a long and stressful day at the office, or you've been blessed with looking after a gaggle of young kids over the Spring Break holiday. Whatever the case may be, hitting the gym for a workout or even your new exercise regimen suddenly disappeared into the abyss of the priority list. Working out regularly promises dozens of health benefits, including lower blood pressure, decreased stress levels and even a better sense of well being. Unfortunately, most of us don't make enough time to meet our weekly minimum requirements; when health and fitness take a backseat, we also put ourselves at risk for fatigue and stress.

Fear not! There are some ways to schedule a workout into even the busiest schedule. If your calendar is packed to the brim with to-do items, here are some ways to sneak in a workout or two in your busy day:

Spend Mondays with a Personal Trainer
If you can invest in a personal trainer, get your week off on the right start with a one-on-one session first thing on Monday morning. If you can't spare the cash for a trainer, enlist a buddy instead; make a commitment to hit the gym together first thing on Monday to kick those post-weekend blues together and get a positive start on fitness for the week ahead.

Become an Early Riser
If you're already getting up early to head to the office or wake up the kids for school, set your alarm for 45 minutes earlier than usual to get a head start on your day. Just 30 minutes of vigorous activity - jump roping, speed walking or a quick jog - is enough to get your metabolism in gear and burn fat all day long. Keep those running shoes by your bedside and throw on your workout gear before the household begins their day.

Make the Most of Lunch Hour
Have 15 minutes to spare during lunch hour? Change into some walking shoes and hit the streets for a power walking session. If you live in the city, this is a great way to window shop and explore new neighborhoods. If you're in the country, enjoy the fresh air and great outdoors while burning a few extra calories!

Some people dread the word lunges when it comes to exercise, but lunges are one of the best exercises to work your lower body. They can help tighten and tone your calves, hamstrings (back of your legs), quadriceps (thighs) and also slim down your hips and stomach, while lifting your butt. That is a lot for a simple exercise. Add in some arms raises or biceps curls with weights and you can get in a total body workout. Best of all, there are different variations of lunges that work to specifically target a certain muscle in your lower body.

Here is how to do the basic lunge:

1. Stand with your feet approximately hip-width apart with your hands on your hips or down by your sides holding dumbbells.

2. Take one big step forward with one of your legs.

3. Bend the knee of your front leg until your thigh is parallel with the ground as you also bend the back leg so that the knee comes down towards the ground. The back leg should be balanced on your toes.

4. Raise yourself back up and step your front leg back to the starting position.

5. Do your set on your one leg and then switch your lead leg to work both legs evenly.

As mentioned, there are quite a few varieties of lunges that you can do. With a static lunge you don't take your step forward, but just drop your back knee down into a lunge position. Side lunges are a little bit different movement as you are taking a step out to the side and lunging that way instead of stepping forward. A side lunge works more of your inner and outer thigh as well as your hips.

You can also add other fitness equipment into your lunge workout. Add resistance bands under your feet to make your legs work harder. Or place your back foot up on a step to switch the focus of the exercise almost entirely on the front leg and thigh.

Be sure that you have a good pair of tennis shoes on when doing lunges so you do not injure yourself.

Lunges are a great exercise to add to your exercise routine. They also make a great addition to any circuit training routine as well. If you want toned and tighter legs and butt, then you need to start practicing your lunges.

As much as we want to believe that losing ten pounds in ten days is possible, the reality is that those pounds aren't going to budge without some hard work and a plan. Fitness gurus have been telling us for years that extreme diets and fast-track fitness plans are nothing short of a fad. Still, thousands of people still jump onto the latest diet trend in hopes of shaving off extra pounds in a flash.

Not so fast, grasshopper.

Whether you're hoping to compete in a marathon this year or want to get yourself in summer-ready shape, the 'slow and steady' mantra will probably get you further. The American Council on Exercise points out that strength training, interval training and cardio exercise are the most important elements of a get-in-shape routine. Create and follow a plan that works for you; for weeks, months and even years. You can start by breaking up your training into different types throughout the course of the week; focus on cardio one day and strength training the next to make the most of your workout.

Some other ways to take the slow and steady route:

1. Don't do crash diets. Focus instead on leaning out your meals and cutting back on portions of foods you actually enjoy. This will take the pressure of eating 'diet food' off your shoulders, and will let you enjoy all foods in moderation.

2. Schedule your workouts. Get into the exercise habit by scheduling exercise into your appointment book or calendar. Sticking with your commitment is much easier when you make an appointment to just do it.

3. Clean up your eating habits. Eat more water-based and natural foods, increase your fiber intake and drink more water to keep your metabolism running at peak efficiency. Get into the habit of drinking more water by carrying around a sports bottle.

4. Be realistic. Don't set unachievable goals that will leave you frustrated and less likely to stick with your plans. Focus on making small, healthy changes to your lifestyle instead.

5. Log your time. Keep track of your workouts by logging in hours or exercises into a journal or calendar.

Learning fitness training tips is an important element of any exercise program. There are some very basic ways to incorporate to safely exercise.

Warming Up
A brief warm up is one of the most critically important fitness training tips. People often overlook this step and increase their risk of injuries when exercising. Even exercise videos don't always provide a warm-up, so it is important to take just a few minutes before starting any fitness program to do so. You can walk slowly in a circle and do basic stretches and push-ups.

Too Much Muscle Training
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Overusing strength training workouts such as dumbbell moves can tear the small fibers of your muscles and even decrease muscle mass. Most strength training should be done every other day, unless you are a professional bodybuilder.

Not Eating Enough Carbohydrates
People on low or no-carb diets put their muscles at risk when they exercise. Eating whole grains and not white flour is a good way to promote good health and fitness.

Not Drinking Enough Water
Always drink water before, during and after an intense workout. Failure to hydrate properly could lead to severe health problems such as heatstroke.

Exercising for Too Long
Too much exercise is a bad thing, because it can cause the ending of periods in women, promote bone loss and damage muscles. Working out more than 90 minutes a day is usually considered excessive.

Lack of Proper Shoes
Some people do indoor walking videos without proper tennis shoes or wear work shoes to the gym. Getting a good pair of men's sneakers or women's workout shoes is extremely important to avoid injuries, especially in those who carry extra weight.

Cooling Down
Cooling down, especially after a hard cardio workout, is important to ease your body back into normal activity. Walking slowly and stretching are great ways to cool down after any aerobic workout.

Implementing fitness training tips is easy to do, whether you want to walk in your neighborhood, workout at the gym or use an exercise video at home.