Thursday, April 9, 2009

Weight and Attitude

Here's an article from the ACE (American Council on Exercise) Fitness website. ACE was my first personal training certification and I've always liked their professionalism. The article is about our attitudes toward body size, and how despite an ever increasing number of diet products, exercise methods, and lower fat foods, the American waistline is only increasing. The article reminds us that the focus shouldn't be on dropping to a smaller size, or hitting a lower number on the scale. The focus should be on healthier living. With the focus on healthier living, the inches and pounds will both drop, without a concurrent drop in self-esteem.

An attitude adjustment in the right direction is something we all need.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Cardiovascular exercise and insulin sensitivity

We've long known the benefits of cardiovascular exercise in its prevention of heart disease. Here is a recent study linking the benefits of cardiovascular exercise with the prevention and possibly even treatment of Type II Diabetes. Cardiovascular exercise was shown to increase insulin sensitivity in all the trial subjects, but especially in those with a previously higher insulin resistance. Although the article only specifically mentions the benefits for women, that is the nature of scientific research, and the findings of the study can also be assumed for men.