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Science Daily found some research from the University of Minnesota that says that if you are on a diet you might spend money impulsively. This is something that has always seemed intuitive me. The scientists theory is that people have one "bucket" of focus or will-power to apply to all areas of their life. If you use it all on saving money, your focus won't be on losing weight and ...
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I know I’ve been a little quiet around here lately. I’ve been working on hard on redefining my life and my goals for the new year. Along those lines, I’ve penned a couple of articles for Lazy Man and Money that are about general productivity - not about personal finance. I think they’d be of very good value to readers of Lazy Man and Health looking to achieve their health / fitness goals this year:
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Posted by Lazy Man on January 8, 2009
in Productivity.
So I’ve been enjoying my new gym membership - but I’ve only been going on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The main reason I joined the gym was to do Body Pump workouts with my wife (get your mind out of the gutter). Unfortunately my gym only seems to offer them on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It’s recommended that you take a day off between workouts. This means I can only go Wednesdays and Fridays/Saturdays or Thursday and Saturday. Sadly they have multiple classes on each of these of these days. Would it kill my gym to move one of the classes to Monday class so that I could go three times a week?
I’m trying to motivate myself to do my own workout on Mondays, but as of now I always seem to have a pile of writing to do. I’m sure it’s just a matter of re-prioritizing things. Even if that doesn’t work I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since I tried the 100 Pushup Challenge. Maybe I should give that another go in a few weeks to compare my strength from then until now.
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Posted by Lazy Man on December 19, 2008
in Exercise.
Did I trick you with that title? Is any kind of weight gain “inevitable”? I say no. There are many misconceptions out there that at certain points in our life weight gain may seem inevitable, but that’s not necessary the case. Whether it is the freshman 15, the weight the creeps on during menopause, or middle-age spread, it is very easy to think we are doomed to gain weight no matter what. You can beat these inevitable gains with careful attention to your diet and a proper exercise plan you don’t have to worry about extra weight gain.
That is not to say that there are not medications or medical problems that do lead to weight gain. That is another problem entirely. For this article, I’m focusing rather on the mindset that weight gain is inevitable at certain stages of our lives. Once you get past this mindset it is much easier to start developing a solution and when you have a heads up about the potential to gain weight, you will have all the tools you need to avoid it.
Why not start with the freshman 15? It is quite common for students to put on weight once they leave home and have to make their own food choices. Many students are suddenly presented with numerous fast food options at the cafeteria and when they are pressed for time or stressed it is all too easy to make a bad food decision. Instead of reaching for that piece of pizza, it is important to recognize this behavior and take steps prevent it. While much of this is dependent on the emphasis that is placed on healthy food at home, students can make their own choices once they realize the damage they can do to their health by eating the wrong kinds of food.
Menopause is another major problem for women and in some cases it is more difficult to avoid gaining weight during this period of your life. However with care and diet adjustment it is possible to avoid gaining weight while you are going through menopause. The key is understanding how many calories your body needs at this point. Many of us do not realize that as we age, our caloric needs decrease. Speak with your doctor about your concerns of menopausal weight gain and determine how many calories you actually do need.
Last up is middle-age spread. If left unchecked, you can easily gain weight during middle-age, especially as you become less active. Once again we are dealing with the fact that our caloric needs change as we age and we may not be getting enough exercise during this stage in our lives. By recognizing those early on you can take steps to prevent middle-age spread and that is a lot easier than trying to fix it once it has occurred.
There is a lot to be said for having a healthy diet plan and exercise plan no matter how old you are. Take the time to listen to your body and learn what it needs. No one needs to be a slave to weight gain, and with proper care and attention it is possible to avoid so-called inevitable weight gain.
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Posted by Lazy Man on December 11, 2008
in Weight Loss.
On Friday of last week, I made an executive decision, I joined my wife’s gym. This is against the frugal lifestyle that Lazy Man and Money readers would expect. After all, I have a gym in my apartment complex that is free.
When it came down to it, I realized that the motivation for going to my free gym wasn’t there. The equipment isn’t the best and since it’s always there I don’t go. However, going with my wife is a different story. We’ve got the buddy system working for us. Also, the gym has Body Pump classes which have been fantastic thus far. It’s like having a personal trainer there for me. I wake with more “good soreness” than I’ve had in years of gym workouts on my own.
In the end, the price of $29 a month for a gym in Silicon Valley seems to be worth it. I don’t know if this will transform my stomach into a set of six pack abs, but it seems like a smart move in the right direction - something that I sorely need at this point.
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Posted by Lazy Man on December 1, 2008
in Exercise.
Many people fear that if the commit to a home exercise workout that they will not follow through with it since it didn’t cost any money and no one is monitoring what is going on it wouldn’t be a big deal to skip a day or two. Obviously it is not the best choice for everyone. Another reason why people might shy away from home exercise programs is because they lack the necessary space or maybe they can’t afford the equipment. However, for many they wouldn’t consider any other way. There is so much exercise equipment on the market today and records clearly show that this equipment is being sold at record numbers. Those who wouldn’t dare to exercise anywhere but home claim that it’s safe, free and offers all of the privacy that you could ever need.
Failure to stay focused is likely the number one problem with home fitness. A great cardiovascular program consists of nothing other than walking. Other forms of home or office fitness programs include “Isometric or Aerobic Exercises.” Many people opt for the infamous exercise DVDs and videos where they can pop them into the payer and exercise right with the coach. Again, privacy is the main benefit, especially for females, the fact that you can do it whenever you want to without having to travel, being able to save on gas and eventual vehicle maintenance, you won’t be watched, which many fear while they are in the gym wear. Even if you choose a home fitness regimen there will be some type of financial obligation involved, even if it is only a good pair of gym shoes.
Home exercise programs are not dependent on any weather conditions so there are no excuses at all. Deciding on your fitness regimen warrants careful consideration because everyone’s life is different. Maybe finances will help you to decide if it is not a good time for you to pay for a gym membership which can often be costly. Plus if you are working out at the gym you will need a few changes in exercise outfits but at home there is no need to worry about what you are wearing.
For many, going to the gym is a great option because there are various equipments that can be enjoyed, there are usually swimming pools at the gym and swimming is an excellent exercise and great for the cardiovascular system and the overall body. Swimming will work on parts of the body and muscles that you never knew existed - just look at these five reasons to take-up swimming. Gyms offer trainers as well and for some a trainer is just the thing that they need to stay motivated. Trainers will work with you and tell you what to do when many times you don’t know what to do. They can also recommend the best diets to meet your needs too. It can sometimes be hard to decide if you should choose the gym or rather a home fitness regimen but try to base your decision on finances, the available equipment interests, and your own comfort level.
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Posted by Lazy Man on November 26, 2008
in Exercise.
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