General Fitness 101 – Get off the Couch!

General fitness 101 starts with one simple rule; Get off the couch! With today’s world of large flat screen TV’s, endless channels, and limitless online interaction, it is all too simple to fall victim to the routine of a couch potato. Today is the day that your couch potato sessions come to an end! It’s time to take control of your health, and give your world the ShoX that it deserves.

It’s no secret that complete fitness involves routine exercise, but achieving complete fitness and overall health means gradually making a lifestyle change. Exercise and eating right must become part of your weekly routine. Eating right, however, doesn’t mean you have to give up the foods that you love, and exercise doesn’t mean that it has to be in excess. Instead, moderation is the key to overall health.

Getting Started with Exercise
Cardiovascular activity is the most vital exercise for the body. It not only burns a large amount of calories, but improves heart health, brain function, and a large number of other essentials. There are many different forms of cardio such as walking, running, bicycling, swimming, hiking, and any other activity that gets your heart rate up. It’s suggested by the American Heart Association that 30 minutes of cardio should be preformed daily within 50% to 75% of your maximum heart rate, which is usually 220 minus your age. Target heart rate calculators can be found for free at various Websites such as www.active.com, www.mayoclinic.com, and www.WebMd.com.

After you feel comfortable with your cardio routine, try adding in 2 to 3 days of weight lifting during the week. When weight lifting, make sure to give your muscles at least a day to recover, meaning that you could feasibly weight lift on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It’s recommended that you consult a professional trainer to design a training plan best suited to your needs.
Starting to Eat Right
No longer are the days that eating right means having three square meals a day. Instead, the more often you eat, the better it is for you and your metabolism. Eating five small meals a day can actually speed up your metabolism, burn calories more consistently, and boost your energy. Remember that eating right doesn’t mean giving up the food that you want, but simply having it in moderation.

When you join the ShoXfactor community you’ll be able to share your stories of fitness success with others, and receive important information on current health issues. Join ShoXfactor and ShoX your world today!