Archive for the ‘Hearthy’ Category

Indoor Fitness Exercise Fighting That Unwanted Flab

For those who pack on a few pounds during the dreary days of winter, there is a simple solution to fighting that unwanted flab. It’s called exercise and is easier said than done, especially during the winter, when cold weather and early sunsets in the majority of the world work against those without the luxury of great wealth and a personal trainer. But for the average person, there are legitimate indoor exercise options that can help one stay fit all the way through the winter.

And for those who don’t necessarily like to get it in gear in front of others, working out at home is always an option, with affordable home exercise equipment available for a variety of workouts. Beginners may want to choose traditional exercises like weight training, aerobics, the exercise cycle, the treadmill, or the stair stepper, all of which can be found at the gym or performed at home if desired. The treadmill and exercise bike are particularly good options for those who would find themselves engaged in running or cycling if given the opportunity to exercise outdoors during the cold winter months.

For those who prefer to steer clear of traditional exercise methods, perhaps finding them boring, activities such as Yoga and Tai Chi are good alternatives. Dedicated to helping the average person stay in shape are an abundance of web sites that outline healthy forms of exercise, allow users to determine body fat percentages and Body-Mass Index, and help in determining fitness goals. For those who need a little extra push during the winter months, these can be invaluable resources.

Increase Your Fitness and Burn Body Fat with Cycling

Whether it be indoor or outdoor, cycling in general is becoming more and more popular. With pollution on the rise and an increase for the push of general health and fitness, cycling is a great way to save $$ on fuel as well as getting fit and burning off a few extra calories.

Which is Best: Indoor or Outdoor Cycling

There are many factors you need to take into consideration eg:
The weather
What time of the day you train
How much spare time you have
Whether you want to invest in the compulsory safety equipment involved in outdoor cycling
Whether or not you have access to a cycle path
If you are comfortable cycling on main roads and amongst traffic.
Do you prefer to train outdoors

It’s a personal choice – go with what suits you!

Benefits of Cycling for Fitness and Fat Burning

Cycling can offer benefits for both fitness and burning off unwanted body fat. It really depends on your health and fitness goals and what you want to achieve from your cycling program. Outdoor cycling can include cycle tracks in forests and parks, to cycle ways within your town or city, along beaches or major roads and free ways. You can take the family cycling or use your cycling program as some “time out” for yourself away from work and other pressures you may be experiencing at that moment in time.

Indoor cycling also offers some exciting opportunities as well. With “spin” and other cycle classes being extremely popular, and lots of fun, to just being able to control your own training programs from within the privacy of your own home.

Some Helpful Hints on Setting Up Your Bicycle

1. Make sure that the handle bars and seat are in a comfortable position.
2. Check that the seat height or the seat itself is suitable for your build, taking into consideration the amount of time you will be spending on it.
3. If you are using an indoor cycle make sure your bike has foot pedal straps. If you pick up the pace your feet can easily fly off if you don’t have them connected to the pedals.

A Few Things You Need to Organise Before Starting Your Cycling Program

1. Do you have any injuries that effect what type of bicycle you use. eg, semi-recumbent cycle for indoors rather than your normal high seated indoor cycle. etc etc
2. Have you “OK’d” this exercise program with your doctor?
3. Do you know what your health and fitness goals are? And how will this effect your program.
4. Do you have a program that specifically designed for your goals?
5. Arranging your program so that you can enjoy it at a specific time of the day when you don’t have to rush. The last thing you want to do is spend all that money on setting your program up only to throw in the towel due to other commitments interfering with your program times.
6. Do you have a resistance and eating plan organised to suit your cycling program? You might as well put in the effort with your diet and training if you are going to start exercising too. Don’t you think? It will certainly speed up your results as well as giving you more energy.
7. As well as making sure your bicycle is comfortable and set up correctly you will also want to ensure that your indoor cycle is placed somewhere in your house where you will use it and where you can access it easily.
8. When using your cycle make sure your legs aren’t wrapped up around your neck while pedalling. Keep your seat at a comfortable distance from the pedals. I get my clients to stretch their legs out completely then slightly bend their knees – this is where I will position the seat. This is so they get a full stretch of their legs without feeling like they are being pulled off the seat when the pedals rotate.
9. When cycling outdoors make sure your feet can touch the ground, while you are seated on your bike seat. The amount of times I have seen cyclists that are virtually falling off their bicycles when they stop at a corner, because their feet don’t touch the ground, always worries me. Play it safe and use your common sense when cycling.
10. When cycling outdoors make sure you check with your local council regarding rules and regulations for cycling eg. safety helmets, knee pads etc

How many times can I cycle per week?

Cycling indoors or outdoors is a great way to keep fit and burn off those extra calories. Cycling 3-4 times per week will make a difference in the way you look, feel as well increasing your self esteem. You don’t need to cycle for hours on end, 20 – 30 mins is sufficient and sometimes less when you are first starting out. As your fitness increases you can ramp up the intensity and the length of your cycle sessions. If you’re training for a specific event your cycling training will vary due to speed drills and training specific sessions to help you prepare for the “big day”. Choose a program to suit your health and fitness needs and you’ll be on your way!

Happy training folks,

Yours in fun, health and fitness

Mandy Gibbons
Virtual Fitness Trainer

Persons who are of good health, suspect of their health or are aware of any conditions, physical deficiencies or diseases should always consult a physician before undertaking any eating or exercise program. Mandy Gibbons, Virtual Fitness Trainer, www.virtualfitnesstrainer.com.au and www.virtualfitnesstrainer.com disclaims any liability or loss in connection with the above program or advice given in this article.

Importance of Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. ~ J.F. Kennedy

Wonder why health-conscious people pay so much attention to their regular workouts and their diets? Well, if you have been ignoring the importance of physical fitness and are reluctant to give up your sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits, it is time to wake up and smell the coffee.

What is Physical Fitness?

Physical fitness is defined as the state or condition of being physically sound and healthy, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition. It is, thus, a state of general well being, marked by physical health as well as mental stability. Physical fitness is not just about having a lean body; it is about having cardiovascular and overall muscular endurance, as well as a strong immunity system, and most importantly, a satisfied and happy state of mind.

Importance of Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is one of the most important things in life and one of the most valuable assets one can ever have. Health is one of the pre-requisites for a happy, well-balanced life. There are several advantages of being physically fit; here is how physical fitness helps you in the long run:

Cardiovascular Endurance: Cardiovascular endurance is nothing but the measurement of your hearts strength. It also implies the ability of the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and to remove wastes. Physical fitness helps you achieve cardiovascular endurance and helps to increase the oxygen flow to all the body muscles.

Muscular Strength: A balanced and regular fitness regimen helps to increase the ability of muscles to exert force and sustain contraction. In short, to put it simply a regular workout will make your muscles stronger and thus, increase your overall strength.

Self Confidence: When you look good and you feel good it is obvious that you have no inhibitions and insecurities to bog you down. A healthy mind and a healthy body are a big boost to your self-confidence!

Flexibility: A regular workout session will ensure that you move your joints and muscles to their fullest extent and hence, it will increase the flexibility of these joints and your overall body. Flexibility in body movements is achieved only through physical fitness.

Body Composition: One of the indicators of physical fitness is a balanced and healthy body composition. Minimum of fat and maximum of lean mass is a sign of a healthy and fit body. The lean mass includes muscles, bones, vital tissues and organs.

Beautiful You!: Exercise and overall fitness helps you detoxify your body and thus lets your skin breathe. It also helps to tone your body and thus enhances your overall appearance. So in short physical fitness keeps you beautiful and glowing!

Healthy Mind: A healthy mind dwells in a healthy body. Any exercise included in your fitness regimen, will lead to the production of endorphins in the body. Endorphins are chemicals that make you feel happy and hence a healthy, physically fit body is always accompanied by a healthy mind.

Drive-away Illness: Yes, it is true. Moderated and balanced workout in a fitness regimen helps to boost the immune system of the body. Fully functional and strong body immunity means that your body develops the strength to ward off diseases and infections.

So, in short, to have sense of satisfaction in your life it is not just the materialistic things that you need it is your own physical fitness, which will help you in the long run. A disease-free healthy body and mind are simply priceless! So what if you can earn big bucks by ignoring your health? What would you do with all the money, if you were not physically fit to enjoy its benefits? So, the next time you skip breakfast to rush to office or dont find the time to exercise owing to your busy schedules think about this. Live your life to the fullest, but more importantly, live it wisely and invest time in your own health.

Importance of Fitness

There is no need to have an expert opinion underlining the importance of fitness and wellness. We all known that a fit body can sustain a strong and healthy mind. Reasons which stress on the importance of fitness should be understood. A general definition of physical fitness is the body’s capability to carry out day-to-day physical activities easily. A healthy body which is free from any ailments or diseases can also be termed as fit. Staying fit is important for people from all age groups. Nowadays, even toddlers’ fitness is an area of study and is given due importance. Let us understand more about importance of physical fitness through this article.

Importance of Fitness and Exercise

The speed with which lifestyle changes are affecting fitness levels of people the world over, it is necessary to understand the importance of fitness as early as possible; the different components of fitness should be taken into account. The 60% population in USA is tagged as inactive. This percentage increases from 60% to 70% in the UK. These people do not indulge in physical activities. If these people start working out to keep their body fit, most of the time, energy and resources that are required to cure diseases can be diverted to constructive and fruitful activities. Just like our mind craves for a change in life, the body also needs movements in the form of exercise to keep it working in a better condition. Most of the young population (18-30 years) do not realize that their body systems (joints, muscular strength and many things) won’t work in the same way if overworked or ‘abused’ during the youth. To keep the systems in a fine condition for a long time, it is necessary to maintain the health by doing some sort of fitness training.

Relation between Physical Activity and Fitness
The importance of fitness which has been stressed upon by experts for many years is now getting support of the researchers. Those individuals who stay active in their day-to-day life are likely to live longer. These people have more chances of avoiding health problems like diabetes, heart diseases and different forms of cancer. The health problems like insomnia, anxiety, depression and high cholesterol can also be overcome with regular physical exercise.

Importance of Cardiovascular Fitness
The problems that disturb cardiovascular health mostly arise from a diet that involves junk foods. Leading a sedentary lifestyle is also one of the main causes of cardiovascular problems. The cardiovascular fitness can be attained through different types of physical activities that exercise the blood vessels. Such cardiovascular exercises help the blood vessels to pump the blood in a proper manner. As the oxygen circulates properly throughout the body, the overall fitness levels automatically rise. The problems such as deposition of excess cholesterol in blood vessels are resolved in most cases if the blood flow is regulated.

Importance of Fitness and Nutrition
The body should also be nurtured with the right amount of necessary nutrients apart from providing it with enough exercise. If the body is provided with proper nutrients, then it is fueled and starts growing in a balanced manner. Nutrition deficiencies in the diet cannot be compensated with a rigorous workout performed on a daily basis. One should however, understand that both fitness and nutrition are interrelated. For example, digestion of nutrients can take place properly, only if the physical activities enhance the body’s metabolism levels. The different fitness tips provided by experts should be followed to maintain the health.

A fair idea of the importance of fitness is provided through this article. It is necessary to maintain the levels of fitness for keeping the body as well as mind in a healthy condition. If an individual understands the importance of fitness early in his life, most of the health problems can be prevented without much trouble.

Importance of Fitness Testing

Fitness tests are basically tests conducted by fitness trainers on people who are fitness training themselves so that they can monitor the progress of their clients. Fitness testing is a very serious and important activity for all those people involved seriously in fitness training or those people who workout and just want to make sure that their physical health is in order. Usually, fitness trainers will also make beginners undergo fitness training because it is often taken as a bench mark and then their particular fitness training schedules are settled around the results of their fitness tests.

A lot of people believe that these evaluations are unnecessary but nothing can be as important as initial fitness evaluations to gauge the amount of work you will need to put in during the life of your fitness training. Usually athletes and sports player will undergo these fitness tests on a regular basis to determine their progress and to see if further improvement is required or not. The trainer will also tell them the kind of protein supplements the bodybuilders or athletes should include in their diet, including proteinpulver, protein bars and which ones to include.
Normally, a competent trainer will perform these basic but important steps on each of his/her clients starting a new training cycle and at specific points during their training cycle. The tests performed before the training cycle can be of two types; the first are the ‘resting’ tests involving resting heart rate, resting blood pressure and body composition. The second type of test is based on your physical performance and includes flexibility evaluations, aerobic endurance and low-impact muscular endurance. Examples of some of these tests would include the treadmill stress test, sit and reach, shoulder stretch etc.
When mentioned that these tests act as an important benchmark, it was meant that if the client is exercising too much or too less, then their fitness training schedule can be re-arranged according to that. Plus, knowing whether or not you are fitness training adequately is important because you don’t want to be over working your body, something that could lead to muscle injuries or even worse. On the other hand, you don’t want to be under working yourself either and feeling disappointed at the lack of positive results. Fitness tests will be able to prevent such confusions and the problems that could result from such confusions.
The Author have been writing articles for years. Not only does he specialize in Credit and Debt, you can also check out his latest website: http://topfitnessfacts.blogspot.com.  Where he reviews Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown…Also Check Out the beyerdynamic-t5p-tesla review

How Your Home Fitness Equipment Can Be Child-Proof

Exercise Equipment isn’t just found in fitness centers and gyms anymore. That’s a thing of the past.
Now, highly technical workout equipment can basically be located anywhere that you have space. One of the best places to have them is your home.
Having this hardware in your home can be one of the most convenient things for your family. You won’t have to spend money on gas or membership fees, which always put a huge hole in your pocket.

All you will have to do is walk a couple feet into your exercise room and you are breaking a sweat in no time. Now that is personal power!
Having your own home fitness machinery has its perks, but it still has some negative aspects. The problem comes with a small critter that might be crawling around your house: your kid.
Especially if you have a small child, you have quickly learned that your child is the best little explorer around; they want to touch, feel, and lick everything that is put in their path.
They are curious about the environment but are clueless about what will and will not hurt them; and they don’t know that there are a lot of things in a household that can be dangerous to them.
This is why having fitness equipment in one of your rooms can be a possible hazard for your children. They can get their head or hands into a small machine space that can be dangerous.
Just because you have a child doesn’t mean you can’t have this convenience, though. Here are some things that you can do to make sure your kids are safe amongst these convenient machines.
First off, the most important thing to remember is to never let your kids play on the equipment. This should be common sense but many parents don’t see any harm in it.
True, an elliptical machine may turn out to be a nice imaginary pirate ship, but their fun will soon end once they start playing on it. It would be very easy for your child to get a part of their body stuck in a tight corner or other metal part.
After a while, they might even be smart enough to figure out how to turn it on. In the case of treadmills or other high speed machines, this could give your kid a serious injury or even jeopardize their life.
Second, you should not let your kids be playing nearby when you are working out on your machines. Even if you are around and you think it is safe, problems can still easily arise.
If your child is playing nearby, you may think you can keep focus on them for the whole time. But after awhile, the intensity of the workout can make you to lose focus, and then your little runt is free to roam wherever they want.
For a roaming tyke, a big, fast-moving machine might look really fun to play with. When you aren’t paying attention, they might try to touch the machine while you are on it, and that could very well lead to quick problems.
If you have a machine that is electrically-powered, the next couple steps are very important to live by. They involve minimizing risk with cords and running power.
When you are done exercising on a piece of equipment, remember to always unplug it and put the cord in a non-reachable place. This will prevent your little tyke from accidentally turning on the machine, or pulling out the cord and chewing on it with their teeth.
Finally, try to purchase machinery that has a safety switch or an emergency cord that can be pulled in order to turn the machine off quickly. This is very important if someone younger than you accidentally turns it off and needs a safe way to promptly turn it off so they don’t risk any injury to their bodies.
These are only a few of the steps that you can take to child-proof your home exercise room. Look online or ask other exercisers with children to find more great tips that can help you on your journey.

Terry Daniels is an accomplished expert in health and fitness. He recommends the bestelliptical exercise machine you can find in the market.

Contact Info:
Terry Daniels
TerryDaniels09@gmail.com

http://www.proform.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category_-1_14201_16002_29510_Y

How You Can Get Your Body In Its Best Shape

How You Can Get Your Body In Its Best Shape Ever With HIT Fitness

Hit Fitness is a growing fitness trend in the US. Hit Fitness, or High Intensity Training Fitness, is a fitness system built around a unique combination of science and sport.
HIT Fitness in the Spokane Valley, WA area is a growing trend
Hit Fitness , or High Intensity Training, is a fitness system built around a unique combination of science and sport.
Hit Fitness is definably an “alternative” way to personal fitness, but it is a method that is worthy of a look.
What Will I Really Be Doing In HIT Fitness?
Hit Fitness combines a unique combination of typical fitness along with sporting elements, such as the practice of Fencing or Kenpo.
Some of the activities that are included in Hit Fitness include:
*Fencing
*Kenpo
*Self-Defense
*Personal Fitness
*Other Sporting Activities
The types of activities that you participate in depends on the type of Hit Fitness Spokane program that you join.
Different instructors of the Hit Fitness way have different methods. Regardless of the methods that your fitness coach uses to teach you Hit Fitness, you will experience a unique exercise technique that will benefit your body more than a traditional fitness plan can accomplish.
Hit Fitness Sporting Events
Participating in sporting events in the Hit Fitness program is a big part of your training. Not only will these sporting events help you to achieve your fitness goals at a faster pace, but several of the sports can be used later in life, even after you complete your fitness goals.
Sounds Fun. What Does Hit Fitness Spokane Concentrate On? Well, the Hit Fitness program is quite the unusual exercise system. The Hit Fitness program focuses on the following aspects of the fitness world:
Anaerobic Threshold Balance Body Composition Strength VO2 Max (maximal oxygen consumption)
Hit Fitness Anaerobic Threshold
A basic definition of the Hit Fitness Anaerobic Threshold is that it occurs when muscles “burn” glucose without the use of Oxygen. Anaerobic Threshold is ideal for those who need that short extra burst in their life. On the flip side, Anaerobic Threshold would not be ideal for a distance runner.
Hit Fitness Balance
Another important part of the Hit Fitness way is the aspect of balance. A majority of people who participate in the Hit Fitness exercise plan are athletes. These people require a great amount of agility and balance to succeed at what they do best. By having great balance, you can even increase the efficiency of your Spokane workout.
Hit Fitness Body Composition
Hit Fitness Body Composition is a way of describing the percentage of bone, fat, and muscle in your body. The Hit Fitness Spokane system puts a lot of attention on the aspect of body composition, as it is vital to balance the mass percentages of bone, fat, and muscle in ones body.
Hit Fitness Strength
Hit Fitness works with your overall body strength. Since the Spokane Hit Fitness way of exercise revolves around sporting activities, it is important to have strength as it will give you the opportunity to push your body to the next level.
Hit Fitness VO2 Max
What is VO2 Max? Basically, VO2 Max is another meaning for the maximal amount of oxygen consumption. It plays a very important role in Hit Fitness as your VO2 Max directly determines how physically fit you are. Each person has a different VO2 Max. The max can be included over time through Hit Fitness Spokane WA exercises.
So, is Hit Fitness Right For You? Spokane Hit Fitness is not right for everyone. If you are athletic, then you should definably consider the Hit Fitness way of exercise. If you are interested in starting on a Hit Fitness exercise plan, you should speak to your local fitness coach today to see if such a program is offered.

How you can get lean like a fitness model

How do bodybuilders, fitness models and figure competitors eat to get so ripped?

There are no “celebrity weight loss secrets”. It’s all about hard work in the gym and discipline when it comes to food. But what does it mean? Another fad diet? Fast weight loss diet? No carbs? Calorie restriction? Days at the gym lifting heavy weights? Bodybuilders, fitness models and the like eat much more calories that people realize. Instead of starving the weight off, which only works for people under 22, the best way to burn fat is to stimulate the metabolism through a regimented eating plan. That’s a big mistake. The body goes into a famine mode where it starts storing anything they do eat and convert it into fat for survival.

Here are 10 tips to jump-start the new YOU.

1. Eat every 3 hours to speed up your metabolism. This will allow your body to maintain lower body fat and higher muscle tissue.

2. Eat breakfast as soon as you wake up every day. Incorporate oatmeal and egg whites into your breakfast meal and say ‘good-bye’ to high-sugar cereals and waffles, breads, butter and bacon.

3. Grill, broil and steam your meat instead of frying and sauteing. Choose the leanest cuts and enjoy dozens of delicious ways to make your meals without using oils and butter.

4. Have at least 3 serving of vegetables per day for fiber and satiety. They not only help with fiber and better digestion, but will also contribute to clear skin and healthy hair.

5. Pick foods like look great. Remember that lean protein feeds lean muscle, fat feeds fat; manufactured foods oare mostly stored as fat, the human body does not recognize them.

6. Don’t skip on carbs. Carbs give you bursts of energy, so choose them carefully. Opt for whole grains, traditional rice (not quick recipes), pastas and potatoes.

7. Say NO to alcohol. It’s not good for you anyway, so why drink. Note: Alcohol is extraordinarily fattening and should be avoided while trying to lose bodyfat.

8. Sugar free jello is essential to satisfy sweets cravings.

9. Drink 100 oz of water daily. Drink between meals and especially during your workouts

10. Don’t eat within 3 hours of going to sleep.

Everyone needs an individual plan to fat loss. Contact a professional to design a custom meal program based on your body composition and monitor your progress.

——

Jason Kozma is a professional Santa Monica Fitness Trainer in Southern California. Jason and his High Performance Training Team are helping residents all over Southern California lose weight and get in the best shape of their lives. Find out more by visiting his Santa Monica Weight Loss website.

How To Regain Muscle Fitness As We Age

Baby Boomers often ask:

What can I do to re-gain the muscle fitness of my youth that I am now losing as I grow older?

There is a popular common day belief: “Regular aerobic exercise is all that you need to stay young.” In reality an on-going effort in your exercise routine to build and maintain muscle tone is necessary to maintain a youthful body. Weight training combined with aerobic exercise on a regular basis, along with a healthy diet will help you speed up your metabolism as you build more youthful muscle. The end result is that you will maintain a healthy weight and achieve optimum health.

The American College of Sports Medicine now recommends weight training for every adult. The earlier you start weight training the more muscles you’ll keep as you grow older! Building a home gym and choosing the right home fitness products for weight training will help you stay on track in achieving your fitness goals. The key is to start at first with lighter weights and more repetitions to burn fat and tone up problem areas. You can always work your way up to heavier weights to build more muscle mass, as you increase your work out time and this will help reduce the risk of injuries.

For home use try lighter weights such as dumbbells, barbells and doorway chin-up bars which vary in price but are very affordable. You can also add some additional fitness products to your home gym such as a weight bench, an incline board for weight training and an elliptical machine for your aerobic portion of your workout routine which will be non-stressful to your joints but heart healthy.

If your workout becomes too laborious or routine, I would encourage you to work-out a different set of muscles each day by setting up different stations in your home gym by using various fitness products and exercise equipment to give you more variety in your work-out routine. Also working out with a friend or partner and playing some high energy music helps motivate and keeps you working out at longer intervals.

Your muscles are your primary calorie burners! Keeping your muscles active over the years by using effective weight training fitness products will not only reduce excess pounds but will help you regain that youthful muscular toned appearance as you grow older.

You will find the Fitness items that you are looking for at the best prices at www.TorchFitness.com

How to Practice Sexual Fitness

Female sexuality and male sexuality can equal Sexual Fitness is an exciting new concept coined by a psychologist with expertise in human sexuality, health/fitness, and dating /relationships. Sexual Fitness encourages men and women to engage in cognitive and behavioral sexual exercises with the same vigor as people engaged in physical fitness activities. Just as physical fitness, sexual fitness is a state of being and a lifestyle. Embarking on a sexual fitness plan can be done solo or as a couple.Sexual fitness is an innovative construct applied to men, women, and couples. Single, married, dating, gay, or heterosexual adults can learn how to practice and attain sexual fitness. Becoming sexually fit has nothing to do with a person’s sexual orientation or relationship status. Even age has no bearing on this practice. Thoughts, feelings, actions, and perceptions are all involved in this exciting concept. Sexual fitness is a state of mind combined with actions of the body. If practiced correctly, the art of sexual fitness impacts science as extensive clinical studies have proven the physiological benefits related to a healthy sex life. Similar to physical fitness, sexuality has everything to do with attitude and nothing to do with capacity. A perfect metaphor is “like riding a bike.” The initial stages of learning to ride a bike requires effort, persistence, physical and mental focus, and determination. Once achieved, a person never loses this ability and merely needs to refresh their skill set even after time has elapsed from riding. Sexual fitness is based on the exact same concepts. The ultimate decision is deciding what benefits are sought in the pursuit of sexual fitness. Using the metaphor above, the choice becomes whether to engage in leisure weekend bike rides through the park or become the proverbial next “Lance Armstrong.” The definition and practice of sexual fitness will help make this decision. Sexual fitness is defined as a threshold a person reaches after they have applied consistent effort, practice, and determination in the realm of optimal sexual health. The endeavor to reach a state of sexual mastery requires psychological motivation, education, and implementation of specific physical skills. An athlete becomes proficient at his/her sport by engaging in physical and mental practice leading to dexterity and mastery of his/her sport activity. A bodybuilder consistently studies weightlifting methods, exercise technology, and nutritional requirements to optimize his/her results. Reaching the state of sexual fitness follows the same dynamics required for physical fitness. Once this state of fitness is reached, the goal becomes sustaining this threshold throughout the lifespan or until choosing otherwise. Sexual fitness is made up of two complimentary concepts. The first concept is defined as general fitness. General sexual fitness is a state achieved after engaging in the persistent pursuit of becoming aware then instituting the art and science of healthy sexuality. People who exercise correctly reach physical fitness far quicker. For example, proper low impact yoga training will yield the same physiological results as high impact physical training. This style of fitness is achieved by correctly learning and practicing sexual techniques which will arouse one self and the opposing partner. If a partner is not involved, the goal becomes learning and consistently practicing sexual techniques necessary to arouse one self. The methods required for reaching this state of fitness involves the second concept called specific fitness. This fitness concept is the initiation of behaviors and tasks oriented towards the increased probability to reaching and maintaining sexual fitness. Physical fitness is typically achieved through exercise, proper nutrition, adequate rest, and a motivated demeanor. Sexual fitness is achieved in the exact same fashion. Endeavors implemented by people seeking defined physical attributes or dexterity in a particular sport requires motivation fueled by a belief of necessity. These motivating beliefs are the same for attaining sexual fitness. A belief of necessity for sexual mastery becomes the modus operandi. Optimal sexual living is a necessity of life is the belief structure and the motivating force for attainment of this belief is the inspiration. Without this belief for need reduces the chances a person will be successful in their fitness regimen. Successful athletes, bodybuilders, and sports enthusiasts have all communicated the virtues of becoming motivated using a belief of necessity as their psychological fuel. Advanced levels of aptitude acquired by men and women in their chosen field of sport have all been achieved via a belief of necessity. Fitness, whether sexual or physical, is defined as a measure of efficient functioning. A person who is sexually fit is efficient in their capacity to think, feel, and behave in a sexual manner without shame, embarrassment, or hidden agendas of falsely boosting their ego or self-esteem. People who reach and practice this style of fitness are more likely to function efficiently in all aspects of their perceptual world. These fortunate individuals are more confident, physically ill less often, and manage stressful events more successfully. Sexual fitness is an achieved state of being allowing people to perform better in every action they engage in. Having this capability affords person to feel confident in all situations whether a partner is involved or not. Men and women can attain sexual fitness through participating in psychological, physical, and educational exercises. The first step is recognizing and fully accepting this fitness as one of the most important facets of achieving a healthy lifestyle. For a man, fully accepting sexual fitness as a way of life is concluding he is not born and/or genetically endowed to be a sexual master. Men accept their sexual mastery exercise program by realizing they have plenty to learn and their genital region is not the center of the universe. Women reach the first step of sexual fitness by giving themselves permission to think about and practice sexual pursuits. Confusing women in most cultures is what has been termed the “Madonna Whore” complex. Women are socialized and encouraged to behave sexually uninhibited behind closed doors and docile, virginal subjects in public at the same time. It is an unfortunate standard set forth by living in a patriarchal society. For women, they need to first identify this double standard exists. Second, initiating efficient this fitness starts by placing societal distortions in the archived files of outdated history. Once a man or woman is psychologically motivated to engage in this concept of fitness program, the immediate next step becomes the task of obstacle identification. Preparation for inevitable obstacles is vital to sexual fitness attainment. Obstacles and stressful life events are guaranteed to present as impediments to proper sexual fitness functioning. The pressure, stress, and anxieties of daily living can easily de-escalate a person’s motivation to prioritize sexual fitness. Events which dissuade men and women from engaging in tasks directed at achieving sexual fitness can occur quickly or slow and gradual without the person being aware they have become derailed from their fitness regimen. Stressful life events and environmental obstacles are potential impediments for all goal attainment. Accepting obstacles exist and creating techniques to insulate one self becomes the goal. A simple tip to lessen the probability of losing sight of this type of fitness is a daily reminder plan. Since most women shower or take baths every day, making a conscious effort to spend a couple minutes while bathing is a prime opportunity to practice cognitive sexual fitness. During this brief period of privacy, think about a sexual fantasy. If self stimulation ensues is fine, but not required. The point of this exercise is a cognitive one aimed at stimulating a thought process. An easy to remember technique for creating a stimulating sexual fantasy is using the “5 W’s” used by journalists and media when creating interesting stories. Who, What, When, Where, and How is the trick of their trade. Formulate a sexual fantasy having these 5 elements involved. Practicing this method makes the sexual fantasy both stimulating and enjoyable at the same time. The daily reminder plan tip can be practiced by men but a chosen daily environment may need to be altered. A significant percentage of men are not as fastidious in showering or bathing daily as women are. For men who do not bath daily, a tip is to think about sexual fitness while in transit traveling to work, school, or any other responsibilities part of the daily structure. Women are recommended to think about sexual fantasies daily, but men are recommended to think about the complete opposite during this cognitive sexual exercise. Men are advised to think about technically sexual matters. During this daily cognitive exercise, men can think about the components of arousal, intimacy skills, and ways of effectively communicating his passion to his partner. If not dating or in a relationship, men can still think about these subjects adding the future tense about a day when dating or in a significant relationship. Men and women who spend several minutes daily on sexual areas described above have a higher probability of continuing to practice this fitness.Cardiovascular activity and regular physical exercise supports the growth of heart muscles, thereby increasing the speed and volume of blood bringing nutrients to the rest of the body. A physically fit person maintains body system nutrient absorption at an optimal level. The result of optimal nutrient absorption translates into stronger anatomical systems and quicker curative processes. Health and fitness of the body can be determined by regularly evaluating nutritional habits, patterns of lifestyle, types of food consumed, and frequency of physical exercise. A monitored physical fitness exercise plan is essential for keeping the body fine tuned despite lifestyle, age or physical abilities. Physical fitness helps people maintain and sustain a focused frame of mind by boosting mental sharpness, perceptual clarity, and greater concentration. In relationship to sexual mastery, the same need for active monitoring and consistent focus applies. All the physical and psychological benefits of being physically fit parallel sexual oriented fitness. The only differences between these two realms are regions of the body focused upon and areas stimulated within the brain. To practice sexual fitness means giving the sensual self equal time and attention as delegated to physical health.Once a man or woman has made sexual oriented fitness a priority and consistently practicing daily cognitive sexual exercises reducing the potential of losing focus, the next step is active practice and education. The education and practice of sexual fitness is multifaceted and sexual exercising the mind and body has many avenues. The goal of education is spending time engaged in academic pursuits learning about sexual anatomy, non-genital sexual stimulation, communication skills building, nutritional foods and supplements optimizing sexual prowess, physical exercises which boost sexual functioning, and any subjects related to the art and science of sex. The goal of education is consistently accessing all forms of study in the pursuit of becoming adept at knowing the sexual self and the other gender when warranted. For women, subjects for study should include how society sends mixed messages to women regarding being a sexual being, the impact of past traumatic experiences on sexuality, sexual fulfillment techniques, and benefits of living as a sexual creature. For men, subjects of study should include arousal skills building, non-genital sexual stimulation techniques, communication skills building, and any subjects related to how sex is not sole mission for conquest. Education is crucial to sexual fitness. Radio talk shows, relationship expert seminars, internet surfing, and many other formats for education are available for consumptions. At the same time as engaging in education, the sexually fit adult practices physical sexual exercises. Self stimulation is one exercise which men and women can engage in whether single, dating, or in a relationship. If religious and/or moral reasons prevent someone from direct genital stimulation, than indirect sexual stimulation by not touching their genital region is just as effective. The active practice of self stimulation, whether direct or indirect, serves the goal of developing self-awareness in the realm of learning to identify regions of the body which initiate arousal. During these sexual exercises, it is paramount for success to practice self stimulation void of being preoccupied by life stressors or thoughts of time management restrictions. If making this type of fitness a priority, then time management should rarely be a reason to not practice exercises. The frequency of self stimulation is not the objective, but the consistent conscious effort to do so is of greater value. The combination of a conscious effort to schedule self stimulation along with consistent frequency is the best formula. It is not the quantity of self stimulation episodes, but the quality and benefits gained from each event. For men and women dating, in relationships, or married, practicing sexual fitness adds an exciting additional dimension. This dimension is the potential luxury one experiences when a loved one becomes as an active participant in sexual fitness training. Just as physical fitness and sports are far more enjoyable and invigorating when there is the social element of others involved; the same principle applies to couples. Having a partner to agree in prioritizing sexual oriented fitness is the ultimate tandem team activity. The team approach has a vast array of positive benefits. The team approach to sexual fitness offers crucial dynamics not afforded to the solo participant. One benefit is the potential for deeper intimate connections.As mentioned before, sexual fitness can be achieved as a sole individual and does not require others to be active participants. Although this fact is true, the primary instincts residing in the human condition is the need for social attachments. In a relationship, both the instinctual needs for social connection and practice of sexual exercises culminate to become an extraordinary aspect of quality living. The guidelines in relationships are exactly the same as individual goals when seeking to achieve and sustain sexual oriented fitness. The advantage being part of a team approach involves the perceived satisfaction of two people endeavoring together working to attain sexual fitness. When embarking in becoming sexually fit, there are three prime advantages increasing the potential for achievement. First, the pair in tandem makes the decision together to prioritize their regimen. Second, they act as encouraging coaches for each other when stressful and distracting environmental events present as obstacles to succeeding. Third and most rewarding, they have a plethora of sexual activities to engage in ranging from sexual exercises to long discussions on sexual topics.