There are four periods of time when runners are most vulnerable to injury:

-During the initial 4 to 6 months of running

-Upon returning to running after an injury

-When the quantity of running is increased (distance)

-When the quality of running is increased (speed)

Most running injuries are caused by recurring factors that runners can often prevent or avoid themselves

Training errors are the most common source of injury, particularly lack of adequate stretching; rapid changes in mileage; an increase in hill training; interval training (going from slow speeds over long distances to faster over less ground); and insufficient rest between training sessions.

When selecting a running shoe, the athlete should look for a style that will fit comfortable and that will accommodate his or her particular foot anatomy. When a shoe’s mileage exceeds 500–600 miles, it should be replaced. Runners should keep also in mind potential anatomic abnormalities.

Hip disorders typically manifest themselves as groin pain. Back discomfort that radiates down the leg is cause for referral to a sports medicine specialist.

The patella (kneecap) is a common site of overuse injuries that can benefit from a 20 minute ice massage, a program of stretching and strengthening of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles and a short course of an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Surgery is rarely indicated.

Ankle laxity can lead to frequent ankle sprains and pain. Beneficial treatment includes muscle strengthening to increase stability, shoe modification to alter gait, and change of a running surface. Foot problems in runners are related to foot types. Nonoperative treatment such as orthotics and shoe modifications should be used if necessary.

The ideal surface on which to run is flat, smooth, resilient, and reasonably soft. Avoid concrete or rough road surfaces. If possible, use community trails that have been developed specifically for jogging and running, so you can measure your records for your exercises calculation and monitoring your heart rate, but you can also use speed and distance devices. Use fine jogging shoes to avoid unnecessary impacts on your feet.  Hills should be avoided at first because of the increased stress placed on the knee and ankle. During warmer, humid weather, increase fluid intake; in cool weather, dress appropriately. It is often helpful to weigh yourself before and after running on a hot, humid day. One pint of water should be consumed for every pound of weight lost. Avoid running during extremely hot and cold temperatures or when the air pollution levels are high. When running at higher altitudes, the runner should gradually acclimate to the lower oxygen levels by slow, steady increases in speed and distance.

Overweight and overfat do not always mean the same thing. Some people are quite muscular and weigh more than the average for their age and height. However, their body composition, the amount of fat versus lean body mass (muscle, bone, organs and tissue), is within a desirable range. This is true for many athletes. Others weigh an average amount yet carry around too much fat. In our society, however, overweight often implies overfat because excess weight is commonly distributed as excess fat. The addition of exercise to a weight control program like Slim in 6 helps control both body weight and body fat levels.

A certain amount of body fat is necessary for everyone. Experts say that percent body fat for women should be about 20 percent, 15 percent for men. Women with more than 30 percent fat and men with more than 25 percent fat are considered obese. How much of your weight is fat can be assessed by a variety of methods including underwater (hydrostatic) weighing, skinfold thickness measurements and circumference measurements. Each requires a specially trained person to administer the test and perform the correct calculations. 10 Minute Trainer is an interesting idea actually

From the numbers obtained, a body fat percentage is determined. Assessing body composition has an advantage over the standard height-weight tables because it can help distinguish between "overweight" and "overfat." An easy self-test you can do is to pinch the thickness of the fat folds at your waist and abdomen. If you can pinch an inch or more of fat (make sure no muscle is included) chances are you have too much body fat.

People who exercise appropriately increase lean body mass while decreasing their overall fat level. Depending on the amount of fat loss, this can result in a loss of inches without a loss of weight, since muscle weighs more than fat. However, with the proper combination of diet and P90X exercise for example, both body fat and overall weight can be reduced. P90X Workout is a product that will help you much.

Eating an adequate supply of healthy  dietary fats is vitally important to your overall health as well as building muscles exercises. Fats are one of the main components in all of the cell membranes throughout your entire body. If  you eat enough healthy natural fats, your cellular processes will proceed normally. On the other hand, if you eat man-made, heavily processed, chemically altered fats (damaged fats) that are found in most processed foods, your cellular function will be impaired as these damaged fats become part of your cell membranes, the body will have to work harder to operate correctly, and degenerative diseases can develop. In addition, healthy dietary fats are essential for optimal  hormone production and balance within the body and are therefore essential for building muscles and burn body fat.

Did you know that eating a diet that is too low in fat will reduce your testosterone levels? You know what the  results of that are: less muscle and more fat on your frame. Females, don’t be afraid…your testosterone is not going to go through the roof by eating more fat. It helps to keep everything in balance for both men and women, as long as you eat the right fats (more on the right fats in a minute). Other important functions that dietary fats play in a healthy body are aiding vitamin and  mineral utilization, enzyme regulation, energy, etc. To burn fat is only a tiny part of being healthy

The Healthy Fatty Food Choices:

•  Coconut fat (and other tropical oils)

•  Extra virgin olive oil:

•  Dark, bittersweet chocolate (>70%  cocoa content)

•  Avocados or guacamole

•  High fat fish such as wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, trout, etc.

•  Nuts (any and all - walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, macadamias, etc.)

•  Seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, etc.)

•  The fat in organically raised, free-range animals:  This is one area where most people have been misinformed by the mass media. Animal fat is inherently good for us, that  is, if it came from a  healthy animal. Human beings have thrived on animal fats for thousands of years. The problem lies in the fact that most mass produced animal products today do NOT come from healthy animals. They come from animals given loads of antibiotics and fattened up with hormones and fed un-natural feed. The solution is to choose organically raised, free-range meats, eggs, and dairy. At this time, the price is still a little higher, but it  is worth it, and as demand grows, the prices will come down.

The Deadly Fatty Foods:

•  Homogenized milk fat

•  Refined oils

•  Anything deep fried

•  Hydrogenated oils (source of artificial trans fats)



Isn't always easy to staying healthy at work , With all your coworkers sneezing and sniffing around you, it may seem impossible. Find how to stay healthy at work with these health tips:

1. Wash Your Hands. Often.
This means every time you use the restroom, before you eat, after you sneeze or cough and any other time your hands feel dirty. Also, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at your desk, for when you can't get to a sink.

Sit at a desk for long periods of time can cause muscular tension. You can prevent the buildup of stress in your muscles by taking a few minutes to stretch. Try these easy exercises when you need to re-energize, or throughout the day to keep your muscles relaxed:

Head Tilt. Put your right hand on your left shoulder. Tilt your ear right toward your right shoulder, but don't turn your head. Hold five seconds. Switch sides.
 

Neck Roll. Roll your head to the right, down to the front, then left. Do this slowly and smoothly, both directions.
 

Shoulder Circles. Make circles with your shouldersup, back, and down. Switch directions. Do at least five.

Side Stretch. Stretch your arms to the side, then clasp your hands overhead. Keep your head straight forward, but lean your upper body to the right side. You should feel this down your left side. Hold five seconds. Switch sides.
Back Release. Sit at the edge of your chair as tall as you can (be careful if it has wheels). Open your legs apart so your arms drop between them. Straighten your legs, so your heels are on the floor, but not your toes. Knees are relaxed and never locked. Bring chin to chest, and then roll down toward your feet, one vertebra at a time. You should feel this first in your neck, then upper back, middle back, and lower back. This should be done slowly, relaxing into each part of the back. Roll up just as slowly. This

A Weight Loss Plateau is a period that occurs while dieting when the body exhibits zero to minimal results in regards to weight loss. A Weight Loss Plateau may last for a few days, or several weeks.
Weight Loss Plateaus are often confused with stagnated weight loss which occurs when the weight loss plan is too restricted in calories and the body struggles to maintain life itself. On that note, be certain that your weight loss plan is wise in the area of daily calories, taking great care to make healthy selections from those oh-so-important Food Groups housed within the Great Food Pyramid.

Our tips for getting over the Weight Loss Plateau include:Support groups can assist in keeping you motivated to lose weight during this rough spot.

- Ensure that you are experiencing a true Weight Loss Plateau rather than Diet Stagnation.

- Keep in mind that weight loss takes time. The body must slowly adjust to all the good things you're doing for it!

- Strengthen your Willpower. Without Willpower and determination, it will be almost impossible to conquer the Great Weight Loss Plateau.

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- As the body drops pounds, calorie needs decrease. Make sure that you're not consuming too many calories to support your goal weight.

- If you're eating the same foods day in and day out, change-up your weight loss plan which in turn can help boost the metabolism.

- Exercise can help you over the Weight Loss Plateau. Boost up your current routine another 15 minutes per day.

If you have a lot of pounds to lose, you may experience several Weight Loss Plateaus amid your Weight Loss Journey. In my personal experience, every ten pounds lost made a new Weight Loss Plateau surface.

Finally, keep in mind that good things come to those who patiently wait.

Tips for being active
Give time every day for moderate aerobic physical activity like walking, swimming or biking. You should always stay within your physician's recommendations and your own comfort zone.

  DO...

Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers.
Start slowly. Gradually build up to at least 150 minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity per week (or whatever your doctor recommends). That's 30 minutes of activity, five or more times per week  If you can’t manage 30 minutes at a time, try two 15-minute sessions or three 10-minute sessions to meet your goal.
Exercise at the same time of day so it becomes a habit. For example, you might walk Monday through Friday before lunch or dinner.
If you aren’t on fluid restrictions, drink a cup of water before, during and after activity.
Ask family or friends to join you. You'll be more likely to keep exercising with company.
Track your activity on a printable log or online.
If you miss a day, plan a make-up day or add 10–15 minutes to your next session.
Vary your activity to keep your interest up. Walk one day, swim the next time, then go for a bike ride.
Join an exercise group, health club or community fitness facility. Many churches and senior centers offer exercise programs, too. (Get your doctor's permission first.)
Look for opportunities to be more active during the day. Park farther from your destination, walk the mall before shopping, choose a flight of stairs over an escalator, or take 10–15 minute walking breaks while watching TV or working.
Add strength and stretching moves to your routine, if your doctor allows them.
DON'T...

Get discouraged if you stop for awhile. Get started again gradually and work up to your old pace.
Perform isometric exercises that require holding your breath, bearing down or sudden bursts of energy. If you're taking part in a class or structured rehab program, ask the leader or therapist what isometric exercises are.
Get involved in competitive or contact sports such as football or soccer.
Engage in any activity that causes chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness. If you have any of these symptoms, stop what you're doing right away and call your healthcare provider.
Exercise right after meals, when it's very hot or humid, or when you just don't feel up to it.