Stretching Benefits You Won’t Want to Miss Out On

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIPtTJTsY6FhB7wpi-C61H5hod3WZB4oFKlPg3-zGsQcedWqqDP8_Xzfk4X1-mJi9Hj1p5S5bx5rOYrB1Ow-IxfDloRZaurkmdV00VvgOudafgMkS3ALuVOJz4vTnVZu38GS8T081Za3g/s1600/stretching.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Woman experiencing stretching benefits. " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIPtTJTsY6FhB7wpi-C61H5hod3WZB4oFKlPg3-zGsQcedWqqDP8_Xzfk4X1-mJi9Hj1p5S5bx5rOYrB1Ow-IxfDloRZaurkmdV00VvgOudafgMkS3ALuVOJz4vTnVZu38GS8T081Za3g/s1600/stretching.png" title="stretching benefits" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">I don’t know about you but I feel refreshed, relaxed and satisfied after a great workout that includes some ballistic stretching beforehand and static stretching afterwards. Ballistic stretching is stretching that includes movement to get the muscles going, like doing arm circles or leg kicks. With static stretching, you sit in a stretch and push yourself as opposed to using movement. Ballistic stretching is awesome before a workout to prevent injury and I like doing some static stretches afterwards for increased flexibility. Stretching benefits extend from body to mind and it’s one of my favorite aspects of a fit life! </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">Stretching benefits:</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Increases range of motion. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The general increase in motion is obvious when it comes to stretching benefits. When muscles are more flexible, they are less susceptible to be torn and snapped during movement. Plus, there’s a real sense of accomplishment in being able to touch your toes. :)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Promotes circulation.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Stretching strengthens blood flow by increasing blood supply to the muscles. The stretching benefits for muscles is that they get additional oxygen and nutrients for increased circulation.</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Helps with aches and pains. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keeping the muscles stretched out helps keep aches and pains at bay by preventing muscle tightness that can cause them to painfully cramp up. Keeping the muscles in your neck, back, hips and chest relieves the pressure on the lumbar spine and can help prevent postural problems.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peace of mind</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Stretching benefits can extend beyond the muscles to your mind. As the muscles contract and lengthen, the whole body can relax into a calm emotional state. This is also a great time to reflect on the workout or the day ahead of you. </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lean, toned muscles</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The benefits of stretching include muscles that look lean and toned instead of condensed and overly bulky. Be sure to stretch so more of those beautiful muscles that you’ve been working so hard for can be seen for all they are worth.</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">I love experiencing the stretching benefits from taking a few extra minutes before and after a workout to stretch out my muscles. I hope you are enjoying all the joys of stretching too!</span></span></div>

benefits of stretching, exercise, fitness, health, post workout, pre and post workout, pre workout, stretching, workout

Stretching Benefits You Won’t Want to Miss Out On

I don’t know about you but I feel refreshed, relaxed and satisfied after a great workout that includes some ballistic stretching beforeha...

The best and worst times to eat fruit

I love, love, love a bounty of beautiful fresh fruits. They are Mother Nature’s ultimate multivitamin and a powerhouse of antioxidants and enzymes, but did you know that there are optimum strategies and times to eat fruit?<br> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCbHcRiFvmauRVH26eGR_2tatnNB5OEppKg6VAIFelL6NnR_syWhzqTzYbJ3bQAdxvcTsZL2RNLaIqEPLBh7-iMSrbO-wc5iqL18-aFsd6bc9lDP1U2YVitVvVhUSs_RmobZjIu-WXLns/s1600/All-Fruit-Wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCbHcRiFvmauRVH26eGR_2tatnNB5OEppKg6VAIFelL6NnR_syWhzqTzYbJ3bQAdxvcTsZL2RNLaIqEPLBh7-iMSrbO-wc5iqL18-aFsd6bc9lDP1U2YVitVvVhUSs_RmobZjIu-WXLns/s640/All-Fruit-Wallpaper.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br> <br> Fruit is a carbohydrate which means that it is converted to simple sugars for immediate energy. Essentially, when these sugars are not used they are converted and stored as fat. To fully utilize this energy, eat fruit around these times:<br> <br> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Breakfast</span></strong></span><br> <strong><u><span style="color: #3366ff;"></span></u></strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnud7KRs-kEmi0QRqka4px4SR0t61q64_eFHJP9_omJljK4hLhtlV9U6Aqr3Gf_lvukWurBe6iPvZOk5NuleMmO5_zFMw_oyeekiMU7makpT7rb-DaQrLW3vQu8rQYBFCpP3eNh1nSRjrV/s1600/Fruit-Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnud7KRs-kEmi0QRqka4px4SR0t61q64_eFHJP9_omJljK4hLhtlV9U6Aqr3Gf_lvukWurBe6iPvZOk5NuleMmO5_zFMw_oyeekiMU7makpT7rb-DaQrLW3vQu8rQYBFCpP3eNh1nSRjrV/s320/Fruit-Salad.jpg" width="320"></a>When you are breaking your night’s <strong>“starvation” cycle</strong> and the stomach is fully empty. This is especially important because your body will be able to fully absorb all of the vitamins, fiber and healthy carbohydrates that it needs to function in good health. <br>  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pre-/Post- Workout</span></strong></span><br> <strong><u><span style="color: #3366ff;"></span></u></strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another fantastic time to eat fruit is either right before, right after, or both pre- and post- working out. Our bodies will use fruit sugars for immediate energy and for refilling depleted energy stores.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b></b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: blue;">When NOT to consume FRUIT</span></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: blue;"></span></u> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like previously stated, when energy from fruits is not used, it leads to weight gain. For people striving for weight loss it may be best to avoid this possible side effect by not eating fruit during these sedentary times:<br>  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Before Bed</span></strong><br> <strong><u><span style="color: #3366ff;"></span></u></strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Obviously you will not need quick energy while you are sleeping. Some people find that they have restless sleep if they eat fruits and carbohydrates too close to bed. A good rule of thumb is not less than 3 hours prior to lights-out.<br>  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">During Weight Loss Plateaus</span></strong></span><br> <strong><u><span style="color: #3366ff;"></span></u></strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you are really struggling overcoming weight loss issues it may be a good strategy to employ a “<span style="color: red;"><strong>no fruit after lunch</strong>” <strong>rule</strong></span>. This might just give your body the edge and caloric deficit it needs to utilize fat stores as energy.  With this being said, look for other weight loss inhibitors within your diet and don’t necessarily blame fruit right away. <br> <br> <!-- google_ad_section_start --> <br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rLrV0kGUBWQgIbkwiIN0vWKCO4j5DRHWz-pf43kWqbv80h5sB6g_OrN5ZS_mNkUKi3KNV_Kku_VfO1Fv7txbIRjfzbVV-cV8hkWQROfAAZOc9DE9ZvPT2YWs4CLWxpF_WAF4mCps3-Dw/s1600/sugarinfruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rLrV0kGUBWQgIbkwiIN0vWKCO4j5DRHWz-pf43kWqbv80h5sB6g_OrN5ZS_mNkUKi3KNV_Kku_VfO1Fv7txbIRjfzbVV-cV8hkWQROfAAZOc9DE9ZvPT2YWs4CLWxpF_WAF4mCps3-Dw/s320/sugarinfruit.jpg" width="270"></a></div>Five fruits to avoid if you want to reduce belly fat are bananas, pineapples, mangoes, dates and grapes. These fruits top the chart for highest sugar content. Excess sugar in the diet is stored as fat in the body and tends to show in the abdominal region<br> <br>  </div><div style="float: right; margin: 4px;"><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/green_tea/pin.jpg"></a></div>

bed, best time to eat fruit, consume, diet, energy, fat, fruit, post workout, pre workout, sugar, weight gain, weightloss

The best and worst times to eat fruit

I love, love, love a bounty of beautiful fresh fruits. They are Mother Nature’s ultimate multivitamin and a powerhouse of antioxidants and e...