Our body is a machine for living. It is organized for that, it is its nature. Let life go on in it unhindered and let it defend itself, it will do more than if you paralyze it by encumbering it with remedies. Leo Tolstoy
Gauge Your Fitness as a Curve
Anyone whos been active for an extended period of time has most likely noticed that their level of fitness at any given point in time is not a fixed variable, that is to say that just because youre at your peak fitness today doesnt mean that if you stop working out for three weeks youll be able to jump in exactly where you left off. For this reason, it is most useful to think of your efforts as a fitness curve, and not a straight line. Your fitness curve may have a few bends in it, and your best today may not be your best tomorrow. But sometimes when youre forced to take a step backwards you end up taking two steps forward in the long run.
Recovery
Any successful fitness regimen should allow you ample time for recovery. You wont always be pushing yourself forward, or going at your maximum effort. Your hard workouts should generally be followed by an easy day, or a day off altogether. If youre a more advanced athlete you may go for a couple of days at an increased level of effort, but either way every active person needs time to recover. You dont get stronger when youre working out, only when youre recovering from your workouts. In this way you are curving your fitness.
Injury
Unfortunately from time to time your fitness efforts may have to be reduced because of an injury. While this can be extremely frustrating, recognize that with proper rest and time to heal you can come back stronger than you were pre-injury. But viewing your fitness as a curve, you should also acknowledge that you shouldnt start up again exactly where you left off. Start back into your routine easily and give yourself several weeks of easy working out before you start ramping back up slowly. If you do too much too soon after an injury youre putting yourself at risk for re-injuring yourself, and over-training. Neither of these things is good for your fitness in the long run.
Viewing your efforts on a fitness curve can be very liberating. Knowing that youre always doing your best will allow you to always enjoy your fitness activities, if you realize that your best today may not be your best tomorrow. If youre tired today youll need to redefine your concept of what your best is today. Your fitness curve mentality will keep you in the moment, and let you focus on what you need to right now to maintain, or get back, your peak fitness.
Peak Fitness
Ways to Lift Weights Safely
By Timothy Nugent
 Weight lifting is one of the best things you can do for your body in terms of building strength and endurance, and even when you're trying to lose weight. But many people get discouraged easily when it comes to trying to keep up with a bodybuilding routine. A good reason for that is working too hard in the beginning or using improper form and causing injuries.
It's really important to learn the right way to do different exercises and to use the right form when you're performing different moves. Remember to move smoothly and to pause at the beginning and end of the movement rather than using the momentum of your body movement to move the weight.
Remember to breathe through the lifting as well. It's usually recommended that you exhale on the hard part and inhale on the easier part (when putting the weight back down). Focusing on breathing and sending the breath to the muscles that are doing the work really can make it feel like the work is a bit easier.
In order to avoid injury, it's a good idea to warm up a bit before lifting weights. Most exercise experts don't recommend stretching when your muscles are cold, but you can hop on an exercise bike or treadmill for five or 10 minutes at a moderate intensity before lifting to warm up nicely.
You also need to remember to stand or sit up straight (if you're working on a machine) and keep good posture throughout the exercise. It's really easy to slump your shoulders (or hold them too close to your ears) or to lean or bend forward or backward as you lift. This isn't good for your body or for your muscles because it allows you to bring in muscles other than those you were isolating to help with the weight.
Choosing the right weight can make a big difference in your weight lifting success as well. Some people are so intimidated by lifting that they choose really light weights and use the same weight for much too long to be effective.
The best choice for a weight is one that you can feel like you can only lift about 12 or 15 times while still using good form. Anything lighter and you're not really challenging your muscles; go heavier and you're bound to hurt yourself.
Change the weight of your weights at least once a month to keep your muscles challenged. Remember, you really have to work those muscles to the point of microscopic injury in order to build them back up into the lean, mean strong muscles you want.
Tim Robinson is the author of the Fast Muscle Formula, a guide to weight loss, fat burning and muscle development that makes it easy for anyone to lose weight. Learn more at www.tsnmaymembers.com.
It can be tough but once youre on stage or in those pictures, posing as a fitness model, the pride youll feel will be well worth it.
A proper diet can help you to shed a few pounds and give you more energy for other things, including proper exercise. You can create fun activities that will entice your children into exercising, and give them a chance to get fit too. Like strength training, flexibility training will enhance your bodys ability to perform more efficiently, thus helping you achieve your peak fitness level. You can visit Anytime Fitness online at their website anytimefitness. Once the fitness expert has recommended a certain fitness product, try to find out more about this fitness product.
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