ChiWalking is a combination of walking and Tai Chi. It was originated from ChiRunning which was invented by ultramarathoner Danny Dreyer which helps runners learn to land on their mid-foot. According to the web site, ChiWalking is:
ChiWalking is an inspirational, mind-body, heath and fitness program that will get you up and out, and moving towards better health.
Walking in this way involves the programs Five Mindful Steps:
1. Get aligned: physically with your posture, mentally with your intentions
2. Engage your core: physically with your lower abdominals, mentally by using your will power
3. Create balance: physically between your upper and lower body and also between the right side and the left side of your body, mentally by creating a balanced fitness program
4. Make a choice: physically to walk in a new way, mentally to create health
5. Move forward: physically with grace and ease, mentally by focusing your mind on the next mindful step
A lot of people choose walking as their main form of exercise. This sounds like a great thing to try if you like walking as it incorporates good posture, engages core muscles, loose joints, and relaxing of the arms and legs.
Resources:
About ChiWalking®
Cool New Fitness Trend: Prevent Injuries With ChiWalking and ChiRunning
I just read an interesting article which talks about the possibility of becoming addicted to the "runner's high" and to exercise in general. I've read before that exercise releases those good feeling chemicals in our brain known as endorphins. This is particularly well known amongst runners because the longer they run, the higher the chance they will experience a runner's high which gives them their second wind.
While the study was not performed on humans (it was conducted on rats), it seemed that the rats which exercised and given Naloxone (a drug used to counteract an opiate overdose and produce immediate withdrawal symptoms), had a much higher level of withdrawal symptoms.
The overall conclusion seemed to be:
"Exercise, like drugs of abuse, leads to the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins and dopamine, which are involved with a sense of reward," Kanarek said. "As with food intake and other parts of life, moderation seems to be the key. Exercise, as long as it doesn't interfere with other aspects of one's life, is a good thing with respect to both physical and mental health." [Source: msnbc.com]
Is it possible that we can become addicted to exercise as well? I do believe exercise leaves you feeling great but I would hardly compare it to an addiction. However, I am sure there are others out there who have taken exercise to the extreme.
What is your opinion on this?
Recently, I decided to give up certain habits in my life to help improve my health. Now that I've formed the exercise habit, I wanted to improve other areas of my life as well. Two of the things I've given up altogether are coffee and alcohol.
Giving Up Coffee and Why I Won't Drink Decaf
I gave up coffee because of the caffeine. Switching to decaf was not an option because even decaf brands still contain some caffeine. Here is an old article which states how much caffeine is present in decaf coffee:
Decaffeinated Coffee Is Not Caffeine-free, Experts Say
I used to drink coffee every day, however, it wasn't difficult to give up. Now I drink caffeine-free tea (herbal.) There are coffee substitutes available such as Teeccino Herbal Coffee
. I haven't tried it yet but it sounds like a good alternative.
Giving Up Alcohol
I used to drink some type of alcohol about once or twice a week. I decided to quit because it was just another one of those things that my body didn't need. The very last time I drank was at a party about 2 months ago. I drank enough to feel lousy the next day and I decided that day to quit for good.
One thing I'm glad about is that I never picked up the smoking habit. I have heard how difficult it is to quit. I am also glad that caffeine and alcohol were not difficult for me to give up.
Have you given up anything in the pursuit of better health? Was it difficult to do?
This is a guest post by Mary Ward
Exercise is undoubtedly important towards a person’s overall health. There’s no limit to the level of information provided out there on how exercise can benefit everything from weight loss to cholesterol levels. So people are starting to get on the train that working out is good for you and is a must if you wish to achieve your health goals. The reality is that so many exercise regimens focus solely on cardio or perhaps mix in some weight training. However to get the most effective and comprehensive workout, you need to incorporate some serious stretching. While some may look to stretching only as a way by which they can warm up or cool down, it’s essential for flexibility which is an aspect of overall health. Here we look at the right way to stretch and how to incorporate it into your workout.
Make it a Regular Fixture
Incorporating stretching into your workout should become a regular activity. This means that you need to find ways to include it and make it routine so you don’t even have to think about it. Stretching at the beginning or end of a workout is helpful, but working it into intervals amidst cardio and weight training can be a great way of ensuring it makes it in as well. Doing a mix of the three elements and working them in through regular intervals makes for a challenging and comprehensive work out overall.
Learn New Ways to Stretch
If you have never tried activities such as yoga or Pilates, now is the time. These are the ultimate in stretching and will contribute to a longer and leaner body and ultimately much more flexibility. As flexibility is an important portion of the health equation, this can be very important but is often overlooked. Think of ways to include a day of yoga or Pilates into your workout routine each week. You may find very quickly that you get hooked and that you want to keep up with these activities far more than you already are. This can do wonders for your flexibility!
Keep It Interesting
There are so many different types and methods of stretching. So try out different techniques from time to time to keep this physical activity interesting. Before you become bored with a certain type of stretching, incorporate a different type or focus on a different area of the body. This will help you to look better, walk with far more confidence, and ultimately feel better in the long run as well.
Mary Ward writes about various health care career topics, including how to choose among surgical technician courses.
There are tons of great fitness blogs out there that offer some excellent advice. Fitness blogger Rafi contacted me to offer a tip on his latest fitness tips post in which he asked several fitness bloggers their best tips.
I was glad to offer a tip and here is what I sent below:
Make exercise a habit. Choose a workout program and stick to it for at least 21 days to form an exercise habit. Once it becomes a habit to exercise regularly, you will no longer question whether or not to workout, it will be a part of your routine.
Making exercise a habit is one of the best things you can do to keep working out no matter how lazy or unmotivated you become. If you don't form a habit, it is way too tempting to slack off. One day off turns into two. Two turns into three and the next thing you know, you haven't exercised in months and worse - in years.
It's too easy to tell yourself you will start tomorrow or next week etc. Forming a habit makes it a part of your daily routine. It becomes as common as brushing your teeth. There are times when my motivation is low and I would rather do anything besides exercise. However, 90% of the time, I do it anyway.
That is mainly because exercise is just part of what I do now. My usual thought is, "I have to get my workout done." That is my current top tip for fitness. What is your top fitness tip?
