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The Fitness and Health Report
Information for a Healthy Life
December 2 Issue 5
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Runner's World Rates the Top 10 Treadmills
- The Smooth Treadmill
- Sensible Weight Management
Runner's World Rates the Top 10 Treadmills
In this months issue of Runner's World the editors evaluated the 10 best
treadmills. We at TreadmillByNet were very pleased to have our exclusive
Smooth 7.5HR treadmill rated among the top brands. The conclusion was,
"Today's treadmills are better than ever. In particular, most brands
have improved their stability and controls. Meanwhile, they continue to
offer a dazzling variety of features."
They went on to say, "We're not surprised that treadmills are getting
better. With surveys consistently placing treadmills at the top of home-exercise-equipment
sales, the major manufacturers have to keep improving their products to
stay competitive."
"Whatever your reasons for running, today's treadmills can duplicate
almost anything you might do on the track, road or trail. And you can
run at any time of the day or night, with no concern for weather, traffic
or other hazards. Convenience plays a big role in the growing popularity
of treadmill running."
The review focused on higher-end "home" or "residential"
treadmills priced between $1,400 to $4,500. This is the range of machines
that can withstand the rigors of a regular workout from a dedicated runner.
The article goes on to say that you may find cheaper models with similar
features, but they will not hold up over time.
The Runner's World staff evaluated each treadmill by the following criteria
(which is what you should consider when buying a new treadmill):
Cushioning - How well the treadmill's belt and deck absorb the shock
of your footstrikes? This does not necessarily mean you want a treadmill
that has the softest feel.
Stability - The smoothness of the ride is probably the most important
quality of a good treadmill. Is it solid and secure? Or does it flex,
jiggle and hesitate as you run?
Actual Pace - This is the pace accuracy based on actual distance in comparison
to the display reading. The rating below is based on an 08:00 minute display.
The closer to that time the better the accuracy.
Decibels - This test how loud the treadmill is at an 08:00 pace. The
lower the number the quieter.
The Smooth Treadmill
The gang at TreadmillByNet were very pleased to have our Smooth brand
included in this elite club of the "10 Best Treadmills." The
Smooth 7.5HR is sold exclusively and direct from the manufacturer. We
were only one of two models that is sold direct. This allows our prices
to be considerably lower then the majority of the other models that were
evaluated. In addition, our price was the only one that included shipping.
The special features listed in the article were: Stores information on
up to 4 different users; Touch-hand-grip heart-rate monitor picks up signal
in 5 to 7 seconds and shows instantaneous heart rate on display.
According to Runner's World, "the Smooth receives high marks for
stability, which we consider the most important treadmill attribute."
In addition it had one of the highest ratings for cushioning. Our rating
for "Actual Pace" was one of the most accurate. And the Smooth
7.5HR had the lowest decibels rating for noise level. One final note,
we offered the best overall warranty of all the brands listed.
Selling direct from the factory gives us the opportunity to offer you
the best deal for a treadmill that can accommodate the serious and not
so serious runner. We encourage you to check out our full range of Smooth
treadmills at http://www.treadmillbynet.com/smooth.html
8 Keys to Healthy, Sensible Weight Management
If you've ever tried to lose weight - and who hasn't?- you've probably
tried every fad diet and weight loss gimmick there is. It's the same old
story every time. As soon as you quit the program, the pounds come right
back on . . . and then some, leaving you frustrated, depressed and feeling
like a failure.
Are you ready to try an approach proven effective over the long term?
As the world's leading membership organization for health and fitness
professionals, IDEA has spent more than 15 years reviewing weight loss
information, research and programs. And we've used our expertise to develop
a common-sense weight management approach that really works!
It's Time To Get Real
The following principles are adapted from GET REAL: A Personal Guide
To Real-Life Weight Management. This groundbreaking book was written by
Daniel Kosich, PhD, one of the world's foremost authorities on fitness
and health. GET REAL outlines the three most important elements of successful
weight control: regular activity, proper eating and (perhaps most important)
a positive attitude, including high self-esteem, self- empowerment and
a healthy body image.
What makes his approach so unique-and so successful for those who use
it-is that GET REAL is not a "diet" or "program" designed
to be followed for a short period of time. Instead, the book's lessons
provide a sensible, livable blueprint for lifelong change and long-term
success.
Dr. Kosich invites you to ask yourself where you want to be in 10 years.
"It's not what you do for the next 10 days, or 10 weeks, or even
10 months, that determines where you'll be in 10 years," he says.
"It's what you do for the next 10 years that counts." To get
started, Dr. Kosich recommends that you follow the eight keys listed below
to adopting a healthy lifestyle.
EIGHT KEYS TO A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Key #1: Don't Rely on Magic
As much as we might want it to be true, there's simply no magic way to
achieve a healthy body weight. Many of the "magic" pills, potions
and powders can lead to significant weight loss for a short period. But
the vast majority of people who lose weight using these approaches regain
the pounds within a couple of years.
No short-term program can help you maintain a healthy weight. It's not
what you do for the next six weeks or six months that counts. It's what
you do for the rest of your life-including regular activity, healthy eating
and maintaining a positive attitude and self-image-that determines your
ability to stay at a healthy weight.
Key #2: Forget the "One-Size-Fits-All" Mentality
Many of us think we need to look like the superfit models, actresses
and athletes we see on TV or in the movies. And advertising messages reinforce
the impression that thinness equals happiness. The truth is, we're all
very different. Body weight and shape are influenced by factors we can't
control, including genetics. Your genes determine the number of fat cells
in your body as well as your metabolism.
This doesn't mean you're destined to be heavy, or that you can't lose
weight if you need to. It does mean your progress in a sensible weight
management program will be unique. It also means that your ultimate healthy
weight may be different than you think.
Key #3: Develop a Positive Self-Image
Weight management is often promoted as a process of learning to change
the things you dislike about yourself. This attitude becomes a self-fulfilling
prophecy-it makes you focus on disliking yourself. Effective weight management
is just a natural extension of your desire to take responsibility for
your health and take good care of yourself. Don't get in the rut of "If
. . . , then . . . " thinking-"If only I lost 30 pounds, then
I would be happy with myself." Instead, practice acting "as
if." Acting "as if" you are a person with the ability to
nurture and care for yourself may well be the first step to becoming that
person.
Key #4: Set Realistic Weight Goals
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is important for good health.
But a healthy weight isn't necessarily the one that's suggested by a height/weight
chart! There are many techniques for estimating a healthy weight. One
of the easiest is to shoot for the lowest weight you've been able to maintain
for at least one full year since age 21, when you were active and eating
a prudent diet. Who knows-you might be at your healthy weight right now!
Ultimately, you should focus on taking care of yourself today, not achieving
some future weight goal. There's no rush, since maximum effective weight
loss is about a pound a week.
Key #5: Learn to Play Again
Regular activity is one of the few proven predictors of successful weight
maintenance and significantly reduces a number of health risks, ranging
from cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure to breast cancer.
Unfortunately, we've forgotten what children already know-that activity
is fun! We've also forgotten that exercise is an act of caring and self-respect,
not work or punishment. These are great reasons to rediscover the joys
of play!
But if you think of exercise as drudgery, it won't become part of your
healthy lifestyle. Find activities you enjoy and you're more likely to
stick with them. Be sure to follow the American College of Sports Medicine's
recommendations of 30 minutes or more of aerobic exercise on most days
of the week. Aerobic exercise is the type that sends a lot of oxygen to
your heart and muscles. Walking, swimming, bicycling, and group exercise
classes (step and high/low impact aerobics) are all great examples of
aerobic exercise.
Key #6: Get Stronger
"Lift weights? Me? Never!" If this was your initial reaction,
think again. Resistance training, whether with weights, machines, elastic
bands or tubing, even in water, does more than aid in weight control.
It also helps maintain good posture and reduce the risk of diseases such
as osteoporosis. Strength training just twice a week will bring you a
long list of benefits. Plus, stronger muscles burn more calories even
when you're at rest.
It's important to practice good technique with each strength training
exercise, though, so consider working with a qualified fitness professional,
such as an IDEA Member group fitness instructor or personal trainer member,
at least a few times before you try it on your own.
Key #7: Harness the Power of the Pyramid
Some weight control programs focus on what you eat instead of emphasizing
exercise and active living. The problem with this approach is, people
have a tendency to look at eating with a rigid, always/never perspective.
And that doesn't work for very long for most people. How many of us can
eat nothing but cabbage soup or grapefruit for an entire week!
Instead, try the 80/20 approach. Eat what you know you should 80% of
the time, and leave 20% for acknowledging and accepting that you're not
perfect! That way, you won't set yourself up for feeling guilty or testing
your willpower against cravings for foods you know you don't need much
of. Follow the U.S. Food Guide Pyramid recommendations to nourish your
body in a healthy way, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains
and water.
Key #8: Be Patient and Persistent
Plan and choose attitudes that demonstrate self-acceptance and self-care.
It takes practice. Most experts recommend that you keep a simple log or
record of your new healthy self-care habits. Just take a few minutes each
day to note what activities you did, a general description of the foods
you ate, and the of positive things you did to take care of yourself.
Most importantly, don't be in a hurry. Most health professionals will
tell you it takes at least six months for a new habit to become part of
your lifestyle. Keeping records helps you stick to your healthier habits
until they become second nature. And take it in small steps. That's how
most things happen . . . in real life.
This information furnished as a consumer education service of IDEA (http://www.ideafit.com/),
the Health & Fitness Source, as part of our mission to "Make
Fitness Happen" worldwide.
Author and exercise physiologist, Greg Landry, offers free weight loss and fitness articles at his site… http://www.Landry.com
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