I used to swim laps very often and recently I've been trying to start again. I feel that swimming is a lot of fun and very relaxing. It's something that I do when I'm mentally overworked about something or if I can't focus well. But I also do it just for the exercise. Swimming is actually the only sport that works all of your muscle completely. Even though I don't want to have massive muscles, I do like staying in shape and swimming lets me do just that. I can evenly work out my arm muscles, leg muscles and even my core when I'm swimming. The only downside of swimming is how tired it makes me. But that's O.K. I only get tired physically after swimming a lot, not mentally, so I can still use my brain afterwards. All in all it's something very great that I recommend for everyone! I went swimming this morning, soon after my Sunday morning bicycling routine. Felt refreshing, relaxing and simply healthy. After all , no matter what you do to stay healthy it is a little step to be also happy. In healthy body healthy spirit, so everyone lets do swimming, yoga, bicycling,running, walking, anything to move our body and muscle, so we can be in our best shape.  

The value of Yoga

       Yoga has been practice for over the thousand of years. Is yoga a religion? Definitely not , but yoga is very spiritual, and that's why people from all religious, as well as atheist practice it. There are many reasons why yoga is good for us: more flexible body, clearer mind, fresh perspective on our life, weight loss, more relaxed body and mind. The list of yoga benefits is much longer, and  we all know that. The problem is to find time and determination to do it, and do not stop after few sessions. If we want to stick to something, we should definitely enjoy it. From my own experience good club and "hot" instructor is a good beginning. Secondly, starting with less challenging program, more relaxing than physical, will keep us coming back for "more". There are five paths of yoga: Hatha yoga, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga and Raja yoga. You can mix and much the different types of yoga to get perfect combination just for you. If you'll decide to start yoga in the privacy of your own house, there are many excellent books available, so get studying because it's fascinating, self- empowering subject, which can help make sense of your life and live to its full potential. Especially, because yoga is known to improve overall health, and builds resistance to disease. Healthy life is a happy life, so lets practice some yoga today... and for the rest of your life. Sound like a good plan?

When it comes to exercising, I hold one thing to be the most important and difficult of all: determination. Working out once is an easy task, you go out, walk a little, maybe run. Perhaps you can even go for a jog or to the gym for some serious strength exercising. Getting into shape is much more than just deciding to exercise. It is the adoption of a mind set that will lead you there. Determination, exercising again and again when you are tired or when there seems to be no progress. Thinking that I can get into shape is easy. Planning it out, almost as easy. But real determination is when you come home from work, have many things to do and yet still you decide to go for a run. It is not easy to ignore your sore muscles or that upcoming homework assignment. But if you are determined, you can do it, and I think I can do it because I am determined to get back into shape again. Even though so far my progress has been... not the best... I remain determined.

                             How to Measure Your Fitness Level

          Even if you have some ideas how fit you are, knowing exact numbers will help you set realistic goals, keeps your motivation and check your progress. Let’s start with this easy four-step fitness assessment. We will cover four key areas: muscular fitness, aerobic fitness, flexibility and body composition. 
   1. In order to assess your aerobic fitness, walk 1 mile. It can be done anywhere, even at the mall, during windows shopping. But remember, it should be brisk walk! Before and after, check and write down your pulse.                                                                                                                 

   2. To measure your muscular fitness you have to do push-ups. It's up to you, which one you pick: modified or classic. Do as many as you can and don't forget to record the result.                              

   3. The next step is assessment of flexibility. It can be done by performing simple sit-and-reach test. How? Very easy: while sitting on the floor, reach forward as far as you can, hold for few seconds then note the distance you reached.                                                                                   

   4. Last step to get a full picture of your fitness level is to estimate your body composition: waist circumference and body mass index. Here are some steps to follow: record your waist circumference in inches and determine BMI (indicator of your body fat) through a BMI table.  

Now keep the records in a safe place, because after about six weeks of your exercise, you have to take same measurements and CELEBRATE YOUR PROGRESS. Good luck to me and all of you reading this post!

 P.S. At this time make sure to reward yourself during brisk walk at the mall, you know what I mean :)

I did it!

   It's Sunday, February 3. Beautiful day for bicycling and for Superbowl of course too. Woke up at 9:30 (good, long sleep). As I sad in my last blog, today is my first day to change from " couch potato" status to "super fit" status. So far, so good... had my almost 2 hours bicycle training. And the most surprising - I am OK, can walk and feeling good. I think, even my mood change for better, because I have started to believe, I actually have a chance to get a good grades on my 2 exams next week. Definitely, I need to make some changes in my schedule, 30 minutes a day physical activity doesn't sound like something unrealistic, right?

Not much to brag about so far...

          The only thing getting training so far is my brain, specifically the side responsible for the math problems solving. My back hurts from not moving much all day and my eyes are not in the best shape neither : red and itchy. I need to do something with my schedule, definitely few changes to get me into routine of exercising are necessary. Maybe it is a good idea to go to bed at least by midnight, have an 8 hours uninterrupted sleep and tomorrow morning start a good day with morning brisk walking or bicycling.That's a plan. Sunday is the best day to start something new, because it is... Sunday- the best day of the week( in my opinion), no school or work. It's after 11P.M., so time to stick to the plan- good night rest, good morning exercise and I'm sure the rest of the day will be more pleasant. One more thing I'm going to do tomorrow,I will buy a new, weekly planner to write down my busy daily schedule with taking into account daily training. So good night my friends and have a good, healthy Sunday!