12 Mental Benefits of Exercise [Infographic]

12 Mental Benefits of Exercise - Infographic

Need some motivation to workout regularly ... or at least more frequently?

Exercise isn't just great for the body and physical health - most of us are aware that exercise builds lean muscles mass, strong bones, a flexible spine and hamstrings, and aids in weight loss including the dreaded belly and back fat.

But maybe we don't realize how working out on a regular basis (and in some cases, just a single session) confers very important mental and emotional health benefits.

In fact, according to research, regular exercise (together with regular meditation) is strongly associated with healthy brain function and has been implicated in preventing certain chronic diseases like Alzheimer's.

This infographic very nicely summarizes twelve mental benefits of exercising regularly:

❤ Elevates Mood
❤ Releases Tension
❤ Builds Confidence
❤ Increases Pain Tolerance
❤ Improves Brain Capacity
❤ Improves Character
❤ Develops Self-Discipline
❤ Aids in Substance Addiction Recovery
❤ Combats Depression
❤ Reduces Anxiety
❤ Produces a Natural High
❤Improves Concentration

Related:
The Happiness Effect - How Exercise Makes You Happy
Brain Foods
Healthy Fats for the Brain
Brain Threats and Protectors

Infographic source and more information at Tread Mill Reviews - Mental Benefits of Exercise.

10 Tips for Guaranteed Weight Loss [Infographic]

10 Tips for Guaranteed Weight Loss
[Infographic from Health Me Up]

As the end of the year approaches, many people begin thinking about their New Year resolutions.  For many, at the top of the resolution list is to lose those extra pounds "once and for all".

Unfortunately, for most dieters, this is not the first time they have resolved to make a big weight loss effort in a new year.

Sure, a new year feels like an excellent opportunity to start a new diet, to join the gym, finally sign up for that yoga class, or take up another type of exercise or physical fitness program.

But for many people struggling with obesity or being overweight, past experience demonstrates that it is often very difficult to stay on a diet plan or with an exercise program, despite the best intentions and initial firmest resolve.

This may be because most people do not make adequate preparations before beginning a new weight loss program. Many experts in the field agree that certain preparations and planning are the key to success in losing the extra weight.

This infographic entitled "10 Tips for Guaranteed Weight Loss" outlines some of the important and useful ways to prepare and plan, including:

1.    Deciding how much weight to lose
2.    Managing one's time
3.    Stocking the kitchen
4.    Eating healthy home cooked meals
5.    Starting a cardio and weight training workout
6.    Altering snacking habits
7.    Having at least one active hobby
8.    Finding a solution to combat stress
9.    Drinking plenty of water
10.  Planning healthy vacations

These are all really great tips for starting and maintaining a weight loss program successfully.  Other suggestions include:

❤ Making sure to get enough sleep
❤ Joining an online or local weight loss support group
❤ Adopting a regular meditation practice

So regardless of which weight loss or exercise program you choose, be sure to plan and prepare ahead using as many of these tips as possible.

Related:

10 Common Weight Loss Mistakes
Top 10 Foods for a Speedy Metabolism
Stress Relief Activities
Anatomy of Walking
Vegetables and Physical Activity - the Ultimate Way to Fitness
hCG Weight Loss - Rapid and Long Lasting

Infographic source and further information at:
Health Me Up - Weight Loss

Infographic: Slim Your Waist

This infographic illustrates an easy workout consisting of the following four exercises (no special equipment needed - just a chair!) that promise to get you a toned, flat tummy:

❤ Wide-Leg Plank

❤ Side Bridge

❤ Belly Twister

❤ V Crunch

Related:
✔ Shrink Your Belly in 14 Days
✔ Love Your Abs

Infographic Source:
Cosmopolitan

Lean Legs, Tight Tush [Infographic]

This infographic illustrates and describes four exercise moves that only take 15 minutes to complete and that will fast track you to having lean legs, a tight tush and a slimmer, more gorgeous body!

The four lower body moves are:

1/ Step up with leg lift

2/ Reverse lunge with front kick

3/ Lateral leg lift

4/ Plie, squat, jump

Print it out for easy reference.  Here is the link to the full page:

Women's Health Magazine:  Lean Legs, Tight Tush Workout

Related:
Love Your Booty!

Infographic: Spring Detox Health Tips

Spring Detox Health Tips [Infographic]

Holistic health experts recommend cleansing the body of harmful toxins on a regular, daily basis, preferably with healthy food, herbs and activities like meditation, yoga and exercise.  This infographic entitled "Spring Detox Health Tips" illustrates six simple detoxification suggestions, including:

❤ Sleep - a good night's sleep reduces stress and boosts metabolism

❤ Stretch - a stretching break gives muscles a shot of oxygen for improved circulation

❤ Exercise - daily exercise helps the body detoxify naturally

❤ Exfoliation - gentle exfoliation keeps skin looking and feeling fresh

❤ Lemon Water - drinking lemon water in the morning cleanses the digestive system


Related:
Is Your Diet Toxic?
How Sleep Aids in Natural Weight Loss
Dry Skin Brushing (Skin Exfoliation Technique)
Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water
DIY Aromatherapy Detox Bath

Infographic Source: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Infographic: Love Your Abs!

This is yet another fun and fabulous, and beautifully illustrated infographic entitled "Love Your Abs!".  This routine is a part of the "Love Your Body" Workout Series and spotlights seven exercises to strengthen the stomach muscles for a gorgeous, strong core and a flat, sexy belly!

The routine can easily be done at home without any fancy or expensive equipment.  All that is needed is a yoga or exercise mat.  The exercises include "Tipsy", "Love Triangle", "Downward Dog Tummy Tuck" and "Cupid Crunch".

The infographic contains pictures and step-by-step, easy to follow instructions and is printable for ease of reference.  To print the infographic as well as watch the video, visit Tone It Up! Love Your Abs

Infographic Source:  Tone It Up!

Other Love Your Body Workout Routines:

Love Your Booty
Love Your Legs

More Abs/Waist/Tummy Workouts:
Slim Your Waist

Infographic: Love Your Legs!

This fabulous and beautifully illustrated infographic entitled "Love Your Legs!" is a part of the "Love Your Body" Workout Series and spotlights seven exercises to tighten, strengthen and shape the legs, with the added benefits of lifting and sculping the booty and burning calories.

The routine can easily be done at home without any fancy or expensive equipment.  All that is needed is a yoga or exercise mat.

The infographic contains pictures and easy to follow instructions and is printable for ease of reference.  To print the infographic as well as watch the video, visit Tone It Up! Love Your Legs

Infographic Source:  Tone It Up!

Other Love Your Body Workout Routines:

Love Your Booty
Love Your Abs!

Infographic: Love Your Booty!

This beautifully illustrated infographic entitled "Love Your Booty!" is a part of the "Love Your Body" Workout Series and spotlights nine exercises to lift, tighten and shape the backside, strengthen and tone the thighs, and burn calories.

The routine can easily be done at home without any equipment other than a pair of dumbbells (required for a few of the exercises).  Some of the exercises have fun names like "Fall in Love", "Forget-Me Not Squat", "Draw Your Heart" and "Beloved Booty Lift".  Cute or fun names aside, the exercises are excellent for sculpting, toning and shaping that butt and those thighs!

The infographic contains pictures and easy to follow instructions and is printable for ease of reference.  To print the infographic as well as watch the video, visit Tone It Up.

Infographic Source:  Tone It Up!

Other Routines in the Love Your Body Series:

Love Your Abs!
Love Your Legs!

More lower body exercises for a tight tush and lean legs:

Lean Legs, Tight Tush

Learning to Pole Dance - Snap, Crackle and Pop in Joints!

If you have recently started pole dancing, you may be hearing various various "snap, crackle and pop" noises in your ankles, knees, hips, back and neck.   Although these noises may not hurt, they can be unsettling.   Are they harmless or an indication of something serious? 

Pole Dance Fitness - Dancing Away the Pounds

Pole dance is art in vertical motion ~ it is exotic, erotic and very sexy.  It offers the dancer much in the way of personal self-expression and self-transformation ~ as it is known to enhance confidence and self-esteem.  Thankfully, pole dance is growing in popularity and acceptance as a form of fitness training and is attracting women of all shapes, sizes and ages.  Women who have been pole dancing for even a short amount of time have reported amazing positive changes in their physical and emotional health.  Those exciting, positive changes, of course, transcend into other aspects of their lives.