How to make Exercise more Fun!

Deep down all of us know the various advantages of exercise from weight loss to their role in preventing chronic diseases. However, when it actually comes down to getting up and exercising, most of us fall short.

Following are 6 ways to make exercising more fun! They will ensure that you not only start exercising but also learn to enjoy it.

1) Opt for an exercise you enjoy: Exercise does not mean simply hitting the gym and doing cardio and weights. If running on treadmills gets you going, then that’s great. However, there are definitely many other options out there. If you’re a water baby, then take up swimming. If you love dancing, then join a dance class. The most important reason to choose an activity you love is the simple fact that you are much more likely to stick to it for longer.

2) Find an exercise buddy: Having a companion with you makes every activity more enjoyable. Hence, find a friend to exercise with. The important thing to remember here is not to pick just anyone otherwise instead of motivating you, they’ll draw you back. Pick someone who is active, energetic and fun to be around. This way, you’ll look forward to meeting your friend and will actually want to exercise.

3) Add variety: The reason most people put off exercising is not because they don’t have the time and energy, but because they lack the motivation. Avoid doing the exact same exercise every day. Variety is the spice of life so mix it up. Instead of swimming at your gym’s pool every day, go and visit an outdoor one on a nice day. Switch from running to dancing or Pilates. As soon as you feel like you’re getting bored with your exercise routine, change it.

4) Go shopping: This may sound silly but it has proven to be quite effective. If you go shopping for exercise gear that you love, you’ll be eager to try it out. Apart from the superficial aspect, it is also very important from a healthy and safety perspective. It is essential to invest in a pair of good running shoes to prevent any injuries. So go out there and start shopping!

5) Get a good trainer: Most people are of the viewpoint that only serious athletes need a coach. This in untrue. A good trainer can go a long way in helping you exercise. First and foremost, they motivate you by listing all the benefits that a particular type of exercise entails. You are also more likely not to skip your workout if you know that your trainer is expecting you. Moreover, they also show you the correct way to perform a certain exercise, thus giving you better results and preventing injury.

6) Commitment: Last but not the least; make exercise a commitment that you have to keep. Fit it into your everyday routine in such a way that it becomes as necessary as eating or sleeping. Don’t make excuses and concentrate on the various benefits that exercise brings you. Set small goals that you wish to achieve and treat yourself every time you attain them. For example, if you manage to hit the gym every day for a month, go out a buy a pair of nice track pants or a cute workout shirt.

Tips for Healthy Hair

Nowadays, not only women but men too are willing to pay any amount of money for finding out the secret behind healthy hair.

Irrespective of the type of hair you are born with, follow these 5 tips and see the results yourself: healthy and luxurious hair.

1) Diet: Healthy hair beings with your body. Dark green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin C which is needed to produce sebum, the body’s natural hair conditioner. Coconut is also considered as an excellent food for hair. Dairy products such as fresh yoghurts and milk not only strengthen your hair but also add shine to it. Avoid processed and canned foods as they are not really helpful in providing nutrition to your hair. If you maintain a healthy, balanced diet then there’s nothing that can stop you from achieving healthy, happy hair.

2) Hairbrush Usage : Brushing your hair before shampooing is essential as it stimulates the scalp and promotes blood flow. It also helps in removing scalp flakes and product buildup. Moreover, do not brush your hair when it’s wet as this causes unnecessary breakage and damages hair. Avoid using plastic, metal and nylon brushes as they attack and break the hair cuticle. Finally, brushing your hair regularly will keep it looking healthy and glossy.

3) Blow Drying: Avoid blow-drying your hair as it can make your hair brittle and cause split-ends. Squeeze the water out with a towel and let it dry naturally. If you must use a hair dryer then keep it at the lowest setting possible. Similarly, steer clear of hair straightners and curling irons.

4) Stress: Stress can have extremely adverse long-term effects on both the quality and the color of your hair. Learn to manage your time well and keep mental pressure at a minimum level. Practice meditation as it is an effective relaxation technique. And last but not the least, get adequate amount of peaceful sleep.

5) Oiling and conditioning: Treat your hair to deep conditioning once every two weeks. They strengthen your hair and protect it against breakage as they penetrate the hair shaft. A warm oil scalp massage twice or thrice a week will also help to keep hair moisturized. Leave it on overnight, if not, then at least for an hour or two before shampooing your hair. Regular oiling and conditioning not only result in lustrous, healthy hair but also help in preventing hair loss.

Tips for Glowing Skin

Are you, like most of population of the world, eager to know how to acquire and maintain healthy, glowing skin? Well the good news is that you can easily achieve this at home without expensive salon treatments that burn a hole in your pocket.

The real secret is to stick to these tips regularly. Read on to know you can achieve radiant skin by following these 7 simple tips.

 1) Water Therapy: It is essential to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, especially in the hot summer months. This will keep you hydrated from within. It is full on natural minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium along with iodine, copper and iron which help to flush out toxins from your body and keep your skin glowing.

2) Exercise: There are a number of ways that exercise can benefit your skin. Exercise gets the blood flowing, carrying more oxygen to the skin which improves overall health of the skin. It also reduces stress levels which can leave your skin looking dull. It also leads to production of natural oils of the skin that help the skin to look soft and healthy. Finally, exercise makes you sweat which helps in getting rid of the toxins that can block your pores causing pimples and blemishes.

3) Exfoliate: Regular exfoliation is necessary for getting and maintain glowing healthy skin. Our body sheds skin cells at an alarming rate every single minute of every day. If you don’t get rid of them, your skin becomes dull and dry. Use a body scrub (a separate face scrub should be used for face and neck) to get rid of the dead cells and cleanse the skin. Do this 2-3 times a week for beautiful, radiant skin.

4) Avoid food chemicals: Steer clear of any processed foods, foods are too sweet, fatty and greasy as they contain chemicals that are bad for your skin. Instead, have lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re a great source of fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. They aid the toxins elimination process which if not done properly can cause a lot of skin problems such as pimples.

5) Beauty sleep: It’s known as beauty sleep for a reason! Get at least 8 hours of sleep a day as lack of sleep can lead to premature ageing of skin. Moreover, this is the time when body repairs itself from the damages it suffered during the day.

6) Moisturize: Moisturizers not only help in hydrating your skin but also prevent the skin from losing its natural moist. They are absorbed better when the skin is damp so use immediately after a bath or shower. It also protects and restores your skin’s complexion, elasticity and plasticity and so should be an essential component of your skin care regime.

7) Use a sunscreen: The sun’s rays tan the skin very easily. Wrinkles and dark spots also caused by skin damage. All this makes you skin appear dull. Hence, a good sunscreen with SPF 15-30 is crucial to protect your skin and keep it looking healthy.