Guest Post: How to Stay in Top Shape This Summer

And without further ado:

How to Stay in Top Shape This Summer

Right before the summer comes, many people are obsessed with working out and getting in shape, in order to fit into that perfect bikini. However, once the summer months arrive, it is easy to fall into a routine filled with calorie-laden pina coladas and laying around on the beach all day. However, the following tips will help anyone stay in shape, all the way to Labor day!

Play SportsBeing a beach bum does not have to consist of merely lying on a pile of sand all day long. You can still enjoy the smells, sights and sounds of the ocean's waves crashing into the shoreline without packing on the pounds. Consider joining a summer sport that takes place at the beach. Volleyball, for example, is very popular. There are many casual leagues out there, so you do not have to be a professional to join a team. Even a simple walk up and down the coast every day will do wonders.
Low Calorie DrinksSummer tends to be the season of pina coladas, margaritas and other drinks that are full of unnecessary calories. It is very difficult to entirely give up these tasty tropical paradises for an entire season, so don't! Head to your local liquor store. Products such as Skinny Girl Margarita and Skinny Girl Pina Colada are much lower in calories than the traditional versions, but they still have all of the same amazing flavors. These are not the only brands out there on the market that provide low calorie beverages.  Do not deprive yourself all summer though! After you lose a few pounds and keep them off for awhile, treat yourself to a nice, frozen pina colada on the beach.
Back to the BasicsDo not forget to eat healthy and exercise just, because it is the summer. Even if you are on a mental vacation, that does not mean that health has to fall to the wayside. Sometimes summer creates visions of greasy french fries and sugar filled sodas; however, that does not have to be the case. Think about all of the fresh delicious fish that seaside restaurants serve over the summer, and opt for some grilled seafood options instead. Summer is an excellent time for people without a gym membership to work out. When it is not too humid or hot out, go for a run around the neighborhood. Just make sure to drink plenty of water. 
Vacation PitfallsVacation is one of the toughest times to stay in shape and to keep the weight off. Choose a hotel or resort that has a gym in it, so you can keep up with a daily workout routine, even if it is just for a few minutes per day. Select some tourist attractions that require a lot of walking too. When you get home from vacation, you will probably be a little bummed-just imagine how much more upset you will be if you discover that you gained weight while on your trip!

Take Care of Yourself

When you ARE working out, remember to take care of yourself. It's not winter anymore! Properly hydrate, and wear lots of sunscreen, anytime you're outside. It doesn't matter if you're running or lounging, your skin can only absorb so many UV rays. 
Following simple tips ensures that you will not be tipping the scales come the very first breezes of the September winds. 

Brock Powers writes about fitness, finance & frequenting www.healthinsurancequotes.org.

--
Guest Post U

The University of Great Content

www.guestpostu.com

Guest Post: Tips for Staying Motivated to Work Out

Hope you enjoy this guest post! Without further ado:

When exercising or working out, choose activities that you enjoy. This cuts down on the tendency to quit or lose motivation. Keep in mind that physical activity doesn’t have to be torture. You can easily get a good workout walking, cleaning the house, gardening or dancing. Choose something that fits your lifestyle and personality, and you’re good to go!

Walk Pedometer-Style
Walk using a pedometer. This device will tell you how many steps you take and how far you walked. You can clip it on your waistband or carry it in a purse. Set a goal and then see if you can achieve it throughout the day. Vary the places you walk, so you will enjoy the different scenery. Walk downtown one day, and then switch to your local park on the weekend.

Weight Training
Weight training can be a great way to strengthen muscles, using machines or free weights. Start with short weight training sessions daily to achieve the best results. Three to four session weekly, for 20 minutes to a half hour, works well to start. Weight training causes your muscles to get stronger, and even if you’re averse to lifting because you don’t want to get all bulky, don’t fear. It takes a LOT of lifting to get that big, and just doing a half or so a few times a week will increase your look, balance, strength and more!

Swimming
Swimming is a great way to exercise with other people. Join a master's swimming group in your area that provides swimming for all levels without competition. This will provide recreational swimming designed to promote fitness. Another option is to take a swimming class at your local recreations center or YMCA, so that you will learn the right way to swim. Even if you already know how to swim, these groups teach both safety AND proper swimming technique, so that you can get more out of the time you spend in the water. Exercising and learning with others is a great way to socialize too. Don’t forget that a heated pool and the aerobic exercise of swimming are great for anyone with arthritis too.

Biking
Riding a bike is another great way to burn calories. It is an especially good exercise for people over 40, since there’s no impact, like there is in running. One of the best ways to burn calories is to ride a bike up hills. Start with small hills though, as this exercise will increase your heart rate pretty quickly and you could easily die out. Check with your doctor before you start biking if you suffer from a serious health problem or are otherwise sedentary. At the very least, even the casual, stress-free bike ride helps you to reduce stress and improve health!

Run
Running is a good exercise for improving both mental and physical health, because it can be a very vigorous exercise, resulting in more health benefits than other forms of activity. You can run outdoors, on an indoor track or on a treadmill. For best results, start out slowly running for ten to fifteen minutes, two or three times a week. I recommend mixing it up. Run outside some (and mix up your route), run inside some and maybe get no a treadmill every now and then. 

Don’t Forget
When beginning any new exercise program, practice moderation. Buy the proper equipment for safety and ALWAYS be safe. Practice proper form and never over-extend yourself. If you suffer from a health problem, check with your doctor before starting a new workout or exercise routine. Then, get goin!

Rhonda Wilkins writes about health, saving money & frequenting www.travelinsurance.org.

--
Guest Post U

The University of Great Content

www.guestpostu.com

Surefire Silly Putty Removal

Silly Putty (Photo credit: unloveablesteve)

This isn’t a long post, but it delivers.

There are posts all over the internet that claim to have found the surefire fix for this or that if one buys this new product or that solution.  Upon buying a bottle, swab, cloth, etc and trying it out, one generally finds that the claims are a load of bunk. The best fixes are generally the cheapest and easiest, in my experience.

Quick and easy silly putty removal from fabric is now a common need in my household. Introduced in the 50s, it’s been a classic plaything since then. But the stuff can get into, and stuck on, everything. If you don’t know this, take my word for it.

If you get silly putty stuck on, or in, any kind of fabric, there’s a surefire way to get it out and off – even knit fabrics, where the silly putty has gone through the knitting to the other side. The silly putty seems to harden sort of like cement on fabric, which makes it difficult to get out. Freezing it doesn’t work, nor do most expensive fixes.

Rubbing alcohol aka isopropyl alcohol does. It’s super cheap. Get the generic kind, as it all works the same. But hey, if you want to spend more on name brands, go for it. It’ll work for you too.

Take the silly putty’ed fabric item, a common kitchen knife, a paper towel and your bottle of rubbing alcohol over to a sink.

Hold the fabric item in the sink and pour some alcohol directly over the silly putty and surrounding area. Generally I put the fabric to the lip of the bottle and flip it over so that I don’t use waaaay too much, but honestly, again, it’s up to you how much you want to use. Put the bottle down.

Now take the kitchen knife and scrape the silly putty off of the garment. You will notice that the alcohol makes it really gooey. The knife is rigid enough to do a good job of removal. If it’s gone through the fabric, I’ll often flip it inside out and scrape the other side too.  Keep doing it until all the goo is gone.

Wipe the goo onto the paper towel for ease in throwing it away. Also wipe off any left on the knife onto the paper towel. T

Once it’s all gone, I normally rinse off the item and leave it to hang dry; I wash the knife like normal. I’ve never had the process discolor the item.

And that’s it! Easy peasy!

Hope this is as helpful to you as it is in our household!