Summer is a great time to get back in shape. The warmer weather permits enjoyable outdoor activities such as running, swimming and cycling. However, the summer heat can be extreme and ruthless. It can take an adverse toll on your health. So before your scurry out and do your daily routine, make sure to take note the following tips.

• Avoid exercising under the scorching heat of the sun. As much as possible, defer from working out at 10am to 3pm outdoors.
• Dress for the weather. Choose loose, cottony shirts to help evaporate sweat and light-colored clothing to help reflect heat. This type of clothing will keep you cooler while doing your outdoor workout.
• Use SPF-50 sunscreen to protect your skin.
• Keep hydrated. Bring a water bottle and take a drink at least every 15 minutes. You may also drink beverages that can replenish salt and electrolytes.
• If you are feeling dizzy out in the sun, stop your activity immediately and find a shaded area to rest.
• Check for any heat wave forecast. You might want to postpone your outdoor workout and take your fitness regimen indoors instead.

For more summer fitness tips, contact Answer is Fitness.

If you are trying to lose weight, you know the drill. The formula is pretty simple. You need to burn more calories than you consume. Some people attempt this by opting for fad diets. Most fad diets are unsafe considering the unnatural ways they restrict important nutrients in exchange for rapid weight loss. You can consider them as unbalanced diet to lose weight easily with minimal need for exercise. But when food intake is unbalanced, expect some nutrient deficiencies surfacing to your body.

Still the safest and most efficient way to lose weight is a good blend of cardio exercises and strength training, and a healthy low-calorie diet. Why is cardio and strength training considered key component to weight loss:

• Increasing your heart rate within safe heart rate zone stimulates the body to burn more calories to cope up with the energy consumed to sustain the activity.
• Strength training can help you gain more muscles. When you gain more muscle mass, your metabolism will bump up as well.
• When you burn calories through exercise, you no longer have to slash more calories from your regular diet so long as you don't overeat right after you do your workout.

For more information about the benefits of cardio-strength training, contact Answer is Fitness.

Are you stressed from the hustles and bustles of life and looking for a great way to turn that around? We all carry varying degrees of stress. Anything from everyday responsibilities like work, family, and changing life events will trigger stress. Stress negatively affects your body, your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. If left unchecked, it can lead to many health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. If you’re looking for a mind-body practice that can help you relax and manage stress and anxiety, then yoga fitness might be your answer.

By incorporating breathing exercises, meditation and poses to your routine, practicing yoga fitness sessions with us here in Foxboro, MA will deliver many mental and physical benefits. Studies show that yoga decreases the secretion of cortisol which is the stress hormone. Thus, yoga has the ability to lower the levels of stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression. Performing breathing exercises during yoga session can help control your body and calm your mind while meditating can help you learn to be more mindful. As a result, practicing yoga regularly enhances your mood, promotes relaxation, and improves your overall sense of well-being.

Finding the time to practice yoga fitness just a few times per week can make a noticeable difference to your physical and mental health. Whether used alone or along with other methods of exercise that alleviate stress, yoga can be an effective way to keep stress in check.

To learn more about the benefits of yoga, contact Answer is Fitness.

Balance becomes an increasing challenge as you age. But you can improve balance through all phases of life by doing workouts that emphasizes powerful movement. Seniors here in Foxboro increasingly turn to kickboxing to gain better balance, power and dexterity.

Kickboxing enhances anticipatory and reactionary balance in older adults. When you improve balance you increase muscle strength and reduce the risk of falls. Kickboxing improves both anticipatory and reactionary skills. Anticipatory skill is when your body automatically adjust to stabilize yourself as you foresee something that could disturb balance. Reactionary skill is when there's an unexpected thing that happen and it disturbs your balance but your body adjust right on time to prevent you from tripping or falling. Improving these skills is beneficial for senior mobility and reducing susceptible to falls and injury.

Our kickboxing workout is a form of high-intensity interval training which also helps delay mental decline in senior adults. This is another great benefit that seniors can get from this workout. With a sharper mind and body, they are less prone to injuries.

Kickboxing workouts in Foxboro, MA start at low intensity and gradually increase with experience. It is wise to incorporate a personal trainer who knows how to adjust the program to fit to your needs and who will adjust your workout in a systematic manner.

For more information about kickboxing workout, contact Answer is Fitness.

If you were to consult a fitness coach about proper diet, you'll be surprised to know that they won't completely restrict you on consuming some really tasty food and drink. It's not necessary to deprive yourself of all things sweet. Moderation is the key to enjoy the sweet stuff without the need to feel guilty. Whipping up your own dessert is the best way to be sure you are taking just the right amount of sugar.

Shakes and smoothies are tasty treat which can actually substitute as a full meal. It is packed with nutrients, probiotics and antioxidants that can fuel your day. Here's one smoothie recipe that you may want to try to start your day.

Sunrise Smoothie

• 1 banana
• 1 c apricot nectar, chilled
• 1 container (8 oz) low-fat peach yogurt
• 1 Tbsp frozen lemonade concentrate
• ½ c club soda, chilled

1.  Combine the banana, apricot nectar, yogurt, and lemonade concentrate. Process for 30 seconds, or until smooth and creamy.
2.  Stir in the club soda and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving): 130 cals, 0.5 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 43.5 mg sodium, 29 g carbs, 16 g sugars, 1.5 g fiber, 2.5 g protein

With this fruity shake you can satisfy your sweet tooth minus the sugar rush. For more dietary and nutritional tips, contact Answer is Fitness.

Source: Prevention.com