GETTING IN SHAPE ONCE AND FOR ALL by MIRABAI HOLLAND MFA © 2011

At this time of year when New Year Resolutions are just around the corner, I’d like to offer some suggestions on how to get into shape and stay there once and for all. Many of today's fitness programs are all about the quick sell and even quicker results. Many are based on dangerous fitness myths. Here are 5 fitness myths to steer away from:

Myth #1: Pain Equals Gain It is a popular misconception that only when you feel the pain are you gaining anything from your workout. "The "no pain, no gain" mentality contributes to more injuries and more burnout than any other fitness factor, especially among my age group (baby boomers). It is wiser to exercise sustainably over a longer term, than to push yourself to the breaking point.

Myth #2: A Taskmaster Equals the Best Teacher Reality Exercise Shows that have recently become popular portray drill-sergeant-style trainers as being the most effective fitness mentors. While leveraging fear and using intimidation techniques may mean instant short-term fitness results, they’re sending the wrong message about how to get and stay fit for a lifetime. Attainable short-term goals and positive reinforcement are more likely to create good fitness habits that are sustainable for life.

Myth #3: Pumping up the Volume Equals Pumping up Your Physique It seems some fitness instructors think screaming louder and blasting the bass is motivational. It's time to think again. While high-decibel workouts might be temporarily motivational, over time these techniques become draining and stressful leading to faster fitness burnout. Look instead for uplifting music and gentle coaching in your workouts.

Myth #4: Fitness Equals a Fight Against Your Body Sales pitches that encourage "shaving off the pounds" and busting your abs or your butt have solidified the image of fitness as a battle against your body. Fighting is not a sustainable activity or philosophy. Instead, think of partnering with your body. Meet it where it is at right now and provide the environment and tools to reveal your body's best potential. When you take this approach you are setting yourself up for success every step of the way.

Myth #5: Force Equals Fit Today's popular exercise routines promote pounding your body into shape. But ancient fitness modalities, such as Yoga and Tai Chi had it right. Fitness is not about pumping the most iron or performing the most reps, it is about teaching your body how to move efficiently, using all of your muscles groups, and sustaining these movements over time. Exercise including strength training should be approached as a gradual lifetime process. This way, exercise becomes a pleasure not a chore.

Worth The Calories? By Mirabai Holland, MFA © 2011

Last year I threw my arms up in the air and decided I wasn’t going to diet over the Holidays, and I didn’t.
I went wherever my instincts took me. If I wanted a piece of pie, I had a piece of pie. If I wanted it a la mode I said “sure, a la mode”. But around the second holiday party I caught myself thinking: “is it wholesome or is it junk? Is it worth the calories?” Was it worth a big piece, a sliver, or Nah, forget about it? My years of training crept in, and I was editing what I ate and sort-of keeping track of the calories. You’d think that would defeat the purpose of throwing my hands up in the air, but it didn’t. I had as much or more fun over the holidays last year as I ever had, and I ate whatever I wanted, only this time I didn’t feel guilty or bloated.
Of course I’m going to try the same thing this year. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m going to try to relax and not be too conscious of my system. I hope I can do that; I tend to obsess. Nonetheless, I urge you to try it. Let yourself eat the things you love. Just ask yourself “is it worth the calories?” You’ll probably have just as good a time, and you may not even gain any weight.
Of course I am a fitness professional and I’d be remiss if I didn’t even mention exercising over the Holidays. So I’ll leave you with this tasty tidbit of research. According to the National Institutes of health, a half hour of moderate Aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or a cardio-dance class, can reduce one’s risk of heart attack by as much as 50%. It also burns about 250 calories if you get my drift. Happy Holidays.

For More Information about Mirabai Holland please visit www.movingfree.com

Exercise To Combat Osteoporosis: Skeletal Fitness: A Workout For Your Bones by Mirabai Holland, MFA ©2011

One of the symptoms of menopause is bone loss.
44 million of us are at risk for Osteoporosis. The vast majority are women.
Women often develop Osteopenia (low bone mass that can lead to Osteoporosis) in the first few years after menopause because they lose bone-protecting estrogen. But, we can prevent and help reverse the effects of Osteoporosis by working out our bones.
The good news is since bones are living tissue they can become denser with weight bearing and resistance exercise.
When working out your bones it’s important to load the areas most at risk for fracture: the spine, the hip, and the wrist.

Here are 3 easy Bone Loading exercises, one for each of those areas, you can do using a pair of hand weights or a couple of soup cans. Use a weight that makes the exercise feel somewhat hard after 8 reps. Remember to always exhale on the exertion. Do 8-15 reps of each of these exercises. Start where you’re comfortable and build up.
And of course always consult your doctor before beginning this or any exercise program.

Double arm row: Loads Spine

Start with arms in front of you, weights together.
Slowly row arms back, bending elbows bringing weights to chest height.
Squeeze shoulder blades together, without shrugging your shoulders.

Lunge – Loads Hip and Femur (thigh bone)

Stand tall, feet about shoulder width apart, hands and weights at your sides.
Keep body erect and lunge forward with left foot, bending both knees to help facilitate the move. (Right heel comes off the floor). Your front knee should be aligned over the second toe of that foot and your weight should be centered between your front and back foot.
Hold for 8 seconds, (remember to breathe) return to starting position and repeat lunging with right foot.

Wrist Curls

Hold arms in front of you palms up.
Using only your wrists, curl weights toward your body until knuckles are facing the ceiling.
Slowly lower and repeat.

Remember, it’s never too early or too late to start working out your bones!
For more information on Mirabai's Skeletal Fitness Workouts please visit http://www.easyexercisevideos.com