THE MUSCULAR FITNESS

Caveat emptor is Latin for "let the buyer beware". Nowhere is this phrase more applicable than in the weight loss industry of today.

This guide will provide the locations of the various Chicago Bally Total Fitness gyms, along with relevant commentary. Overall, Bally is a no-frills establishment for those that are able to work out irrespective of creature comforts and various bells and whistles. Extensive marketing, cheap membership fees, and nationwide locations are the ultimate draw in regards to this franchise

Ever since I was a teenager, my eating habits have been ruled by the seasons. Summer has usually found me lean and in shape for bikini season and winter has usually found me a little more flabulous than fabulous, no doubt a product of comfort food, celebration and near-hibernation. But in the past couple years I've noticed a switch- I'm now generally thinner in the winter and less toned in the summer. I thought it odd, and it took a while, but I recently discovered the reason: Every day or two I'm shoveling snow from the sidewalks of two houses.

Everywhere you look there is conflicting advice on fitness for women. Here are the facts tired and true.

1. MYTH: Weight training causes women to get bulky and bigger.

TRUTH: Women actually lack the body chemistry, (enough testosterone) to produce huge and bulky muscles naturally like men do. Lifting weights will actually help women to burn fat faster and tone their muscles to get that sleek and fit physique. Weight lifting along with cardio exercises are a great way for women to get into shape and lose weight.

Physical activity on a regular basis is important to your overall health. 30-60 minutes of physical activity each day will contribute to your strength and fitness as well as help you relax and reduce stress, increase your energy levels and ensure you get a good night's rest. In turn, your risk of heart disease will decrease as well as your risk for colon cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.

As a twenty-something college grad, I now fully understand why people always warn the young that in due time their metabolisms will slow down. Although I did gain the freshman 15, once out of the dorms it only took a few months to rid myself of all the damage I had done with pizza, candy bars, alcohol, and many late-night meals. As I now approach 30 my body does not take well to fatty foods and if I do splurge, it will show the very next day. So I was determined to avoid all the diet pills, drinks, and scams and find something that really works and has tangible results.

As a twenty-something college grad, I now fully understand why people always warn the young that in due time their metabolisms will slow down. Although I did gain the freshman 15, once out of the dorms it only took a few months to rid myself of all the damage I had done with pizza, candy bars, alcohol, and many late-night meals. As I now approach 30 my body does not take well to fatty foods and if I do splurge, it will show the very next day. So I was determined to avoid all the diet pills, drinks, and scams and find something that really works and has tangible results.

There is a continuing rise in disease and sickness in today`s fast paced, stressful world. Many are turning to alternative treatments to aid in healing and reduction of such conditions. One of the most effective of these is yoga body fitness. Stretching and breathing are two of the main components of this practice, and the resulting flexibility and calming effects are quite helpful in dropping the harmful effects of stress and environmental toxins. Yoga is great in achieving overall balance in mind, body and spirit.

Increasing number of people across the world has realized the importance of staying fit and healthy. Fortunately, this pattern is uniform across the world. With the increase in health awareness, there are several health related questions pondering in one's mind before starting any fitness regime.

One can hire a professional trainer to kick start with their fitness regime, and consult a doctor to check their health condition before getting started.

Keep good snacks in your dorm room to keep you from getting ravenously hungry, so that you aren't tempted to grab the most fattening value meal on the menu. Foods that are good to keep on hand are fruits, yogurt (aids in weight loss, too), peanut butter, pretzels, nuts, wheat crackers, light wheat bread.

Avoid keeping full size packaging of sugary sweets and candy. Treat yourself to a single serving a couple of times per week, but not every day.

Walk to your classes whenever possible.