I must admit, I’ve been slacking quite a bit during my workouts in incorporating my arms. I just have a really hard time working my arms out the right way to be honest, and since I have upper back problems, many times when I lift weights over my head, I have an extremely sore neck and shoulders the next day.

If you’re looking to get those sleeker, more toned and tight arms that are on the likes of stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna, you may not want to be looking to the weight benches to get their signature sinews. If you’re looking for more tone, but without the bulk, then pilates for your arms may be just what the doctor ordered.

I do pilates periodically for my arms, and it’s both because I want those more toned and taut arms without the bulking up, and also because my arms tend to have fat on them, especially my upper arms, which is a common places for fat to be stored on women, but also because I do not need to bulk up what I’m trying to slim down essentially.

Do you know how many times I’ve gotten home from work and just wanted to punch something? A wall, a bag, whatever I could get my hands on, except of course, for an innocent bystander! Well, with one of the best workouts you can get for your arms, you can take out all your frustration from work and “vent” on a punching bag by throwing some well placed swings that land square on an inanimate object who’s only purpose is to let you take out your hostility and pent up energy. Can you tell I know a little about all the above?

Yep, there is supposedly some new fangled piece of exercise equipment (not sure if it’s actually on the market yet), that claims to give you a total body workout in just ten minutes. This type of workout is obviously going to appeal to those of us that feel we don’t have enough time in the day to work out – which, oh yeah means all of us!

Jazzercise, which began 38 years ago, is still extremely popular as a means of getting toned and fit and having fun while you’re at it. Judi Sheppard Missett created the Jazzercise program in 1969. Jazzercise is a dance fitness program that incorporates dance steps into an aerobic exercise routine.

Instructors for Jazzercise must be certified and are trained in dance technique, injury prevention and the science of anatomy and physiology.

Throughout the years, some transformations and additions have taken place within the Jazzercise programs. Jazzercise classes began as dance routines done to pop music but now have incorporated different fitness styles into it. Yoga, pilates and cardio-kickboxing have been integrated into many of the Jazzercise classes.

I feel great right now. Yep, I just worked out for the second time since my minor surgery, and I feel absolutely fannn-tastic! I feel like I could accomplish anything right now, and my body feels alive and revitalized after I worked out for a half hour on the horizon elliptical machine in our basement and did my muscle weight training afterwards. I was not able to work out for three weeks straight, and with someone who is used to working out at least 4 times a week on average, this is basically a very hard thing to do. I literally felt as though at times I would climb the walls or that I would go mad without exercise.

It’s allover the news, but I thought it was still Fitness News worthy, as it points out how much fitness related stuff makes it to the news now that our obesity epidemic has been getting national attention and magazines and online periodicals are compiling “fat city lists” and the most unfit city lists and things of the like.

The mayor of Oklahoma City, which has in past years won the unlucky distinction of being one of the top fattest cities in the US, has decided to take on this unfortunate labeling with a fight. Not only has he himself lost a lot of weight over the past year, but he is encouraging other Oklahoma City residents to do that same, and to take their own weight into their responsibilities and also to make sure they work out more.

Stretching our muscles is an important part of any fitness program. In order to stretch our muscles properly, we should follow several simple rules.
The first principle to remember for proper stretching is to isolate the muscle group. The positioning of the group of muscles should not be putting a stress or load on other ligaments or joints.

Before starting your stretch, you should find the point of zero tension for that muscle group. Zero tension is the point where there is no load on the specific muscles. From this point, you can adjust the tension of the muscle group gradually.

Everybody has an area personally that they can improve upon. The New Year is upon us and the time is right to make our self improving New Year’s resolutions. When making a resolution, it’s great to set your goal high, whatever it may be.

While it’s admirable to set your standards high, remember to balance your personal goal as realistic and attainable. For example, if weight loss is your resolution, don’t set your goal at an unrealistic loss of 100 pounds. You could set your goals at healthier eating habits and realistically expect to drop a few pounds per week and set a more achieveable goal.