Tag: exercise routine

How To Stretch Your Lower Body Safely and Effectively

How To Stretch Your Lower Body Safely and Effectively - by Personal Trainer Jennifer Ledford

The multiple stresses of modern life caused by things like working at a desk, long commutes, or repetitive use of technology seem to be wreaking havoc on people’s bodies these days. Oftentimes, when I begin working with a new private client, the first few weeks are spent working on flexibility and range of motion.  This helps prepare their body to move more efficiently which allows the client to maximize the benefits of their exercise routine and to help prevent injury.

A good exercise routine includes time spent on maintaining flexibility and range of motion to avoid potential joint pain down the road. One of the simplest ways to improve flexibility is stretching.  You don’t need to belong to a gym and while some props or equipment are helpful, they aren’t necessary.

In today’s video I demonstrate the proper way to stretch your quads and your hamstrings both lying on the floor and in a standing position.  It’s usually a good idea to know a few different stretches that can accommodate your current fitness needs and/or location you’ll be performing the exercise.  For example, you may not want to lie on the floor at your office but it’s one of the most important places to stretch your legs after long periods of sitting so knowing some standing stretches is very beneficial in this setting.

Scroll down and take a few minutes to watch the video.  If you have any questions for me, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below or on my Facebook page. Click here to link to my page.

Have a blessed week!

With Love,
Jennifer

 

How To Stretch Your Lower Body Safely and Effectively

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How To Find Exercise You Like

Is exercise guilt haunting you?

Find it hard to motivate yourself to stick to your routine? Or, maybe you are feeling guilty about blowing off your workout for another activity you enjoy more. If you are struggling with your exercise routine, maybe it’s not right for you.

There are many ways to exercise. Unfortunately, formal and more restrictive workouts have been promoted as the way to get the fittest, healthiest, and best looking body.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Have you ever noticed how fit most surfers, horseback riders, or hikers look? These are examples of people who use recreation to stay fit. They usually spend very little time on formal exercise — just enough strength training per week to keep them in top shape for what they truly enjoy — their sport!

Choosing activities that are more recreational in nature is really good for your body. Recreational activities tend to move the body in more natural ways than some of the more formal “workouts” in the gym. Moving your body in a sport-like manner serves the purpose of improving function in your every day lifestyle activities.

So, while you are having fun and burning calories, you are actually improving your functional fitness as well.  Functional fitness is really important because it trains your body for “real life” situations.

Find exercise you like — the best exercise for you!

1) Ask yourself what you  enjoy. What do you like to do that’s physical? Give YOUR answer. Avoid saying what you think your friends or personal trainer wants to hear. It’s usually something you either did in the past or have a desire to try. I’ve had clients tell me everything from paint ball to line dancing. The most important thing is finding something physically active you will do consistently.

2)  What do you REALLY want? So often we let the media influence us to think we should look like the model on the cover of a magazine. Remember, they get paid for it. While most of us love our work, we all have a “chore” that we endure because it’s part of our job, or part of creating a better product. This is the same for celebrities. Many of them look at their formal workout as “part of the job.”

Copying another person’s life isn’t very motivating! Try different things and see what you gravitate towards. What exercise makes you feel the most energized? Evaluate anything that feels like a chore to see if it’s worth doing.

3)  Just go for it! The most important thing is that you get moving. No matter what you choose, if you know you can stick to it than it is the right exercise for you. The ideal exercise program will feel more recreational in nature and less formal.

4)  Do not feel guilty! We all have that friend that does marathons or bike rides 100 miles. That’s great! They’re wired that way! Do NOT feel guilty that your idea of “working out”is a stroll around the waterfront and picking up a coffee. Focus on your own health and fitness goals and be a cheerleader for them. That type of intense activity is not for everyone.

It’s important to remember that it doesn’t matter what the latest and greatest workout fad promises. The best workout for you is the one you will actually do. Finding something you enjoy — or can at the very least stay consistent with is key.

I encourage you to get creative. Step outside the box and have some fun!

Have an exercise routine that you enjoy and would like to share? Please comment below! I enjoy hearing from you!

Blessings!

Jennifer