If you want to know how to lose weight quickly don’t overlook how stretching fits into your overall workout plan. A regular stretch program will help with weight loss, joint health, stress reduction, and best of all it doesn’t have to take up much time at all.
Stretching performs three main functions which contribute significantly to weight loss:
Releases toxins which contribute to cellulite build up
• Reduces stress (stress contributes to weight gain through hormonal changes)
• Helps with digestion
Flexibility training as we get older is important because our connective tissues dry out as we age. Stretching helps lubricate our tendons and ligaments and thereby slows down the deterioration of our joints as we age. So do not write off stretching if you are older, you can still work on increasing your flexibility. Increased flexibility will come, you just need to take more time and be more careful.
Both Yoga and Pilates give great workouts as you get a great stretch helping you both burn calories and limber up. But you don’t have to do Yoga or Pilates. You can put together your own routine and simply tack on 10 minutes to the end of your strength or cardio routines in your workout plan. In fact, stretching after will allow you to stretch easier as you will have already warmed up the muscles and connective tissues.
If you are going to put together your own stretching routine here are a few guidelines:
• Get a series of stretches that will stretch your whole body
• When starting your routine start with your neck and slowly move down your body stretching all your joints in all directions until you get down to your feet
• If you find a particular stretch very tight, take more time on that stretch slowly increasing the flexibility in that range of motion
Don’t put it off, get started today. Take 10 or 15 minutes and stretch out while you’re watching TV. Make it a daily ritual. It will help clear your mind as well as help relax you before bed. Stretching along with strength and cardiovascular exercise plus a nutritious diet will have you shedding your excess weight before you know it.
If you want to learn how to lose weight and get a workout plan, then impactfitnessinc.com is your best choice. Not only do you learn great exercises but we give you a diet plan that you can use for the rest of your life.
By: Niall Traynor