Stay Fit While Watching T.V.

I've got a tip that I've been using for years that feels great, helps to keep you fit and keeps your core muscles toned:  sit on your exercise ball while watching television.  I have read research that shows that sitting for long periods of time may actually switch off the back muscles, and that can set you up for low-back pain down the road.  But sitting on an exercise ball engages those muscles.  You should try it.

It may look strange, my kids may have laughed at me over the years, but I don't care, it feels great!  I think it's a natural remedy for keeping the abdominals and back muscles strong and flexible.  Now my kids hop on it for fun and for strengthening.  My daughter is a swimmer and it helps keep her over-worked core muscles strong and elongated.  And my son recently hurt his back in a skateboarding accident and he has been stretching out on it.  He says it helps his lower back when he lays face up with his head almost touching the floor and gently rocks back and forth.

Prolonged sitting and sagging and slumping may be almost as bad for your back muscles as an injury. When muscles aren't used, they can actually waste away in much the same way as they do after a back pull or sprain.  So why not make TV time toning time by plopping your buns on a ball.  As an extra bonus, it will help you stay awake, so you won't snooze through the cliffhanger ending.

It also feels good to bounce on it while in the sitting position.  I've heard that this bouncing motion is quite beneficial, internal organs are actually slightly lifted which is good for us.  Doing crunches and ab work is easier as well, the spine doesn't press into the hard surface of the flooring. 

Remember to periodically fill up your ball with air as it gradually leaks out.  It's best to keep it filled to the optimum size for the best results.  Check online for various exercises or rent a DVD for a routine that will keep you strong and fit.  You can then replicate these moves while not so mindlessly watching your favorite show.  Regular exercise can also help in the prevention of osteoporosis.

So make the most of your regular "couch potato" time and make it your "fit ball" time instead.  Tell me about ways that you keep yourself feeling fit and on the ball.  I always love to hear about other reader's exercise methods.

The Amazing Ingredients:


Eleven ingredients, you say?  Yes, I say.  What are they, and why these particular ones?  To formulate this truly one of a kind blend, scientists drew from Mother Nature's arsenal of antioxidant protectors.  They carefully researched ingredients high in antioxidant activity and selected the elite of all the available ingredients.

An analytic instrument is used to measure the power of an individual ingredient that neutralizes free radicals. Using this instrument, scientists measured many combinations of ingredients before finally selecting a proprietary blends of 11 fruits & herbs that test high on the scale.  This product, Thai-Go, was twice as powerful (yes, TWICE!) as its next closets competitor.

What are the amazing eleven???  Let me list them for you:

Numero Uno:  Mangosteen...a tropical fruit found in eastern tropical countires.

Numero Dos:  Wolfberry...sometimes called lycium, grown in China.

Numero Tres: Sea Buckthorn...what?  well, it's a native to China and is a nutrient rich berry.

Numero Cuatro, Cinco and Seis:  Red Grapes, Red Grape Seeds and Grape Skins....containing various compounds that have been show to boost cardiovascular health.

Numero Siete:  Red Raspberries...contain strong antioxidant compounds caled anthocyanins.

Numero Ocho...Blueberries:  part of the superfoods "dream team", according to a SELF magazine survey (one of the 12 "must-have foods"). 

Numero Nueve....Apple Extract, a concentrated juice from immature apples with heart-protecting phenols.

Numero Diez ...Green Tea (decaffeinated, that is), which can increase longevity and reduce free radical generation. 

Numbero Once  Resveratrol...  A chemical compound that acts as an antibiotic in plants that are under attack by foreign organisms.  It may safely reduce many of the negative consequences of excess caloric intake.

Don't know about you, but I feel much better with these amazing ingreidents in my daily diet.  Try it and report back your findings, your comments, and, no doubt your positive results!

     Phytochecmicals are specialized chemicals found in plants (Phyto is Greek for plant).  Plants actually produce phytochemicals to protect themselves from attackers, such as providing a bitter taste to a bug that nibbles its leaf.  Phytochemcials help protect good health and prevent disease in humans as well.

      Phytochemicals provide health benefits through a variety of mechanisms.  They can inactivate cell-damaging substances, stimulate the immune system, protect estrogen-influenced organs and maintain hormonal balance in cells, and provide antibacterial and antiviral actions.  Perhaps the biggest benefit phytochemicals offer is their ability to provide antioxidant protection.

     Phytochemicals are also responsible for the vibrant colors of the fruits and vegetables we eat every day, and they provide many of the health benefits associated with natural supplements.

     Following is a list of several phytochemicals and their food and supplement sources:

Phytochemcial           Benefit                                     Food Source

Capsaicin                  Creates an environment            Hot Peppers
                                 inhospitable to invaders,
                                 supports digestion.

Carotenoids              Protect the eyes, antioxidant     Fruits/Vegetables

Indoles                     Modulates estrogen                   Cruciferous Vegetables
                                metabolism, cell protecting

Polyphenols             Promote prostate health             Pumpkin Seeds,
                                Supports blood-lipid levels        Beans, Buckwheat   

Catechins                 Powerful, energizing                  Mangosteen, Tea,
                                antioxidant activity                     Wine, Cocoa
                                Supports immune system
                                Promotes energy

_________________________________________________________________
These are just a few of the many phytochemicals to be found abundantly in
the colorful fruits and vegetables available to us.  Of course, we're not always able to eat a diet rich in these compounds.  Supplements availabe at NSP are an excellent way to ensure that you have a daily supply in your system.

If you have any comments, please let me know.  I'd love to hear of some of the other phytonutrient rich foods that you enjoy and supplements that provide these antioxidant actions.   Please visit my website to learn more about antioxidants, mangosteen and natural remedies.