Weight Loss Exercises for Women

Weight loss is a simple combination of healthy eating and regular exercising. Most women find it easier to diet than exercise simply because controlling what you eat is more convenient than actually taking time out to exercise. Some people see results easily with watching what you eat but most have to start exercising to lose weight or have been strictly recommended by the doctor for better health.

Before we talk about which are the best weight loss exercises for women let us highlight two important benefits of exercising. Working out at least 20 minutes a day helps the body absorb the food better resulting in better regulation of your metabolism. Besides what most of us dont know about exercising is that it helps release “happy hormones” in the body that helps naturally stimulate your mood helping you destress, reduce anxiety and in general feel good about your self. If you dont like exercising alone you can get your friends together to help you get started on a routine. You can even mail us at fitness@fitho.in to find a fitness buddy to help you get motivated.

Here are a few exercise techniques that you help you get started immediately.

CardioTraining: By far the best exercise for women to lose weight.  Cardio is an aerobic form of exercise that involves your heart working more to pump blood which therefore will burn more calories besides keeping your heart strong.

Equipment free cardio exercises for women:

- Running: Running is an excellent cardio exercises. Running with proper hydration can help you shed that extra weight by burning serious calories. A 60 kg person can easily burn 300 calories in 30 minutes. Running tips can help you not only burn effective calories but also to prevent injury while running.

- Ghost/Invisible Skipping: Simplest, yet most effective exercises you can do to burn calories and to increase cardiovascular endurance. Jumping rope can match a total body workout in just 15 to 20 minutes. Read more

8 Running Tips: Uncommon & Effective

The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon is just around the corner, and lots of people are training for it. Here are some simple running tips:

Relax your muscles: Keep your jaw loose, keep your shoulders down and occasionally shake out your hands and arms to stay relaxed. While running, your body goes under stress, so its natural for your jaw to tighten up, for your shoulders to scrunch up, and other such stress reactions.
So, consciously keep the stress out of your body, and see yourself improve running form, and run faster & efficiently.

Wear good & big: running shoes: Buy running shoes that are slightly longer and wider than your feet. When you run, your feet expand, and they need the space. So, be nice to your feet, if you want to run well.

Keep it loose: Don’t clench your fists too tightly while running. Keep it like a cupped hand, as if you were holding an egg in each palm, that you don’t intend to crush. It will help keep your body relaxed, and improve performance.

No time, no problem: If 20 minutes is all you have, still run. 20 minutes of running is better than not running at all.

Run against the flow: Running against the flow of traffic keeps you in command. This is specially important in India, where there are plenty of hazards while running. See running tips & hazards in India.

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate: Water is the lifeline of any process in your body. So, when it starts running low, it diverts water to only the important processes, and physical work (in this case, running) is not as important as digestion, blood flow, etc. So, less than optimum hydration will affect your performance, besides increasing the risk of muscle cramps. So, at all times be completely hydrated.

Only the right liquids: Hydrates with water. Alcohol is not your friend, when you’re trying to improve running performance. Beyond affecting fitness levels, alcohol has its share of side effects.

Look at the big picture
“Whether one shall run on his heels or his toes is hardly worth discussing. The main thing in distance running is endurance—and how to get it.”

Lace it up: Make sure your shoes laces are double knotted. While running long distances, laces often get un-tied, so make sure you double knot them. Further, the loose ends of your laces can be inserted in &  around your shoes, to avoid them ever coming in the way.

And last but not the least, relax when your body feels tired and sluggish

We have lots more running tips. See this, for more running tips. Or go to our running section. Even find running tracks in Delhi.

8 Tips for Good Running Form

Do you run or jog? Doesn’t matter if its outdoors or on the treadmill, we’ve given you plenty of tips on running. Today, we’ll tell about some finer points on how to improve your running form. These tips will not only help you run more efficiently, but also run faster, with less effort, improve muscle performance and reduce your risk of injury. It might even help you get a six pack.

Landing: You should try to land mid-foot, not on your heel. Landing on your heel can slow down your running and jar the body. Landing on mid foot provides better cushioning.

Lift, than Push: Pick up your feet rather than pushing the ground away, which can tire muscles quickly.

Short is Good: Keep your stride short. It exerts less impact on your knee, as well as exerting less energy for each stride.

Abs & Core: Engage your lower abs. To do this, feel them about two inches below your belly button, and pull them toward your spine. Lift your ribcage up and forward to support your torso.

Relax: Yes, relax your hands. Imagine loosely holding a table tennis ball in your hands.

Swing Correctly: Swing your arms forward and back, not across the body, and make sure your elbows are at 90 degrees.

Stay Low: Let your shoulders fall. As you run longer and harder, your shoulders tend to rise up with the increasing stress. So exhale deeply, and keep them down. It will help you run longer and faster.

Look Ahead: Look straight ahead, not at the ground. Looking down closes your throat and makes breathing more difficult.

Implement these tips, and you will cetainly see an improvement in your performance.

Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2009- Official Date

We have the official date for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon! The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon is going to be held on November 1, 2009 in New Delhi.

Other details are still pending, but we’ll keep you updated! To be the first to know, sign up for our Marathon Updates

Read below on how to start running and preparing for a marathon…

If you’re not a runner, now is the time to start preparing.

You have enough time to prepare your self for the half marathon- that is 21 kms. If you’re not up for that, try the Dream Run at about 6-7 km.

To stay updated on how to participate in the 2009 Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, sign up with our Marathon Updates newsletter – registration, dates, routes, fees, age eligibility criteria, etc! Sign up with our newsletter and we’ll keep you updated!

Stop walking to lose weight!

Once you cross your mid 20s, most people who think about weight loss, first try to fix it through diet only, since that seems simple. If that doesn’t work, they try to do walk off the weight! If you’re one of those people trying to stay fit by walking, our guess is that you’ve been walking for a while now, but your weight is stagnant.  Wonder why? No its not your age, or genetics, or your body chemistry..

You’re not losing weight because you’re walking! Walking is a really light exercise. When you first start walking, you might lose some weight, since your body is not used to any exercise. But within a month of walking exercise, your body gets used to walking. So, walking the same distance is less strenous- as a result, you burn fewer calories.

So, how can you lose weight by jogging/running? Simple .. do some more strenous exercise, like running (or jogging.. same thing). Running will not only burn upto 40% more calories for the same distance, but it helps to build muscle… along with a host of other running benefits. Read this articles to see running weight loss benefits how running is better than walking!

Is there an age limitation to jog/run? No, there is no limitation. You could be over 50 and run on a regular basis. As you get older, your metabolic rate slows down, so to avoid putting on weight, you need to work harder at it.

Along with exercise, its also important to watch your diet. Get a proper diet plan to manage your weight, and get some exercise to keep yourself strong.

Running Tips for Summer Months

We’ve talked enough about how running is a great way to keep fit and lose weight. But running in the Indian summer is no joke. So, here are tips on how to keep running in the mean summer months!

1. Hydrate: This cannot be stressed more, but you need to ensure you are well hydrated. Drink 1/2 litre of water before you run. Do this 20 minutes before you actually run, so its not weighing you down.
After you finish your run, get a drink that replenishes you- get a salt and sweet fresh lime soda- gives you electrolytes, vitamins, water and some carbohydrates to help your muscles recover.

More tips below..

2. Sweat wicking clothes: These clothes help keep your skin dry, so its easier to run. Cotton clothing absorbs and holds moisture, so it weighs you down and sticks to your skin. Sweat wicking clothes available in stores- big brands as well as non-branded. Get yourself some!

3. Sunscreen: Wear it and protect yourself from the sun! For the Indian skin, SPF 15 sunscreen lotion should be good.

4. Sports Drinks: For advanced runners- if you’re going to run over 45 minutes, carry a sports drink with you- for replenishing carbs and provide hydration

5. No Brainer: But you should try to run in the evening or early morning. Early morning is a little better, since the ground is a little cooler than the evening.

Need a place to run in Delhi? Here’s a list- Siri Fort Sports Complex Running, Running Track- Jahanpanah City Forest, Running  at Lodhi Garden, Hauz Khas Deer Park Running routes. These are all in South Delhi and Central Delhi.

Thinking about Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2009?

Planning to take part in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2009? Its a great event, with events for everyone. Check out details on the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2008 and the Airtel Delhi Marathon route maps. We participated in the Airtel Delhi Dream Run- here’s our experience at delhi half marathon- beware, it was not a good marathon experience. This year, we are planning to do the 21 km run (half marathon). East African runners dominated the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2008 – Read this to understand why East Africans dominate marathons.

The information on Airtel Delhi Half Marathon event is not out as yet. To be the first to know through Fitho, sign up for our Marathon Updates

Read below on how to start running and preparing for a marathon…

You might not beat the East African runners, but here are tips to prepare better for a marathon: Prepare for a marathon run, peak performance during and after the marathon run.

If you’re not a runner, now is the time to start preparing. We have enough tips on our site to get to prepared: Tips to Run Better Part 1, Tips to Run Better Part 2,  Tips to Run Better Part3.

You have enough time to prepare your self for the half marathon- that is 21 kms. If you’re not up for that, try the Dream Run at about 6-7 km. Last few years, the Airtel Delhi half marathon has been happening in Oct, Nov. We presume that this year will be similar.

Need a proper running plan to get you started and prepare you for the 6 km Dream Rum (Mini Marathon)? Sounds like too much- don’t worry, with 2 months, we’ll comfortably get you on track and running! Contact Fitho or email fitness@fitho.in for running plans and nutrition plans in Delhi!

To stay updated on how to participate in the 2009 Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, sign up with our Marathon Updates newsletter – registration, dates, routes, fees, age eligibility criteria, etc! Sign up with our newsletter and we’ll keep you updated!

Update: We have the official date- Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2009

FHF- Sexy foods, toned arms, sculpted butt, Miss Universe ..

Welcome to the first edition of FHF- Fitho’s Hot Forums. Here are the hottest discussions on our health and fitness forum. Check them out to see what the people are saying, and have your say!

Get that model like butt: Tips on How to get a sculpted butt

Sexy Arms: She wants thinner and toned arms- Should you run, or lift weights . Find out the simplest way.

Personal Weight Loss Story: Read Shridhar’s own success story of how he lost weight. His experience of losing over 20+ kgs in 6 months.

Fruits for weight loss: Ever wondered which fruits are best for weight loss? Here are some answers

Cardio Tips: Is a fixed cardio routine better than a varied one for weight loss?

Foods for Better Sex: Are there foods that can improve your sex life? Are they aphrodisiacs? How do they really work?

Miss Universe too thin?: Our most recent discussion- Does Miss Universe look too thin in this bikini photo? Check it out and have your say!

Ever had any questions on weight loss, health, muscle gain etc… ask them in our discussion forums, and get the answers from friends, experts and other health conscious folks!

Tips to improve your health, fitness and sex life

In our previous article, we talked about how an unhealthy diet can negatively affect your sex life. Here, we will tell you all about how you can improve it

- Watch the Fat: The daily fat content of your diet should not be more than 30%. That’s the stipulated guideline for fat content in your diet. If you go over, you risk increasing fat storage in your body, along with cholesterol build up. High cholesterol reduces blood flow to all parts of your including your genitals for sexual arousal.

- Eat lots of fiber: Soluble fiber help to clean cholesterol build up in your arteries. With cleaner arteries, more blood can flow to all parts of your body, including your privates. Common sources of soluble fibre are legumes, oats, rye, barley, broccoli, carrots, onions, potatoes, apples and other fruits, etc.

- Do your Cardio: Cardiovascular exercises like cycling, running keep bad cholesterol down and raises good cholesterol. They also improves blood flow and circulation in your body, again benefiting sex life. Need some help to start running?- Here are tips to start running

So, keep the alcohol under control with these low calorie alcoholic drinks, follow these tips and improve your sex life.

Are you Indian? Careful about diabetes and hypertension

Research over the last several years has shown that Indian bodies and genetics are different from their western counterparts. Not in a good way- Indians suffer from abdominal obesity compared to people in the west, whose bodies are uniformly obese. As a result of this, Indians are at a higher risk of diabetes and hypertension.

There are currently 41 million diabetic people in India and this number is expected to rise by 170 per cent in the next 20 years. Even today, India has the largest population of diabetics in the world. By 2050, India is projected to be diabetes capital of the world. Today, one in every three Indians has high blood pressure, which is expected to shoot by 60 per cent in the next 20 years.

Not much can be done about the genetic risk of Indians, but a lot can be done to take measures about reducing your risk. First, get yourself tested for blood sugar and hypertension. Then, watch your diet and exercise. The Indian diet is very high on carbohydrates. Watch the type of carbohydrates that you put into your body- some carbohydrates promote fat storage. You don’t have to cut out fat from your diet. Just eat the healthy fat. Here are snacks that are delicious and healthy- Almonds keep you fit, Yoghurt reduces fat, Apple fights cancer, Guavas build immunity- read for their health benefits.

Need to lose weight. Call Fitho or email us at fitness@fitho.in. We provide effective diet and workout plans that are customized to your needs.

If you have not exercised in a while, then this is your chance to start- start with a walk, and graduate to a jog. There are innumerable benefits of running. Read these tips to start running. The classic pushup exercise, builds muscle and burns fat.

You’re never to old to get in shape! If you need to lose weight, get on a healthy weight loss plan, with a balanced diet and an effective exercise routine.

Airtel Kolkata Marathon 2009 is here!

Finally, the 2009 Airtel Kolkata Marathon is here. It will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2009.

There are 3 events:
1. Men’s Marathon (42.195 km): This event starts at 7 a.m.
2. Women’s Run (10.5 km): This run starts are 7.10 a.m.
3. SAIL Celebrity Run (4.2 km): This run starts at 7.30 a.m.

From our experience of athletic events, we suggest getting there at least an hour early, since there is chaos with parking, and so many people participating in the event.

The total prize money for the 2009 run is INR 1.1 million. The winner of the Men’s Marathon will get INR 320,000. The winner of the Women’s Run will receive INR 110,000. More details on the prize money awards at Kolkata Marathon 2009.

The website claims that over 20,000 participants will be taking part, making it the largest marathon in eastern India. Considering that there isn’t any other metro in eastern India, that’s not a tough feat for Calcutta.

There is no information on how to register and participate in the Kolkata Marathon but they’ve provided their contact information. The title of the website still says Kolkata Marathon 2007. Not even Kolkata Marathon 2008, let alone 2009

We think its odd to have separate runs for men and women? Most of the other marathon events, like the Delhi Marathon, or others in India do not have events that separate men and women. What if there are women who want to run the full marathon? What if there are men who want to run 10.5 km, instead of having to choose between either the full marathon of 42+ km, or the celebrity run of 4.2 km? What do you think?

Regardless, the route for the Airtel Kolkata Marathon 2009 goes through the regal Red Road- it has been the iconic pleasurable driving experience in Calcutta for many years. Running on it would be cool.

Here is a list of winners for Kolkata Marathon 2009, and Women’s Run winners for the Kolkata Marathon 2009.

This is the 5th year of the Kolkata Marathon, starting in 2005. Watch out for information on the Airtel Kolkata Marathon 2010!

Click here and enter your email to get marathon updates.

Marathon Training Tips- Nutrition during & after Run

In the previous article, we focused on the nutrition before a marathon or a long run to help you build your stamina and perform better. Here, we’ll focus on the nutrition during the run.

Don’t laugh at the idea of nutrition during a marathon- its inconsequential for a short run, but for long runs like marathons its essential to keep focus on it.

1. Sip water before: Right before the run, you might feel a little thirsty. Sip on some water, but ensure that you don’t drink too much. At the max- half a glass. Else it will sit in your belly and weight you down while you run.

2. Hydration: During the run, at the water stops, keep sipping water. Research your marathon route well so you know where the water stops are, and train your body accordingly. Optimum hydration helps your muscles perform better- with stamina and speed.

3. Sports Drinks: Electrolyte based drinks like Gatorade are available at water stops. These drinks contain simple sugars and salts, so they provide instant energy as well as hydration. Long duration of exercise depletes the salt compound levels in your body. The electrolyte based drink replenish these replenish these salt compound levels to keep you going for longer. Like water, don’t drink too much, else it will sit in your belly.

4. Energy Gels: For long runs like marathons, your body can require over 5000 calories. Since you can’t eat that many calories in your pre run meal, many long distance runners carry energy gels with them. These energy gels contain electrolytes and simple carbohydrates to provide instant energy. When you feel like your running out of energy, pop open a gel pack. It contains fast dissolving carbohydrates that give you instant energy and keep you going.

After a marathon, your body has taken a pounding so ensure that you provide it with the right nutrition to replenish your muscles. Have some quick dissolving simple carbohydrates like candy bars, or fruits like banana. Low fat food is better, since its promotes faster digestion and quicker absorption of nutrients into your muscles. Ensure you hydrate well and give your body some much needed rest.

See nutrition tips before a marathon and tips to run better.

Nutrition Tips for peak performance- Before the Marathon

There are plenty of marathons and long distance running events (list of running events in India). You might be training for it, or probably know someone who is. As important as training for it is, its equally important to get your nutrition right. Incorrect nutrition can complete destroy your performance.

Here are some nutrition tips that help you build stamina and improve performance.

We’ll break the nutrition down into 2 parts based on its timing- The first one is before the run, and the second is during and after the run. Here we’ll focus on the nutrition before the run. We personally rate the nutrition before the run as the most important, since it lays the foundations for your energy requirements:

1. Dinner: On the night before the big run, have a carbohydrate rich dinner, like pasta or rice. The surplus carbohydrates are stored in your body and are used to supply glycogen to your muscles during the run.

2. Hydration: About 1.5 hours before the run, drink a litre of water. This water will hydrate your body. The timing is important, since it gives your body enough time to process the water out. That way, you’re standing at the start line, not the line for the toilets.

3. Pre Run Breakfast: Breakfast anyway rules as the most important meal of the day. On your run day, its even more important since you need it to fuel you through the run. Eat a good breakfast with lots of slow release carbohydrates, some protein and low fat. Eat this meal atleast 45-60 minutes before the run. An example would be oatmeal with low fat milk and a banana. Fast release carbohydrates (sugary) are not recommended since it can cause a sugar low, and impede performance at the start of the race. Some protein is good to feed your muscles. Fat free is not important, but low fat is- Fat takes longer to digest so it will sit in your belly, make you feel heavy, and affect your performance.

4. Vitamin B: Pop a Vitamin B with your pre marathon breakfast. Your body uses Vitamin B to produce energy. For long runs and workouts, your body needs to produce extra energy and stamina, and a Vitamin B will help with that.

5. Sleep: Last but not the least, get 8-9 hours of sleep before your run. Sleep has lots of benefits. Your body should be completely well rested to perform in a long run.

All this nutrition should get you in good shape till before your run. Also know about nutrition tips after marathon focuses on the nutrition during and after the run. See our tips to run better.

Running burns calories while you rest

Wonder if you should start running? The New Scientist magazine reported that a Yale University study showed that endurance athletes, such as long-distance runners, burn up extra calories even when at rest- while your reading a book, watching TV, sleep or just hanging with friends.

Mitochondria is the part of a cell which convert sugar and fat into ATP molecules, which transport energy within cells. The study showed that the mitochondria in the cells of men who run (treadmills or outside) for four or more hours each week, use 54% more fuel than the mitrochondria of non-runners.

When the mitrochondria uses sugar and fat, this helps to clear out cellular fats that may contribute to insulin resistance. This research suggests that, even when at rest, running plays an important role in helping to protect against type 2 diabetes, as well as helping to burn fat.

4 hours a week is not that much. Break it into 6 days- that’s 40 minutes a day, with rest on one day of the week So, get those running shoes out and start running. We’ve got all the tips to start running.

Running Events in India

Marathons are now held all over India. Ranging from 5-10 k runs, we have plenty of marathons and even ultra marathons in India- We have large running events in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Auroville.

Delhi has in Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. In 2008, it was held on Nov 9. There are 5 events-the half marathon, the dream run, the senior citizens event, the veterans run and the wheelchair event.

Mumbai has the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

Chennai also has a running culture. Check out more on the Chennai Marathon

Hyderabad has its share of running culture with 10k mini marathon and half marathon events. More at Hyderabad10K website

Bangalore has an ultra marathon (52 km)! Its the only one that we know of in India. They’ve already done 2 ultra marathons in 2007 and 2008.

Pune has its Pune International Marathon

Kolkata has the Airtel Kolkata Marathon. They have 3 events- Marathon (42 km), Ladies Run (10.2 km) and a Fun Run (4.2 km).

Auroville started its marathon in 2008. Check out the Auroville Marathon site here.

Last but not the least, in the Great Tibetian Marathon. This marathon every year in the summer, on the plateau of Leh Ladakh. With the low oxygen levels, we rate this as the toughest marathon in India, and the coolest marathon in India, in more ways than one Running in the Himalayas would be such a unique experience!

Kudos to all these people making efforts to growing a running culture to India! Are there any others that we’ve missed? Any runs in your city? Please comment to let us know and we’ll add it to the list.

For the running uninitiated, here is a distance definition of various runs:
Marathon- Its a total distance of 26.2 miles (approx 42 kms)
Half Marathon- Very intuitively, it is 13.1 milees (approx 21 kms)
Ultra Marathon- Anything covering a distance of more than a marathon is an ultra marathon.

For tips to start running, or to run better, check out our series of articles on running tips

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