“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
Regular exercise is good for your peepers as well as your heart. Specifically, regular aerobic exercise can lower mildly increased pressure of the fluid inside your eyes by as much as 20 percent. This is important because high eye pressure is a key symptom of glaucoma. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to partial or complete blindness.
f you'd like your arms, chest and back to look better in sleeveless tops and swimwear this summer, you still have time to make a difference. Not only are these exposed areas some of the easiest to get in shape, but you'll also gain better posture and stronger bones in the bargain. Start working with weights now, and in about 30 days you'll see the difference in the mirror.
Getting Started
Work out three times a week. For the first two weeks, do two to three sets of 15 to 20 repetitions for each exercise. For the third and fourth weeks, increase your weights by 2 or 3 pounds and aim for two or three sets of eight to 15 repetitions.
Bench Press
(For the chest and the backs of your arms)
Lie flat on your back on a sturdy bench with your knees bent, feet flat on the bench. Hold 5-pound weights at armpit level. Your elbows should be fully bent and below the edge of the bench. Extend your arms straight up. Don't lock your elbows. Lower slowly and repeat.
Lateral Raise
(For your shoulders)
Stand with your knees slightly bent, feet shoulderwidth apart, weights at your side with your palms facing toward your body. Raise your arms out and up to shoulder height, angled slightly in front of you. Don't lock your elbows, and keep your palms pointing down. Lower and repeat.
Single-Arm Row
(For your upper back and arms)
Rest your left knee and hand on a bench, bending at the hips. Hold the weight (you might need a slightly heavier weight for this exercise) in your right hand with your arm hanging down straight. Raise the weight to your ribs, pulling your elbow up toward the ceiling. Keep your neck extended, and relax your shoulders. Lower and repeat. Change sides and repeat.
he extra weight a woman carries while pregnant can put a real strain on her back. Expectant mothers can protect their back muscles by concentrating on good posture and changing their position often — before muscles begin to ache... (continued)
ushing yourself to win a race, outdo your previous personal best or excel at a new sport can be both rewarding and fun. It gives you concrete goals to strive for and a purpose for exercise. But the enjoyment of competition can also erase your perspective and increase your risk of injury.
Since improving your health is a major reason most people exercise... (continued)
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