According to Livestrong.com laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day helps you burn between 10 to 40 calories. This may not seem like a lot, but laugh for an hour and you could be looking at burning at least 100 to 160 calories, the caloric intake of a soda or a cookie. Laughing not only burns calories, but it also raises levels of immunoglobulins, which according to a research at Loma Linda University can ward off disease by 14 percent.
Want a laughing boost? Check out some of my favorite comedies on TV and video.
A couple weeks ago I posted a link on building your way up to 100 push ups. I really had to revisit the topic and talk about it some more, since I absolutely love the program. After only seven days I can do 30 full body push ups! And believe me, I'm so stoked about it considering that before I could barely complete one, which was frustrating and I'll admit a little sad.
How the program works is that you figure out how many push ups you can currently do, once you've got that figured out, there are three paths you can take depending on what level you're at. You do five sets each day, split up by 60 to 90 seconds of rest, and you only do the program three times a week. Each day you increase your push up outtake and intake amazing results. If you can't do full body push ups, start on your knees like I did.
So what are the benefits of push ups?
They not only serve to increase your bicep and tricep muscles, but they also help strengthen your core through the use of your own body weight, which means you're building lean muscle unlike with weight training you can often times simply bulk up. You can also do them anywhere in only a little bit of space, so you can go on vacation and do them instead of your full regular workout if you don't have enough room. Plus, you'll no longer need to ask someone to open a seal-tight jar.
Best of all though, you feel empowered over your own body, and therefore more likely to feel empowered within the day.
Working out is something that I do to make myself not only feel stronger, but to stay motivated. I think for anyone, whether you're a crafter, a teacher or a lawyer, it's one of the most important things you need to do in your life. For this reason, I decided to have a fitness boost segment on my blog every Tuesday where I'll share some of my favorite exercise workouts as well as healthy living finds from around the web.
I went to find one of my favorite exercise videos to download, Pilates Fit with trainer Tandy Gutierrez, when I came across the entire workout for free on the Exercise TV website, which I had to share. If you're looking for a mellow workout that still gets you results and teaches you the right technique I would highly recommend this video. Especially during the often times stressful holiday season coming up.
After your workout try one of my favorite smoothie recipes. To make it blend half a cup of blueberries, half a cup of strawberries, one cup of milk, and three tablespoons of a sweetened mint cocoa, for a delicious smoothie.
