Other things...

In addition to changing your diet, exercising and doing some cardio, there are a few more things that I recommend...stretching, chiropractic and massage.

If you have animals, you will observe that they get up stretch and then do whatever else they have in mind--usually to reposition and go back to sleep. However, they stretch a lot. You have probably noticed that you aren't quite as flexible as you were when you were a child. But, you can become that flexible again. All you have to do is stretch. A few years ago, I started doing a little night time, candle light stretching routine every night before bed. It was great. I felt better and it was a great way to unwind before bed. As with lots of other things, I got out of the habit... During this time though, I did feel much better. Trying to get back in the habit of it and want to encourage you to do the same. It doesn't have to be a big deal but if you start doing a little each day, you will reap the benefits.

Another thing I am a big believer in is chiropractic. I had never been to a chiropractor before I had an injury after a powerlifting meet about 10 years ago. Oh my gosh! I was in soooo much pain. (It turns out that one of my ribs had somehow gotten out of whack.) I realized then how easy it would be to get addicted to pain pills. They say that back pain is the worst--I can believe it! If your spine is out of line, it messes everything up. It is kind of like having a tire out of alignment--it wears wrong and won't perform at it's best. Ditto for your spine. The goal of fitness is to have everything running in it's peak condition. Getting yourself aligned is the start because if you are out of line, it will affect your entire body. After my first visit, I had to go several times to get myself straighten out. Since then, I go once a month for an adjustment--every month, without exception. You would not believe the difference!

Massage is another therapeutic thing that can not be overlooked. And when I say a massage, I don't mean having someone rub lotion over me--I can do that myself. I mean having someone get down in there and get those knots and kinks out of my muscles. I normally get a deep tissue or sports massage. Once upon a time, I traded out massages for workouts and got them weekly. Ahh. That was awesome! However, that deal ended some time ago and I'm back to the real world of paying for them. Weekly massage is the best but I know that most people can't afford that (I'm included in that group myself). If you could get them monthly or at least quarterly, it would make a difference.

All of these things together work toward making your body run at it's best and that is the goal--look good, feel good, live a longer more productive life.

Change your body, change your life!