Winter Garden Magazine March 2015 | Page 37

6. Many people find that morning exercise has a tendency to regulate their appetite for the rest of the day. Not only do they eat less (since activity causes the release of endorphins, which in turn diminishes appetite), they also choose healthier portions of healthier foods. 7. People who consistently exercise find, sometimes to their great surprise, that the appointed time every morning evolves into something they look forward to. Besides the satisfaction of taking care of themselves, they find it’s a great time to plan their day, pray, or just think more clearly—things most of us often don’t get to do otherwise. 8. Exercising first thing in the morning is the most foolproof way to ensure that other things don’t overtake your fitness commitment, particularly if you have a hectic family life. (It’s so easy to wimp out in the evening, when we’re tired or faced with such tasks as rustling up dinner and helping with homework.) 9. More than 90% of those who exercise consistently have a morning fitness routine. If you want to exercise on a regular basis, the odds are in your favor if you squeeze your workout into the a.m. 10. Non-morning people can always trick themselves in the a.m. Having trouble psyching yourself up for a sunrise jog? Tell yourself that you’ll still be so fast asleep that you won’t even remember—much less mind! DONKEY KICK Specific exercises to work your glutes provide more than just an improved physical appearance. Your glutes provide you with the ability to walk, run, jump and twist. Increasing the strength of your gluteus maximus increases your speed and agility for participation in sports and everyday activities. The gluteal muscles, or glutes, are one of the largest muscle groups in the body and an area that most people want to tone. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to isolate and exercise these muscles. The donkey kick will show you how to strengthen and define your butt. ONE-LEG DUMBBELL SQUAT (with back leg elevated) Lunges are a powerful exercise, allowing you to shape and strengthen almost every muscle in the lower body –- the hips, glutes, quads, hamstring and calves. Lunges are tougher than squats because the split stance puts you in an unstable position, which challenges your balance. The stance also changes the load on your body, allowing you to work each leg more independently. Plant your working foot roughly several feet in front of the curve, and place the top of your stabilizing foot flat on the curve. Bracing through your core, descend to a point just before your knee touches the floor and reverse the motion.