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MOVE YOUR BODY!! EXERCISE CAN DRAMATICALLY CURE AND PREVENT DISEASE

January 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It wasn’t too long ago that people with conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, arthritis, asthma and heart disease, were told by Physicians to “take it easy”,”stay in bed” or ingest several medications in order to stabilize these conditions. Today, there is little doubt how the impact of lifestyle changes, including exercise, can dramatically prevent, treat and even cure many of these ailments.

Any sustained movement, like walking, bicycling, swimming, or cross-country skiing, will reduce the risk of several life-threatening diseases, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and possibly cancer. Exercise does not need to be boring, expensive, time-consuming, or inconvenient. Moderate forms of exercise will give the benefits needed to prevent disease. Gardening, dancing, walking, household chores, and even shopping expeditions can give you enough exercise to meet the daily requirement. All that’s needed to personalize your fitness plan is a creative and adventurous spirit.

Exercise v.s. diet is often the debate that many health professionals evaluate. By examining each disease through clinical trials, we can better determine the efficacy of both exercise and diet in the treatment of many common ailments. Diet, for example, is the cornerstone of diabetes care, but if diet is combined with exercise, diabetics dramatically improve their condition by more than 45% than with diet alone. “The problem with our health today, is that people are just not moving enough. You’re talking about a dramatic decrease in our level of physical activity from just 30 to 50 years ago. That’s a relatively insignificant amount of time for our bodies to adapt in comparison to the activity levels we had evolved to before the technological era. This combined with irresponsible eating habits is creating the health crisis you see before you today.”

For people with chronic ailments, exercise used to be viewed as asking for trouble. However, current evidence suggests that in both health and disease, the overall prognosis is better for the exerciser than for the sedentary. For example, a recent study showed that intensive workouts can not only slow the progress of coronary disease, but actually restore lost coronary function when the disease is still stable.

Clinical trials indicate that exercise can help reduce the pain and joint damage caused by arthritis, decrease attacks and the need for medication in asthma sufferers, and ease anxiety and depression. Other research 11indicates that regular workouts may cut the risk of symptomatic gallstones by one-third. Exercise has also recently be found to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve adherence to such treatment.

For chronically ill individuals, the psychological as well as physical benefits of exercise can be profound. Even ten minutes of light exercise a day, can help most chronically ill patients feel more vibrant, energetic and alert.

One of the most effective killers in North America is cardiovascular disease. It is also a disease which is so easily preventable through proper exercise and diet. Out of a recent study conducted by Consumers Reports, almost 60% of people who had heart conditions, reported that exercise and diet (types of exercise and diet were not specified) helped them feel much better. Hypertension, a common precursor to cardiovascular disease is also directly influenced, treated and prevented by supervised exercise and diet.

Studies still show that most doctors still fail to advise patients about lifestyle changes to prevent and treat disease. Economic pressure for briefer doctor visits, lack of formal training in nutrition, exercise and lifestyle medicine, seem to underlie doctors’ poor performance in this area.

People with chronic medical problems should insist their health-care providers give them information on how execise and lifestyle changes can affect the course of a disease. If patients cannot obtain this information from their doctors, they should find an appropriate health professional who can.

The Chart below indicates the maximum improvement for both diet and exercise for 6 common disorders, based on well designed clinical trials. These lifestyle changes can also lead to weight loss, which eases many of these disorders, thus increasing the maximum improvement.

From Ngo Okafor

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BETTER SEX THROUGH EXERCISE AND FITNESS

January 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush Sex

The link between physical fitness and sex is an interesting one, and one that should not be underestimated. While there are several great reasons to exercise, there is one more significant advantage: a better sex life. Recent research indicates that people who are physically fit get more enjoyment from sex and are more likely to be sexually active. Regardless of age, regular exercise results in greater sexual confidence, desire and ability to attain orgasm. Experts are not sure as to how and why aerobic exercise boosts the libido.

One theory, however, is that exercise leads to endorphin release, creating a sense of well-being that makes people more receptive to sexual activity.Exercise that is performed over a sustained time leads to a so-called “runner’s high,” caused by the release of endorphins. These endorphins are stimulating, and as well as causing us to feel great, they stimulate the release of sex hormones. The added bonus is that exercise causes us to feel better. It elevates our mood and creates a feeling of calmness. The lowering of heart rate, improved digestion, lowered blood pressure and lowered stress hormone levels combine with the feelings of well being caused by the endorphins. Add to that an increase of another hormone, oxytocin, and the result is a relaxed, content, person.

For women, the link between exercise and sex has been explored by Cindy Meston and her colleagues. Their results indicate that working out – albeit vigorously – primes women’s bodies for sexual activity. It is not simply that exercise increases genital blood flow or makes women sexually aroused. Instead, there seems to be something, as of yet unidentified, that prepares women’s bodies. After working out, she found that women’s bodies respond faster and more intensely to sexual content (such as an erotic film). Her findings are exciting because they counter the long held belief that relaxation is necessary for a good sexual experience, and assumption that might be due to the link between anxiety and erectile problems for men. I should mention that so far these effects have been documented immediately after exercise and seem to diminish quickly- indeed, they seem to be the strongest 15 minutes after exercise and fade fast.

As for men, sexual experiences also benefit from exercise. White and colleagues (1990) had two groups of men, whose average age was 48 years, all of whom were sedentary but healthy at the start of the study. One group engaged in walking, while the other in aerobic exercise. The latter group reported higher levels of sexual intimacy, more satisfying orgasms, and more reliable sexual functioning. Thus, men who are physically inactive and then aerobically exercise three or four days a week, regularly, for at least an hour at a time, soon report more sex and better sex. However, all men experienced an improvement, leading the researchers to conclude that enhanced sexuality is directly correlated with their improvement in physical fitness.

Satisfying sex lives isn’t just about the nuts and bolts of biology – it also involves self image. People who exercise often have a positive self body image, which might make them simply enjoy their bodies more, too. Penhollow and Young (2004) found frequency of exercise and physical fitness enhanced attractiveness and increased energy levels. They write that those who exercise are more likely to experience a greater level of satisfaction and a positive perception of self, which may cause them to believe they are more desirable and may perform better sexually

One last thought – sex itself is a physical activity and burns calories and increases fitness. Many factors influence how many calories are spent during sex, but most reports seem to indicate about 85 for a half hour to hour session, which is about the same as bowling. Unlike bowling, though, sex can also increase self-esteem, cardio-vascular health, emotional intimacy, improve sleeping, and increase immunity!

One thing is for certain: the benefits of exercise are endless and can lead to a longer, healthier and happier life. Despite the advantages of an active life, more than 60% of Americans do not exercise regularly, while a mere 18.8% of adults in 2009 met the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Physical Activity Guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity.

The Center for Disease Control recommends three or more sessions per week of “activities that last 20 minutes or more at a time … that require moderate to vigorous levels of exertion.”
Regardless of your current exercise habits, it is never too late to begin a workout program. You could join a gym, hire a personal trainer and learn how to exercise correctly and safely. Consult a doctor if you are just beginning an exercise regimen to maximize safety.

By

Ngo Okafor

The most downloaded black male model photo gallery and blog

www.getingo.com

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BLACK WOMEN DON’T WORKOUT BECAUSE OF THEIR HAIR!!!

December 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A friend of mine sent me a link to this article and I had to share it with you. Check it out below. When you know better, you do better.

Here now, a new study chronicled in the scientific journal The Daily Mail, which lays bare womankind’s deepest, darkest, shiniest, most volumizing secret: some women are far more concerned about their hair than about their physique. Ladies. Ladies. You have it backwards.

The shocking findings of the new real survey, out of Wake Forest University: “40 per cent admitted to avoiding exercise because they didn’t want to ruin their hair-dos.” That’s almost half! Most of the women got only half the recommended amount of weekly exercise, and a quarter didn’t exercise at all. I for one am shocked, not to mention appalled. Before I totally blow this thing women do out of the water with knowledge bombs, let’s note the ways in which this is a tricky area for fitness and sex analysts:

1. The survey involved only women. High sexism/ misogyny potential.

2. Only black women were surveyed. High racism potential.

3. Devastatingly high potential for one or the other side in this argument to quote stand up comedians including but not limited to Mo’Nique, Wanda Sykes, Chris Rock, Steve Harvey, and even, in extreme cases, Dane Cook.

Nevertheless, this issue is too important too ignore. It calls, indeed, for some real talk. So where more intellectually timid and/ or wiser (white, male) pundits would bow out of this discussion, citing “a thing” that they “forgot” they have to do, I shall forge ahead. Now. Here is the problem with the common attitude among ladies that they must not mess up their hair by exercising: your hair is less important than your body, when it comes to “looking good.” If you object that “looking good” is a purely subjective measure that cannot be quantified at all across cultures or even across individuals, I will say yes, you are correct. But everyone is, deep down, secretly, interested in whether someone else thinks they look good, and I am someone else, so let’s proceed. If you object that you may care if someone thinks you look good but not if I think you look good, I will say, “Do you see anyone else here? No, it’s just us for now, sorry.” If you object that this issue is “not just about looking good,” I will say that you are lying. If it is not about looking good then hey, fuck your hair, start exercising—at least exercise is good for your health.

In order to determine whether great hair or a great body is more important to looking good, simply try the following thought experiment: Imagine one woman who is bald, with a great body, and another woman who has great hair, and no body. Who is more likely to get a date, or be able to accomplish simple physical tasks requiring at least a basic sort of locomotion? The answer is clear. (The same answer applies for men, by the way.) The good news is that, here in “the real world,” the choice need not always be so drastic. Ladies, you can exercise, have a great body, and men (I do not propose to speak for lesbians, unless the lesbian community would like for me to speak for them, in which case I have many interesting theories) probably won’t even notice your hair, even if it is busted, because they are focused on your body. Or you can neglect exercise, spend a lot of time and money and effort on your hair to make it look great, and men still will not pay attention to your hair, because I just don’t think we really care that much about it, one way or the other.

The choice is clear.

Yes, I understand that hair care for black women is often an expensive and time-consuming proposition, and that its inherent cost and effort make the protection of a hair do a very seductive priority. I am simply proposing here that, if you are the type of person given to seeing hair care and exercise as an either/ or proposition in which one or the other must be chosen, exercise is clearly the proper choice. Of course, a woman might very well say, “Who the hell are you and why the fuck should I care about your opinion, since you appear to be just some random asshole spouting your opinions on the internet, and I’m not sleeping with you or trying to sleep with you or trying to ‘attract’ you in any way whatsoever?” Well, that last part’s not what I heard, but otherwise, that is a justified response. Sure. Fine. That makes sense. You can convince your friends of that. You may even be able to convince yourself. But you will never be able to convince me that hair care should be prioritized over exercise, because I have too much love for womankind in my soul to allow such a myth to flourish. Yes, perhaps I love too much, as did Jesus (and look what happened to him). But I must assert that there is a very strong chance that some of you, ladies, are using your hair as an excuse not to exercise. And in the hardcore heart, there is no room for excuses. (All the room is taken up by love.)

So jump up, run out, and sweat until your hair looks like a god damn mess. It is the right thing you do. If you need me, I will be on the couch. My hair is really short. I’m a man, so it really doesn’t matter.

From Gawker.com

Posted by

Ngo Okafor

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HOW EXERCISE COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

September 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ngo Okafor Boxing in The Gym

Want to protect your ticker? Keep up those gym sessions. Danish researchers recently found that almost half the people who suffer a heart attack while working out survive, compared to only 15 percent of people who have a heart attack under other circumstances.

Why? Simple: If you’re exercising, people are more likely to be around to help, the researchers explain.

But here’s the thing: More than 60 percent of heart attacks are due to lifestyle issues—a poor diet, smoking cigarettes, high cholesterol, or lack of exercise—many of which are in your control. And while no heart attack is good news, getting yourself moving is just another step in the right direction, says Eric Topol, M.D., Men’s Health cardiology advisor and genetics professor at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego.

In fact, just 2.5 hours of slight exercise a week—that includes mowing the lawn, carrying the groceries, or painting—can reduce inflammation in your body thought to be a major contributing factor for developing heart disease

From Men’s Health.com

Posted by Ngo Okafor

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IN A DOWN ECONOMY, HIT THE GYM HARD!!

October 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Most people are are concerned and stressed about the state of our economy today. We can’t control that. One thing we can control is how we look and feel. You’ve probably heard countless times how exercise is “good for you.” But did you know that it can actually help you feel good, too? Getting the right amount of exercise can rev up your energy levels and even help improve your mood.

Rewards and Benefits

Experts recommend that we get at least 30 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Here are some of the reasons:

  • Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. Exercising causes the body to produce endorphins, chemicals that can help a person to feel more peaceful and happy. Exercise can help some people sleep better. It can also help some people who have mild depression and low self-esteem. Plus, exercise can give people a real sense of accomplishment and pride at having achieved a certain goal — like beating an old time in the 100-meter dash.
  • Exercising can help you look better. People who exercise burn more calories and look more toned than those who don’t. In fact, exercise is one of the most important parts of keeping your body at a healthy weight.
  • Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases. Exercising to maintain a healthy weight decreases the risk of developing certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases, which used to be found mostly in adults, are becoming more common in teens.
  • Exercise can help a person age well. This may not seem important now, but your body will thank you later. Women are especially prone to osteoporosis (a weakening of the bones) as they get older. Studies have found that weight-bearing exercise, like jumping, running or brisk walking, can help girls (and guys!) keep their bones strong.

Strength Training

The heart isn’t the only muscle to benefit from regular exercise. Most of the other muscles in your body enjoy exercise, too. When you use your muscles and they become stronger, it allows you to be active for longer periods of time without getting worn out.

Strong muscles are also a plus because they actually help protect you when you exercise by supporting your joints and helping to prevent injuries. Muscle also burns more energy when a person’s at rest than fat does, so building your muscles will help you burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight.

 

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