WEIGHT LOSS TIPS
At least four,
Good posture is the key to safe, comfortable workouts. Keep your chin up and your head facing forward. Align your head and shoulders with your hips. Avoid leaning forward. Keep your back straight.
4 Warm up before you begin.
| A |
| |
| for vigorous exercise. It also provides insurance |
| |
| against injury and soreness. Warm up with two to |
| |
| five minutes of slow exercise, at minimal intensity. |
| |
| Stretch after your |
|
|
5 |
|
| |
| A pliable, |
| |
| to injury. Perform the recommended stretches on a |
| |
| smooth, flat surface. |
|
|
| The correct form for several stretches is described |
| |
| below (refer to the drawings at the right) | . Be sure to | |
| move slowly as you |
| |
| 1. Toe Touch Stretch |
| |
| slightly and slowly bend forward from your hips. |
| |
| Allow your back and shoulders to relax as you |
| |
| reach toward your toes as far as possible. Hold for |
| |
| 15 to 30 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times. |
| |
| Stretches: Hamstrings, back of knees, and back. |
| |
| 2. Calf/Achilles Stretch— | With one leg in front of |
the other, reach forward and place your hands against a wall. Keep your back leg straight and your back foot flat on the floor. Bend your front leg, lean forward, and move your hips toward the wall. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times for each leg. To cause further stretching of the achilles tendons, bend your back leg as well. Stretches: Calves, achilles tendons, and ankles.
3. Hamstring Stretch | |
Bring the sole of the opposite foot toward you and | |
rest it against the inner thigh of your extended leg. | |
Reach toward your toes as far as possible. Hold for | |
15 to 30 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times for | |
both legs. Stretches: Hamstrings, lower back, and | |
groin. |
|
4. Inner Thigh Stretch— | Sit with the soles of your |
feet together and your knees outward. Pull your | |
feet toward your groin area as far as possible. Hold | |
for 15 to 30 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times. | |
Stretches: Quadriceps and hip muscles. | |
5. Quadriceps Stretch— | With one hand against a |
wall for balance, reach back and grasp one foot with your other hand. Bring your heel as close to your buttocks as possible. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times for each leg. Stretches: Quadriceps and hip muscles.
| 1 |
2 | 3 |
| 5 |
| 4 |
19