3 Exercises for Good Posture and a Six-Pack

These days many people spend a significant part of their day slaving away over a hot computer and as a result, their posture is not what it should be. Bad posture can result in short-term discomfort such as neck stiffness and headaches and also lead to more serious problems in later life. It is therefore worth spending some time to counteract the damage we may be doing to ourselves every day. But how about this - did you know that some of the same exercises that you can do to maintain good posture are the very same exercises, which if done regularly, can help you to achieve a six-pack? I am totally serious ? this is something I discovered recently while looking at different exercise routines because I wanted to do something about my own bad posture. As well as sitting and standing up straight, you will also look good on the beach next summer. Kill two birds with one stone!

The following exercises should be done a minimum of three times per week and although you will not see and feel significant results for approximately 6-8 weeks, you will start to feel the developing muscles encouraging you to sit and stand straighter, almost immediately.

Pelvic tilt ? Lie on the floor with your knees bent. Your feet should be parallel and arms to the side. Tighten your lower abdominal muscles, pulling your navel and lower back towards the floor. You should do this without using your buttocks or leg muscles to help you. Do this five times, holding for five seconds each time.

Trunk Curls ? Lie on your back on the floor, with knees bent. Place your hands lightly behind your head. Using your upper abdominal muscles, raise your trunk off the floor to about 20 degrees and hold for 5 seconds. Then lie down again slowly. Do not put any strain on the neck or lead with your head. Try to imagine touching the ceiling with your chest. Repeat five times.

Arm / Leg raises ? Lie face-down on the floor, keeping your neck straight, with your legs extended and arms straight overhead. Then slowly raise your left arm and right leg about six inches off the ground. Hold for five seconds and lower. Repeat with the right arm and left leg. Repeat five times on each side.

As you should before starting all types of exercise, consult your doctor if you have a history of health problems.

Emmanuel Mendonca moved from London to Athens in 2004 and is getting to grips with life in Greece. Emmanuel publishes Greece travel and living articles at http://www.athensroom.com/greece_travel _guide.html

In The News:


WBUR

Vigorous Exercise Might Protect Against Psoriasis
WebMD
By Rita Rubin May 24, 2012 -- Here's yet another reason to exercise: A new study suggests that vigorous physical activity could reduce the risk of psoriasis. The findings come out of the long-running Nurses' Health Study, which includes only women, ...
Exercise Linked With Decreased Psoriasis Risk: StudyHuffington Post
Exercise tied to lower risk of psoriasis, study findsFox News
Exercise tied to lower risk of psoriasis: studyReuters
WBUR -Everyday Health
all 13 news articles »

New York Times

'Futile exercise that ignores Kashmiri aspirations'
Times of India
SRINAGAR: Kashmir's separatist leaders on Thursday rejected the report submitted by the Centre-appointed interlocutors calling it a futile exercise. While Mehbooba Mufti's PDP welcomed some of the recommendations of the report, chief minister Omar ...
Parties in Kashmir reject interlocutors' report as govt's trick to buy timeIndia Today
Kashmir recipe: pass the buckCalcutta Telegraph
Interlocutors ready to meet Hurriyat on Kashmir reportHindustan Times

all 153 news articles »

Science Codex

Cyber exercise partners help you go the distance
Science Codex
A new study testing the benefits of a virtual exercise partner shows the presence of a moderately more capable cycling partner can significantly boost the motivation – by as much as 100 percent – to stick to an exercise program.
Cyber exercise partners help you go the distance: Motivation gains can doubleMedical Xpress

all 3 news articles »

How my exercise playlist keeps me going
Boston.com (blog)
Every song I picked has a person or memory attached to it. It really helped me keep my mind off of thinking about how tired I was getting or how far I still had to go. What little tricks do you use when you have to get through a hard exercise routine?


Yoga - another exercise for diabetics
LaSalle News Tribune
Edelman stated yoga combines meditation and breathing to form a relaxing method of exercise. Edelman was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 2005. After experiencing a lack of local diabetes support resources, she turned to the Internet for support.


Exercise does not improve lipoprotein levels in obese patients with fatty ...
EurekAlert (press release)
New research found that moderate exercise does not improve lipoprotein concentrations in obese patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Results published in the June issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the ...

and more »

2012 Statewide Hurricane Exercise Demonstrates State's Preparedness for ...
WCTV
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) today concluded the 2012 Statewide Hurricane Exercise at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Organized by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the exercise is designed to ...

and more »

Venerable Announces Option Exercise Payment
MarketWatch (press release)
... Inc. (collectively, the "Optionors"), the Company has completed the first anniversary payments required to be made to the Optionors as partial consideration for the exercise of the option to acquire a 100% interest in and to the Trout Property.

and more »

Exercise Is Healthy, but Does It Make You Live Longer?
U.S. News & World Report
Yet a growing body of evidence shows that regular exercise can delay or prevent many age-related ailments, even among longtime couch potatoes. "There's compelling data that older individuals participating in exercise programs show dramatic improvement ...


Runner fights through exercise-induced asthma
WDTN
(AP) - A West Michigan high school junior hopes to qualify for several state track events while fighting exercise-induced asthma. The Holland Sentinel reports that Melissa Francis keeps going nonstop, whether it's on the basketball court or the track.

and more »
Google News

Defeating Back Pain Forever

Back pain, one of the most common physical, and debilitating... Read More

Benefits of a Good Training Journal

Most of us have trained at one part in our... Read More

What is the Right Home Exercise Program for You?

What do you want to get out of the exercise... Read More

Your Guide To Exercise

Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get... Read More

Strength Training After Fifty

Strength training after fifty is no longer for those people... Read More

How to Get The Most From Your Home Workouts

A recent study found that home workouts may do even... Read More

Tour of Diet ? Cycling for Your Health

The last seven years, or so, at the Tour de... Read More

Tai Chi, NOT Chai Tea!

Those of you that have either completed a one-on-one program,... Read More

How to Supercharge Your Energy Levels through Exercise

Your energy levels will depend on several factors, including genetics,... Read More

10 Best Workout Tips

Top Trainers share their secrets to getting slim, toned and... Read More

Is It Safe To Start An Exercise Program?

I think the real question is "How safe is it... Read More

Exercise Equals Fun!

Getting America's children to exercise has never been more difficult... Read More

The Different Types of Treadmills

When we usually think of treadmills, we tend to think... Read More

How to Avoid Using Your Home Gym as a Clothes Rack

So here's the situation?You have a home gym, treadmill, elliptical... Read More

The Science of Carbohydrate Loading

A valid connection between hypoglycemia, fatigue and premature termination of... Read More

15 Quick Tips for People Who Dont Like to Exercise

We've all had days when we don't have the energy... Read More

Exercise For Any Size

Do you feel that you can barely do any activity... Read More

Banish Your Lower Back Pain Permanently Without Drugs or Surgery

It is estimated that about 80 percent of the population... Read More

Burn that Fat - The Most Efficient and Effective Exercise Yet Devised by Man!

Rebounding: Health and Fitness BenefitsAs quoted by NASA, rebounding is... Read More

The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Dog is a Great Workout Partner

1) He or she is never late for a workout... Read More

Doing vs. Performing: The Difference Between Exercising and Getting Results

Back when I was young and living on my parents'... Read More

How to Pick a Good Personal Trainer

One of the major benefits of the YourBestBodyNOW Program and... Read More

Exercise - Anxiety & Panic

Yes, all I'm afraid this does play a part in... Read More

How to Get Better Exercise Results By Improving Hydration

Water and ExerciseYour body excretes water in a number of... Read More

An Introduction to Tennis

Is tennis good for you?Absolutely - tennis is a gentle... Read More