Lately, it seems like all of my friends have joined gyms and started socializing on long walks instead of the local watering hole. It’s a bit… strange, to say the least, but I am over the moon. I love asking them about their routines and what motivates them, but it baffles me that almost none of them warm up! Honestly, I didn’t know how important it was either until I did a bit of research. Hey, we all have to start somewhere right?

So if you’re deciding to amp up your workout (or get started on one!) here are some warm-up tips I wish someone had told me earlier.

Proper nutrition and dieting are the biggest keys to transforming your life and losing weight. But for most people, getting in a little exercise now and then can really tip the scales between success and failure for overall healthier living.

Yet for many of us, determining the best time to hit the gym or actively engage our bodies in some way can be tough. Is it better to exercise when our body is physically operating at peak capacity, or does it make more sense to engage our bodies first thing in the morning? 

It was the holidays, you were traveling, whatever the reason, the result is the same: it’s been awhile since you’ve worked out and getting motivated to start exercising after a break is difficult at best. But, you can get back into an exercise routine, no matter how long your break has been. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

We all know how important exercise is to your overall health and weight loss efforts, but what about when it starts to get cold? Can you stay motivated and moving when it’s cold outside? Yes you can! Just because Jack Frost has started nipping at your nose doesn’t mean you need to be forced inside or give up your exercise routine. With just a few precautions exercising outdoors in the cold can be quite fun and beneficial...

Life is busy. You barely have time to pick up your Diet-to-Go meals in between running errands, work and well, just life. If the thought of exercising on top of it all is just too much, don’t fret. There are easy ways to sneak in exercise every day. And the good news is, you don’t have to spend hours at the gym or run 10 miles a day to reap the benefits of exercising. You just need to...

Summer and exercise go well together: the longer days give you more time to get out and move. And the nice weather allows for a variety of outdoor activities encouraging a change in your routine keeping things fresh. However, while summer provides more opportunities for more activities, there are also more opportunities for exercise-induced issues. To help ensure...

Instead of perusing the internet, downing caffeine, or snacking at your desk; throw in a quick workout to stay fit and increase your effectiveness at work with this speedy workout...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Diet-to-Go guest blogger Mia Redrick has made it her mission to help harried moms everywhere learn how to take care of themselves -- mentally and physically. Today she turns her attention to helping you create the perfect exercise routine. Creating an exercise routine that works for you is very important because it helps keep your health on track. It's also one of the most difficult things you will ever do, especially if you feel like exercising is all about punishment.However, keeping a few things in mind while you are planning will allow you to create an exercise routine...

Total wellness expert Alicia Kirschenheiter says women should embrace weight training rather than turn and run scared for the cardio machines.Weight training will not leave a woman looking like a muscular freak. When done properly, weight training wll help you slim down, tone up and get healthier!Check out the 10 reasons you may want to put down that cell phone and pick up a weight.10 Reasons Women NEED to Lift WeightsIn the past few years there has been a barrage of information regarding the importance of strength training for woman, yet whenever I have introduced the idea to any of...

Think you don't have the time to work out? Think again!No one should use the tired old excuse that they can't fit exercise into their busy schedule. A basic workout can be performed in just 30 minutes. Do that three days a week and you are on your way to a better body.Skeptical? Then read on...This is the ultimate workout when it comes to time management. In order to derive both cardiovascular and strength benefits, you will perform a circuit-based routine where you progress from one exercise to the next with as little rest between sets as possible.Your rest should...

As a trainer, not a day goes by where I don't speak to people frustrated with their exercise routines. They'll invariably tell me they've been training for years without seeing noticeable improvement in their body. Or they'll say they did okay at the beginning but suddenly hit a training plateau. Sounds familiar, Homer? So what derails a person's ability to get into shape?After nearly two decades as a trainer, I've isolated five workout mistakes as the primary culprits.If you're not happy with your results and perhaps are thinking of throwing in the towel, take a pause and see if any...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Getting a workout doesn't necessarily mean you need to hit the gym or the basement treadmill. There are plenty of ways to exercise without performing push-ups or hoisting free weights. While I realize running around in the woods and shooting plastic pellets at an opponent may not sound like your style of fitness, it is one alternate way to shape up... for men and women. Check out today's guest blog from Army veteran John Durfee.Get Fit, Have Fun, Play War! I was looking through some old photos of myself from years ago. I was in my...

It's mid-July which means the Diet-to-Go free monthly newsletter has been sent. If you aren't getting this info-packed newsletter, go here now and sign up. Did I mention it's FREE? :o)Meanwhile, here is a taste of the monthly fitness features provided by best-selling author and renowned fitness expert Brad Schoenfeld.5 Exercises You SHOULDN'T Do (& 5 you should!)Poor exercise choices will not only fall short of getting you desired results, but they can ultimately lead to a debilitating injury. It's a double whammy you want to avoid.Here are five of the all-time worst exercises - and five super substitutes. Out...

Hey baby, how would you like to do it anywhere? Yup, that's right, I said it... you and I can do it anywhere.Well, now that I have your attention, perhaps I need to clarify a little. When I say we can do it anywhere, I am talking about EXERCISE. There are some really great simple moves that require no equipment so they are perfect for performing in front of the TV during Survivor or in a hotel room after the nightmare meeting you barely survived.I call them THE BIG 5 because these moves hit all the major muscle groups. In...

"Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure." Ah, excuses. We all make them. And, in turn, excuses make us less likely to achieve the things we want to achieve -- like a lighter weight or a better shape.As a total wellness professional I have heard most every excuse known to man. So today let's recount the top 7 excuses people use to avoid exercise.I will give you the way to overcome each excuse. Of course, to get it done, you need to stop making excuses!The 7 Worst Excuses for Not Exercising1. I hate to sweat!But seriously...

With a tip of the ski cap to the Winter Olympic Games, I'm awarding gold medals to a trio of exercises that can help you tighten and tone your butt.Before going into workout details, however, I need to dispel a few myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic.First, it's important to understand that you can't spot reduce body fat. There is no way to dictate what are of your body you lose fat from. Fat is burned globally from all areas of the body, and how this plays out is largely dictated by genetics.The bottom line: You can do butt exercises...

When you hear the word core, what comes to mind? Abs? Lower back? Obliques? If you thought one or more of these answers, you're partially right. Basically, your core comprises all the muscles that are responsible for moving and stabilizing the trunk or spine.Simply, your core is your body without arms and legs. If there's any weakness in any muscle of this system, your core is compromised.I hear all the time about people who have strong abs, but a bad back. One of the reasons is because they do 5,000,000 crunches a day and neglect the other muscles of the...

Oh, the wonder of the human body! From the time you're born, your body is doing its best to achieve or maintain homeostasis, the process by which the internal systems of the body maintain a balance, despite external conditions.Your body is doing all it can to maintain posture, stay at ideal weight, and gain strength.Unfortunately, some of us are to blame for sabotaging its efforts.Other than inherited sickness, or an unfortunate accident beyond our control, we thwart our body's efforts to be in optimal health.While there are a myriad of ways to be healthy, I believe the gateway to...

If you haven't heard it before, I'll say it again: muscle responds to resistance or load. Whoever told you that loading the muscles with weights just gets you big, is a load of crap.Whether your goal is to increase bone density, get stronger, or sharpen the nervous system; the level of tension placed on the muscle dictates the measure of results.If you're a woman doing bicep curls with those 2-pound "insect weights" -- those cute little colorful dumbbells stacked neatly in the gym -- it's going to take you a long time to get lean.Or if your a man who's...

Trainer shmainer... who needs one? Well, I'd say most people can use one. In our service-oriented society where people are hiring people to do everything from financial advising to holding their umbrellas, why not personal training?The rewards for personal training are far greater than the common services requested by most patrons. Besides peace of mind, there's nothing greater than having a sound and healthy body to take you anywhere you need to go.A personal trainer is your best bet to getting into the best shape of your life! Let's look at my top 5 reasons you should...