They say laughter is the best medicine. Maybe that's a good thing because with all the advancements in science, are we really getting anywhere? (Actually, I definitely think we are but for the sake of the joke I'll leave it as is!)If you don't think this one is funny, or at least a little ironic, then maybe you should call your doctor, because someone needs to check your funny bone!

4,000 YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT

HEALER IN 2000 B.C.:	Here. Eat this root.
HEALER IN 1000 A.D:	That root is heathen. Here. Say this prayer.
HEALER IN 1850 A.D:	That prayer is superstition. Here. Drink this potion.
HEALER IN 1940 A.D:	That potion is snake oil. Here. Swallow this pill.
HEALER IN 1985 A.D:	That pill is ineffective. Here. Take this antibiotic.
HEALER IN 2000 A.D:	That antibiotic is artificial. Here. Eat this root.

If you have any comments or suggestions on what you would like to see in this newsletter, please feel free to contact me... Heather@LivingFitness.com

Sincerely,
Heather Kendall,
Editor, LivingFitness

Okay, it is officially the middle of winter. It's probably been about two months since you've been able to exercise outside (unless you're lucky enough to live in a warm climate.) Are you getting tired of your treadmill yet? How about trying something a little different?

Skip the sweats and the tennis shoes and head straight for the water. You know the old saying when it comes to exercise, "No pain, No gain." Well, guess what? You can take that phrase and throw it right out the window on your way to the neighborhood pool. Water workouts provide low-impact alternatives to running, weight lifting and other types of aerobics. Other advantages of water workouts include a natural source of resistance, increased flexibility and being able to exercise without overheating. You don't swim, you say? No problem, many water aerobics classes don't require master swimming abilities, because they are done in shallow water or at the edge of the pool.

I was astounded when I read the following fact: Water provides 12 times the resistance of air. That means you get 12 times the benefit of a land workout in the water. Water workouts also strengthen opposing muscle groups at the same time by enabling a full range of motion and providing resitance in both directions. Because exercising in water enhances your flexibility, your muscles are more likely to feel relaxed instead of tight after a workout.

One of the other benefits of water workouts is the cooling effect of the water. However, you have to be careful because this means that your muscles will cool down much quicker than on dry land. Therefore, you'll need to keep moving (walking or jogging in place) between sets so that your muscles stay warm.

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Another thing to be aware of when exercising in water is that monitoring the intensity of your workout becomes a bit trickier. The temperature of the water can have an impact on your heart rate. If the water is less than 86 degrees Fahrenheit, you may get a lower heart rate reading, suggesting you aren't getting as good of a workout as you would on land. For this reason, it is best to use a combination of heart rate and breathing rate to monitor workout intensity.

The best thing about water workouts is that they are easy. Actually, they can be quite difficult in the physical sense. They are easy in the sense of equipment and exercise techniques. As far as equipment, all you need is a swimsuit and a pool. Exercises can be as simple as jogging in place, stretching in the water, or doing tuck jumps or jumping jacks in waist or ribcage deep water. If you don't want to join a water aerobics class, you can tailor your own exercise program quite easily.

If you are working in a pool with a rough floor, you will probably want to invest in some aqua shoes to protect your feet. For more advanced workouts you may also want to look into products like buoyant barbells and aqua steps.

There ya go, that's all there is to it. Water exercises are the perfect alternative to land exercise whether you are just starting your exercise regimen, recovering from an injury or just looking for a great opportunity to get in some cross-training.

So, what exactly is a day spa? Day spas offer a break from the daily grind and are often thought of as an island oasis in the middle of the wild and frenzied circus we call life. Another reason day spas are so popular is the fact that everyone can find at least something that appeals to them, whether it's a massage, a facial, a mud bath and aromatherapy or a workshop on meditation. If you could use a break today, skip McDonald's and find the nearest day spa, for an hour, or a day of complete serenity and total rest and relaxation. Need more info? Looking for a day spa near you? Read more at:

Need more info? Looking for a day spa near you? Read more at: Day Spas www.healthatoz.com

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