Let’s face it, some days you just don’t feel like exercising. You get too busy, too stressed and quite simply too tired. Here’s a list of great reasons to stay motivated to exercise. Pull out this list and read it when you’re having one of those days.

1. To Prevent Disease
Exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of just about every single health problem known to man, from stroke to heart disease to cancer and osteoporosis. Exercise is also a great defense against type 2 diabetes, which is one of the most widely growing diseases of our time.

2. To Look Great
Exercise firms your body, improves posture and even makes your skin glow. Looking your best is a wonderful result of regular exercise.

3. To Lose Weight and Keep It Off
Exercise burns fat and prevents future fat storage. If you want to have a thinner, healthier body, exercise is the answer.

4. To Have More Energy
Anyone who exercises regularly will tell you that they are more energetic, less easily irritated and are more peaceful.

5. To Sleep Better
Exercise boosts energy levels, but also wears you out. It makes you feel more vibrant during the day and sleep better at night.

6. To Age Slower
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to fight aging. When you age your body loses muscle and bone, while the loss of both are drastically reduced with regular exercise. Exercise also helps reduce inflammation.

7. To Relieve Back Pain
In most cases, the best thing that you can do for back pain is to move and strengthen those muscles. Consult your physician or physical therapist for guidance.

8. To Ease Depression
Exercise has been proven to reduce depression – sometimes even as effectively as medication. Just chalk this up as yet another amazing benefit to exercise.

9. To Reduce Aches and Pains
By strengthening muscles around your damaged joints you’re able to use exercise to reduce joint pain and overall aches. Always consult your physician before starting an exercise program, especially if you have chronic joint pain.

10. To Stay Mentally Sharp
Exercise has been shown to improve memory and other cognitive functions, and seems to have a protective effect against dementia. A Harvard University researcher called exercise “Miracle-Gro for the brain.”

11. To Enjoy Your Lifestyle
Whatever it is that you love in life – your kids, travel, sports, fashion – it is all more enjoyable when experienced in a fit and healthy body. Exercise so that you are able to enjoy all the great things in life.

12. To Reduce Sick Days
People who exercise regularly are 50% less likely to call in sick to work. A regular exercise program reduces colds and upper respiratory infections.

13. To Boost Confidence
Being fit, feeling healthy and having energy are all building blocks to having great confidence. There is no better confidence booster than sticking with a regular exercise program.

To understand food is to understand body chemistry.  In a nutshell, certain food increase inflammation and therfore pain, while certain foods reduce inflammation.  Here is a short list:

1.  Cherries.  One study showed that drinking 12 ounces of tart cherry juice twice a day for eight days reduced muscle pain and strain.  Fresh or canned tart cherries are also helpful.

2.  Olive oil.  Good source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

3.  Cold Water Fish, fresh or packed in Water or Olive Oil. Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines are the highest in Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

4.  Vegetables and fruit of every color.

5.  Vegetable Protein such as soy.

6.  Nuts of all kinds.

7.  Green Tea.

8.  Ginger.  Try in a stir fry OR grated root in boiling water and added to tea.

And now 6 Foods That will Make You Feel Worse

1.  Vegetable oils. Corn, safflower, sunflower and mixed vegetable.

2.  Products high in fructose corn syrup.

3.  Foods made with trans fats.

4.  Foods high in saturated fats including red meat and dairy products.

5.  Sugar.

6.  Processed Foods.

We you are feeling the pain, steer towards healthier, more natural choices and lots of water.

With the arrival of summer, sometimes it’s hard for us to keep in mind that the health of our bodies should be a number one priority. School is out, and the kids are home, so it’s easy for much needed ‘free time’ to become a thing of the past. Our increased need for convenience often overshadows our need to make healthy choices for ourselves and our families. When you are on your way to your child’s soccer practice and you didn’t have time for breakfast, it’s easy to just pull into the drive thru. When you work in a demanding office that requires late evenings, it’s a quick pick-me-up to grab that caffeinated soda to help with long hours. But here at Capitol Rehab, I want you to “Live a Long Life!” I am committed to helping you be ‘the healthiest you’ that you can be! Did you know that your body was designed to be 100?? Yes! But your body must be properly maintained in order to keep competing in the ‘100 year’ race! Remember, it is never too late to make new and better choices. Replace your old bad habits, with new and rejuvenating good habits! Check out these 5 easy habits to help increase your chances for a longer life and a healthier you!
1) Eat five small meals a day – Eating smaller portions regularly during the day helps to deliver a steady stream of nutrients, blood sugar, and energy to your body throughout the day; it even reduces your risk of heart disease.
2) Take the stairs – Daily exercise is a must! Look for opportunities throughout your work day to add in some physical activity. So just before hopping on the elevator to go up one floor…take the stairs! You’ll be glad you did.
3) LOL – That’s right, laugh out loud! Or better yet, just laugh! Laughter and joy boost the function of your immune system. Without a doubt, joyful people live longer and healthier lives.
4) 8 is great – Water does a body good! So drink 8 glasses EVERYDAY!
5) Relax and release – Meditation is an excellent way to manage the everyday stress in our lives. Take time out to breathe properly and release tension. A healthy body MUST be paired with a healthy and relaxed mind!

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/8307/top-5-habits-to-increase-longevity/