Benefits to a morning workout

Should we work out in the morning, afternoon or evening? Well, it really depends on your daily schedule. However, there are some good reasons to get it done in the AM:

• Take one shower: Yes, this is obvious, but it is true. If you work out in the morning, you won't have to smell funny after working out during your lunch hour.
• It will not interfere with your plans: Most get-togethers are in the evening.
• Energy: You will start your day filled with energy!
• Beat the heat: During the summer, outdoor morning workouts will be less hot and humid.
• Sunrise: Watch the sunrise...it is a great way to start your day.

Contact us today to get started! 984.202.5326

Clean Eating...what exactly is it?

Clean eating. What exactly is it? 

Clean eating is: eating whole/real food.  Food that is not processed, minimally processed or refined. Food that is as close to its natural form as possible.

What Are Processed Foods?

 Additions:  salt, sugar, and fat, preservatives that keep food from spoiling, and vitamins to “enrich”…from beverages to cereal.

Changing the form of natural food:  which generally happens when food is cooked.

Foods manufactured in a lab: any ingredient you cannot pronounce!

Processed foods include everything from canned meat and jarred pasta sauce to boxed cereal and Pop Tarts!

Check back regularly to learn more about Eating Clean and why it is good for you!

Oh, Christmas tree...and a gift from us to you!

Aren't we festive here at Snap Fitness? 

Do you like our Christmas tree? 

We like it! 

Stop in for a workout and check it out. If you are not yet a member, let's get you started! Mention this Christmas tree post and we will get you started with $0 enrollment! Consider it an early Christmas gift from us to you! 

Off road walking and running tips...get out this weekend!

Now that the weather has cooled down, many of us are spending more time outdoors. Autumn is a great time to be outside with family and friends. Check out these off road walking/running tips from Runner's World and use them to get some fresh air and exercise this coming weekend!

Correct form:
Short strides, eyes on trail and arms slightly raised away from your sides.

Running uphill:
Very short steps and increase arm swing frequency.

Running downhill:
Keep weight back slightly and extend arms out from body for balance.

Avoid obstacles:
 Roots, rocks, gravel, mud and ice are not good. Slow down if you have to avoid them.

Is running good for you?

If you enjoy walking and running, here are a few good reasons to keep it up! 
If you do not walk or run, these are great reasons to start:

• You may be less likely to have cholesterol issues.
• You may be less likely to have blood pressure issues.
• It will strengthen your bones.
• It may help you be more productive throughout your day.
• It can help you have a better nights sleep and/or fall asleep faster.
• It may boost your immune system.
• If you suffer from asthma, it can help keep it under control.
• It can help you live a longer life.
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Join Snap Fitness: North Raleigh today to get started! 

Information given by: Runner's World on Active.com

Hydration during exercise...drink your water!

Staying hydrated while exercising is so important!

First of all, by drinking water and staying hydrated, you will not have as much if any: muscle cramps, gas or light headedness.

Drink water before, during and after working out.

Try not to wait until you are thirsty to drink water, sip on it as you work out.

Great ways to assure you have water handy when exercising:

Have a waist belt that will carry a water bottle.
If you are riding a bicycle, you can get a water bottle holder made for bikes.
In the event you are walking or running with a stroller, you can always stash your bottle in there. Walking with your working dog? Get him/her a vest and place your water bottle in there.

There are many places to store a water bottle when you are out exercising!

How to make the most of your walk...

Walking is very good for you! There are some things we can do to get the most out of our walks:

Walk instead of talk. If you walk with a friend, that is a wonderful thing! Just be sure you focus on your pace and not the topic of conversations. Keep up a quick walking pace as you walk, you will burn more calories!

Change up the program. You may have a certain place you always walk or a certain way you walk around the neighborhood. Change it up! This will work new muscles and may burn more calories.

Never forget to stretch. Stretching is very important. If you do not stretch you could get muscle cramps.

Drink your water. Stay hydrated before, during and after your walk. Water makes the muscles work better!

Try and walk further today. Walk just a little bit further each day!

Or... Try a bike ride! 

Easy weight loss tips that can help everyone...

Aren't we all looking for easy things we can do to help us lose weight? Whether it be a few pounds or a substantial amount, we can all apply weight loss tips into our daily routines.

Here are several easy things you can do to help you lose weight:

Walk while you talk

Sip green tea before exercise

Sprinkle flax seed on your cereal or add to your smoothies

Drink more water

Order fish when out to eat

Buy smaller packages of food

While out for a walk, break into jogging

Before eating that sweet treat, do 10 sit-ups

Go for chunky soup instead of pureed soup

Having pizza? Blot off the oil with a napkin before digging in

Get up and exercise!

I enjoy lying around just as much as the next person, really I do! But, these reasons as to why we should get off of the couch and move really get me going and hopefully they will get you moving too!

Exercising will:

• Reduce stress
• Increase energy
• Prevent weight gain
• Boost moods: Working out increases serotonin and that can help lift up our mood. Getting the blood flowing by exercising also helps lift up our mood.

Bonus! 
When working out regularly, we can treat ourselves to a special treat such as a cookie or piece of pie every once in a while and not feel guilty about it.

Try mindful walking this weekend...

We often think about what we have to do, things we have done and what we are going through. Constantly thinking on these things can cause stress in our lives. Mindful walking helps us to stay in the present and not think about all that is going on in other areas of our lives. It is all about paying attention to what is happening now and now only.

According to the article, mindful walking can happen inside or outside (Yahoo Health), by walking and focusing on the "now", we can clear our minds and usher in constructive thinking.

Here are 3 tips to mindful walking:

When walking, focus on your breathing.

While walking, try to rest and pay attention to the sights and sounds around you. Think about what you are feeling at that moment. Then, return your focus back to your breathing.

If thoughts about "the stresses of life" try to creep back in, dismiss them and refocus on your breathing.

To sum it up, dismiss stressful thoughts while walking. Focus on good things and not stressful things. Breathe in and breathe out. Think on things that bring you peace and not stress.

Walking outside is not always going to be an option. On the days when you simply just can not get out to have a walk, you can still walk mindfully. Pop in your headphones, play some nature sounds on your phone or I pod and jump a treadmill here at Snap Fitness on Falls River Ave!