http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/enjoy-fall-gardening.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/enjoy-fall-gardening.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
In fact, some gardeners say that gardening in the fall produces plants that are milder and sweeter in taste than those that grow in the summer. The key is to plan ahead to make sure your garden is protected in the cooler weather.

When you’re planning your fall garden, you’ll need to know when to expect the first hard frost in your area. The Farmer’s Almanac is an excellent reference for researching your particular climate zone, or you can find this information online. Keep in mind that you’ll need to plant your garden with enough time for the plants to reach maturity and bear fruit before the first heavy frost. Many gardeners achieve this by planting one cycle of plants early in the spring and another mid-summer to ensure a constant harvest.

With your frost date in mind, you can start selecting your plants. Look for varieties with the shortest possible growing season so that you’ll have time to harvest before the first frost. If you’re buying seeds, look for those that offer the fewest days to maturity, or those labeled as early season. Since seeds are often out of stock towards mid-summer, plan ahead and find your fall gardening seeds in spring or early summer. Keep them in a cool, dry area until you’re ready to plant.

Just like a spring garden, the plants you select for your fall garden will be determined by the amount of space you have to plant, the vegetables you like to eat and the climate zone you live in. Heat loving plants, such as okra, peppers, tomatoes and sweet potatoes, will produce until the first frost. In some southern locations, this can be quite late in the year. Other plants, such as cucumbers, summer squash and snap beans tend to quit producing near the end of the summer, and therefore make poor choices for a fall garden. Other plants may be hardy down to temperatures as low as twenty degrees. Some tubers and root crops can be mulched and harvested, even if a freeze damages their tops.

Preparing a fall garden is mostly the same as a typical garden. You’ll need to prepare the soil by removing weeds, loosening up clumps of dirt and adding nutrients with mulch or compost. Later in the season, after your early spring crops have finished producing, remove them from the soil since they can spread disease. If you’ve heavily fertilized your first crop rotation, you’ll likely need to add less – or none at all – to your fall crops. Be careful not to over-fertilize – this can damage the roots of young plants.

If you live in a northern climate, you can garden throughout the fall, but it may take a little extra work. If you’re facing an early frost advisory, you can cover your plants with blankets to protect them. You can also construct hot boxes out of old windows or similar materials. Basically, these boxes are like mini-greenhouses that sit on top of your plants. They admit sunlight and keep the plants warmer in cold climates. You can find instructions on how to build hot boxes online or at any garden supply store.

Many gardeners say that they don’t want to deal with the hassles of a fall garden, but there are many tough and sturdy vegetables that can withstand a few frosts while providing you with wonderful, tasty produce. Fall gardening allows you to enjoy your vegetable garden for longer throughout the year and is well worth the extra work!

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TheGardenStaff.com is a great resource for information on vegetable gardening, rose gardening, water gardening and more. Let us help your garden grow!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-joy-of-indoor-gardening.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-joy-of-indoor-gardening.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Growing plants indoors is a rewarding hobby that provides beautiful decoration and usable products, while removing carbon dioxide, pollutants and poisonous toxins from the air in your home. Indoor gardening is inexpensive and easy to do – even for those without green thumbs!

The basic rules of maintenance for indoor gardening are different than outdoor gardens, but they can be learned easily. Lighting is essential, since plants won’t receive the sunlight they would outside. To compensate, you can either choose plants that require low-medium light or supply artificial lighting to meet the plant’s needs. Plants such as ferns and philodendrons require low light and can be successfully raised indoors. Regardless of how you provide lighting, you’ll need to rotate your plants while indoor gardening to be sure that the plant receives even lighting.

Watering is also a concern in indoor gardening. All plants need water, but how often you’ll need to water depends on the kind of plant you choose. Some succulents only need to be watered a few times a month, while other plants require water more often. Be sure that container you choose for your indoor plants has proper drainage so that excess water doesn’t sit in the bottom of the pot. This prevents the plant’s roots from rotting and helps control the buildup of salts and other minerals found in tap water.

When beginning your indoor garden, you’ll need to determine the amount of time you plan to spend caring for your plants and the amount of money you want to put into installing artificial lighting and otherwise maintaining the plants. If your budget is low, you can start with plant cuttings or seeds, or if you can spend a bit more, you can start with a growing plant. You can purchase plants that will grow year-round or those that can be harvested after a season. Herb gardens make wonderful indoor gardens, since they grow quickly, offer products you can use and are pleasing to the eye. Some popular cooking herbs that can be grown indoors include dill, sage, chives, oregano and thyme.

You should also consider how much gardening experience you have when selecting indoor plants. Plants like bromeliads, succulents, coleus, scandens, fatsia and cyprus are hearty and can be grown by even the most inexperienced gardener. More delicate plants like orchids and herbs require more care and may be better suited to a more experienced gardener. If you want to grow these plants indoors, but don’t have a lot of experience, don’t worry. Just give it a try – the worst that can happen is that the plant will die. You’ll gain valuable experience and you’re sure to do better the next time.

Indoor gardening is no more difficult that outdoor gardening, but there are several different factors you’ll need to take into account. On the plus side, you won’t have to worry about outdoor insects and pasts, or about damaging winds and frost wreaking havoc on your garden. You’ll just be able to sit back and enjoy the beauty of your plants throughout the year in your indoor garden.

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TheGardenStaff.com is a great resource for information on vegetable gardening, rose gardening, water gardening and more. Let us help your garden grow!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/gardening-benefits-for-children.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/gardening-benefits-for-children.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Teaching children to garden and become involved in environmentally-friendly activities has many benefits, from teaching children about science and the life cycle to engaging them in quality time with their families. In addition, teaching children to garden helps increase their environmental awareness, which may be crucial in the coming years as our planet faces global warming and other environmental threats.

Here are a few ways that children benefit from gardening activities:

Science

Children learn about the wonders of science when planting a garden. In the garden, children can observe a plant’s life cycle and learn about the different stages of plant development, starting from the seed and ending with a mature plant. When gardening, children learn about the different requirements for plant life, such as soil, water, air and sunlight, and build a strong foundation for future studies in biology and chemistry.

Hard Work

Children can learn the value of discipline and hard work in the garden. Planting a garden requires constant maintenance, including the initial soil preparation, weeding and pest control, and harvesting produce throughout the growing season. Children are rewarded for their hard work with fresh flowers and tasty produce, which reinforces the value their labor.

Relaxation

Working in the garden has a calming influence that reduces stress and anxiety in any age group. Just think about how good you feel after a warm, sunny day spent with your hands deep in the soil. Children can feel this sense of calmness as well, making gardening a great way to unwind from pressures at school or from extracurricular activities. In fact, the therapeutic benefits of gardening are so strong, that gardening has been successfully used as a therapy process for children who have endured abuse or are from broken homes.

Quality Family Time

The peaceful, soothing atmosphere of a garden helps you forget about the stress and strain of the hard work you’re doing. Working together on a shared goal is a great way to increase the bonds between you and your children. You may find that conversations spontaneously pop up between you and your children about school, friends and other aspects of their lives. As you spend time working beside one another in the garden, you’ll learn more about your children and deepen your relationship with them.

Children need to become aware of the needs of the environment and one way to do this is through the environmental education provided by gardening. Gardening helps teach children to enjoy and respect the life around them while you bond with one another as a family.

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TheGardenStaff.com is a great resource for information on vegetable gardening, rose gardening, water gardening and more. Let us help your garden grow!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-wonders-of-water-gardening.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-wonders-of-water-gardening.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

These forms can be enhanced with rock and stone work, plants, lighting and fish, depending on your taste and aesthetic preferences. Best of all, water gardening can be as easy, or as complicated, as you like. You can have an expensive pond system installed, or you can build a garden around a plastic tub of water – the sky’s the limit!

Choosing the right spot for your water gardening is essential. If you’re planning to incorporate fish and plants into your design, be sure they have plenty of direct sunlight and are kept far enough away form bushes and trees. This will prevent the water from collecting fallen leaves and debris.

You’ll also need how big a water garden to plan. This decision will be based on your budget, since water gardening can quickly become expensive - especially when you consider the cost and maintenance of a large garden including lights, plants, fish and rocks. You should also consider the size of your property and the amount of time you plan to spend on maintenance of your water garden.

When choosing which types of aquatic plants to include, keep in mind that plants should cover only half of the water. Your plant choices of plants are a matter of personal preference. Some plants simply add beauty while others provide a pleasant scent and still others incorporate more oxygen, creating a healthy water environment. Fish are pleasing to the eye and beneficial, since they keep debris down to a minimum while controlling insects and larva. However, if your water feature is small and contained, you may need to clean it occasionally to prevent fish waste from building up.


Keeping the water clear of algae is one of the main challenges of water gardening. Over-fertilizing plants or feeding fish to often are the most common causes of algae, since they add too many nutrients to the water. Algae problems and control can be minimal when a pond is correctly constructed and maintained. If you’re having trouble controlling algae, consult a local garden supply store – they should be able to offer specific advice and remedies for your situation.

In general, to keep your water garden algae-free, you can reduce the nutrients that cause algae. A few steps you can take are to minimize fertilizing and feeding, plant more plants and either install a filtration system or regularly replace the water in your garden. If you prefer, you can also use chemicals, such as copper compounds. Be careful though - overuse may kill your plant and fish life.

Regardless of its size, you’ll need to maintain your water garden throughout the year. Keeping a healthy balance between the decorative features of a water garden and the condition of your plants and fish requires proper planning. Depending on your setup, you may need to empty the pond, scrub it out, trim overgrown plants and more. Regular, simple maintenance will help keep your garden in great shape throughout the year.

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TheGardenStaff.com is a great resource for information on vegetable gardening, rose gardening, water gardening and more. Let us help your garden grow!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/plant-care-fighting-the-enemy.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/plant-care-fighting-the-enemy.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
The protective measure you take depends largely on what type of pest you’re fighting. Mechanical interventions work best when you have a larger animal damaging your plants. Smaller bugs and insects are usually better targeted with chemical applications. That’s why the first step in garden protection involves identifying the pest in question.

First, identify the symptoms your plants are exhibiting. Are parts of leaves missing or are the plants gone completely? Do you see bugs on your plants or evidence of bugs - like webs, spittle pods or eggs? Also look around the garden for animal tracks or feces to help identify a larger animal. You can lookup your plant’s symptoms online or you can check a gardening book out of your local library for more information on your pest problems. Either source will give you details about the pest in question and ways to repair the damage or prevent it in the first place.

When you’re fighting off plant enemies, you have two main options – chemical and mechanical. Chemical applications include such things as fungicides and insecticides, while mechanical protection involves devices that guard the plant’s physical structure.

If you’re fighting a larger animal, you’ll have better luck with mechanical devices. Fencing in your garden with chicken wire or electric fencing may help, but can cost a lot of money to install. If only certain plants are being targeted, you may be able to construct smaller structure to help protect them. Covered frames made of glass, mosquito netting or chicken wire are easy to build and will keep most predators away from your plants. You can also use tar paper, stiff tin or cardboard to construct collars that circle the plant and sit on the ground. This will help keep rabbits, rodents and other small pests away.

Smaller insect pests can be deterred with chemical applications. Commonly used garden chemicals include insecticides, pesticides and natural remedies made from soap, chili powder, diatomaceous earth and more. Be careful when using commercial chemicals – over-applying insecticides and pesticides can harm your garden, your health and the environment around you. Whenever possible, use a natural remedy to solve your insect problem. More information on specific natural cures can be found on gardening sites and gardening forums across the web.

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep your garden healthy by maintaining proper drainage and air circulation around your plants. Plants that remain damp after watering may harbor more disease than those allowed to dry out completely. Regular weeding gives insects fewer places to hide, so keep up with that task as well. As you’re weeding, take the time to examine your plants to check for signs of insect infestation. Treating a few bugs at a time is much easier than a whole colony!

Dealing with garden enemies is an important part of garden maintenance. Keeping on top of pest problems with mechanical and chemical solutions will help keep your garden healthy and productive throughout the growing season.

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TheGardenStaff.com is a great resource for information on vegetable gardening, rose gardening, water gardening and more. Let us help your garden grow!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/succeeding-with-vegetable-gardening.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/succeeding-with-vegetable-gardening.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Growing vegetables is no more difficult than growing flowers or herbs, and you’ll be rewarded with healthy, tasty produce to eat as the season progresses.

The first step in constructing a vegetable garden is deciding what size garden you want to plant. Find a site for it that has good drainage, proper air flow and rich, deep soil. Check and see how much sunlight the site gets during the day - vegetables in general like as much sun as they can get. You may find you have competition for your vegetables, such as rabbits, deer and other animals, who may like your garden as much as you do. If you see some of these critters, you may want to protect your garden with a fence or put out traps to catch animals like moles and mice.

Before you can plant the garden, you must prepare the soil. To get rich soil for vegetables, you’ll want to cultivate it and apply organic fertilizers like compost and other amendments. Tilling the soil first will help improve the soils condition by mixing in organic material and preventing weeds throughout the season.

If you’re planning a small garden, tilling can be replaced by spading, hoeing and raking. Be sure to mix in organic matter to provide the nitrogen, minerals and other nutrients your vegetables need. If you don’t have your own compost pile to make this wonderful mulch, you can buy organic compost from your local garden center or landscape company. Do a little research first to see what specific nutrients the plants you choose will need. Leafy plants like lettuce, spinach and cabbage thrive with higher nitrogen levels; while root crops like beets, potatoes, carrots and rutabagas like more potash. Some plants like beans and tomatoes use less fertilizer, and some like onions and potatoes need more.

Plan your garden arrangement before you plant. No single plan will work for every garden. Conditions vary from one part of your yard to another. A popular method for planting vegetables is to plant those vegetables that need limited space together. For example, one side of your garden may contain all your spinach, lettuce, beets and radishes. Those that need a lot of room can be planted further apart on the other side, for instance your potatoes, corn and squash. Try to keep tall plants in the back so they don’t block the sunlight from smaller plants.

Plant your vegetables at the right time of year. Don’t put out seedlings or seeds until all danger of frost has passed. If you just can’t wait to get started, you can set up a hotbed and start some seeds to plant out later. Really simple hotbeds can be built using old windows – search online or in your local library for more details. Once you’ve got your garden planted, water appropriately according to the needs of each variety. Most plants need approximately an inch of water per week.

Take the time to keep your weeds in check. It can be hard work, but weeds compete with your vegetables for water, nutrients and light, as well as attract insects and disease to your garden. You can be rid of weeds by cultivating with a hoe or by applying mulch around the plants. To keep your garden disease free, use disease-resistant plants and seeds or use controlled chemicals if maintaining an organic garden is not high on your priority list.

Many people say that vegetable gardening is their favorite form of gardening because you get to eat the results of all your labor. It is not expensive to begin, and the flavor of homegrown fresh from the garden vegetables can’t be beat. Take the time now to start correctly and you’ll be rewarded with a healthy, low maintenance garden all summer long.

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TheGardenStaff.com is a great resource for information on vegetable gardening, rose gardening, water gardening and more. Let us help your garden grow!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/an-introduction-to-container-gardening.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/an-introduction-to-container-gardening.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
It used to be that only those with their own land could enjoy the luxury of gardening. Today, it is possible to have a garden just about anywhere through the use of container gardening. Container gardening lets you create the illusion of a bountiful landscape without all the work of tilling up and maintaining a big plot of land. Container gardening doesn’t have to limit your plant choices either. You can use containers to grow perennials, annuals, vegetables - even small trees and shrubs!

Just like a full size garden, container garden requires some planning and work. You’ll need to know your USDA zone to identify plants that grow well in your climate. You’ll also need to take into consideration the amount of sun you get at your location when choosing which plants to grow.

Unless you have the right conditions to grow your own seedlings, you may want to purchase plants from a nearby nursery. Keep your plants outside (if possible) for optimum sun exposure, but protect them from temperatures below 45° F and strong winds. That’s another great thing about container gardening. If you’re hit with unexpected cold weather, you can simply bring your plants indoor to protect them from frost!

Some people think that plants need to be in the ground to grow well, but it simply isn’t so. Many plants do very well in containers. When choosing your container, keep the following things in mind. You’ll need to provide proper drainage so that your plants won’t have to sit on soggy soil. You’ll also need to consider size when choosing a container. Having to constantly repot your plants is a big hassle, so choose a container that gives your plant plenty of room to grow.

Container gardens may cost a little bit more at the beginning, since you’ll need to invest in container, soil and plants. However, container gardening is low maintenance, so it pays off. You’ll use a lot less fertilizer and water compared to large scale gardening. Plus, you’ll save hours of time in back-breaking labor required to maintain a large garden patch. For this reason, many people prefer container gardening, even if they have the space for a larger plot!

Even if you don’t have a balcony, all is not lost. If you rent an apartment, check with your landlord – you may be able to use window boxes or hanging baskets to grow your plants. Either one works well for many blooming plants and vegetables. If none of these options works, check in your area for community gardens. Many cities have small plots available for people to use for a small fee. Community gardens can be a great way to get to know people or find friends who share your passion for gardening.

When autumn sets in, don’t despair. You may be able to extend your growing season by moving plants to a sheltered area or by providing them with artificial lights designed especially for plants. There are also many plants that are cold hardy and well suited for container gardening. You may want to take a look at Mexican feather grass, jasmine, Eulalia grasses and cornflowers for growing during the cold season.

It’s easy to extend your growing season by choosing plants that are suited for each season and replanting accordingly. There is a lot of advice available online if you have questions - just do a search online to find suggestions on how to grow roses, bulbs, vegetables and more in your containers.



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TheGardenStaff.com is a great resource for information on vegetable gardening, rose gardening, water gardening and more. Let us help your garden grow!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/working-your-core-muscles.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/working-your-core-muscles.html Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
However, there is no reason for this to happen to you if you just take the time to exercise and strengthen your core muscles. If you’re having trouble getting motivated, just remember this about the core muscles – use them or lose them!

What are the Core Muscles?

Core muscles include the following: the obliques, lower back, abdominals and the glutes. These four areas of the body are responsible for framing our posture and protecting our backs. If these muscle groups are in good condition, it’s reflected in a person’s core strength and posture.

Strengthening Core Muscles

The core muscles provide enough power to the body to cope with almost every challenge you encounter physically, whether it is reaching to a top shelf, mowing the lawn, or playing a sport. Together, these four muscle groups keep you stabilized during physical activity. Here are some benefits of keeping your core muscles maintain strong:

Strong core muscles improve your posture and help prevent lower back pain that originates in the muscles.

Put some stretching exercises into your fitness routine that focuses on these four muscle groups. Be sure to stretch your abdominal muscles, in addition to doing crunches or other exercises for strength work. This will help keep the muscles in your back and core supple and injury free.

Toning your core muscles will help prevent back injury.

Stretching your core muscles tones and strengthens your lower back muscles and buttocks, stretching out your hip flexors and the front thigh muscles. When these muscles are tight, you are at risk for a serious lower back injury.

Working on your core muscles improves your physical performance.

Slow, static stretching is very effective in relieving stiffness and improving flexibility. Once you’ve improved your flexibility, you will be better able to perform your daily tasks, whether it’s lifting large bags of supplies or merely reaching to get a book off a shelf.

Core muscle exercises will lengthen your muscles and help you remain balanced as you get older.

These exercises will lengthen muscles that have reacted to pain by contracting. Strengthening them can also prevent cramping pain after strenuous exercise when performed at the end of every workout.

Fitness experts recommend starting your core muscle work out right away and repeating it twice a week at least. This simple process can be done at the end of your normal workout or whenever you can fit it in. For recommendations on the best exercises for you, consult your doctor or a personal trainer. All you need is ten to twenty minutes of core muscle work each session to keep you pain free and walking tall.

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Want to reach your peak fitness potential? Visit ExerciseGlobe.com now for top fitness information, expert muscle-building advice and exclusive weight loss reports!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/maintaining-good-health-and-fitness.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/maintaining-good-health-and-fitness.html Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Cardiovascular and weight training exercises are two important components of your workout plans. Doing these two types of activities regularly will help you burn calories, increase your muscle to fat ratio and boost your metabolism – leading to long term weight loss.

There is a great deal you can do to build muscles and stay in shape, such as walking or jogging daily, or playing sports with your friends. You might also want to enroll in a gym membership and workout there. Remember – the best exercise plan for you is one you’ll stick with!

If you’re just starting a fitness program, it’s important to consult with your physician before beginning any type of exercise, especially if you have any pre-existing conditions including injuries, heart disease and more.

Regular exercise has many benefits including:

Improving and maintaining good health - Exercise helps prevent various diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, and reduces the risk of premature death.

Increasing your self-esteem - When you stick with an exercise program, you’ll feel your self-esteem increase. You’ll feel happier and better able to keep anxiety and depression at bay.

A longer life - People who maintain active lifestyles live longer than those who don’t include exercise in their schedules.

When you first begin – especially if you’ve been inactive for awhile - you should start exercising gradually, while building your endurance. Don’t worry if you don’t see results right away. Any time you exercise, you’re doing something positive for your body and the benefits will add up over time.

Another important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is eating a well-balanced diet. A good diet consists of several things. First are carbohydrates. Any food you consume should have fiber, vitamins and minerals. You’ll find these things in rice, cereals, oats and potatoes. Fruits and vegetables also provide such things as enzymes, micronutrients and phytochemicals that are essential to a healthy diet.

Fat, though often maligned, is another important dietary component. Healthy fats – including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated sources – are an important for maintaining bodily systems and hormone levels and increase the quality of your hair and skin. Saturated fats, typically found in animal products and dairy sources, can clog the arteries and should be avoided whenever possible.

If you need help planning a diet program, you can consult with a health professional or dietitian. Working with a good nutritionist can help you identify your dietary weaknesses and suggest areas for improvement.

It should go without saying, but if you’re trying to live a healthy lifestyle, it’s best to avoid other vices such as smoking and excessive drinking. Smoking cigarettes is proven to cause cancer, in addition to decreasing your lung capacity and causing a host of other health complications. Excessive drinking puts extra strain on your liver, and can lead to the consumption of more calories than you otherwise intend.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a great way to stay active for years. The basic pillars are very simple – exercise regularly, eat sensibly and avoid harmful behaviors. Each of these ideas can be incorporated into your life in small, simple ways. Over time you’ll see powerful results from your commitment to better health.

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Want to reach your peak fitness potential? Visit ExerciseGlobe.com now for top fitness information, expert muscle-building advice and exclusive weight loss reports!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/exercise-and-type-2-diabetes.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/exercise-and-type-2-diabetes.html Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Here’s some advice for getting started with an exercise program designed to prevent or manage Type 2 diabetes:

Getting Started

Always consult with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. If you suffer from any cardiac risk factors, you may want to undergo a stress test to determine how much exercise is safe for you.

If you’ve developed any complications from diabetes, you’ll need to design your exercise regimen to accommodate them. If you have diabetic retinopathy, for instance, you’ll want to stay away from jogging, weightlifting or high impact aerobics since they can put you at risk for additional damage to blood vessels and possible retinal detachment. You’ll also need to keep a close watch on the amount of medication you need to manage the disease – regular exercise will improve your insulin sensitivity, so you may need less over time.

Start Slow

If you have Type 2 diabetes, you can benefit from as little as a simple, brisk walk around the neighborhood everyday. If you haven’t been active for awhile, it is best to begin slowly and gradually add more to your routine. Incorporate healthy choices into your lifestyle at first. Go outside to rake leaves or mow the lawn. Choose the stairs instead of the elevator when you can. Park further away from the door when you go shopping. All these little changes add up!

Even if you can only squeeze in 15 to 30 minutes a day, getting your heart pumping from exercise can really help control your glucose levels or help you prevent diabetes from developing in the first place. Best of all, regular exercise doesn’t have to cost you anything. You don’t need an expensive health club membership or the latest exercise equipment to make a difference. All you need is a decent pair of walking shoes that fit you properly and a direction in which to go!

The complications from Type 2 diabetes can include blindness, heart disease, kidney damage and the loss of sensation in the extremities, possibly resulting in amputation. Regular exercise can help you prevent the onset of this potentially devastating illness or help you manage the condition if you’ve already been diagnosed. Think about that and put it into perspective. Is a little exercise really such a hassle after all?

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Want to reach your peak fitness potential? Visit ExerciseGlobe.com now for top fitness information, expert muscle-building advice and exclusive weight loss reports!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>