Healthy Living

Did you know that an estimated 82.6 million americans have one or more types of cardiovascular disease? It’s true.

About one in three of us has cardiovascular disease and during the month of February, it’s our hope to bring attention to American Heart Health Month. Now is the perfect time to start educating yourself on the risks of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. 

At Heart Rate Monitors USA, we’re doing our part to encourage healthy hearts through offering a wide selection of heart rate monitors for heart rate training, blood pressure machines for at-home monitoring, and other fitness tools to help you get in shape and boost cardiovascular system health.

Not sure where to begin? Here are some things that you can do today to participate in American Heart Health Month while taking care of your own heart: 

• Talk to your doctor. When it comes to getting more information about heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, your healthcare professional will be the best source. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and ask for literature or references to consult to learn more. 
• Speaking of healthcare professionals, make February a month to get checked out for heart issues. Get readings for your blood pressure, triglycerides, weight, cholesterol, and other important metrics for determining heart health. Work with your doctor to come up with a plan to keep your ticker running at its best!
• Start eating healthier. If you kicked off 2012 eating right and exercising, February is usually the time when those resolutions get harder to keep. Make it a point to pay attention to your diet. Cut back on fats, salts, and sugars – all of which can impact heart health. 
• Monitor your blood pressure at home with a blood pressure machine or wrist blood pressure monitor. Last year, we wrote several posts about the importance of blood pressure monitoring and we’re not alone. In fact, Dr. Oz himself recommends that at home monitoring is one of your best lines of defense when it comes to cardiovascular issues. 
• Get moving. A healthy heart takes exercise, so do yourself a favor and start walking, running, jogging, dancing, riding a bike, swimming, stretching, and playing your way to a healthier cardiovascular system. 

How do you keep your heart healthy? 

There’s always something amazing about the start of a new year. With 2012 comes a clean slate and a chance to really put some effort into getting healthy and – hopefully – staying that way for a long time. If you’re thinking about a healthier lifestyle as part of  your New Year’s resolution, we’d love to help out. Here are 25 ways for you to get healthier in 2012. The best part about our list? These things are all easy and accessible for just about everyone!

25 Ways to Get Healthy in 2012

1. Drink a glass of water before every meal. You’ll eat less and stay hydrated.
2. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
3. Park further away from the door at work, at the grocery store, etc.
4. Make your yearly checkups.
5. Start off each day by stretching for 10 minutes.
6. Choose grilled or baked foods over fried.
7. Eating out? Cut your portion in half and take the other half home with you for another meal.
8. Meditate, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.
9. Breathe deeply.
10. Laugh more.
11. Concerned about your diet? Take a multivitamin.
12. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
13. Not a fan of traditional exercise? Find an activity you enjoy – you can find plenty of ways to burn calories!
14. Cut back on the fats, sugars, and salt.
15. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
16. Keep a reusable water bottle (filled, of course) with you at all times to ensure you get enough water.
17. Be conscious of your posture.
18. Take breaks from working. Stretch or walk for a minute or two every hour if you can.
19. Walk or bike to work instead of driving.
20. Working out? Be sure to replenish your body with electrolytes and nutrients with PowerBars, electrolyte drinks, etc.
21. Don’t skip meals.
22. Make time to do the things in life you enjoy most.
23. Get a massage.
24. Take a fitness class, dance class, or consult with a personal trainer.
25. Have more fun!

CamelBak Hydration Packs

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy. It’s true!

Heart Rate Monitors USA is proud to be participating in this year’s Small Business Saturday celebration. On November 26, businesses all around the country will be offering special deals and savings to help shoppers save as they shop small and breathe new life into their communities.

At Heart Rate Monitors USA, we’ll be helping you save when you shop at our store location in Doylestown or online. It’s up to you!

In addition to FREE SHIPPING every day, we’ll also be offering 15% off all CamelBak hydration packs. Our CamelBak hydration packs make for great holiday gifts and are the perfect present for a skiier, snowboarder, or anyone who loves to enjoy the great outdoors. We have CamelBak hydration packs for both men and women in styles that will suit your preferences as well as your need for water.

To save 15% off all CamelBak hydration packs, just enter SBS15 at the checkout. But don’t wait – this deal is only valid on 11/26. This one day only sale is the perfect way to save on new CamelBak hydration pack for you or someone you love, so join us on Small Business Saturday!

Want to learn more about Small Business Saturday? Check out the official Facebook page.

BONUS SAVINGS FOR AMEX CUSTOMERS: Did you know that you can save even more on Small Business Saturday when you use your American Express card? It’s true! Get the details on how to get a $25 credit on your next statement when you sign up to participate on the official Small Business Saturday Facebook Page. Just click the “Get Involved” tab to sign up!

Let’s Recap:

• Shop at Heart Rate Monitors USA on Small Business Saturday, November 26
• Enter in SBS15 at the checkout to get 15% off all CamelBak hydration packs.
• Coupon only good for 11/26/11.
• Free shipping every day. All day. 365.

Happy Halloween from all of us here at Heart Rate Monitors USA!

We love Halloween, but we want to make sure to keep things from getting too out of hand. You know, Halloween is one of those sneaky holidays where extra calories always seem to creep up. It’s scary to think about all of those goodies at home, at work, and just about everywhere in between!

So, if you’re looking to have a healthier Halloween this year, consider some of these tips. Put them into practice for yourself, but share them with friends and family too. It always pays to be a bit healthier!

1. Going door to door throughout the neighborhood? Be sure to bring something to drink with you. Dehydration can easily sneak up on you after hours of ringing door bells, so keep a hydration backpack or reusable water bottle on hand.
2. Instead of driving to go trick or treating, spend the evening walking to get your heart pumping and your metabolism revved up. Just be sure to dress appropriately and use reflectors or glow sticks to alert drivers. Stay on the sidewalk and stay safe!
3. Dress for the weather. Dressing properly not only keeps you comfortable, but can also keep your immune system from being weakened by temperature. Plus, there are many temperature-related health issues that can arise when you’re not properly dressed. When in doubt, bring a sweater or layer your clothing so you can adjust comfortably throughout the evening.
4. Enjoy candy – in moderation. Everywhere you turn, there will be a bowl of candy. Be sure to practice moderation to ensure
5. Make healthy food choices. Instead of reaching for a Halloween cupcake, try an apple with peanut butter instead. You’ll get protein and fiber without all of the sugar and calories. Plus, apples are a marvelous fall treat that’s perfect for Halloween.
6. Snack on pumpkin seeds instead of candy as you go from door to door. It’ll keep your energy levels up!
7. Eat a healthy meal before going trick or treating. You’ll be less likely to snack on goodies in between stops.
8. Take a costume break if you feel uncomfortable. Wearing a costume that’s too hot or too heavy can cause injury, not to mention, hours of discomfort. Change costumes or take breaks so that you don’t overexert yourself.
9. Bobbing for apples? Be sure to wash all of the apples thoroughly before putting them into the water basin.
10. Don’t eat any candy or goodies until you get home. Be sure to check all candy thoroughly for tampering, expiration dates, etc.

Remember, have a safe and Happy Halloween!

This is a guest post by Ethan S.

For those interested in improving their cardiovascular fitness, there is no rival to circuit training! Circuit training involves a fast paced fusion of both resistance (anaerobic) training, and conditioning (aerobics) that yields superior fitness results to what each of those types of exercise could offer individually. The basic idea is to take 30 minute to an hour and fill it with timed units of non-stop exercise. These units, or circuits, each contain a 2 to 4 exercise line-up that the participant runs through until the time is up. These circuits contain bodyweight exercises, such as push-ups, squats, and pull-ups, and they alternate them with explosive cardio or plyometric exercises. The result is a great strength routine that maintains a high heart rate and turns anaerobic exercise into a modified form of aerobics! Here are a few reasons why you should start a circuit routine today:

Complete Body Workout: One of the main reasons behind the popularity of circuit training is that it helps in working the entire body. During the workout, you will find yourself frequently shifting from one muscle group to another seamlessly as you rotate circuits and exercises. By the time you realize that you have worked the entire body, you’ll basically be done! Regardless of whether your goal is building muscle or weight loss (or both), circuit training is proven to deliver when coupled with an appropriate diet. For these reasons, circuit training is a perfect supplement to off-season training for athletes.

Cardiovascular Fitness: Continuously switching from one exercise to another without taking any rest in between helps in making the heart stronger as it keeps the heart rate elevated throughout the workout. In addition, the constant shifting from upper body to lower body exercises improves circulation and your body’s ability to act as a unit.

Minimal Time: Probably the most convenient benefit of circuit training lies in the fact that a single circuit only takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Thus, it is ideal for people who do not have much time to spend on hour-long fitness routines. By adding 3 to 6 circuits together you can modify and craft your exercise program for your needs.

No Equipment Required: Circuit training exercises do not require the use of any special equipments. Thus, it can easily be carried out at home as the only thing you need is few fat-burning exercises targeting different muscle groups of the body. Also, there is no need for you to go to a gym to perform these exercises; you can do it anywhere including garages, playgrounds, or at parks.

Flexibility: The final benefit of circuit training, is that the workout routine can be personalized easily, according to your individual fitness level, schedule, and budget!

Author Bio: Ethan S. writes on behalf of BoxFit, a UK-based boxing gear company. BoxFit is your source for Rival Boxing Gear!

If there’s one thing we understand, it’s motivation. It’s a lot of work and definitely a challenge, but motivation can help us achieve some of our biggest goals. From PRs in races to meeting a target weight, motivation can guide us toward being healthier, more active, and even happier people! The trick is to get motivated and STAY motivated.

Here are some of our best tips for staying motivated, no matter what the challenge:

• Make a plan. Most fitness and weight loss plans fail because, well, there is no plan! If you’re looking to meet a fitness goal, start out by creating a plan with benchmarks. Give yourself a time period to work within and set points along the way to measure your progress.
• Be understanding. Change, of any kind, takes time. Be patient when you’re working on bettering your wellness. It may take a little longer than expected. Keep your eyes on the destination.
• Seek help. Wellness is a combination of mind, body, and spirit. Sometimes, we need help in those areas in order to achieve our goals. When you’re struggling, seek out the help of a professional who can bring you back into balance and keep you motivated. Personal trainers, fitness instructors, massage therapists, yogis, clergy, counselors, therapists, nutritionists, doctors, and other healthcare professionals can give you tools and advice to help take you to the next level.
• Do things with a friend. It’s hard to work on a fitness goal alone. Working toward a common goal with a friend keeps both of you motivated and focused on the outcome. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
• Use tools. Motivation can sometimes be simplified when you have the right information in front of you. Training tools like heart rate monitors, pedometers, fitness watches, cycling computers, and other exercise gear can keep you moving and progressing, which is what you need when you’re working toward something better.

What are your best tips for staying motivated?

Smoothies are always great for working into your diet plan. Not only do they provide great nutrition in the form of fruits and vegetables, but they also work great as a snack, post-workout recharge, or even as a healthy breakfast. If you need healthy nutrition on the go, smoothies are always a great-tasting way to get just that.

This smoothie recipe was designed with your heart in mind. It blends together fruits that are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants with veggies that are packed with lutein, folate, potassium, iron, and fiber. There’s even some avocado thrown in for good measure to give you a healthy dose of monounsaturated fat. Flax seeds round out the mix with a heart healthy burst of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Give your heart a boost with this awesome smoothie recipe. It’s delicious – and don’t worry about the green! All you taste are the fruits!

A Heart-y Smoothie Recipe
1 banana
1 orange, peeled and deseeded
2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/4 cup avocado
1 tablespoon flax seed oil
ice cubes

In a blender, blend together all of the ingredients until creamy. You may need to pulse gradually to get the desired consistency.

On hot summer days, it can be tough to stay cool – and hydrated. But drinking enough water can mean more than just feeling more comfortable. Hydration can mean the prevention of dehydration, cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. The average person can lose as many as 10 cups of fluid from daily activities and exercise, which can be staggering on hot days. You need to replace the fluid you use through frequent hydration.

July in Hydration Awareness Month and at Heart Rate Monitors USA, we’re doing everything we can to keep you hydrated. We’re offering a great selection of stainless-steel and BPA-free CamelBak water bottles, CamelBak hydration packs, and even electrolyte sports drinks that can help you recharge and stay hydrated all month long. Once you have the right bottle or hydration pack, make sure to let your thirst be your guide when it comes to drinking enough. If you feel thirsty, sip on cool water from a hydration backpack or a water bottle. If you’re exercising, don’t wait for thirst to stay hydrated. Exercise can weaken your body even more, so it’s important to drink water before, during, and after exercise to stay energized and hydrated. Plus, drinking water while exercising can help in the prevention of fatigue.

Don’t like the taste of water? Try adding one of our CamelBak Elixir tablets to your water to add flavor – and valuable electrolytes. Either way, you’ll be recharging your body with what it needs to stay active.

Want more tips on staying hydrated? Here are a few of our best tips:

• Avoid coffee, soda, sweetened teas, alcohol and artificially sweetened juices if thirsty. These drinks can sometimes leave you feeling even more dehydrated. Plus, they contain excess sugar and caffeine, which can be bad for your diet.
• Don’t like the taste of plain water? Add a twist of citrus, cucumber, or even a CamelBak Elixir tablet for flavor.
• Did you know? Coconut water can be a great way to rehydrate after exercise. It’s rich in electrolytes and tastes great!
• Carrying a water bottle with you at all times can help remind you to drink enough. Try keeping one at your side all summer long.

This is a guest post by Nelson Martins.

Many people want to lose weight through miraculous methods that have absolutely no effect or that make you lose some weight at the cost of also losing your health. Reality is quite different and if you want to lose weight, you’re going to have to exercise and change your regular diet into a weight loss diet. Along the way, you’ll also need to consider your heart rate. In this post, let’s cover how heart rate is relative to exercise and weight loss.

There certain exercises that are appropriate to gain muscle mass, like the ones bodybuilders use. Strength training and weight lifting can be great ways to add bulk – but if you’re looking to slim down, there are other exercises appropriate to just trying to lose weight. The best exercises for weight loss must involve a lot of muscles or body segments; the more muscles you use the better. When you’re using a variety of muscle groups, it means that you’ll have more muscles burning the fat you have stored in your body.Some of the best exercises for weight loss include running, rowing, riding a bike, swimming, and so on, as long as you’re using the most muscles possible.

The next point that you must pay attention to is that you need to do exercises at a certain heart rate for burning fat . The heart rate for burning fat will help you control the intensity of the exercise while ensuring you’re exercising at a level that’s right for your body. To lose weight, you want to use moderate intensities so that you only burn fat. To control your heart rate for burning fat, you’ll first need a heart rate monitor, like the Polar FT 7 for example. Next, you’ll need a bit of math to know at which heart rate should you exercise.

If your heart rate monitor doesn’t have heart rate guides for you to follow, you’ll need a bit of math. First you calculate you maximum heart rate by calculating (208 – 0.7 x Age). To know at which heart rate you should exercise to burn fat, you just multiply your maximum heart rate with 0.4 to 0.6 that means 40% or 60% of your maximum heart rate. This formula is used by many athletes and trainers alike.

If you follow these guidelines, you can improve your chance of losing weight and getting toward a wellness level that’s right for you. Exercise can mean better energy levels, as well as boosted self-esteem. Try to be creative until you find the best exercise for weight loss for yourself because each person is a different. Find what works for you and stick with it. Heart rate training is only one piece of the weight loss puzzle, but it can be a powerful one when done effectively!

This is a guest post by Amy C.

Exercise is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Many people know this. And yet only a few people really make the effort to engage in regular exercise. Even those who want to lose weight go to extreme lengths just to avoid having to exercise. They follow crazy diets, buy dangerous miracle pills and even undergo surgical weight loss procedures. Seriously. If you want to lose weight there is a simple formula for that. Eat less and exercise more. That’s it. Which brings us back to the value of exercise.

Nothing can replace working out. Exercise has a gazillion benefits. To make matters simple let me summarize the top 3 benefits of exercise:

It improves your health. When you exercise you strengthen your bones, create muscle strain which leads to growth, expand your lungs, and give your heart a good workout. Working out burns calories and helps prevent weight gain. It also normalizes blood pressure and sugar levels. By increasing muscle strength through constant physical activity you build on your muscles. This, in turn, enhances weight loss because muscles burn calories even while at rest. Exercising also boosts metabolism. This may be the reason why people who exercise can eat more and “not gain a pound” compared to those who live a sedentary lifestyle.

It improves your sense of well-being. Exercise increases endorphin production. Endorphins are our body’s happy hormones. That’s why we usually feel good after working out. So the next time you feel depressed, why not go for a jog? You’ll be sure to feel a lot better after your work out.

It improves your physical appearance. Yes. This is the main reason why most people work out – to look great. Working out gets our body toned and trim. It whips us into shape. And we all like to look good. That’s why we spend hours in the gym slaving over that treadmill. But this shouldn’t be our only motivation. After all, a great body is the “side affect” of a good diet plus regular exercise.

Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and health buff. She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes. In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming indoor fountains and glass art. Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases.