3 Things Most People Don't Know About Stretching
Have you ever tried to work out but felt like your muscles couldn’t do what you wanted?
Have you worked out and felt like you were pulling a muscle out of place and the more you tried the more it hurt?
Now let me ask you this, did you stretch prior to conquering your workout?
Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy. We need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints,without it the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains and muscle damage.
Research has shown that stretching can help improve flexibility and consequently, the range of motion of your joints. Stretching also increases blood flow to the muscle.
Better flexibility may:
Improve your performance in physical activities
Decrease your risk of injuries
Help your joints move through their full range of motion
Enable your muscles to work most effectively
Despite the many proven benefits of stretching it is possible to increase your risk of injury if you’re not stretching properly or stretching with cold muscles. Stretching is awesome to do before your workout when it’s done after your warm up, and it’s even better when you stretch after the workout. It’s also important that you stretch in a smooth movement, without bouncing. Bouncing as you stretch can injure your muscle and actually contribute to muscle tightness. I know that stretching can be seen as time-consuming but, the best results are achieved by stretching regularly, at least two to three times a week.
Skipping regular stretching means you risk losing the potential benefits. For instance, if stretching helped you increase your range of motion, your range of motion may decrease again if you stop stretching. It’s also crucial to concentrate your stretches on major muscle groups such as your calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck and shoulders, and make sure that you stretch both sides.
Try out this yoga workout just for YOU, and let’s get moving together!
Everyone's genetics for flexibility are a bit different. Rather than striving for the flexibility of a dancer or gymnast, focus on having equal flexibility side to side. Flexibility that is not equal on both sides may be a cause for injury.
Stretching holds a lot more benefit than just increasing flexibility to your muscles, stretching can improve circulation and increase blood flow throughout your entire body, which can shorten your recovery time and reduce muscle soreness. One study also found that a combination of strengthening and stretching within specific muscle groups can reduce musculoskeletal pain and encourage proper alignment. Now, when I say strengthening I don’t mean going to the gym to lift 100 lbs. Strengthening doesn’t have to include weights, or a gym at all. All you need is yourself, 7 minutes, and some water! I made strengthening and building muscle easy! I created a program that focuses on simple, low impact, easy 7 minute SIT exercises. Sprint Interval Training (SIT) is a subtype of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), but differs greatly in a few ways. SIT involves periods of maximum effort followed by periods of active rest. These workouts boost metabolism, increase energy, and build muscle all in 7 minutes!! My One and Done program is the perfect fit for anyone, regardless of age, gender, and especially for those with a busy lifestyle. If you’re ready to take control of your weight loss journey and flexibility click here!
Another great way to make sure you’re staying flexible, and providing your body with the best nutrients is with a 10 day detox and stretching everyday for 30 minutes. Staying connected, grounded, and flexible takes time, but if you focus on stretching then I will do my part and provide you with a 10 day detox that will kickstart your body and boost your metabolism into full gear while you prep your muscles for the marathon you are about to embark on!
Any weight loss journey regardless of the goals or achievements is always a marathon, nothing is ever a sprint. And that's OKAY!!
Everything in life takes time, and patience. I will always do my best to help you achieve your results, your goals, and help you feel BETTER while also making sure you don’t push yourself too hard! That’s where I came into the idea of 7 minutes, because let’s face it, there’s no excuse to not have 7 minutes in your day. Wake up and 7 minutes, cook dinner and 7 minutes, there’s so many options and opportunities, the big question is, how badly do you want this to be a One and Done for you? Click here!