Make A Comeback and Reap the Benefits of FITNESS!!!

Guess whose back! Yep, that's right, after a year of absences from posting fitness tips and workouts, I thought it was time for Gym Etiquette to make a come back. Maybe A Tribe Called Quest can learn a lesson or two from my comeback or maybe not, but I really hope they do.

Anyways, since so much of us get into a rut from working out, I thought I'd share why working out can reap benefits for your health. Hopefully this will help you stay on the right track and don't stray away from it like you did in the past.

The Gym Etiquette staff writer, (which is me), suggests making physical activity a priority each week. I know we all have a busy work schedule, but maybe it's easier for you to workout during your lunch hour, or perhaps hitting the gym right after dinner is best for you. The key is to set aside specific days and times for exercise, making it just as much a regular part of your schedule as everything else. I actually have a friend who sets an alarm on his phone to remind him to eat or else he'll forget. That's actually a great idea. Remind yourself by setting an alarm so you know you'll be focused to work out at a certain time. Or maybe schedule it in your Outlook calendar so it pops up while you're working.  Pretty much, just make sure to remind yourself, so you get that body busy in the gym or wherever you choose to be active.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) suggests doing moderately intense cardio 30 minutes a day, five days a week or doing vigorously intense cardio 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week. ACSM also recommends doing eight to 10 strength-training exercises with eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise twice a week.

Remember that starting an exercise program is about more than just decreasing your waistline or getting washboard abs like the Gym Etiquette staff writer. Exercise improves your health. Check out these benefits:

• Physical activity can help stimulate various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out.

• Physical activity can help prevent or manage high blood pressure, cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer.

• Engaging in physical activity helps burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you will burn, helping to keep your weight under control.

• Exercise can boost your energy level by delivering oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular physical activity helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently.