exercise routine

(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Sticking with an exercise routine means being able to overcome the obstacles that invariably arise.

A key to success is having the confidence that you can do it, researchers report. A new study explores how some cognitive strategies and abilities influence this "situation-specific self-confidence," a quality the researchers call "self-efficacy."

Starting any exercise plan, even for a person used to working out, may seem simple on the surface, but there are some pitfalls you need to avoid.

Enter your workout each day with a plan, and always, above all else, listen to your body. It will tell you when you're overdoing it, and it will tell you if you aren't doing enough.

Relying solely upon a weightlifting book or some cardio plan may not be the smartest decision. Each person is different, so give yourself some flexibility and listen closely to how your body feels and reacts.

It seems like everybody wants to get fit, yet far too many people go about it the wrong way. They join a high class gym, buy the cool workout clothes, and then spend more time socializing than exercising.

And, when they do finally get down to actually pushing some weight, they stop too early before the real burn begins.

So, if you fit either of these two categories, check out the advice below to better your workouts.

The Exercise "Do"

If you are looking for an effective exercise to make your shoulders look toned and awesome in that strapless dress that you want to wear, then try adding lateral raises to your exercise routine. A lateral raise is a strength-training exercise that concentrates on the shoulder muscles. It works not only the front and back of the shoulder, but the sides as well.

Here is how you do a basic lateral raise:

No matter how excited you were about your new fitness frenzy attitude a few weeks back, there will come a time when the motivation level hits an all time low.

Getting into a new exercise routine is great, but it's the consistency of the workouts that will get you the results you crave.

Unfortunately, many people simply give up after a series of missed workouts, or from sheer boredom. Don't be the next victim of workout burnout!

Prepare yourself for the dip in motivation by jazzing up your workout routine with some of these simple strategies:

By Dr.

Marc Grossman, OD, L.Ac.

According to a Manchester Metropolitan University study, a balance of carbohydrate and protein supplements and a well planned low-resistance exercise routine could go a long way to keep senior citizens healthy and fit into their retirement years.

The study, reported on by Science Daily News, was the first to chart the effects of a combined supplement and exercise regimen for an exclusively older population.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stressed workers often reach for calorie-rich foods, skip the gym after a taxing day or forego meals because of heavy workloads.

Or they indulge in other bad-for-you behavior like smoking, drinking or staying out late....