5 exercises that don't do what you think they do

 

Bosu Squats

What you think bosu squats do: Most people who do bosu squats believe that they give your core a more intense workout compared to the traditional squat.
In reality… bosu squats don’t activate your core any more than a traditional squat. Evidence for this emerged from a study undertaken by researchers at the Eastern Illinois University and published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance.
The study examined 12 participants who performed exercises on both stable ground and on a BOSU Balance Trainer. The researchers concluded that there were no advantages to be had from using the BOSU Balance Trainer and that exercising on stable ground was just as effective.  
So, if you want to engage your core, bin the bosu squats and instead stick to the traditional method.
Low intensity exercise
What you think low intensity exercise does: Most people have been led to believe that low intensity exercise helps you to burn more fat and will therefore help you to lose more weight, compared to if you performed exercise at a high intensity.
In reality…performing an exercise at a low intensity – such asdoing some light swimming or doing a yoga session – does not help you to lose more weight.
According to the myth, low intensity exercise helps you to lose more weight because when you work out at a low intensity your body fuels your training session by burning fat. However, weight loss depends on the total amount of calories you burn and the total amount of calories you consume. And when you exercise at a low intensity you burn less calories than you would had you worked out for the same length of time at a high intensity. Therefore, although you are burning fat when you do low intensity exercises, you will not burn as many calories, and therefore you will not lose as much weight as you would if you performed high intensity exercises.
 

Step exercises with ankle and hand weights

What you think doing step exercises with weights does: A lot of people believe that doing step or bench exercises with ankle or wrist weights will help them to tone their legs, arms and butts.
In reality… exercising with ankle or hand weights doesn’t help you to improve your muscular fitness.
According to a study conducted by the Division of HPR-Exercise Science at Wayne State University, women who performed three 50 minute step exercise sessions with ankle and wrist weights per week had no more muscular fitness benefits from these sessions than those women who performed the exercises without the weights.

Crunches

What you think crunches do: If asked how they could achieve rock hard abs, most people would probably say that doing a zillion crunches every day would help them to achieve the defined six pack of their dreams.  
In reality… although not completely redundant, crunches are not the best way to get a six pack.
This is because although crunches can help to strengthen your abdominal muscles, in order to be able to see your six pack you need to lose the layer of belly fat that covers most people’s stomach muscles. And crunches won’t help you get rid of that belly fat.
Why? Well, you can’t target specific areas of your body, say by doing crunches, and actually lose weight from that specific part of your body. Instead, work on a weight loss program, doing a mix of cardio and strength training exercises. If you also eat correctly you should then begin to lose weight and as a result lose some belly fat. Once you’ve lost enough belly fat you should begin to see that six pack. 

Ball slams

What you think ball slams do: Lots of people think that when they hurl their medicine ball to the ground they’re giving their core and arms a tough workout. 
In reality… ball slams actually provide more of a challenge for your back and your shoulders.  According to Washington State University the main muscle ball slams work is your latissimus dorsi muscle (aka your lats), which is located on your back. Washington State University also state that ball slams work your deltoids too, which is a muscle found on your shoulder.

 https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-exercises-dont-think-080019804.html

Vitamins To Support Your Life At Every Age

Your body's needs from its nutrition and exercise changes with your age and lifestyle, we take a look at the foods and supplements we need to support us through every life stage

With the best will in the world, most of us will experience a time where we're super busy, stressed, not getting enough sleep, eating badly or drinking too much.

Your body is tough and can withstand a bit of over-use. But it's designed to work in combination with what you give it - namely, good food and drink that contains vital nutrients that help it cope with all the many things we ask of it.Get your diet right and you'll be this happy (Rex)
From too much alcohol to bringing up children, most women's lives have periods of chaos where remembering to eat the right amount of fruit, veg and oily fish a week are the last things on our to-do list.
But prolonged periods where we ask too much of our bodies can take their toll, zapping our energy, making us age prematurely, and making us so run down we pick up every cough and cold going. But you have a secret weapon in your health arsenal: Good food packed with supportive nutrients.
[The best foods for beating stress]
[Five vitamins that could change your life]
Whatever your age, Nature's Best nutritionist Moyra Cosgrove has some recommendations everyone can benefit from:
Test your levels. There's no point supplementing micronutrients that you have enough of. If you have deficiency symptoms, speak to your doctor about getting tested so you know what to supplement, if anything.
A good multivitamin. Having said that, unless your diet is exemplary, modern lifestyles mean it's unlikely you're getting everything you need, particularly if you drink, don't get your eight hours sleep or are in training for a sporting event. Get a gender-specific back up in the form of a pill. Moyra recommends Premtis for women.
Eat enough protein. Your body needs this macronutrient for repair as well as energy. If you don't eat enough, consider protein shakes. But don't eat them on top of meals and snacks. They should replace a snack. Particularly good if you head to the gym after work, to give you the energy you need to get more out of your workout.
Fish oils. Supplement if you know you don't eat two portions of oily fish or rely on processed or fast foods for dinner.
Green coffee extract. Using it as part of a healthy diet and exercise programme can help fat burning.
Don't over do it. Excess vitamins and minerals won't benefit you and could do you harm.
Sleep. There are many ways to help you sleep and it's vital to allow your body time to use the nutrients you've given it. If you're struggling, try magnesium before bed as this can aid muscle relaxing.
Always have breakfast. Coffee isn't breakfast.

In addition, at different times in our life, we need a bit of extra help.
Women in their 20s
Drinking, partying, late nights, hard work, stress
Cheat sheet:
Vitamin D3 (Comes from the sun, also found in small amounts in egg yolks and oily fish)
Magnesium (Leafy veg, nuts and seeds, fish)
Folic acid (Vegetables, fruit, eggs, wholegrains, fortified cereals)
B Vitamins (Wholegrains, fortified foods, vegetables, lean meats)
Milk Thistle supplements to counteract effects of alcohol
Women in their 30s
Hard work, stress, starting a family, childcare responsibilities, lack of sleep
Cheat sheet:If you're starting a family: fertility/pregnancy-specific multi-vitamin containing folic acid
Vitamin D3
Fish Oils
Siberia Ginseng (for stress)

Women in their 40s
Weight loss, health wake-up calls, stress, childcare, lack of sleep, premenopause
Cheat sheet:Plant sterols (to lower cholesterol and blood pressure)
Increase protein for weight loss (and decrease refined carbs and processed foods)
CoQ10 for a health heart
Valerian to help with sleep
You also don't need to suplement constantly. Instead, supplements can help you deal with difficult times where you're body needs extra support or your diet just isn't cutting it. Replenish your stores for three months and then rely on a healthy diet to keep them going.
And listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/vitamins-for-every-age--your-20s--30s--40s-and-50s-143157689.html