When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, exercise is undoubtedly important. But is there ever a time when it’s best to skip a workout session or two? While it may sound surprising, sometimes that’s exactly what you should do. If you’re trying to reach your optimal health, exercise isn’t always the answer.

The world is trending away from the ideal body being a skinny one or that a woman should starve herself in order to be beautiful. The fitness magazine ‘Women’s Health’ recently joined in this "real-body" movement by banning the phrases “bikini body” and “drop two sizes” from its publication.

You’ve heard it all before - exercise is good for your body and overall health. But just what exactly does that mean? When people think of exercise they’re trying to lose some weight, stay physically fit and improve their overall quality of life.

Cardio can be boring. We get it. There is nothing more uninteresting than running on a treadmill or completing 30 minutes on an elliptical machine five times a week. That’s why it is good to find aerobic training activities that are not so repetitive.

When it comes to achieving flatter, firmer abdominal muscles – and therefore a more toned and shapely midriff – the first exercise that probably comes to mind is crunches. And while the classic crunch is all well and good and its benefits are certainly not to be sniffed at, it’s not the only exercise on the block when it comes to your stomach.

As modern day living evolves, it becomes more and more difficult for office staff to work any type of exercise, or even vaguely energetic movement, into their office routines. Technology such as the personal computer, email and the cloud have created an environment where you can easily go for hours at work without having to leave your seat.

Excess belly fat is a common problem for many women. It is considered as the most dangerous kind of fat, since it greatly increases the risks of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. What’s more, belly fat is heavily influenced by your hormones.

It’s winter and it’s cold. We get it. But do you really want to be carrying a bunch of excess weight around when Memorial Day gets here, all because you didn’t want to go outside? if you’re in a cold part of the world, it’s time to stop fearing the weather, and instead embrace it when it comes to staying fit.

Most of us know that exercise is good for your health, helps you sleep better, and can improve your disposition. And while these benefits are undoubtedly great, you may wonder if there are any other, less talked about ways exercise can improve your life.

The new year is the perfect time to start thinking about fitness resolutions. Everyone can make them, but the problem is that not many people end up going through with what they set out to do. In fact, some may even break them off before they’ve got started.