Your Muscles - Made to Move!

By Diana Chaloux

Jumping, running, swimming, biking, climbing, twirling and skipping! What do all of these things have in common? First, they are all fun! Second, they are all types of exercise, and third, each of these activities requires you to use your muscles!

Muscles are what make it possible for you to move your body. If you didn�t have muscles you wouldn�t be able to move at all! When your muscles are strong and in good shape, it makes it so you can do things such as running, swimming, jumping or playing sports and games more easily.

There are over 600 muscles located right within your body! These muscles come in three different types. Did you know that your heart is a muscle? That�s right! It is called a cardiac muscle. You don�t have control over this type of muscle, it works without you even thinking about it! Your body also has smooth muscle. Just like your heart, these muscles work completely on their own! Your stomach has smooth muscles in it, and so do your eyes! The third and most familiar type of muscle is called skeletal muscle. You can actually see many of your skeletal muscles moving underneath your skin.

Let�s take a moment and locate one of the most familiar skeletal muscles, the biceps (bye-seps). This muscle is located on the front side of your arm. First, hold your arm straight out to your side, keep your palm facing up towards the ceiling. Now look straight down your arm and you will see the biceps muscle right between your shoulder and your elbow. Make a fist and bend your elbow in, as you do this you will see the biceps muscle working! When your muscle is working and tightening like this it is called a contraction, when you stretch your arm back out your biceps lengthen and relax. Do this movement a couple of times, use your opposite hand to feel the biceps muscle contract (or tighten) and relax. You may even think it feels like there is a small egg or baseball right in your arm!

Muscles come in all different shapes and sizes. Some of your largest muscles can be found in your legs. These muscles spring into action anytime you stand or sit, walk or run, swim, skate or jump and so much more! You have muscles all over your body. There are muscles in your hands which help you to write, your shoulders which help you to raise your hand during class, in your neck to help you turn your head to the side and even in your face to make it so you can smile!

It is important to keep ALL of our muscles strong and fit. Not only will we be able to move our bodies more easily, but our bodies will also stay healthy. When we don�t take care of our bodies they can get sick and weak, when that happens they don�t move well and that is not fun at all! The best way to keep your muscles in shape is to use them and exercise every day! There are so many different and fun ways to exercise. Whether you choose to jump rope, go swimming, go for a walk or run, play a sport or play a game of tag with your friends, you will be working your muscles and keeping your body healthy. So what are you waiting for? Choose the activity that you enjoy the most and start moving your body today!

Diana Chaloux is the co-founder and owner of Destined 2 Be Fit (www.destined2befit.com). Diana is also a certified personal trainer through ACE, AFAA and FPI, a certified Fitness Coach through Wellcoaches, Lifestyle Management Nutrition Specialist, NPC National Level Figure Competitor (www.dianachaloux.com) and Fitness Model. Diana also has her own personal training studio located in San Antonio, Texas allowing her to work with clients and members both online and in person! For more information on how you can work with Diana visit www.destined2befit.com or write to her at contact@d2bfit.com