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Physically Tweaked by Cat Smiley
With the world gone crazy around us, there’s never been a better
time to get out there and enjoy our health. Imagine the future: do
you really think you’ll be reminiscing to your grandchildren
about the summer you were skinny? You’d likely remember the
summer you fell in love with mountain biking, or the day you convinced
your mom to go bungee jumping.
Okay, so we’re not all adventurers. Yet I’m convinced
a petition to make spandex illegal would fly through sociological
acceptance, and help shift the focus in fitness off body image. To
many, body fat rolling out of skin tight clothing is a small price
to pay for squeezing into today’s fashions — however,
the more conservative, conscientious crowd similarly sport their self-confidence
through the knowledge of sassy lifestyle choices.
The same thing goes with sports-related skill attainment, such as
shooting basketball hoops or finally being able to face the right
direction in step class. People who exercise carry themselves with
a zest, finding it easier to psyche themselves into the next workout.
Many of the population underestimate the power that feeling confident
has over our physical wellness.
Even skinny has a down side. With weight maintenance out of the equation,
motivation for fitness wavers -until the first sign of cellulite,
or the pathetic clambering up the five flights of stairs to the office
when the elevator breaks down. It’s crucial to realize that
fitness is the blending of cardiovascular endurance (both aerobic
and anaerobic), strength and muscular performance, flexibility and
body composition. Regular training will empower you with the zing
needed to superhero your personal world. The fitter you are, the more
you’ll find energy to take life by the horns - more fun than
just being thin!
A normal heart pumps at around 70 beats per minute, yet a conditioned
heart can beat as low as 45, reducing the amount of work it takes
to transport oxygen around your body. Regular exercise will work the
heart just like any other muscle; increasing the strength, efficiency
and helping you perform your best. You’ll also reduce the risks
of stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease and other life threatening
diseases through exercising. And on top of all the benefits, you’ll
learn to love it! Getting hooked on exercise for reasons other than
weight loss is a surefire path to long-term commitment.
Living with more energy will give you the pep needed to chase your
goals and passions. Who wouldn’t want to jump out of bed in
the morning, eager for the day to get started - and still find the
power to play soccer with their kids after a hard day’s work?
Initially you may find your appetite increase slightly through the
extra energy expenditure, yet this will subside as your body regulates.
Make sure you eat balanced small meals throughout the day to keep
your batteries charged, and don’t miss meals — even if
you’re not hungry. Skipping meals can send you spiralling down
hunger valley later in the day, causing you to overeat and then you’ll
feel too lethargic to do anything.
Keep track of your weight by occasional weighing at the doctor’s
office, yet pay more attention to your lifestyle patterns and how
you feel. Find a sport that works on the skill factor (such as tennis,
golf or dance) so you concern yourself with improving your abilities
rather than losing weight. Take a close look at your monthly expenditures
- could your entertainment, restaurants, clothing and general shopping
be re-evaluated to include the budget for sports lessons? Becoming
enthusiastic about an actual sport takes much less motivation to participate
in than dragging yourself to exercise because you feel you have to.
Gyms also are excellent motivation if you choose the right one and
are able to find classes or facilities that work for you.
Look outside the exercise box and you’ll find a world of stress
relief and health benefits that could save your life, all packaged
into one little word: fitness. Exercise is like food - tasting a little
of many activities can help you create the perfect activity menu,
turning daily movement into a treat rather than a chore.
As for me? I’m proud of my physique, but you’ll likely
find me sporting a baggy tee shirt learning skateboarding tricks,
rather than sucking in my abs as I strut the boardwalk.
Cat Smiley is a pro-athlete and award winning personal trainer,
available for training at Fitness World (N. Vancouver), your home,
the beach and in Whistler. She is the fitness host of Physically
Tweaked on fitnesseducation.com. Contact 1-604-902-0698, www.catsmiley.com
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