Springtime is a great time to get active and change your lifestyle. WHCC Athletic Trainer Tracey Jaurena offers some suggestions on taking advantage of the beautiful San Joaquin Valley springtime weather to get fit.
It’s that time of year when the winter clothes are exchanged for spring ones but uh oh, they do not fit! Stay calm and get yourself educated on how to “battle the bulge.” First of all, I am not going to tell you how to lose that “nagging 10 pounds” or what to eat or that there is a new diet pill out there to make all your dreams come true. This article pertains to each individual and their goals when it comes to your personal health and wellness with five simple rules.
Rule # 1 THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES! It takes six weeks to build a muscle and only three days for it to start to atrophy (shrink) if you do not use it. With that type of configuration we are set up to fail before we see the results. Most people who join a gym or fitness program quit before they start to see the results. So the key is to find something you enjoy and keep going with it.
Rule #2 HAVE A PLAN! Look at your calendar and see when and where you can fit in some exercise. Studies show if you do not plan for it, most likely it will not occur. Personalize your plan to fit you and your lifestyle.
Rule # 3 SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS. Here is were it gets tough. The more aging under our belts, chins, eyes and whatever is going south etc., the harder it gets to make achievable goals. We still think we can do the things we used to do and not pay for it physically. Start out slow and work your way up progressively. For example: If you have 15 minutes in the morning, then take 15 minutes and walk, bike, dance or stretch-- just move! It is OK to get in two, three or 15 minutes of exercise a day if that’s all you have time for.
Rule # 4 GET EDUCATED. We are all different and with today’s technology we have the world at our fingertips. Get on the web and search for a personalized plan the fits you and your lifestyle. WEBMD is a great web site that can guide you to many different areas you may want to work on and give you the level that is best for your body type and goals. It also has information for people with high blood pressure, cholesterol, nutrition for diabetes, health news and views and other potential issues that many of us face.
Rule # 5 HAVE FUN! Studies show that if you like the health and wellness program you are performing regularly, you will make more time to focus on it and therefore achieve your goals. Try not to focus on the scale but rather use your body fat calibrations and how you feel physically for doing the exercise.
None of these rules require a sign up fee, pre-made mail ordered food or gym membership. It just takes you and a little time to get started off to a new adventure in the health and wellness of your life. Share this information with a friend and get started on a plan.
Tracey will be teaching a Pilates class at WHC Coalinga in the fall on T- TH from 12-12:50. That is a great class for anyone, any age or gender.