Working Through It…
We are often asked how to overcome the inertia and keep engaged. This is the most troublesome aspect of exercising to most. You get started…things are going pretty well…and then, you hit a wall! Either you can’t make any (noticable) headway, or you get bored and can’t seem to keep the momentum going. First, don’t be alarmed. We all experience a ‘relapse mentality’, from time-to-time. The trick is to review the ‘whys’ that got you there to begin with. Something drove you to make the initial effort to begin the fitness journey. If you were counseled properly, there should have been goals and expectations discussed. Most people fail to sustain the effort due to unrealistic expectations, however. The maintenance phase of any lifestyle change can be the most challenging. If you find yourself getting bored, we need to mix things up a bit! Try new routines…workout at different times…and the like. Keeping a an encouragement team on alert that you are trying to sustain a systematic program can also be of assistance. You know, an accountability partner. If you sense that you are beginning to lag, let us know…we can provide you some one-on-one time to assist in bringing you back. .
Stymied?
Even if you are not a golfer, the notion of feeling ‘hemmed in’ can result in less-than-stellar outcomes in your path to fitness. Don’t despair, however… A detour is not all bad! Taking an alternate route to the same destination may take additional time but, in the end, may result in greater reward along the way. Be brave! Staid becomes stale… Step out of the ‘routine’ and try something bold, new and adventurous. Take the ‘uncharted course’. Intimidated still? Ask for help! That’s why you pay us ‘the big bucks!’
The ‘Fat Switch’?
Wouldn’t that be nice? Well, according to the lead author, Mark McCarthy, MD PhD in a British study, the gene KLF14 may be just that! It appears that this gene ‘likely controls metabolic traits ranging from body mass index to glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels.’ Now the challenge is to find out how to express the gene properly to have a positive effect on relevant outcomes. Stay tuned!
Is 10,000 enough?
That’s roughly 5 miles – per day – as the CDC recommends! Seems impractical but check out the results of a recent study that showed folks who decided to ‘cut back’ to 1000 steps per day quickly found marked declines in both insulin processing and oxygen uptake – after just 2 weeks! So, is it worth an investment of a couple of hours to get those steps in? Without a doubt. At 2.5 mph it would take 10% of your day to accomplish. The returns are invaluable.
Hold on…?
One half of a title song by Sam & Dave(1966)! Yes, but we’re talking fitness matters right? Well, a common sight in the club is folks ‘holding on to’ (in some cases even balancing their entire body weight) the hand rails on the cardio machines. Obviously, if you have a balance problem when you walk, then you should use these rails to prevent a fall. However, those of you who can navigate properly, take note: you can loose up to 50% efficacy in your workout if you support your weight by these rails! So, if you can, ‘let go’! Your workout will be more challenging, more effective and you can be more efficient. We’ll be watchin’ ya’!
