Regulars
My Health

Getting in shape, once and for all

by Tonkins Anderson

As a fitness professional with twelve-plus years of experience in group exercise, it mystifies me that so many individuals wait until the final moments to buff up for the summer season. High ambition for that quick fitness fix!

Aerobic classes filled to capacity, long quenes at weight and cardio stations, not to mention numerous questions on how to drop that winter weight. The most important instalment of this scenario is that within a few months, when the winter hawk sets in, its back to the couch potato syndrome and all the hype vanishes only to reappear as body fat. Well my loving readers, its time to wake up and smell the coffee (or better yet, maybe brew a pot of bio-energy tea). By realising fitness is much more than a seasonal trend and begin to understand that exercise is essential for good health.

Adding a consistent exercise program to your lifestyle will facilitate a long list of benefits to your body, mind and spirit. Particularily if you are wandering through life uncomfortable with your own body image. One thing is certain, your timing is perfect, long days and sunshine always have a tendency to install extra added motivation.

Assuming you are just getting started
It is advised to have a complete physical examination, ecspecially if you are over 40 or have a history of medical problems. During an examination the Doctor will determine the general health of your heart, lungs, and kidneys, 3 key areas that are heavily taxed during exercise. Based on the results and your physicains reccomendation you should determine why you are exercising. Are you simply trying to lose weight, or do you want to take it a step further and build endurance? Keep in mind these very different goals demand very different activities.

Selecting the right workout
To lose fat and get fit, try alternating your exercise activity during the week. Cycling, jogging, running, swimming, aerobics classes, and even power walking are forms of cardiorespiratory training guaranteed to burn fat, as long as they are maintained for 30 minutes for a minimum of three times per week. If you want to go for the gold and increase strength and endurance, consider weight training sessions two or three times per week for 30 minutes. It may not be an exciting tip but quite likely the most effective method to stimulate body metabolism.

Whatever exercise programme you choose, keep safety in mind. Proper warm-up and cool-down periods – stretching – will assist in preventing injuries. It is recommended to stretch all major muscle groups before and after any type of physical activity.

Source of energy
While regular exercise is a path towards good health, a structured and sensible diet can go a long way toward keeping you fit. Eating fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding fatty foods not only cuts calories but gives the body neccessary energy for training.

My final recommendation for getting started and maintaining a safe and effective fitness regimen to improve your lifestyle, (we all have our preferences!) is to seek the advice of the professionals at World Class Fitness Centers Romania.