My Health

by Michelle Dietrich

October 2005

Welcome back from summer. Welcome back too to the Power Season, to increased workloads, to evenings and weekends jam-packed with events and launches.
Welcome back also to the health and fitness season. How many of us are feeling that we neglected fitness training and that desired ‘healthy lifestyle’ just a bit over summer?

Weather permitting it is the season to throw yourself back into a myriad of cross training outdoor activities that can really be a great help: set yourself some short-term fitness training goals or just add variety and have fun.

It’s definitely the season for running outdoors. I don’t think there’s anything more rejuvenating than a bright sunny Sunday morning when you complete a long run around the Lake. I particularly recommend the wild dog feature if you are working on your sprints!

But if you’re seeking an event or competition, autumn events have included the annual Terry Fox Run and the Bucharest 20K run which are held on the same day (hmmmmm perhaps an opportunity for better planning next year?) Anyway, you know you have a safe route and a very social atmosphere with Terry Fox which is always wonderfully hosted by the AISB, but Bucharest 20K runners need to be aware of oncoming traffic and level crossings (the route has a history of throwing some obstacles at you – just for fun.) And last but not least, the city of Timisoara will host a full scale marathon on 16th October.

The best way to prepare for any of these types of events is to train on a quality treadmill where you can plan and control your runs (length, speed, incline and wild dogs! Well, maybe not the wild dogs). And keep up your hydration by replacing 100 per cent of all lost fluids during long runs.
Contrary to popular myth, strength training can really improve your performance. A well rounded strength training program in the gym will lead to a full range of motion resistance in your swing as well as increased strength, flexibility and the ability to detect body position weight and movement of muscle. And don’t forget to warm up. That’s right, a 10-minute warm up of the muscles and joints and some practice swings will give you a better play and reduce the risk of injury.

Complementary to training for any event, general fitness training or stress reduction continues to be yoga and other mind body classes. We recommend yoga as the remedy for many ailments, including fatigue, high stress, backaches and muscular soreness. Yoga also increases sports performance, helps women with easier and healthier pregnancies and helps people lose weight as well.

Preparation for tests of stamina also extend to the never ending battle with nutrition. Whether you are preparing for an event, gaining strength or looking to lose weight, I want to lead you back to one of the basic principles. Take a good multivitamin and mineral. I was reminded recently that the best base for weight loss is to take a good quality multivitamin and mineral. So before you invest in the latest, greatest fat-burning substance, consider the basic supplement - and then a well balanced nutrition plan.

And speaking of marathons, on 22nd October World Class will host its own Mega Marathon Day for fitness enthusiasts to take the ultimate aerobic, spin or triatholon challenge. Survivors will victoriously boast completion of a 4-hour non-stop sweat dripping, incredibly intense cardio-muscle surge. Of course, a celebration will follow …

Feel good, have fun and see you soon!