Your exercise tip – Why do we exercise?
With an abundance of information on our health, do we really know the value and purpose of exercise? Is it to lose weight, maintain good health or a hobby? The reasons vary greatly from person to person. The intangible benefits of a regular exercise routine are the ones that really count.
Research today has shown that exercise reduces the risks of many diseases, can help with the fight and recovery from many forms of cancer, can help with physical and psychological trauma that we may be under, and can just make us feel good.
If you could be shown your future and see the benefit that exercise has had, would you question why?
Your health tip – Dairy and its alternatives – how is your calcium consumption?
The dairy food group is considered one of the most important components in our nutrition, particularly in relation to our bone health and diseases such as osteoporosis. Many trending diets and eating patterns discourage the use of dairy and dairy alternatives, but without those essential nutrients, you are risking your long term wellbeing
Dairy and dairy alternatives contain not only calcium and iron, but essential vitamins such as A and D (D helps with the strengthening of bones), and minerals such as zinc (Zn) and iodine (I). Adults should have 2 – 3 serves per day (1 cup of milk or ¾ cup of yoghurt, or 100 grams of almonds with skin). This figure increases slightly as we age due to a reduced ability to replenish calcium in the bones.
Exercise of the week
This week we are looking at an exercise that is both common on home gym equipment and in gymnasiums. It is a pulling exercise called the seated cable rows. This is one of the best exercises for specifically working on and improving your posture. Tips for this exercise are:
- Breathe out when you pull the weight towards yourself.
- Keep your upper body stable, just pull with your arms. Try not to let it jerk when you are first pulling the weight and in the last part of the lowering movement.
- Try to maintain your shoulder blades slightly together, almost like having your chest pushed out.
- If it hurts, stop.
Your life tip
If you treasure moments and life experiences over possessions, life can be a little simpler.
This week’s wise words
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have a great week and keep healthy in 2017. David.