Your exercise tip – are you continually adding not substituting?
When it comes to the goals we are aiming to achieve with exercise, how we set our routines and patterns is one of the key factors. If you are not achieving results, do you keep adding no more will fit in?
When exercising regularly, we cannot just keep adding more in to achieve the results we are after. When a plan is not working (it should have been adhered to for at least six weeks consistently to see changes) you do have options available. Most of us will look at how long we are exercising for and how hard we are exercising. An often forgotten variable is substituting in sessions that have a reduced fatigue effect on the body (we call them an active rest). An example of this is to substitute a running or high intensity training session with a lower intensity swimming session once a week or once a fortnight (randomly).
This type of change will give the body a chance to recover from a fatigued state and allow the mind some breathing space as well.
Your health tip – Discretionary food choices.
Discretionary food and drink choices, is the food group used when foods do not fit into the five food groups and signify that they are not the best choices for our health. These are usually the processed foods, high in calories and low in nutrient value. What are you eating in this category?
Exercise of the week – the dynamic straddle
This week we are looking at the straddle, a dynamic abdominal and cardiovascular exercise. This is a great exercise for home if you get caught up and only have a short period to exercise – it is challenging! Tips for the straddle are:
- Start slow, trying to maintain a pace throughout the time frame you choose. Start with 30 second intervals.
- Ensure that both feet stay as close together as possible and that the body is straight in the centre (or push-up) position.
- This is not an exercise for those that have shoulder issues or problems with their back.
- If it hurts – stop!
Your life tip
Make a conscious effort not to start the day thinking about how tough it will be. Projecting that onto the day (or our perception of what it will be like) will make everything much more challenging.
This week’s wise words
You will sometimes meet two types of people on your way to your goals. The people who will build you up and the people who will pull you down.
In the end you will thank both for what they give.
Have a great week and keep healthy in 2017. David.