By
the time we reach adulthood we reach our potential physical peak.
That is, we attain a time in out lives when we are no longer
developing, or growing. Our
bones and muscles are fully developed, and it could be said we
are at our best.
As
is the case with all living organisms we are ripe. When an apple
is fully grown, and at its sweetest. It's juicy, looks plump,
and the skin is tight. It's the best it's ever going to be. Eat
it now before it looses water, the skin sags, turns brown and
its taste is somewhat compromised. In the case of humans once
we are about 21 years old we lose muscle at an alarming rate
of up to .5 kilogram yearly. Now the problem here is that muscle
is the most metabolically active component in the body. Even
when we are asleep our muscles account for at least half of calories
burned. Therefore if you are losing muscle at that rate your
metabolism is retarding proportionately.
Your
physical functional capacity is now deteriorating, and you may
not ever be able to do what you used to. At this stage of your
physical-biological existence it is generally accepted that you
then begin to slow down, and even further accepted that your
physical appearance and out put will diminish. As a personal
fitness trainer I know that what is generally accepted should
absolutely not be the case.
Particularly,
when is the absence of any physical exercise your peak was not
that great anyway. You can accept that it's down hill from here,
just as the majority of the population do. This seems generally
accepted because it is average. Based on averages we can then
justify that the reduction of cardiovascular fitness, loss of
metabolically active muscle due to inactivity, and the inability
to cope with the stresses of day to day living is okay. We can
also argue that every body puts on a few pounds, age prematurely,
and rely on doctors, drugs and surgery to feel as most other
do.
Fact
is, most people feel like crap.
I
say this because our health systems are overrun with the burden
of unfit/unhealthy people who only feel the way they do because
they do nothing to feel any other way.
Drugs
can never replace the wellness that is experienced by everybody
that remains active and those who include exercise in their daily
regime. Chronic sedentary lifestyles could be considered the
biggest killer in our affluent society today, and is directly
related to degenerative disease like diabetes, heart disease,
stroke, osteoporosis, and some cancers.
The
human body is designed to move, and as a matter of fact it thrives
on it. Watch children playing for example; they can run, jump
and play so effortlessly. Look at their faces; this reflects
the enjoyment that they experience in the name of fun. Contrast
their faces when they are made sit still.
Without
movement the human body deteriorates quickly, becomes sluggish,
and loses its zest for life. The benefits of regular exercise
are well documented, and include physical, psychological, and
natural chemical tranquilizing effects yet as whole we don't
get enough of it.
Any
amount of exercise is a positive step toward better well-being,
as long as it is regular if not daily. If you feel that you just
don't have the energy do not despair because exercise creates
its own energy, and in no time at all you will be hanging out
for a daily fix and only then will you reap its many benefits.
Go
for a walk around the block or through parklands. Many people
start this way then go a bit further. Some even progress to jogging,
however this step is not essential. In any case whatever method
you do choose it must be sustainable ideally for life. This will
do wonders for your self-esteem, but do it gradually. Too much
to soon will only make a pleasurable activity become a chore,
and a chore will destroy your motivation, and exercise longevity
along with your self-esteem.
There
is little point in taking off like a bull from a gate and never
exercising again because you have taken and expected too much.
When I get up in the morning I have a drink, run 5 kilometres,
shower, shave and eat breakfast, and then my clean my teeth.
Without going into the pro's and con's of the order in which
I do things, this works for me. I don't have to worry about it
for the rest of my day. My mind is clear, and I will say, clearer
than if I did not exercise, and ready to encounter 'life stuff'
better than if I were to do nothing.
A
commitment to yourself is essential to make the time. The grandest
excuse not to get into a routine is lack of time. Yet invariably
the busiest people seem to make the time. It must become a routine
and essential part of your life, just like eating showering and
cleaning your teeth.
| Authors
Details:
John
Moore
Personal
Trainer |
|
