Active Lifestyle Living: No Sit, Stay or Roll Over
Dave • September 24, 2018
The media blitz and bombardment is constant, always reminding you to stay active, keep moving and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But a 30-second sound bite featuring beautiful, active people never explains why an active lifestyle matters. Here are the advantages achieved by an active lifestyle:
Physical health
Maintain strong bone and muscle structure, which prevents injuries. Helps with weight management and blood composition (cholesterol and triglyceride levels). Reduces the incidence and duration of colds and the risk of life-altering diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.
Mental Health
Activity increases brain function, especially in older adults, reduces stress levels and improves mood and self-esteem.
Time Management
Adding exercise to the daily routine takes planning, requiring time management skills and the reminder to put yourself first every day.
Sex Life
Activity boosts energy, providing more than enough to get through the day with plenty left over for amorous adventures.
Social Health
An active lifestyle keeps you connected to your friends, peers, and community and introduces you to people you won’t ever meet sitting on your couch.
Here are nine tips for the living the active lifestyle:
- Do what you love: Whether it’s work or play, if you hate the activity, it causes stress, changes in sleep and appetite. Work at a job that has benefits beyond sick time and vacation days. Find hobbies you enjoy and share with others.
- Think of others: Whether it’s time, money or material goods, those who give of themselves to others gain confidence, self-esteem and a sense of partnership in a world bigger than themselves. Givers also make new friends and business connections and build stronger communities.
- Be flexible as you age: Accept that as time moves forward, your ability to run those youthful marathons change. But your ability to run does not. Learn to race walk or try another less strenuous sport, but always keep moving.
- Stay social: Alone time is nice sometimes, but extended periods of isolation lead to depression, changes in appetite and decreased levels of activity. Seek the company of friends, family, and neighbors. Join a club or group that offers both physical activity and social interaction.
- Always take your exercise with you when you travel: Choose hotels with workout facilities or access to a gym. Swim if there’s a pool, run outside if traffic and safety considerations allow. Or use the hotel’s fire stairs for a workout, if nothing else is available.
- Medical mindfulness: Get regular physicals, and when your body does not feel right, get that checked, too. Keep immunizations up to date and check on additional immunizations required for foreign travel. Have a list of your medications with you, or use an app to track them. Inform your doctors so each knows who is prescribing what drugs, to prevent interactions.
- Limit TV time: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend about five hours a day watching TV. Enhance that time spent sitting with activity, such as riding a stationary bike or lifting weights. Enjoy some couch time but make it more of a special occasion than a daily ritual.
- Food for life and living: Try those new cuisines, travel, and taste and cook fearlessly. But find a balance between the gourmet’s indulgence and good common sense. Limit processed foods, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine, use foods whose ingredients you can pronounce and consider the body a temple in terms of your daily eating habits, with an occasional trip to a culinary amusement park.
- If you have questions, seek an expert’s help: The staff at 3 Elements Lifestyle offers personalized exercise training for children, teens and adults, nutritional counseling, group classes and self-defense courses. Achieving the best shape of the rest of your life begins here.
David Michael Gilbertson is the founder and president of 3 Elements Lifestyle, LLC., a Fitness and Weight Loss company that specializes in YOU!. With more than 15 years of experience owning, operating and managing clubs of all sizes, David lectures, delivers seminars and gives workshops on the practical skills required to successfully help you with your health and fitness goals. David also helps you build the teamwork, management, and training necessary to open your own fitness center. For more information on Licensing and Consulting Services Visit his Web site at: www.3elementslifestyle.com or email at daveg@3elementslifestyle.com or call (805) 499-3030.
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Embarking on a fitness and nutrition journey can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially for beginners. At 3 Elements Lifestyle, we understand the importance of guiding newcomers through their initial steps toward a healthier lifestyle. In this blog, we will provide you with 10 practical tips that will help you kickstart your fitness and nutrition journey with confidence and determination. 1. Set Realistic Goals: Begin by setting realistic goals that align with your fitness and nutrition aspirations. Start with small, achievable targets to avoid feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts as you progress. Going cold turkey on your eating never works out. Go slow and let the body adjust. You are in it for the long run. 2. Find Your Motivation: Identify your personal motivation for pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Whether it's to improve your overall well-being, increase energy levels, or boost self-confidence, having a clear motivation will keep you focused and committed throughout your journey. Write your goals down, so you know exactly what they are. I recommend placing them in the refrigerator so you will see then every time you open it. 3. Participate in Group Classes: Joining group classes like at 3 Elements Lifestyle can provide you with the support and motivation needed to stay consistent. Our classes are always led by a trained instructor. The workouts include bodyweight training, HIIT, kettlebells, cardio, strength training, battle ropes, tire flipping, and offer a diverse range of workouts that cater to different fitness levels and preferences. 4. Prioritize Nutrition: Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand. Nourishing your body with the right foods will enhance your workouts and accelerate your progress. Poor quality food will do the opposite. Focus on consuming a balanced macro diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, lots of vegetables, and healthy fats. Consult a nutritionist for personalized advice if needed. 5. Stay Hydrated: This is a big one. Maintaining adequate hydration is essential for overall health and optimal workout performance. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially before, during, and after exercise. Hydration helps regulate body temperature, supports joint health, and aids in nutrient absorption. A good marker for daily water intake is to take your weight, divide it by two and drink that many ounces a day. 6. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body's signals during workouts. Push yourself to challenge your limits, but also know when to rest and recover. Overtraining can lead to injuries and burnout, so allow yourself time for adequate rest and rejuvenation. 7. Incorporate Resistance Training: In addition to cardiovascular exercises, include resistance training in your workout routine. This helps build lean muscle mass, increases metabolism, and improves overall strength. Start with bodyweight exercises and gradually introduce kettlebells, weighted balls or weights as you progress. 8. Prioritize Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for muscle recovery and overall well-being. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to support your fitness goals. Establish a bedtime routine and create a sleep-friendly environment to optimize restful sleep. 9. Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your fitness and nutrition journey to track your progress effectively. Monitor changes in your strength, endurance, and body composition. This will not only help you stay motivated but also enable you to make adjustments to your routine as necessary. 10. Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate your accomplishments along the way, no matter how small. Recognize your dedication and hard work by treating yourself to a non-food-related reward or sharing your achievements with friends and family. Remember, every step counts! In conclusion, embarking on a fitness and nutrition journey as a beginner can be challenging, but with the right guidance and mindset, it becomes an empowering experience. At 3 Elements Lifestyle, we are committed to helping you kickstart your journey on the right foot. By setting realistic goals, prioritizing nutrition, staying consistent, and listening to your body, you'll be well on your way to achieving a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. Get ready to unleash your potential and embrace the transformative power of fitness and nutrition, and a better, healthier life! Stay healthy my friend! Dixon Troyer is the President of Operations at 3 Elements Lifestyle, LLC., a Fitness and Weight Loss company that specializes in YOU! With more than 15 years of gym and club experience, owning, operating and managing clubs of all sizes, Dixon lectures, delivers seminars and workshops on the practical skills required to successfully help you with your health and fitness goals. Dixon also helps you build the teamwork, management, and training necessary to open your own fitness center. Visit his Web site at: www.3elementslifestyle.com , email at Dixon@3elementslifestyle.com or call 805.499.3030.