Tag Archive for 'Health and Fitness'

Back In The Saddle Again

Published on February 3, 2008 in Health and Fitness and Sports and Hobbies. 2 Comments

Boy, it sure feels good to be exercising again!

After a nearly four week layoff due to a recurring injury I finally got back on my bike and rode outside yesterday and today. I hadn’t done anything since January 7th and I was really itching to exercise. It’s amazing how our bodies miss the activity. I think I went through a little bit of withdrawal by not being able to workout. My time on the bike, especially outside, has become part of my life and when I can’t do it I get a little down. Exercise gives me a chance to clear out the cobwebs, work the stress of daily life out of my body, and get back in balance. I really need my exercise!

What did I learn from the past four weeks?

  1. I’m not in my 20’s anymore and because of that I need to pay more attention to my body. Being able to perform physically is not automatic anymore, it takes work. Just about everyone of my friends who is over 40 has experienced the same thing.
  2. My body takes longer to heal than when I was younger. I have had more injuries in the last 3 years than the previous 40 and I think it is related to age. I just need to take a little longer before and after a workout to warm up and cool down. Stretching is more important than ever.
  3. Physical activity is important to me and I miss it when I can’t do it. During my time off the bike I noticed that my emotional state was not quite as stable. I found myself getting frustrated just a little easier. Also, my sleep didn’t seem to be as deep. After just one workout I feel measurably better.

I am so glad that I am working out again. My body seems to have lost a little fitness but I should be able to gain that back fairly quickly. My main focus now is to keep healthy so I can continue to work out. I have committed to more frequent stretching as well as increasing my strength, especially in my “core”. Hopefully, things continue to improve and I remain injury free the rest of the year.

What does all of this mean? I think the bottom line is that we all need to make sure that we get regular physical exercise. The benefits cannot be ignored. But, at the same time, we need to take care of our bodies to make sure we can perform like we want to.

If you haven’t been to the doctor, go and get a checkup to make sure you are healthy enough to start an exercise program. Then, start slow, build up, and then stay consistent in your workout regimen. Make sure you take time to prepare your body by warming up and cooling down properly. Enjoy your time working out and make it a regular part of your life. Pretty soon you will crave the exercise and your body will thank you every time you break a sweat!

What do you do for exercise and what benefits do you get from it? Tell us about it by posting a comment.

Rubberband Man

Published on January 27, 2008 in Health and Fitness. 0 Comments

Just how flexible are you? No, I’m not asking about you ability to adapt to new situations (that’s the subject of another post to be) but rather your ability to touch your toes or lift your leg without pulling a muscle. Seems like a strange question, but life is more fun when you are healthy and in shape. Flexibility is a key component of overall health. Exercise is easier and you have a lower risk of injury. I am probably as guilty as many of you when it comes to a lack of flexibility. In fact, my lack of flexibility probably contributed to my recent injury.

I have committed to becoming more flexible this year and so far I am doing OK but I have a ways to go. Stretching is something that takes time, you can’t improve a lot overnight. But, if you work at it on a regular basis you will see definite improvement. So, how do you get started? Well, there are plenty of resources available to you on the internet. This site is a good place to start, along with the Wiki Page on stretching. If you are a fan of the “Dummies” books, as I am, they have one for stretching.

You don’t have to spend hours each day stretching in order to get the benefits. As little as five to ten minutes can make a big difference. If you exercise, make stretching a regular part of your warm-up and cool-down. Your risk of injury will be cut down and your performance will increase. Even if you are not a workout fiend you can benefit from regular stretching. You will be able to perform regular day-to-day activities with less stress and strain.

So, put on some workout clothes, load up your Ipod, or, if you want to see the original “Rubberband Man”, watch this video of the Spinners on Burt Sugarman’s Midnight Special from 1976 and start stretching!

Just Say No To Holiday Stress

Published on December 19, 2007 in Health and Fitness and Personal Success. 2 Comments

As we head into the final days of the holiday season the pressure is mounting. Last minute shopping, traffic jams, holiday parties, and family can all contribute to an increased level of stress for many of us. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Year after year the holiday season is reported as one of the most stressful times of the year. Don’t let the pressure get to you. There are many things you can do to relieve the stress.

One of the personal development blogs I read, Evolving Times, has a great post on the subject of holiday stress and how to beat it. Check out their Holiday Anti-Stress Guide.

I couldn’t really add much to Edward’s post except to say that the stress relieving tips he provides can be applied year round. When the New Year arrives don’t forget these tips only to need them again next December. Implement as many of them as you can immediately and gain the benefits all year long.