Thick Today Is Fat Tomorrow
As we twentysomethings get further along in our twenties, we may start to notice ourselves gaining weight. It sucks, because at one time you could eat whatever you wanted and now it's like someone shut off your metabolism. But did you know that by not exercising to lose those extra pounds you are actually setting yourself up for heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis? I just learned that these are all lifestyle diseases and can be eliminated even prevented by exercising and maintaining a healthy diet. Who knew?
To be quite honest, I am not one for exercising, in fact I hate it, but after speaking with Bette Vargas, personal trainer/lifestyles consultant and owner of http://www.fitnesscentralinc.net, I think I've changed my mind. Read on to find out why I hope you will change your mind too.
Because women are meant for childbearing we tend to gain weight in our hips and buttocks. But as we get older that fat rises to our abdominal area. Yuck. For men, it just goes directly to their abdominal area, no detours. With all that weight hanging around your heart you are increasing your chances of getting heart disease. And since osteoporosis starts in our twenties, for women and men, if you are not doing any exercise you may find yourself to be a grouchy old person with a humpback in a couple of years. I don't want that for you.
There are numerous benefits to exercising such as: better quality of life; longer life span; more energy; feeling good knowing that you are doing something that you set your mind to; and most importantly, you will build up your self-esteem and self-confidence.
If you want to get the full benefits of exercising you'll need to combine both cardiovascular and weight training in your fitness program. I know that most women stay away from weights because they think they will get all big and bulky, but Vargas stressed that this is a huge misconception. "Women don't have enough testosterone to do that. In fact, weight training will give you that hourglass figure and helps you keep it," states Vargas. "Muscles take up less space in the body and when you build muscle you will be able to burn calories just by sitting down." Vargas suggests you do aerobic activity to burn fat and lower your heart rate, and do weight training to build muscles and strengthen your bones. But don't slack off on stretching before and after working out, it will give you flexibility and elongate your muscles.
And just so you know, the first place you gained it is the last place you'll lose it. So, it's best that when you see the pounds creeping on, you begin an exercise program.
How to begin
"Slowly," advises Vargas. "One way to start an exercise program is to make the commitment for you and nobody else." So why not do something you like to do and will be able to do consistently? It can be as simple as going for a walk on your lunch break. Ask a co-worker to go with you. But if you happen to walk by yourself, leave the cassette and CD player behind. I know you want something to help pass the time but it will prevent you from being aware of your surroundings.
Just find a time to exercise and do it consistently. Scheduling your workout after the workday when you know full and well you have other obligations is not a good idea. Put it in your planner. "There are 24 hours in a day. You don't deserve one?" asks Vargas. What a guilt trip.
When deciding how much and when you should exercise, Vargas suggests you begin working out 3-5 days a week for 30 minutes. If you start off slow, you will more than likely stick to your exercise schedule than if you began working out six days a week right off the bat. And if you happen to be overweight, start doing 15 minutes of exercise if you can't do 30 minutes and add 5 to 10 minutes every time you exercise.
If you don't have the money to join a gym, go to your local Parks and Recreation Center. The membership fee there will be drastically cheaper then any commercial fitness center. Just because you happen to be paying more doesn't necessarily mean you are getting better service. You are just paying for the ambiance.
What to wear when exercising
When you are exercising in warm climate, it is always best not to wear a sweat suit. That doesn't mean that you need to come out wearing a midriff and some poom poom shorts either. That rule is for both men and women. For footwear, don't get leather sneakers. They are useless because they don't let your feet breathe. You also need to choose a sneaker that has a wide toe box. A toe box prevents your toes from rubbing together. But when in doubt, go to a sneaker specialty store and ask the staff for help.
Now that you have been armed with the knowledge, go out there and start exercising! But always make sure to consult with your doctor before you begin any exercise program.
ChaChanna Simpson is the publisher and editor of Twentity.com, the free ezine for twentysomethings, featuring cheap and free events every Wednesday. Subscribe today at http://www.twentity.com
MORE RESOURCES:
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Avoid Using Your Home Gym as a Clothes Rack
So here's the situation?You have a home gym, treadmill, elliptical trainer, or some other piece of home fitness equipment. But it's sitting in the corner of the room being used as a clothes rack.
The Power Workout:
Scenario: I really want to get in shape, but I work all day and attend multimedia classes until 8:30. How do I find the time to exercise, and what are a few good exercises for beginners like me? Solution: Finding time to exercise is certainly a challenge.
Exercise Intensity
"Physical Fitness"Some physical activities (exercise) are not intense enough to help you meet the FDA recommendations for being physically fit. Although you are moving, these activities do not increase your heart rate, so you should not count these towards the 30 or more minutes a day that you should strive for.
Why Core is Key
Do you currently suffer or have you ever suffered from any of the following: Lower back pain, frequent hamstring injuries, a twisted knee or a pulled shoulder?Have you ever considered that it may not be just the fact that you slipped and twisted something or your back simply 'goes'? It could be you need to strengthen your core?Core training is a buzzword in the fitness industry that's been around for a while now. The measure of its popularity can be seen in the increased use of stability balls or Swiss in gyms, books, classes & videos and the fact that big name clothing stores are even selling stability balls alongside underwear and belts!But in order to train something correctly we must understand exactly what it is we are training.
Exercise and Kids: The Difference between Training Children and Adults!
The greatest mistake a person can make when exercising with children is to treat them like little adults. Children are growing and developing rapidly.
The Importance of Stretching Exercises
Muscles and connective tissues shorten over time and that results in less flexibility. If your muscles have gone some time without being used, they tend to become weaker and quite stiff.
Exercising In Heat
Summer is officially here. Finally you can pack away your jackets and get outside.
Arthritis Exercise - One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 3)
There are three main types of exercises to include in a basic exercise program:Range-of-motion exercises - These lessen stiffness and help with improving flexibility. "Range of motion" refers to the area within which the joints move naturally or on a daily basis.
Exercising for life - The magic is in the synergy!
Synergy: the working together of two or more things, people,
or organizations, especially when the result is greater than
the sum of their individual effects or capabilitiesMomentum toward your goals is generated when all components
of fitness are incorporated into your workout program." Heart-through cardiovascular workout" Skeletal muscle-through strength training" Joints-through flexibility exercises.
Essential Power Walking Tips
Ever since I took a power walking class in college, I have been hooked. If you are thinking about learning how to power walk, I strongly urge you to do so.
Planning An Exercise Program
When designing an aerobic or strength training exercise program, fitness professionals, such as personal trainers and gym instructors, invariably use the F.I.
Professional Triathlon Training Taking You To Your Best
There are hundreds of different programs for professional triathlon training that will work for you. There are even more that won't.
Exercise Fun
Do you consider exercise fun? Everyone wants to be fit and look good but what separates those that stick with it from the ones who call it quits within a month?If you think of exercise as fun or an enjoyable experience you are more likely to make a commitment to make exercise a habit. People who exercise regularly also know the health benefits of being fit and that becomes a big motivating factor.
Got A Cold - Should You Work Out?
A recent study sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine indicates that exercising moderately while you have a common cold doesn't affect the severity or duration of the symptoms.It's a widely excepted notion that exercising and keeping in shape will reduce your risk of getting sick, but nothing has been previously documented to demonstrate whether working out while suffering from a cold would reduce or intensify the symptoms.
The Benefit of Back Exercises
Back exercises are often prescribed effectively as an alternative to surgery. Doing daily back exercises can significantly reduce back pain related to a variety of common ailments.
How to Choose a Good Jogging Stroller
If you lead an active lifestyle and you want to include your new family additions in your outdoor activity then you need to consider getting yourself a good jogging stroller.Choosing a jogging stroller can be like trying to decide on what car to buy.
Arthritis Exercise for All Levels
Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving stiffness in joints, strengthening muscles thereby reducing stress on joints, keeping bone and cartilage tissue strong and healthy, and increasing flexibility. A recommended 30-minute minimum of daily activity is the norm.
Core Strength Limits Arm and Leg Power
Core training has become such a hot topic in the exercise field recently and rightly so. Ask just about anyone what they understand about the body's core and you're likely to get an answer as it being the abdominal muscles.
The Abs... More Important Than You Think
What comes to your mind when I say the word "abs"? Do you think of the infomercials advertising "6 second abs" or the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue? Most people focus on training their abs to look thinner or sexier. But, do you realize the importance of your abs in everyday activities? Most yoga instructors do.
Different Exercises Schedule to Combat Diabetes, Arthritis, and Obesity!
Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do traditional exercises. Above all, one type of exercise cant be effective to each group facing different challenges.
|