Health & Fitness
Fall Fitness
By Cheryl Alker
I have decided to officially name fall as the Fitness New Year! Why? Well how many New Year’s Eves have you proclaimed to the world that you are going to get fit and healthy in the coming year? And how many times have you failed to follow through?
December 31st over a glass of champagne is too late to set goals and make promises with regard to your health, unfortunately the damage has already been done. From the end of October onwards we hit a plethora of parties, buffets, meals out, family gatherings with one thing all in common; FOOD and often drink. Wouldn’t it make sense, therefore, to make your fitness resolution in the fall? Seriously, it is a great time to start a fitness program because you will have already started to create good habits before the holiday season begins. Let’s face it, with so many parties going on surely this is the time to look and feel your best, wowing your friends and family with a new streamline and radiant you will make this year’s holiday season the best ever!
With the change of seasons comes a renewed time to rethink and restart, after the heat of summer, fall no matter where you live, is often a breath of fresh air.
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So how about this year you navigate yourself through the party season in much better shape than when you started it and leave New Year’s Eve as a time of celebration, not the same old declaration.
Here’s how:-
1. Take advantage of the weather. These months are a great time to exercise outdoors and enjoy cooler temperatures.
For those of us in Florida the beach is a great time for activities as it is so much less crowded. What about a game of volleyball, Frisbee, or playing a vigorous game of fetch with your dog. If you’re near a lake, try paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing, for an excellent whole-body workout and a great change of pace.
Discover park trails and take in some new scenery, whether you’re walking, biking, or in-line skating.
In places where snow falls early, try cross country skiing or snowshoeing.
And remember, it doesn’t have to seem like exercise to be a great workout just raking leaves or doing some fall outdoor yard work is a great way to get the heart pumping, and it’s a great way to calorie-burn.
2. Try something new. Fall is a great time to learn something new.
Many classes at gyms and elsewhere get started in the fall so look around and see if something intrigues you.
For all of you with children, the fall is a perfect time to sign up for something new, children in school means more time for you.
3. Integrate exercise into your life. You already know the obvious suggestions: park farther away from your destination; take stairs instead of elevators; take a walk during your lunch break. Why not walking around the outside of the field while your son or daughter has their practice?
Maybe try “walking meetings,” brainstorming during a vigorous walk with colleagues may not only get things achieved much more quickly but everyone will feel better for doing it. The usual afternoon lull could become a thing of the past.
4. Remember the 30-day rule. It takes about four weeks for the body to adapt to lifestyle changes, that’s why people who give up on their fitness programs tend to do so within the first 30 days.
So, when the alarm goes off in the morning and it’s darker and colder, don’t roll over and hit the snooze button.
Try to stick with a program for a month, after a month, behavior patterns will have adapted and it will be much easier to stick with it after that.
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Cheryl Alker specializes in flexibility training, facial exercises and postural alignment. Her 30 year career started as a group fitness and personal trainer, she has lectured and directed fitness training programs in both Europe and the USA and was an advisor for a Governmental health promotion program. Alker and her company Stretch Results International continues to work with a select clientele from a base in Palm Beach County, Florida, certifying health professionals in her results based stretching program, educating consumers through public speaking and offering consultation to clients who wish to lose their muscular pain and gain flexibility to achieve full and active lifestyles. Alker has a proven totally natural program that alleviates back pain visit www.secretbackpaincure.com. For more information about professional continuing education and consultation options, e:books or DVD’s please call Cheryl on 561 889 3738 or visit www.stretchresults.com.