Health & Fitness
WHAT… NO CHILDREN?
By Cheryl Alker
So the day you were waiting for, or not, has finally arrived. The children have now returned back to school and all of a sudden you have some extra time on your hands. Before you get used to that extra time and once again find yourself not having enough minutes, let alone hours in the day, take the opportunity to re-assert your fitness regime into your schedule.
Soon we will be experiencing the change of seasons and after the heat of summer, fall no matter where you live, is often a breath of fresh air. Take this opportunity to rethink and restart a healthy approach to your fitness and overall wellbeing.
The first question you have to ask yourself is what type of exercise you want?
- Do you love to swim? Swimming is a great overall body workout and for anyone wishing to reduce impact through the joints, then swimming really fits the bill. Ensure you vary your strokes so as not cause a repetitive strain injury.
- Are gyms your thing? If you need variety to keep you motivated, you’ll need a gym with a lot of group classes, maybe a racquetball and basketball court and many different types of machines. If you just need to get in and out, find a facility set up for a “quickie workout;” this way you won’t be paying for all the classes and amenities you won’t be using.
- If your daily life runs at 110 miles per hour, maybe you need to consider some balance, therefore, a mind/body studio that offers, yoga, stretch and Pilates would be more beneficial.
- If you are the outdoor type 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 live 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. 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.
No matter what your preference, consider finding a “workout buddy.” Making an appointment with someone, whether it a friend, a group of mother’s dropping their child off at the same school, or a trainer ensures a greater chance that you won’t cancel on yourself. No matter how you feel on your workout day, make yourself a promise that you do at least 10 minutes. If, after that first 10 minutes, you are still not up to the challenge then stop and go home. You will often find the most difficult part of your workout is getting there, once you have started it really is not that bad!
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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.