 | Cathy Lloyd is an RN/RT who has worked in the field of nutrition and healthcare for 29 years. Cathy is the owner / operator of Piece Of Cake Nutrition along with her husband Kevin Lloyd located at 512 N. Broadway, Pittsburg KS, 66762. Piece Of Cake Nutrition specializes in helping people meet their overall health goals. They hold monthly weight loss challenges, daily exercise classes, and provide healthy treats, smoothies, shakes, and supplements. Everyone who walks through the door gets a free health evaluation. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 620-687-3924 or e-mail kevncat2005@gmail.com |
Health & Wellness
2012-08-30 08:31:25
What are some tips to maintaining energy and staying active?
Q: What are some tips to maintaining energy and staying active?
A: Regular physical activity has many benefits. It is a potent stress buster, it can help keep weight off and it lowers your risk of developing major chronic diseases. Additional benefits include increased energy, stronger bones and muscles, improved sleep, improved body shape, a boost to mental wellbeing and a change in your outlook on life.
1. Renew your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Think about increasing the types of activities that work for your lifestyle and that can easily be built into your day. Make it a point to read up on fitness news and information, such as this article about exercise. Put your fitness plan into action today!
2. Aerobic exercise is important for the cardiovascular system. It’s defined by repetitive motion such as running, swimming or cycling. It can also tone muscles. Incorporating a little of both aerobic and resistance training is best for your daily routine.
3. Set small, specific goals you can stick to (like losing 5 percent of body weight or exercising three times a week, etc.) Drink green tea (which helps promote weight loss). Snack on fresh fruits and vegetables during your day.
4. Resistance exercise is important for healthy muscles and bones. It also builds strength. It’s defined by activities with short bursts of energy, such as weight lifting, playing sports and even pushing a lawn mower. Ideally, you need both resistance exercise and aerobic exercise to keep your body operating at its peak.
5. Simple ways work for getting fit – you don’t need to join a gym. IT HELPS YES! But if you become more active in your everyday life – such as parking your car further and walking more, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or even walking to a co-worker’s desk instead of emailing them – you’ll get fit faster.
6. Your metabolism doesn’t slow with age. You do, however, lose 5-7 lbs of muscle every decade which corresponds with a 20% reduction in your metabolic rate every decade. So as we get older we lose lean muscle mass. The more lean muscle tissue you have, the higher your metabolism – and the faster you’ll lose weight. To maintain your lean muscle mass strength training is necessary and proper protein intake. Keep your exercise and activity levels up each year, and you’ll simultaneously maintain your muscle tone, keep your
metabolism up and maximize healthy weight loss.
7. At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, at least five times each week, will keep you physically active. You can split each half hour into three 10-minute sessions. If 30 minutes are out of reach right now, start with what you can do and gradually build up.
8. Keep hydrated by consuming at least two liters of water each day. It is even more important to drink water before, during and after exercise. Even low-intensity exercise requires you to be well-hydrated.
9. Rest between workouts and allow your body time to recover.
