Hangpa....
Get Motivated To Shape Up!
I can list dozens of reasons why you should work out, not one of which is more motivating than the way you see yourself every time you glance in the mirror. Lower cholesterol, reduced blood pressure, increased energy, and protection against many diseases are all valid reasons to begin a fitness program, but it's the bloated image in the mirror that will convince you that it's time to peel yourself off the couch and do something.
Luckily, exercise that gets you to lose weight and look great also helps rid your bloodstream of all those nasty fat and cholesterol supplies.
In addition, the right type of exercise will relax the walls of your arteries, reducing blood pressure, turning your heart into a super-efficient pump, thereby extending its lifespan; you can enhance the ability of your body to process insulin, stave off diabetes, build functional strength and endurance, provide extra energy, elevate mood, reduce stress, and -- I could go on and on (all by exercising).
Being out of shape and overweight is not just about appearance. Unhealthy trends that start early in life can progress to full blown medical problems. Any injury or illness can also paralyze your workout regimen, as an unhealthy, unfit body can't train like a conditioned individual's. The vicious cycle continues -- as pain or lack of energy can keep you on the sidelines.
But at any age or condition there's always a starting point, a place where exercise is not only doable, but safe and beneficial.
Anyone who has ever sprinted a lap around the track or performed a quality set in the gym knows that when exercise gets a little tough you have to make a decision. As lactic acid burns up on the insides of your muscle fibers, or you're too winded to speak, you need to decide whether to push forward with another rep or stop.
No matter how conditioned (or unconditioned) a person may be, success is achieved by almost hitting that line of intensity, but not beyond. Pushing past it involves unnecessary risk that could ultimately jeopardize your program in the long run.
Work to the level of burn or fatigue that's acceptable to you, and be guided by the following:
- You should feel tired after exercise, but not totally drained. After an hour or so, you should have completely regained your energy levels, and be able to enjoy a good night's sleep. On the day following intense exercise, it's okay to feel a little muscle soreness, but it shouldn't be so extensive as to limit movement or give you a sense of overall fatigue.
- Previously, I used the term "quality set." Intensity can only take a back seat to perfect form, which is the only way to perform quality exercise in general. From aerobics to yoga, go through each movement as it was designed, without cheating, following the guidelines of the discipline involved. Intensity is always best achieved while working within the limits of each exercise.
So where does all this leave you? First and foremost, get on a fitness plan that's flexible and can be molded to your lifestyle, goals, needs, etc. Within the parameters of that program, using a system of trial and error, find your "line of intensity" on every exercise. I suggest that at first you record what you're doing to help re-create the same, or slightly harder, conditions every session. The establishment of a workout journal can be an invaluable tool, especially at the beginning of your program.
If you're really out of shape, your initial program may simply be one of walking for five or 10 minutes on a daily basis. Eventually, you'll need to structure a program based on your goals, limitations, equipment, time, preferences, experience, and willingness to work hard. Success is then achieved by finding your "line of intensity" and pushing it regularly.
Remember to talk to your doctor before you get started.
Aku baca article ni pon, dah tempted nak pi keluaq power walk...
Ingat...'sikit2, lama2, longgaq'..
IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING
Aunty
