Fitness

Exercise can help to improve your energy as well as improve your life in so many other ways. Exercise can help to:

  • Boost mood through release of brain chemicals
  • Keep bowels working efficiently to eliminate waste products
  • Enhance immunity which means you are less likely to get ill
  • Burn calories and builds up muscles.
  • Encourage a good night’s sleep

Fat Loss

If you are overweight and wish to decrease your weight, you must be eating less calories (energy) than you are expending. I.e. Energy in (calories in) must be less than energy out (calories out.) Below are examples and explanations of how the body puts ‘Energy In’ and puts ‘Energy Out:’

Home Exercise

Aerobics – Form of Cardiovascular Training

Aerobics basically combines exercise and dance so you are able to get fit and get your groove on at the same time.

This form of training comprises rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines with the goal of improving the following elements of fitness:

  • Cardio-respiratory fitness
  • Flexibility
  • Muscular Endurance
  • Balance
  • Agility

Outdoor Exercise

There are many wonderful and joyous exercises that you can perform in the great outdoors.

Walking – Form of Cardiovascular Training

Is a form of low intensity cardiovascular exercise, which is relatively easy on the joints and can be performed for long periods of time without too much discomfort.

Pros/ Benefits:

  • Increases calorie burn
  • Weight Loss
  • Reduces the risk of heart disease
  • Increased lung capacity
  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Prevents diabetes
  • Burns body fat
  • Strengthens the cardiovascular system
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Lowers stress levels
  • Can be done anywhere with no need for equipment

Cons:

There are certain areas you cannot walk; Motorways and angry farmers with shotguns private land.
Running – Form of Cardiovascular Training

In essence running is just a faster version of walking and as such all of the aforementioned points regarding walking apply. However running is more physically demanding than walking and does place a slightly greater stress on the joints. Lastly with running you can alter the intensity as you wish meaning you can implement Fartlek training. (It is a real name for training honest; I didn’t just make it up.)

Group Exercise

Benefits of outdoor social sports:

FUN!

SOCIAL!

INCENTIVE!

Everyone has different incentives for training whether its enjoyment or  to socialise. Either way,  the health and fitness benefits are great and by joining a sports club you have the added incentive of ‘team support’ and not wanting to let down your fellow teammates. For some people this is just the encouragement they need to get and stay in shape.

Possible Sports

Hockey Team, a Badminton ladder at your local leisure centre, a Tennis Club, Football Team, Netball Team, Volleyball Team, Yoga course, Pilates course, Running Club, Salsa classes, Belly dancing … there’s so many!