f / southerntropicspools
southerntropicspools.com
HEALTH AND FITNESS continued HEALTH AND FITNESS continued
The one
person we
seem to have
difficulty
committing
to is ourselves.
HEALTH AND FITNESS con't. next column HEALTH AND FITNESS con't. next column
Leah King
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
CERTIFIED CONDITIONING SPECIALIST
Live Strong fitness
(910) 691.2639
CALL FOR APPOINTMENT
MON-FRI 9-5
SAT 9-1
POOL & SPA
910-692-5200
1545 US HWY #1
SOU. PINES
Southern Tropics is your ONE STOP for all Pool & Spa Needs.
Spring Is Here
Time To Turn Those Resolutions
Into Commitments
by: Mark C. Ford CPT
Everybody makes New Year’s resolutions, but
very few of us actually keep them. The reason for
this is that most of us never fully-commit to the
resolution we just made a few months earlier.
A lot of people ask for a commitment
throughout our lifetime. Your spouse as you
exchange wedding vows, your employer as you
accept a new position, your country as you enter
the military and are administered the oath are a
few examples.
The one person
we seem to have
difficulty committing
to is ourselves.
I’m not sure
why this is except
that we probably
just procrastinate
the new activity we
have begun and
truly believe we will
get back on track
eventually. I read recently that research has
shown that it can take more than 60 days to
effectively develop a habit.
Every January the gym is full of what I call
the “6 Week Club.” They’re easy to pick out. New
sneakers, new warm up suit and head phones
and probably about 40 lbs. over-weight. They’re
ready to create the new person they want to
become. What they need now is a commitment.
Let’s face it, the gym probably just asked for a 1
year commitment from you financially, so why
not commit yourself for at least that long. It
would be nice to find an employer who will agree
to pay you for a year but only requires you to
work the first 6-8 weeks of the year. Same thing,
why not commit and let the other “6 weekers”
help pay for you?
One of the problems as I see it is that we live
in a society that wants everything immediately
if not sooner. We’re used to fast food, high
speed internet, instagram, etc. Reversing a
long-neglected physical condition can be time
consuming and frustrating.
One of the most frustrating aspects is that
as you begin to replace fat cells with muscle,
you may see your weight actually increase a
few pounds. Also, your body being efficient,
will eliminate harmful internal fat first. So two
things may happen as you begin a workout
regimen. First your weight goes up slightly, and
second you don’t notice any change in your
appearance. You’re actually healthier, you just
don’t realize it yet.
The only proven method for permanent
weight loss is diet and exercise. One without
the other generally does not produce the
desired result. The American Heart Association
recommends a low saturated fat, low sodium,
high fiber diet. This is actually very easy to
accomplish with a little planning and careful
selection at the grocery store. The exercise part
requires a little more discipline, but can become
fun if initiated properly.
Many health problems can be associated
with being overweight. Every additional pound
on your waist line translates to 10 pounds
pulling on your lower back. I’ve seen individuals
who thought they had back problems for years
alleviate the situation by strengthening their
abdominal muscles, which support the back,
and reducing a few inches from their waist.
Additional weight also puts unnecessary stress
on your hips and knees and other joints which
are not designed to carry a large amount of
excess weight over a long period of time.
Aerobic exercise, which means “with air”
needs to be an integral part of any exercise
routine. Just going to the gym or working out at
home and lifting weights may make you look trim
and firm, but your heart and lungs need worked
as well. I normally recommend a HIIT workout
(High Intensity Interval Training) which simply
involves doing several short aerobic exercises at
a high intensity. This has been proven to be an
effective method of improving cardio vascular
performance and helps reduce some of the
monotony of spending an hour or so on the
treadmill, exercise bike, or similar activity.
But the bottom line is that all of the advice
above really serves no purpose unless you are
ready to make a commitment. So let the “6 week
club” go back to their couch and big screen TV
after a trip through the fast food line and commit
to being in a position next year to not having to
make any New Year’s resolutions. You’ll be much
happier and healthier that you did!
Mark Ford is a local ACE (American Council
on Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer who
specializes in training individuals age 50
and over in the comfort of their homes.
910-975-2572 • mford42@nc.rr.com.
SIMPLY INDESCRIBABLE con't FROM p. 7
short in the grand scheme, the happenings
were numerous Kenneth acknowledges, “You
can’t tell me that there is nothing larger than us.
When you stop fighting life; it gets a lot easier.
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. The
impact of death in someone very near and dear
to me has forever altered me; grief and death
become a part of you. Furthermore, there is
never a ‘coincidence.’ The people, places, and
things that move through our lives are all there
by design, so that we may learn, seek truth,
kindness, compassion, and Love. They are all
our teachers.”
If Ken could leave anyone with anything, it
would be words so frequently spoken by Tara,
“It is all in divine perfect order!” And, “There are
important things, and there are priorities, and
what we are doing right now is a priority.”
Choosing to live in the beautiful present
is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. In
remembering Tara, Kenneth has chosen to share
his journey to inspire others. Locals can find the
book on Amazon. Below, Mr. Kenneth Laws, II
No. 130 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.35
/southerntropicspools.com
link