Life is constantly expanding, just like we humans are, with our continual quest for better health and fitness. Today, there are countless new training methods that claim to be the best for maximum weight loss or the fastest ways to get a six pack. It’s endless, if one surfs the net, there are countless sites propagating numerous exercise routines, diet recipes, and a wealth of information, making it even more difficult to understand what works best for you. In order for you to choose what works best for you, you need to examine your current fitness program. First of all, ask yourself: “Is your fitness program rejuvenating your body, revitalizing your life, keeping you fit and fit, here and now, and in your old age too?” Below are seven practical steps you can take to ensure that your everyday lifestyle is moving you closer to better health and a brighter future.
Step 1- Understand your body
Your body is made up of 206 bones, over 600 muscles, lungs, brain, nerves, various parts and systems that work in perfect harmony and cooperation. The wonderful and amazing human body is the temple of your soul, and you are the guardian of this precious body.
Step 2 – You are a product of Evolution
Your body has evolved from a microscopic cell to what you are now. As nature takes its course, you will grow old and die. Plan in your current state to stay fit and healthy as you approach old age. There are many benefits to reap from a lean and agile body, an active alert mind, and a joyous and energetic life. This is your birthright!
Step 3 – Maintain correct posture
Always be aware of your body, your movements and your posture. This may seem insignificant to you, but over a long period of time, good posture can bring you countless benefits. It’s just a matter of developing the habit, and often habits are formed through repetition. Keep your head up, your body upright, and your back straight. Avoid slouching and leaning forward. Remember, to keep your earlobes in line with your shoulders, your shoulders in line with your knees, and your back straight and your tummy tucked in.
Step 4 – Breathing
Deep breathing is a simple and effective habit to improve your well-being. Take deep breaths from time to time. Breathe out, tightening your stomach muscles, until your lungs are empty. Then inhale, pushing your stomach forward, until your lungs are full. Deep breathing provides the body with much-needed oxygen, which nourishes every cell in the body, and slow exhalation helps the body get rid of toxins accumulated in the lungs. Conscious breathing calms the mind, increases vital capacity and energizes the entire body.
Step 5 – Cultivate good eating habits
It shouldn’t surprise you that good eating habits are an important component of not only losing weight, but also maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eat balanced, nutritious meals, avoiding processed foods like fast food, microwaveable foods, and foods wrapped in plastic. Processed foods have gone through numerous processes before ending up for sale. These foods have lost their natural content and have little or no nutritional value to replenish the body. Make sure you chew your food well. Eat slowly as 80% of digestion takes place in the mouth and only the remaining 20% in the stomach. Eating slowly is one method that can help you lose weight. This is because it takes 20 minutes for the brain to tell the body that it is already full from the food you ate.
Step 6 – A good fitness program
A good fitness program should be a combination of calisthenics, isometrics, biotonics, pranayama, yoga poses, and meditation. A complete and effective program will give you:
(a) Cardiovascular conditioning through aerobic exercise to keep the heart healthy and increase endurance and vitality.
(b) Abdominal fitness through toning exercises to keep fat in the abdomen, help digestion, elimination, circulation and weight control.
(c) Muscular Strength by isometric exercises. All muscle groups must be ‘tightened’ to strengthen them. Body aches, back pain, and poor posture are the result of poor muscle conditioning.
(d) Flexibility by Yoga will give you a flexible body with full range of motion of all joints. Yoga poses massage the internal organs, tone up the endocrine system, slow down the aging process and ensure mobility in old age.
(e) Relaxation by allowing your body and brain to rest in a state of tranquility. We suffer from the strains and stress of modern life. Stress-induced illnesses can be prevented through deep and systematic relaxation. Regular meditation “sessions” will relax your body, mind and bring joy to your life.
Step 7 – Acquire knowledge
Read books, listen to talks, watch TV shows about Yoga, health and exercises. As the saying goes, “knowledge is not power, but the application of knowledge is power.” Consult a yoga expert and work out a program appropriate to her needs and age by using the informed choice app.
