Following Ramadan, Eid and the summer break, now is an excellent time for many readers to make a fresh start and look at including more exercise in their routine. Don’t wait until you can afford to join an expensive gym or until you have more time to join a club: you can improve your health by starting today.
The best way to exercise is to fit it into your everyday routine so that you will do it automatically just like brushing your teeth. Many of the people I have helped to achieve their ideal weight and fitness level have started in the comfort and privacy of their own homes, and the key is to do something every day, even if it is only for 10 or 20 minutes. Every little bit of exercise improves your body and relaxes your mind. We are designed for physical work and our bodies and mind are much happier when we take exercise than when we sit glued to the computer or television.
So many people complain to me that they are too tired to exercise but they spend their life sitting: sitting in the house, sitting in the car, sitting in the office and sitting to eat. Exercising actually brings you loads of energy and makes you feel happier, brighter and more alert. It also helps you to sleep well. Too much of brainwork needs the calming, soothing effect of exercise, otherwise stress can build up. So you need to balance your brainwork with exercise.
Start your day with a stretching workout before you hit the shower and you will be more confident at work or at college. Notice how animals always stretch when they wake up. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, morning exercise will help you feel more creative and be in a brighter mood to start your day. So, give to yourself the first and best 10 minutes of the day. After just 6 weeks, you will be amazed at the difference in the shape and tone of your body. It doesn’t have to be a workout; do your own housework; walk the dog; take the stairs at work or use the lift only half way. Going for a walk along the beach in the sand is good for the legs and you will give your body some fresh pure air. I am a great believer that we need to spend some time each day out enjoying nature. There is always time for an early morning walk or just a moment to stop on the way home from work to enjoy the sunset.
If you feel too tired to exercise, tell yourself you’ll just do a few stretches, and once you get started you will probably want to keep going. My mini morning exercises are designed to tone the whole body and to maintain flexibility and reduce the risk of muscle and back strains. Send off for my mini morning workout to [email protected]. I do the workout every morning and feel that 10 minutes of exercise is a great way to start the day.
For many overweight people, and also those who are not fit, now is an excellent time to make a fresh start.
Ask Alva
I am interested in knowing more about fats as I have heard that animal fat is bad for us. — Dalia
Many people assume that they should avoid animal fats altogether but some of the fats we avoid in our diets may actually help us to have a leaner body and a better immune system. Whole milk, cheese, steak, and even ice cream contain fats that boost our health. What makes these fats healthy is a compound called CLA, or ‘conjugated linoleic acid’. CLA is an essential fatty acid that can help prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. CLA occurs naturally in cows raised in pastures. However, the compound is greatly diminished in products produced from grain-fed cows. Experts advise us to think twice before eliminating these foods entirely from our diets. For a balanced diet e-mail me for my Healthy Eating Guide as a guideline at [email protected]. — Alva
