Being overweight doesn't matter? - part 3

Get an education when young

Why?  Because more educated people tend to have a healthier lifestyle and improved access to health care.  Also, it is reckoned that if you start off brighter then you have more to lose and will therefore stay cognitively functional for longer. 

Eat a healthy, balanced diet

‘It seems that a Mediterranean diet, high in cereals, fruit, fish and veg, may lower the risk of dementia’.  The Guardian suggests that ‘ A plate of fish, olives and tomatoes is probably better than a tub of vitamins’. 

Limit your alcohol intake

There is a broad consensus that too much alcohol is a bad thing.  Some studies suggest that being tee total might not be good, but that might be attributable to being less sociable, which is not good either.  Moderation is the key

 So, there you have it, there’s lots we can do to stave off the wretched condition – just think of that every time you come to the gym!

Being overweight doesn't matter ? - part 2

Continuing on from my previous post regarding a recent report that tells us that being overweight doesn't matter. Well I'm not convinced and believe its worth bothering to exercise and get healthy and there is evidence to support this.

 

Take regular exercise

The Director of Research and Development at the Alzheimer’s Society says that the 4 key evidence based strategies for preventing dementia are;

         Exercise

         Not smoking

         Healthy diet

 

         Looking after your heart

 

Of these, the most important is exercise (30 mins moderate exercise five times a week)

Look after your heart

Not smoking helps and managing your blood pressure, diabetes risk and cholesterol levels.  Some studies are suggesting that the sooner these measures are put in place the better the outcome, especially in higher risk groups.

Being overweight doesn't matter? - Part 1

I am going to post a series of logs for you in the next few days.  They are all taken from an article in today’s Guardian ‘Matter over mind’.  I am doing this because you might have heard about a report that tells us that being overweight doesn’t matter.  Well, that’s not quite the case, so I am going to give you the most up to date info on that and I also want to let you know why its worth bothering to exercise and to eat healthily. 

The longer we live, the more likely we are to develop dementia, there is no cure and it will usually manifest as impaired memory and possibly other symptoms such as reduced language, poor spatial awareness and loss of function.  The best course of action is prevention and we are going to have a look at what the most recent research shows us.

Watch your Body Mass Index (BMI)

You may have read of the report in the Lancet that said that being underweight in later life increases the risk of dementia.  However, the interpretation of this has been challenged and that some of this is dependent on when dementia is diagnosed (and how accurately) – the more balanced view from Gustafson from the State University of New York is that it is best not to be either under nor obese in middle age

Ladies - Would you like to get a flatter tummy and strong abs?

Ladies – do you know where your core is and how to strengthen it? 

 

Would you like to get a flatter tummy and strong abs?

Come along to Sexycise – the all women class where we concentrate on those important areas.  Classes on Mondays and Thursdays at our Willingham Gym – just phone to book your place.  Take it at your own pace and level – its as easy or as hard as you want to make it – oh – and you get a free recipe for your folder every week!

 

(No class on 6^th April as its Easter Monday)

Awesome Sexycise!

This week I was nearly in tears in a class.  Not out of frustration and no one was leaving – just because all the ladies in Thursday’s Sexycise were totally awesome.

There is about a 55 year age difference between the oldest and the youngest and various levels of fitness.  But every single one of the 10 in the class was amazing.  Every single one has improved since we started out.  They can do more in the minute they spend at each station and there is a huge amount of energy in the room.

We work really hard on building a strong core by using our abdominal muscles – its very far from an easy class – even if the music is a lot more gentle than most classes!  By keeping going and not giving in (we never use the word ‘can’t ‘ ) everyone can do 45 minutes of very demanding abs work.  I am so proud of them all.
And the icing on the cake that really got to me was the minute plank at the end – which everyone did – and considering 10 seconds was just a dream for some when we set out – no wonder there was a lump in my throat!

If you want to get this fit – come and join us – we do it all over again on Mondays and a new class starts on Thursdays at 19.45 – ring our Willingham gym to book your place - 01954 260985

Get Rowing!

There was a very interesting article in The Guardian Weekend last week asking the question are rowing machines worth it?

I know that this bit of kit can be peoples ‘least favourite’ but this article really does highlight the benefits of using it on a regular basis. It describes rowing as ‘one of the most efficient workouts around. When you row, you’re using your whole body – upper, lower, core – simultaneously’, praise indeed!

You will find rowing is more of a challenge than the cross-trainer and even the treadmill, so next time you’re in, give it a go!

If you have never tried it before just ask a member of staff for help, there are numerous workouts that you can try to make it more interesting. We wouldn’t want you getting bored!

Snacking

OK all you ‘snackers’ out there – here’s an idea.

I could live off snacks, I like nothing better than to graze throughout the day – now before you all tell me that its wrong – I know, so I make a big effort not to do that. However, every now and again I fancy a little something. Well, its Lent so its no chocolate for me.

I have found a great, healthy snack. (Yes, my latest craze before anyone says!) Apple crisps. Homemade apple crisps. Easy – get Bramley apples and slice into very thin rounds. Place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and dust with cinnamon. Bake until a little crispy and dry, turn over and dry out the other side. Allow to cool and store in an air tight box.

Very tasty, very virtuous and part of your 5 a day – what’s not to like?!