Beaufort health and fitness

Here’s some troubling information that you should not take sitting down. New research found that people who spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or in front of a TV are likely to die of any cause during a three-year period.

These findings, from a new study by Sydney University in Australia, are particularly relevant to tens of millions of Americans who are proverbial couch potatoes. In fact, a survey released by the Physical Activity Council, a coalition of sports and fitness trade groups, shows that the number of “inactive” people in the United States grew by 1 million in 2011, to 68.2 million – nearly 20 percent of the population.

This new research confirms once again that too much of a sedentary lifestyle can shorten our lives according to Beaufort fitness experts. And it is not just sitting for hours in front of the TV or computer screen, but also in our cars and at desks at the office. What it comes down to is that excessive sitting anywhere is dangerous to your Beaufort health and fitness.

Why should we be concerned? Because Americans average five hours of TV time every day, according to a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association. And that does not include the time we spend each day on other sedentary tasks.

It may be very important to you to keep up with the Kardashians, but be aware that, according to the 2011 Harvard University study, watching TV for two hours a day increases your risk for type 2 diabetes by 20 percent and cardiovascular disease by 15 percent. And more than three hours of sitting in front of the TV every day ups your risk of dying from any of the slew of diseases.

For many people, the risks of too much sitting are nebulous, which may be why they are not motivated to change their ways. However, these numbers will hopefully encourage the couch potatoes to adapt a healthier and more active Beaufort fitness lifestyle.

While it is unreasonable to completely banish sitting, you must balance it out with frequent and vigorous movement.

It seems obvious, but when you don’t get enough physical activity like a Beaufort fitness program in your daily routine, you tend to put on weight. Do this often enough for long periods of time, and obesity will set in, giving way to many related conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, among other illnesses.

That’s why a regular exercise or Beaufort fitness program is a must, but if you haven’t moved for a while, you must take some precautions, at EarthFIT we advise to:

• Ask your doctor whether it’s safe for you to work out.
• Start slowly, increasing your exertion level gradually.
• Include strength training and interval training in your routine – best ways to build muscle, burn fat and calories, and get overall health benefits.
• If you are not sure how to kick-start your routine, ask a Beaufort personal trainer for help.

Has anyone ever told you to “act your age?” I’ve talked about this before. Why? Because it’s awesome! That’s why. I have some good news: when it comes to fitness, age really doesn’t matter. It really is just a number.

Need proof? Look at actress Jane Fonda and fitness guru Richard Simmons (both well over 60) who have released exercise DVDs and teach workout classes. Need more evidence closer to home? Well, I can tell you about a number of my clients who started working out in the latter halves of their lives and are in better shape than they’ve ever been. This means that people in basically any age group can – and should – exercise. There is a lot of evidence pointing to numerous benefits of physical fitness for all Beaufort health and fitness seekers – kids, adolescents, young adults, midlifers, baby boomers, and seniors.

Whatever age-related ailment you can think of, chances are a well coached Beaufort fitness program and regular exercise can help prevent it, or at least reduce its severity. Arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, not to mention heart disease, certain types of cancer and diabetes, can all benefit from physical activity. Not only that, but being fit and active can also prevent disability and loss of function that many people undergo as they get older. Even many well-trained athletes see a decline in performance after the age of 30. But there’s hope.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reports that physically active older adults experience significantly fewer functional limitations than their more sedentary peers. It’s never too late (or too early) to start exercising. It’s just a matter of getting your physician’s okay, and then starting slowly and gently as you gradually build up your intensity. Exercising with an experienced Beaufort personal trainer or Beaufort fitness experts will ensure that your workout is safe and effective.

At EarthFIT, we recommend these workouts in your regular routine:

• Strength training: With age, our muscle mass declines and the body becomes weaker. However, resistance training will not only build up muscle mass and keep the body strong, but also help prevent bone density loss that occurs in osteoporosis.
• Balance and flexibility exercises will improve stability and coordination, keeping you from falling down and sustaining serious injuries – a big problem among older people. It will also increase your range of motion, decrease muscular tension, and strengthen your joints, tendons and ligaments – all of which will go a long way in preventing or relieving the pain and discomfort of arthritis.
• Cardio training will ensure not only a healthy heart, but also – of particular concern to older people – a healthy, alert brain. Numerous studies have shown that, while boosting our cognitive abilities, exercise also significantly reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, dementia and other related conditions.