May Is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

 

It’s May! The weather is improving, school is almost out, and it is becoming appealing to be outside again. It is also National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. This makes May a great time to revisit fitness and activity goals. Our New Year’s resolutions are long behind us. Some of us remain committed to our fitness goals, while others have fallen off. Either way, now is a great time to commit to increased activity in the improving weather. Why shoulder fitness be a priority? Physical activity is important for everyone, no matter what the age.

For children and adolescents – Physical activity can improve muscular fitness, bone health, and heart health. For children, this can be as easy as riding bikes, swimming at the local pool, or impromptu games of tag, kickball, baseball or basketball. Getting children off of their electronic devices and outside in the fresh air is imperative not only to their fitness goals, but their social skills as well. 

Adults – Physical activity can lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Playing with your children at the playground, family bike rides, or walks can help to improve physical fitness, as well as strengthening family bonds.

Older adults – Physical activity can lower the risk of falls and improve cognitive functioning (like learning and judgment skills). After dinner walks, or trips to a forest preserve or arboretum, as well as visits to the local pools, are excellent ways improve fitness without it feeling like work. Exercise also helps to improve moods and sleep.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate exercise into your day without it feeling like a chore, so get out there with your families and friends and get active!!

Cathy Malooly, PT, MPT

TheraCORE, Inc.

Burr Ridge, IL

Happy New Year!

 

Do you want to increase your physical activity?

Start drinking less pop? Do you want to lose weight?

Or increase your fruit and vegetable consumption?

 

Well, each year everyone has their own resolution, and I want to help you

achieve yours by giving four tips to remember in 2014!

 

 

If you are trying to eat healthier this year:

     1. Stay motivated by not going cold turkey on your current diet!

• Avoid restricting foods. Instead, start by consuming them less frequently because it’s inevitable that you will want them even more by the end of your day. Remember moderation is key.

     2.  Gradually increase that food into your diet that you want more of!

• If you want to consume more vegetables for example, instead of sitting down with a bowl of raw carrots. Try adding them into a soup, or spicing them up with cinnamon and (a dash of) sugar!

 

If you are trying to increase your physical fitness this year:

      3. If you don’t know how to do something, ASK!

• The last thing you need to start off your new year is to get injured because you thought you knew how to do that one exercise. Easy solution! You can either ask a friend or family member who is knowledgeable, the internet has thousands of resources for every exercise imaginable, or you can find a personal trainer near you!

     4.  If you have experience in exercising, and you’re ready to challenge your body

          to a new level this year remember, you CAN!

• Even though it may make you nervous to try something new, with the right coaching or training from an individual you can totally hit your cardio or weightlifting goals. Maybe you want to run your first 5k? Or accomplish a personal record in lifting? When it comes down to it before you have second thoughts, remind yourself how far you have come, and know that you CAN do it!

 Cheers to a healthy New Year, and You!

Written by Alexis D’Ascenzo, Dietetic Student at University of Illinois at Chicago, CPT