Fitness and Exercise Information

I guess a lot of you out there watch the Biggest Loser.  I hear a lot of people bag the show saying that it sets unrealistic expectations for people in the "real" world.  This may be true to a certain extent, but it also shows that given discipline, hard training (none of this 30 minutes, 3 times a week), a good diet and motivation, that ANYBODY can achieve a transformation like these guys have been able to do.  Sure it might take longer, because we don't all have access to Bob, Jillian, Shanna, Michelle or The Commando or access to the White House, but given the right support, the right program and the will to succeed ANYONE can improve their health, fitness and lifestyle!

Below are more than a few reasons why aerobic exercise is not only great for you, but why it is an essential part of a healthy life!  Read on and I'm sure you will learn more about the benefits.

• Improves Bone Calcium
• Improves Blood High Density Cholesterol
• Improves Handling Of Excess Heat
• Increases Hemoglobin Improves Resistance To Cold
• Decreases Blood Tri-glycerides
• Emotional Lift (both psychological and physiological (hormones))
• Decreases Blood Pressure
• Decreases Insulin Requirement
• Increases Glycogen Storage
• Less Conversion Of Sugar To Fat
• Increases Stroke Volume of Heart
• Decreases Resting Heart Rate 
• Increases Oxygen Delivery To Brain
• Increased Oxygen Pickup In The Lungs
• Increases Fat Burning Enzymes
• Fat Deposits Release Fatty Acids
• Better Better Control Of Hunger
• Decreases Body Fat
• Decreases Stress and Increases Ability To Handle Stress
• Increases Aerobic Threshold (Endurance)
• Higher Level Of Exercise More Calories Burned and More Fat Calories Burned
•  More Calories Required At Rest
• Decreases Load On The Heart
• Decreases Incidence of Hypoglycemia

I bet that this is more than you ever thought.  All of this from just 30 minutes of exercise regularly (at least 3-4 times per week)!!!

In a healthy spine there is activation of deep core muscles in stabilization of the trunk before the body moves. This interaction between the deep core muscles and the nervous system plays a role in the proprioceptive feedback sent to the brain as we perform activities and undergo our normal activities.

From rehab to sports and fitness training, the importance of core stability is no secret. A strong core leads to the improvement of everyday life, injury prevention, chronic back pain reduction, and enhanced sports performance.

Growing popularity and proven results have vaulted core strengthening exercises into all types of training programs from the rehab clinic to the Pilates studio to any program conducted by a qualified personal trainer.

All of our My New Body fitness programs also take into account people core stability needs!

Exercise can be categorized into 3 types of training:

1. Strength training

2. Cardiovascular training

3. Flexibility training

Strength training is normally performed in order to achieve one or several goals: an increase in muscle size, increase in power, increase in muscle strength or an a more toned appearance. Strength training is also very important for those wanting to reduce their body fat for 2 reasons.

Reason 1. Strength training is highly demanding and burns a lot of energy when done well.

Reason 2. An increase in lean muscle mass (this does not necessarily mean muscle size, more muscle density) increases the body’s metabolism. The lean muscle needs fuel, and will burn fuel even whilst you are at rest. Examples of strength training exercises are push-ups, squats, exercises using dumbbells, or using any resistance based equipment.

You can sign up for a program from My New Body to get your own individual strength training program.

To achieve an increase in your level of fitness you really need to exercise for a minimum of 3-4 times per week for a minimum of 30 minutes. Many health professionals are now recommending 30 minutes of exercise every day.

The exercise needs to be demanding enough to push your body past it’s current level of fitness. Ie. If you have been strolling to the train every day for 3 years; continuing to stroll, although considered “exercise” will not be enough to increase your fitness. The exercise need to be a challenge to the body – in this instance you might walk at a fast pace to the next train station. The time you spend exercising will be more than paid back to you in extra energy, and the achievement of your goals.

For those wanting to shed body fat, our recommendation is to exercise at least 4 times per week for 30+ minutes (and would recommend that 1 or 2 of these sessions be 60 minutes+).

“If you can’t afford 30 minutes a day, you can’t afford to be healthy”. Greg Welch, World Champion Triathlete