Move towards your Health – Move towards Fitness
March 15th, 2013
Move towards your Health – Move towards Fitness
I was approached by a friend to write a short letter about my experience within fitness, both from the perspective of being an athlete and a professional coach – a letter that may possibly inspire someone – just one person to fitness …
Having pondered this request and with 30 years fitness coaching experience, severe back issues and neck surgery I would like to write this piece from this perspective – fit for what ? –
If you cannot MOVE – you will not be fit
I work with people daily – some unfit in the conventional way – some in extreme pain from injury or dysfunction – some in pain due to poor posture or poor repetitive movements – all of these wonderful people tell me they want to be FIT….
When I speak with them Fit then becomes able to move without feeling stiff, without pain, moving with comfort and ease – so they can go on to do other things – like getting fit
We are all becoming more sedentary, this is leading us to being overweight, this is bringing on stiffness in our joints and mostly in our spines – so then when we want to walk, jog, play soccer with the kids – our bodies feel too stiff – unable to respond to what we feel are simple demands
If you are reading this – firstly thank you, and secondly congratulations as you are already half way there – you have decided that you want to, must do, have to do something to change how you are feeling/living
I want to encourage you not to be daunted by the word ‘FITNESS’ – fitness suggests hours of training – and let me tell you even as a professional that even seems daunting for me – especially the older I am becoming
Let me substitute ‘FITNESS’ for ‘MOVEMENT’ – now how do you feel? Don’t seem so bad does it?
Quick question have you seen a cat waking recently? The first thing they do is stretch every inch, every paw – even down their tails – they wake and they instantly create movement in their bodies, this gives them the suppleness to continue to hunt, pounce, jump, roll – generally enjoy life. When was the last time you pounced or rolled!!!?
But seriously the way we live our lives , sit, stand, walk, sleep – these positions repeated with poor movement patterns daily leads us to stiff hips, spines, aching shoulders – this in turn makes us feel tired, listless and not the slightest bit inclined to exercise or take up fitness… a vicious circle I say.
So what if I said start MOVING and start slowly – try ten minutes at first – then build up slowly to 30 minutes.
Think like the cat – at the start of your day move, roll out the ankles, the hips, circle those wonderful arms of yours, sway your body from side to side, turn and twist your torso
Remind your body how wonderful it is to move in all various directions – loosen up – think of this as your personal dance routine – it doesn’t matter how it looks – just start slowly and rythmetically – keep your movements smooth and breath … let the air and the body flow freely.
After a few mornings of this you will start to feel more fluid – when you wake you will feel less stiff and now that walk (that you know you must do as its for your good) for 20 plus minutes does not seem as daunting, because you are feeling so much better within your self.
The nature of our lives today is contributing to our lack of wellness, increasing our weight and is increasing our lack of mobility.
If you start by simply being a ‘copy cat’ and start by mobilizing at the start of your day – getting the joints limber and the blood flowing, your daily activities will seem easier, you will be buoyed by the energy you feel and taking up something more active like walking, a dance class, a Pilates or Yoga class will seem less daunting
Personally I do this myself every day – if I don’t, the sins of a sporting past will visit me very quickly. I become stiff with niggles and aches, once this happens I, like everyone else feel daunted by the prospect of attempting anything more strenuous.
Remember it is the cumulative effect of your efforts that will reap the rewards – A daily ten minutes – is much better that spurts of one hour here or there
Start Moving – Move for your health and the move towards your fitness – start today you have all the tools you need – you have you and you are worth the effort
Namaste
Joyce
I was approached by a friend to write a short letter about my experience within fitness, both from the perspective of being an athlete and a professional coach – a letter that may possibly inspire someone – just one person to fitness …
Having pondered this request and with 30 years fitness coaching experience, severe back issues and neck surgery I would like to write this piece from this perspective – fit for what ? –
If you cannot MOVE – you will not be fit
I work with people daily – some unfit in the conventional way – some in extreme pain from injury or dysfunction – some in pain due to poor posture or poor repetitive movements – all of these wonderful people tell me they want to be FIT….
When I speak with them Fit then becomes able to move without feeling stiff, without pain, moving with comfort and ease – so they can go on to do other things – like getting fit
We are all becoming more sedentary, this is leading us to being overweight, this is bringing on stiffness in our joints and mostly in our spines – so then when we want to walk, jog, play soccer with the kids – our bodies feel too stiff – unable to respond to what we feel are simple demands
If you are reading this – firstly thank you, and secondly congratulations as you are already half way there – you have decided that you want to, must do, have to do something to change how you are feeling/living
I want to encourage you not to be daunted by the word ‘FITNESS’ – fitness suggests hours of training – and let me tell you even as a professional that even seems daunting for me – especially the older I am becoming
Let me substitute ‘FITNESS’ for ‘MOVEMENT’ – now how do you feel? Don’t seem so bad does it?
Quick question have you seen a cat waking recently? The first thing they do is stretch every inch, every paw – even down their tails – they wake and they instantly create movement in their bodies, this gives them the suppleness to continue to hunt, pounce, jump, roll – generally enjoy life. When was the last time you pounced or rolled!!!?
But seriously the way we live our lives , sit, stand, walk, sleep – these positions repeated with poor movement patterns daily leads us to stiff hips, spines, aching shoulders – this in turn makes us feel tired, listless and not the slightest bit inclined to exercise or take up fitness… a vicious circle I say.
So what if I said start MOVING and start slowly – try ten minutes at first – then build up slowly to 30 minutes.
Think like the cat – at the start of your day move, roll out the ankles, the hips, circle those wonderful arms of yours, sway your body from side to side, turn and twist your torso
Remind your body how wonderful it is to move in all various directions – loosen up – think of this as your personal dance routine – it doesn’t matter how it looks – just start slowly and rythmetically – keep your movements smooth and breath … let the air and the body flow freely.
After a few mornings of this you will start to feel more fluid – when you wake you will feel less stiff and now that walk (that you know you must do as its for your good) for 20 plus minutes does not seem as daunting, because you are feeling so much better within your self.
The nature of our lives today is contributing to our lack of wellness, increasing our weight and is increasing our lack of mobility.
If you start by simply being a ‘copy cat’ and start by mobilizing at the start of your day – getting the joints limber and the blood flowing, your daily activities will seem easier, you will be buoyed by the energy you feel and taking up something more active like walking, a dance class, a Pilates or Yoga class will seem less daunting
Personally I do this myself every day – if I don’t, the sins of a sporting past will visit me very quickly. I become stiff with niggles and aches, once this happens I, like everyone else feel daunted by the prospect of attempting anything more strenuous.
Remember it is the cumulative effect of your efforts that will reap the rewards – A daily ten minutes – is much better that spurts of one hour here or there
Start Moving – Move for your health and the move towards your fitness – start today you have all the tools you need – you have you and you are worth the effort
Namaste
Joyce
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