Feeling fine in February, well maybe,
but full-on fitness, that's for fanatics,
isn't it?
Who wants to feel that well in
winter? “Not me!” you retort reaching
for another biscuit, or some other
such stodgy stuff. “I’d rather rest.”
Recoiling from exertion, discipline
and deprivation and by staying cosy
and removed from the cold,
uninviting climate, the steady,
insidious cycle of inactivity and
indulgence sets in.
Does this description fit you? Are
you in a constant dilemma over “do I
move or don’t I?” Or are you already
a staunch “do nothing until Spring”
devotee?
If you were to ask the bodies,
minds & souls of those ultra-active,
into-life rain, hail or snow outdoor
enthusiasts you’d discover that
fitness is more than ‘fab’ it’s
positively liberating.
Whichever, (pro, anti or toying
with activity) staying mobile on a
daily basis is a great anti-dote to
many common winter ills and dulltime
doldrums. And you don’t have
to brave the bracing cold to stay fit
and feel fab in the forlorn and frosty
time of year. There is a lot of very
effective exercise that you can easily
do indoors: yoga, pilates, tai-chi, chigong,
martial arts, dance, aerobics,
weights and resistance training,
tennis, swimming, gym and machine
workouts.
But, like all things in life, it’s got to
be a priority. You’ve got to make the
time and space for it to happen.
However, ‘setting the intention’ is
often the hardest part, after that you
just go through the motions (so to
speak).
Cosseting ourselves constantly
from the cold in overheated cars and
houses only weakens our natural
ability to respond to the rigors of the
season. A brisk walk in the elements
(around the block or park, to the bus,
school or local shops) boosts all the
body systems and keeps our
immunity in top gear. Though, of
course, be sensible. Stay properly
insulated and dry with woolen vest,
jumpers, hats and gloves and all
manner of modern water-proof shells
Stay in tune with the weather (meet it
at least once a day) to keep on top of
winter wogs and woes.
Your body will love you for your
brief, vigorous interludes out of doors.
Sometimes though, more than the
weather dissuades us from activity.
Sometimes stiffness, soreness,
pain or pervasive lethargy impedes
our best intentions and fitness plans.
If this (rather than lack of ‘will’) is
the case for you, consider the part
that ‘better bio-chemistry’ might play
in your ‘get up and go’.
Some Simple Solutions for common
set-backs:
Stiffness & Sluggishness
Cut back on ‘white’ everything.
White sugar, white flour, white bread,
white pasta, white salt, white rice,
white milk & white lies. All of these
substances are toxic, clogging and
causing imbalances in the body.
Stay hydrated to stay soft & supple.
Dehydration (easily done in winter)
is another sure way of feeling like the
Tin Man.
Ensure an adequate intake of
essential fatty acids. Eat nuts and
seeds, use unadulterated coldpressed
vegetable & olive oils and
supplement with deep-sea fish liver or
flax and borage oils.
Intake sufficient fiber to keep the
colon clear and help detoxify the
whole system.
Energy (or lack of)
Eat slow-release energy foods. Make
nuts, seeds, pulses and unrefined
grains staples in your diet.
Consider Co-Enzyme Q10 if you are
really low in ‘oomph’ and energy.
Often dubbed the energy ‘spark plug’,
our ability to produce it declines with
age and is impaired by some
vegetarian diets.
Be particular about quality protein.
Select soy, legumes and nuts if you
are vegan. Whey powder, eggs and
lean meats for everyone else.
Check your mineral intake and
vitamin B quota. Be sure both are is
high enough to provide energy and
combat stress.
Stretch and be physical in the
mornings before eating to prepare
you up for the day’s action.
Timetable catnaps and long night’s
sleeps occasionally to recharge flat
batteries and over-taxed nervous
energy.
Pain & Soreness
Increase your intake of chlorophyll
(greens) - to alkalise the blood and
tissues.
Breathe deeply to neutralise acidity.
Stretch your cells and body fibers to
further release acidic build up.
Check your calcium and magnesium
intake as these reduce muscle and
nerve excitability. (But remember, all
nutrients work in synergy and are
best taken in foods and/or in correctly
balanced nutritional supplements.)
Take a well-formulated, quality
glucosamine supplement for
troublesome joints, tendons,
ligaments and vertebral discs.
If you are one of those
aforementioned ‘bionic bodies’,
already dedicated to a demanding
fitness regime, it is advisable to
incorporate correct nutrition into the
equation to enhance performance
and protect your cells, organs joints
and tissues from the rapacious wear
and tear of training.
Physical activity is essential for
health and well-being but at a cost.
Vigorous and sustained movement
requires a vast range of nutritional
components both during and after the
activity. Serious athletes run the risk
of depletion and deficiency which
results in poor recovery, eroded
vitality, lowered immunity and
hormonal compromise.
Exercise also generates excessive
quantities of damaging chemical byproducts
and waste products. These
must be neutralized and expelled to
ensure optimal f itness and
functioning for the long run. (if you’ll
excuse the pun!)
Consider adding a broad
spectrum, potent antioxidant formula
to your diet and, of course, follow all
of the above guidelines to get going
and keep going, for good.
For specific discussion and
recommendations consult Yvete at
fabbodz on 01344 750 810, or any of
the fab team; Steve 01344 771486l
Phyll 01344 420142; & Paul 01344
453824
This article was originally witten for the Inspirational Friends Booklet.
