The reason why you have clicked on this page is because you CARE about your health. Below are a few simple steps to achieve optimum health and greater longevity!

PRINCIPLES OF EXERCISE

‘Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it’ – PLATO

Exercise is not an option, if you don’t use it (the whole body) you’re going to lose it! There’s no question about it. Most people exercise because its trendy or they want a beautiful body, infact exercise is good medicine.

When you exercise every fluid, organ and system in your body begins to work more efficiently and increases natural growth hormone, essential for tissue regeneration in every cell of your body. Everything runs better. Exercise produces and maintains lean body mass while keeping insulin levels in the moderate range, stimulates bowel regularity and facilitates proper joint and lymphatic formation.

Exercise is nature’s antidepressant as it stimulates endorphin receptors in the brain putting you in a better psychological space in which healing can occur. The feeling after you’ve finished exercising is enough to get a move on! Focus on how good its going to feel when its over and you’ll be in it for the long haul!

The more we use our bodies, the better we are with age, contrary to the belief that we start falling apart with age! The human body is the prefect machine ever created, designed with systems of healing and regeneration, those who exercise and keep their bodies and minds moving far beyond retirement, live live far longer, stay functionally independent and are at lower risk of physical disabilities and chronic disease.

Exercise alone greatly increases your body’s own growth hormones, more than sedentary people and results in lean body mass, reduced body fat, improved cardio vascular health and boosts your immunity, gives you muscles strength to be able to perform daily tasks efficiently and increases your bone density to prevent osteoporosis!

Not convinced? think again. When you store a car away in a garage for a year or even one winter it begins to deteriorate as it was designed with parts that need to move to function well. We all have parts that need to be stimulated to function at an optimum level and if you don’t move them, our parts will deteriorate, just like that rusting car. Our system biologically is designed to get better and more efficient, the more we run it. Unlike home appliances and electronics which burn out and have a short shelf life, our biological system gets leaner, faster, stronger, more efficient, more capable and lasts longer with use. Exercise is one of the two things that will lead you to your fountain of youth!

When you ‘rev your body’s engine’ with exercise, your metabolism increases resulting in a lower resting heart rate, resspiratory rate and lower blood pressure which in turn leads to less physical effort needed to perform normal everyday functions, making your engine last longer!

Get a move on! Exercise consists of ‘Aerobic activity’ (cardio vascular work involving endurance such as star jumps, skipping etc) which is the best thing you can do for your entire circulatory & respiratory system and blood pressure and fat burning: and ‘Anaerobic activity’ (resistance work such as sprints, using weights and bands, push ups and pull ups to build muscle strength and definition) in short intense bursts. Exercise such as a circuits style Bootcamp involves both aerobic and anaerobic exercise in one session leading to definition and shape of muscles rather than bulking up. This type of short bursts, high reps and interval training has a positive effect on your metabolic rate and horomone release. The key to this type of workout is continuous movement and short rests in a planned system which maintains your pulse rate and works all body parts. Constant changes in speed requires more fuel than cruising at the same speed. By doing interval training you can increase your aerobic capacity, burn much more calories, naturally change your internal gears, burn more fuel and rev up your engine!

Don’t run before you can walk! It’s far better to start of slow and build up your stregth and stamina over a period of time. For any exercise to be effective, it has to be safe and effective for YOU, if its a case of doing half star jumps, smaller squats and working with lower weights, then start off this way. What you do and how you do it isn’t as important as the level of effort you expend while you are exercising. Make sure you exert a level of effort beyond your normal, everyday strength demands. The idea is to continually challenge your body and mind to the next level of health and fitness.

PRINCIPLES OF WATER

‘Your body cries for water; you are not sick, you are not thirsty; don’t treat thirst with medications!’

F. Batmanghhelidj, MD (author of Your Body’s Many cries for water)

Pump up the volume! We all know we should increase our water consumption, but how why and how much?

Use a simple formula, calculate one half to two thirds of your body weight in pounds and take that amount of ounces of water per day. Fill up a bottle with your allotted quantity and drink it throughout the day right up until you go to bed. If you weigh say 140 pounds (10 stone), you would need to be consuming between 70 and 93 ounces of water per day (36 fluid ounces is equal to around one litre) ie between 2 and 2 and a half litres per day. For most people, this is going to take some concsious effort, take the challenge for 30 days and then you won’t be able to stop! We’re nearly in a chronic state of dehydration, your body will soak it up and provide healing powers to every part of your body!

Water should not be a tasteless substitute to fruit juices and soft drinks! Listen to your body, the more water you consume, the better your body will feel. Every single function from digestion and elimination right down to electrical impulses in your cells will become more efficient. It may be difficult at first but build it up over time to your appropriate level. Carry a bottle to work and drink some every hour, slowly you wont even have to think about it! The problem arises when you arrive home at 7pm and have to drink your fill in a space of a short few hours before bed!

What happens when I increase my water consumption? Your body will begin to crave water. Ultimately you’ll saturate and rehydrate your thirst receptors and when this happens your body will actually begin to crave it. Once you hit your appropriate consumption level, maintain that level for 30 days then stop. You’ll find your body doesn’t let you stop. Then it becomes easy, you’re just fulfilling a craving!

Oxygen is the breath of life, water is the blood of life. Water hydrates your body and makes it possible for all your cells to function and communicate better. Every process in your body needs water. Filtered water carries far fewer toxins, provides you with nourishing minerals and helps dilute toxins so its easier to flush out via your kidneys. If you can try and get yourself a water filter for you home and even work desk, then do.

Increased water consumption will assist you in many ways, including regular elimination and improved focus and concentration, improved joint flexibility, clearer complexion and more supple skin, to name just a few!

How old or young do YOU want to be?

Watch out for our NUTRITION section …. coming soon