Below are SEVEN great tips on how to keep your body in tip top shape and ready for the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Care for it with respect and love and it WILL take care of you too!
FLEX THOSE MUSCLES, PUMP THE HEART
Strength training (aka. pumping weights) is crucial in the burning fat process (muscle burns fat!), overall body flexibility, increased muscle strength and minimizes the occurrence of injury. Similarly, implementing cardio on consistent basis is super beneficial for the ticker and other vital organs to keep your body in check. Elevation of your heart rate helps with blood circulation, releases “feel good” hormones, promotes elimination of waste, drives up your metabolism and improves recovery after a workout. So, grab those chrome 5’s and jump on the StairMaster, your body will pay you back tenfold.
AHHH….REPLENISH WITH H2O
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Our bodies are made up of 50 to 75 percent water; that is from blood, urine, digestive juices, perspiration, and in lean muscle, fat and bones. Since our bodies can’t store water, it’s critical to replenish! Our human bodies can last weeks without food, but only days without the all-important H2O. Drink up; about 6-8 glasses a day. It will assist in elimination of byproducts, aids in digestion and constipation, lubricates joints, carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells and regulates your body temperature. Indulge in some good, plain ol’ water, its carbonated counterpart or jazz it up with some lemon/lime/cucumber.
WHOLE LOTTA GREEN
“Eat your greens!”, as your mom would say. Wouldn’t you know, she was right! A powerhouse of vitamins, nutrients, minerals, fiber, even protein, it may help to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Low in fat and calories, which means you can binge a little and not feel so guilty. Spruce up your booooring salad with an assortment of leafy greens, colourful veggies such as chopped asparagus, tomatoes, red peppers, toss in some sweetness from sliced mango or strawberries, plus pumpkin seeds and walnuts. Viola, a SALAD of champions! Alternatively, blend veggies into a smoothie or bottoms up in a green juice. Yum!
CLEAN THOSE CHICKLETS
Keep your pearly whites sparkling clean by brushing and flossing every day, at least 2x day. Dental hygiene is so important to the body’s overall health, and here’s why… It aids in the prevention of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even dementia. With regular brushing, you remove nasty bacteria that can live in your mouth, as to avoid it from travelling into the bloodstream. It also prevents gum disease, as is evident through swollen and bleeding gums. And of course, who wants to have smelly breath (pee-yew!). You can chew all the gum in the world, but it’s just masking what could be dangerously be lingering under your breath.
SCRUB, SCRUB AWAY
Dead. Skin. Cells. Yuck! Yes, we all have them. And some may even endeavour to do away with the nasty little scales every so often. This is one regimen that you really need to incorporate in your skincare routine. Exfoliation of the face and body helps to improve the appearance and texture of skin (youthful skin for life!) by detoxifying, improving skin tone and reducing fine lines and sun damage. It also kills bacteria and prevents breakouts. So, pull out the loofah and get scrub, scrubbing!
SHIATSU FOR YOU
Ooooo, ahhhh…. not only does a massage feel so good, there are many other pleasing health benefits. Massage therapy helps to reduce and eliminate pain associated with muscle soreness and injuries, as well as improve joint mobility and circulation. The release of muscular tension can contribute to relieving headaches and/or migraines, in addition to calming anxiety and depression. The relief from stretching and releasing those horrible knots can boost your immune system and allow you to rest your head a little better at night and sleep like a baby…Zzzzz…
RENDEVOUS FOR TWO
Va va vooom….oh yes, the 3 letter word that can be naughty, but is absolutley advantageous to your health…and not just for the (O)bvious reasons! Sex can relieve stress, contribute to a healthy immune system and boost that purring libido. In addition to being a great form of exercise, it’s been linked to lowering blood pressure and may even help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. So pull down the blinds, have fun under the sheets, sex is pleasurably healthful to the body. (And P.S…practice safe sex!)