By Pat Larsen
For Capital Region Independent Media
It’s time. Regardless of whether you are keeping the decorations up until Valentine’s Day or if you’re like me, your tree is now a home for the little critters outside… it’s time to get your head in the game. The healthier eating and exercising game.
I’m hoping, for your sake, you’ve silenced the voices of the leftover pie in the way back part of the fridge and are ignoring the cries from the garbage pail from the old, stale cookies that landed next to the empty jar of Marshmallow Fluff.
Go ahead get on the bathroom scale if you like to torture yourself. I mean, how much actual damage could you have done by consuming the mince pie, the whole mince pie?
My solution is simply to get moving. The return to conscious eating will eventually catch up as your body’s sugar levels drop back to a normal range again.
Your sanity will return.
I agree with those of you who recognize that there are limitations being presented by the conditions of the winter season. For example, the recent heavy wet snow that turned our pathways into 3-4 inches of ice-skating rinks for over two weeks.
Thankfully, the temps outside have risen enough to create some melting and evaporation. So maybe you’ll consider getting back out to take your walks as often as you can. Or you’ll make your way to the gym. I’m personally NOT a gym person. But there just happens to be two within a reasonable drive from our area that could fit that bill, if you enjoy that kind of workout.
My way, for the past 12 years, has been to participate in or to teach fitness locally. My chosen demographic has been to work with baby boomers, seniors and retirees. Many of you have probably crossed paths with these programs as a few other seasoned instructors still maintain their licenses to teach in Greene County.
If you haven’t yet tried out one of these programs, this might be the thing that you add to this year’s “healthy” new year list.
Here’s a description of what you might expect in these fitness classes, just in case you’ve been curious. I’m speaking from personal experience as a “student,” not just as an instructor here.
Group fitness is a full-spectrum exercise program that when taught correctly and by a professional, focuses on their participants’ needs and expectations, along with their limitations and the modifications requirements. It still is group oriented but in a very personal, one-on-one way. I do that by interviewing prospective participants and reviewing health needs, etc.
Classes may include background music or in my case, a predominant style of rhythms that helps the body, mind and spirit to connect to the movements more easily. I love watching the natural reactions of a playlist made up of 50s and 60s all-time favorite artists. The class practically moves on its own.
It’s essential to warm up the body at the onset of the class to ensure that muscles, joints and especially your heart are ready to flow easily into a state of improvements, not pain.
All of this is then concluded with a similar focus at the conclusion of the class with a thorough stretch for the body and cooldown that includes bringing your heart rate down safely.
No, you’re not unable to breath during the bulk of a program like this. It’s all very organized and managed under the direction of the instructor.
Long ago, when aerobics first entered the fitness scene, there was way too much over-the-top movement that left many gasping for air and thinking — myself included — “This is ridiculous!”
I just wanted to be sure that the warm-up/cool-down part was very clear. You can achieve healthy and fit without killing yourself trying to.
So, what are you going to do to address the “healthy” part of your new year?
I just wish our medical community would re-frame their objectives with us to include the suggestion of getting more exercise in our lives. You remember “before” the pandemic when there was a focus on improving our health and immune systems by taking charge of what we ate and getting safe effective movement in our lives? Obviously, until they (the medical offices) get their staffing issues figured out, we’re on our own.
I’d be happy to help if you have any questions about the healthy new year ideas that I suggested. Let me know by following one of the links below.
Pat Larsen is a licensed fitness instructor in Greene County, bringing classes to The Shamrock House in East Durham mornings. You can contact Pat@518-275-8686 or pelarsen5@aol.com.
