If you’re like me, just thinking about exercise makes you tired! But once we understand that it’s not just a chore or a punishment but a way of living, then maybe it becomes easier to do.
We all imagine exercise as this super hard thing to do that comes with dieting so that we can lose weight. But, what if I told you that exercise is not just about losing weight.
HERE IS WHY
I did a short interview with fitness expert Alexa Leeson and this is what she had to say;
- What qualification do you hold?
‘’I have my Honors in Fitness, and did other courses to compliment my studies:
– Sports Massage Therapy, Functional Training Specialist, Kids Development, Training in different environments and a course in Nutrition, Sports Conditioning Coach.’’
- How long have you been into fitness and what are you currently busy with?
‘’I have been into fitness for the last 8 years. I am currently running my own business called The Body Mechanic where I offer Injury care and remedial massage therapy. I also do Personal Training for high risk clients, or clients who have chronic issues etc. as well as training programs for individuals.’’
- Why would you recommend fitness and exercise to people?
‘’Yes exercise is healthy and eating right is healthy, but for me, what it comes down to, is the mental health aspect of training. The confidence you achieve by setting out goals and achieving them is priceless.’’
- Do you think exercise is just for weight loss, why or why not?
‘’No, exercise is there for weight loss, strength and endurance etc. Exercise is a great way of keeping things like heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes at bay.’’
- What is the difference between exercise for weight loss and exercise for fitness, if there is?
‘’Exercise for weight loss has to be accompanied by a calorie deficit nutrition plan and exercises might differ depending on the individual and the amount of weight needed to be lost. Training for fitness has a different program as well as a balanced calorie intake. This type of exercise would be kept at a certain intensity and frequency.’’
- What other benefits does daily exercise have on the body especially for mental health?
‘’When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to morphine!’’
- What are some basic exercises you can do on a daily basis that will help you improve fitness?
‘’By doing leg work and working the glutes, which is the largest group of muscles in the body, you use more energy and in return burn more calories. So exercises like squats, lunges etc. are great! Burpees are one of my top full body exercises as it is explosive and uses your full body.’’
- What would be your advice on how we can turn exercise into a way of living instead of just another chore to complete?
‘’As a working mom of three kids, I know the struggle when it comes to time. Put it this way, schedule it as a meeting. As if you are having a business meeting, but with yourself. You are worth your own time too.’’
- How much time should we spend exercising in a week?
‘’To start with I would suggest 3 – 4 times a week at 30-45 min. Then, once you have reached a plateau I would increase it. For me, exercise should not stress you out, work it into your week like previously mentioned, a meeting. Do not stress yourself out and think you have to train 7 days a week, 2 hours a day… NO.. Start off with what works for you and then take it from there. The last thing you want to do is start off feeling stressed out and that exercise is so taxing then giving up… Pace yourself!’’
- What advice would you give to those who are just getting started on their fitness journey?
‘’First of all, remember, there is no perfect mold or standard we all need to fit into. The only measuring tool is your happiness and your health. If you are healthy and happy then that is all that matters! So start off with daily goals, then weekly then monthly. Do not go on any fad diets! Choose a lifestyle you can stick to. Remember, it is more what you eat than how many times you train. No point indulging daily in junk foods and then training hoping you will still have results. Be kind to yourself, if you cannot do a full pushup then do a modified pushup, just keep trying! If you can do it for 21 days, you can do it FULL STOP! That is the minimum amount of time it takes for your body to get into a routine. Do not repeat your exercises with every session, make it different and interesting so you will keep on going! Put on your favorite tunes and enjoy exercising!
And there you have it from an expert! I, myself, struggle to stay motivated or drag myself off the couch to start exercising which is why I would recommend getting a training partner or joining a fitclub near you. One more piece of advice, remember to stretch!
Whether it is for your summer body, just for fitness, for losing weight or simply to distress, a bit of exercise can go a long way. Here is a challenge for you, start today by walking once around your block then tomorrow twice so that before you know it those flights of stairs at work or at school won’t have you out of breath.
Check out the Body Mechanic on Facebook @thebodymechanicwithlex
Yours truly
The Sunflower