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Fitness Do’s and Don’ts

Posted by onepieceswimwear on Sep 5th, 2009 | no comments

by Laura Dayton

Don’t Compare Metabolisms

Does one woman have to struggle with her weight while another eats junk food like there’s no tomorrow, and worse, has never gone to a gym or exercised, ever? Yes, it’s true, it always has been and always will be. We are all born with different metabolisms that change over time.

Grass is Always Greener

Sure, it looks to some of us that those metabolic-furnaces got all the good genes. Not so. Many women who have naturally slim and fit bodies learn nothing about proper eating and exercise, and by the time they’re in their 20s they are either out of bikini modeling or getting liposuction. Muscle tone starts to slip away in our 20s and we know that bony bods in bikinis look like something from the pirate’s deadman’s chest!

Having some meat on your bones gives you something to work with. Curves change a picture of a girl in swimwear into something that lights hearts on fire and grabs cover and calendar fame. Though you might not believe it now, 30 years down the road those of you who learned good eating and exercise habits will still by enjoying your health and beauty while some who seem to take it all for granted will be feeling the gravitational pull of time.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Exercise wasn’t invented to make gyms money. It came about as our society became more and more sedentary. You don’t see many gyms in Nigeria or
Afghanistan. Exercise is something for those societies that have eliminated movement as a major part of life.

Therefore, you won’t gain the benefits by doing it once or twice a week. You need to exercise everyday, and even if it’s not always at a gym, you need to get in a habit of walking, taking stairs not elevators, riding bicycles, taking martial arts or tennis lessons, and in general, movin’ it every day for at least one hour.

Effort is Key to Success

For exercise to be effective it has to push your body to a new level. That means you need to run a little faster, lift a little heavier, last a little longer. Our very fit models at the Puerto Vallarta Jam knew this, and the competitions clearly demonstrated these weren’t just a bunch of beautiful young women—they were fast and fit.

I enjoyed dozens of lunches with the competitors, and fresh salads were a part of nearly everyone’s meal. The small fitness center was filled early morning and evening, and a few of the competitors caught a water aerobics class or tennis match at the resort.

UjENA TIP: The Ujena 5k race is just one reminder to everyone of the importance and fun of a fit lifestyle. More than that, it can serve as an excellent training post to put your own fitness on track. To start, try for a 30 minute run. Start your running at your level, even if it’s half the track. Add a few feet with every run until you can do the 5k; then work on your time. You can do the same with swimming or cycling. All three provide excellent aerobic exercise at a pace that will keep your body fat and weight under control.

Don’t Do the Fads

There are wonderful forms of exercise out there: Zumba, Spin and Yoga are just a few. But remember your body was designed to multi-task according to each day’s challenges. With the exception of running, we were not designed to do one form of exercise exclusively. Keep your body work balanced with aerobics, resistance training and stress reduction like yoga, meditation and massage.

Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, or for medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or a qualified health care provider before starting a new diet, treatments or exercise programs – or consult with your physician about questions regarding a medical condition. If you are pregnant, always seek the advice of your physician before starting a new diet, treatments or exercise program.