Treat Your Body Like a Machine
May 20, 2022
Written By: Jackie, General ManagerIf we were to think of our body as being a machine we may view our habits a little differently. Just like with a machine, your body needs the same attention! We must take care of it, fuel it properly, ensure all parts are moving properly, and maintain it regularly.
Our bodies are designed to move! Therefore, movement must be an integral part of our life.
That car that you drive every day must be maintained properly so that it doesn’t leave you stranded. When you take care of your car, your car will be less likely to break down on you. However, if you decide to neglect that vehicle, that vehicle will begin to cause you problems which in turn allows other problems to be brought to the surface. Before you know it, the vehicle will begin to become less reliable and in the end cost you more money in repairs than what the vehicle is worth.
Your body works the same way. If you live a very sedentary lifestyle, you will begin to see more aches and pains in your joints because you are not moving enough to keep your joints working properly. Then if we go to do any physical activity those aches and pains will appear, and most people see that as a sign to discontinue those movements or activities. However, that is a sign that we NEED to actually continue to move more! Then those aches and pains will become less and less as your joints relearn to move properly.
I had a great discussion about this in one of our classes the other morning, where one of our members shared a story about her sister, who doesn’t have any kids, and finds herself having great difficulty getting onto and off the floor because that is a movement she is not used to performing. She started a program at Degree Fitness and now is finding that movement easier and easier because she is now utilizing those muscles and joints in a way she was not used to.
Exercise and daily movement is more about keeping active and ensuring your joints and muscles are supporting you in your daily activities!
The new ‘normal’ for people is to sit in a car to drive to work, sit at a desk for 8 hours working, then come home and sit down to relax! Does this sound familiar? Our body quickly learns to forget how to be a powerful force, how to complete simple tasks without feeling exhausted, how to enjoy playing with the kids or grandkids, or being energetic and feeling youthful.
Another staff member mentioned how she is able to carry and move heavy bags without feeling winded and watching her co-workers struggle to do the same movements. She attributes this to making movement and exercise, at Degree Fitness Seaforth, a priority in her weekly routine.
If you are ready to make moving more a priority in your life, reach out to Degree Fitness Seaforth to book a No Sweat Intro information session where a coach will sit down with you to discuss your reasons for starting!
Helping you be accountable is what our trained coaches are here to help you with! Click HERE or email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com to get started!!
Your joints and muscles will thank you and allow you to start performing those tasks that seemed near impossible!
Written By: Coach Sienna The media portrays fitness as looking a certain way and creating this picture of a “perfect person” who eats clean and works out everyday and does everything right and never messes up. When you're always being shown this version of fitness it’s easy to start to think, is this what being fit is? ..... And suddenly you find yourself comparing yourself to unrealistic standards. Fitness is much more than the shape of our body! It's about what your body can do for you and how it can support your daily life and how movement makes you feel strong, accomplished, proud, empowered! Here is how we can overcome the negative impact that some Media has on us, and fitness in general: Redefine Fitness Fitness is more than your body, it's strength, endurance, mobility, energy and how you feel. It's not supposed to be perfect or linear, your body will change and life will happen. What matters most is showing up for yourself and moving your body. Even a little bit can go a long way! Positive Self Talk You don't have to be perfect to love yourself. Be kind to your mind and speak to yourself with kindness. Remind yourself of what your body can do for you, remember you are WORTHY! :) Focusing On The Little Wins We often have such a heavy focus on how we look but what if it was never about how we looked but more about how we felt. Do you notice after you get in a workout or a session you always tend to have a lift in your mood and a shift in perspective. Movement has the power to make us feel strong and happy and more like ourselves! Do Movements You Enjoy Fitness should be fun and functional. You are more likely to stick to it if you enjoy it! Find movements that excite you. Like lifting, walking, running, dancing, gymnastics etc. When you focus on what your body can do and not what it looks like, you can start to see how strong and capable you really are! Set Goals Related To Movement-Mood-Function Movement - touching your toes or doing your first push-up Mood - Having more energy during the day and feeling less anxious Function - Carrying groceries, running around with your kids, etc. Remember - you are already enough! You don't need to look a certain way to be fit. You just need to move your body in a way you enjoy, take care of yourself and celebrate what your body does for you everyday! If you've been feeling stuck, or wanting to start working out with a Coach, or in an environment that is inclusive, inviting, safe, honours all body shapes and sizes, we can help! CLICK HERE to book a free meeting with one of our Coaches to learn how you can get started at Degree or, email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com .
Written By: Coach Sienna We know Cardio is good for your heart health but it is also good for our respiratory systems which help bring oxygen to fuel our muscles to do what they gotta do! By doing cardio we strengthen all of these components which help us live a happier healthy lifestyle! Your body is built to move and releases happy chemicals called endorphins from having an increased heart rate which can improve your mood. This can happen in just 10 minutes! We all know Cardio is an important part of our health but most of us just don’t have a lot of time due to kids, work, life etc. Just remember any movement is a good movement! No matter how long or short it may be. The little things add up (: Use this 10 minute at home cardio workout (no equipment needed!) to get your heart rate up and feeling your best even on the busiest days. 2 Rounds of 1 minute of Jumping Jacks 1 minute of High Knees 1 minute Air Squats or Jump Squat 1 minute of Burpees 1 minute of Mountain Climbers *Rest as needed but try to keep it 30s or less between movements! We understand life gets in the way and schedules can be tough - we are here to help! Let us know how it went! Email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com , or, visit www.degreefitnessseaforth.com/get-started to book your FREE No Sweat Intro to learn more!
Written By: Mairead, Registered Dietitian You've probably heard of iron and know it's important. Maybe you've even had your levels checked through bloodwork! Iron is an important mineral in our diet. It is part of the blood cells that carry oxygen around our body, and plays roles in growth and the production of some hormones. The amount of iron you need varies. Men need less, while women need more due to blood loss during menstruation. This puts women at higher risk for low iron. The symptoms of low iron include feeling sluggish and fatigued, pale skin, and even hair loss! Women under 50 years old need 18mg of iron a day, while women over 50 and all men only need 8mg of iron daily. Many people can get enough iron through a varied and balanced diet. Iron is found in meat, poultry, fish, legumes, eggs, soy, and many grains and vegetables. Our bodies are better able to absorb iron from animal sources - this type of iron is referred to as "heme iron". Non-heme iron is found in plant sources and is harder for your body to absorb. If you rely on plant-based sources of iron, you may need to eat a lot more of it. Pairing iron sources with sources of vitamin C can also help increase absorption. If you suspect your iron levels are low, ask your doctor to check your levels through a blood test. If your iron level is low and you're already consuming enough through diet, you may need a supplement to increase your levels. Always check if you actually need an iron supplement before starting one! Iron plays some key roles in our bodies, and is important for overall health! Make sure you include a variety of sources daily to meet your body's needs! Looking for more personalized nutrition advice? Let's chat! Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com for more information about our Nutrition Programs, or click HERE to book your FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat!