Health

WORK IT OUT!!!

Many curvy girls are tired of talking, thinking and fretting over their least favorite subject: THEIR BODY!

Although it is essential to love and accept yourself, curves and all, it is also important to take care of your body.

Some people think curvy women merely need to be “educated” on healthy eating habits.

News flash: we get it. Leafy and green equals good; fried and sugar-coated equals bad.

Whether you are curvy or skinny, if you’re sluggish and in poor health, you will not enjoy your life to the fullest. I want you to wake up every morning with a zest for life and the desire for magnificent adventures.

Instead of focusing your energy on losing weight, focus on increasing your energy and radiance. The solution is simple: exercise and drink water.

Although weight loss is a desirable by-product of exercise, your main reason for exercising should be your health.

You may already have an exercise regimen—and if so, that’s great. Keep doing what you’re doing! If not, don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to become a gym rat. What I will suggest instead are minor tweaks to your daily regimen that will provide fantastic dividends to your overall well-being.

We all know that there are many good reasons to lose weight: lowering your cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure, improving your immune system, preventing colon and breast cancer, and reducing the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. Beyond that, though, a consistent exercise plan is essential to getting more dates than your skinny friends.

What can regular exercise/activity do for you?

Enhance your self-image. Physical activity will help reduce or maintain your body weight, making you feel better about your appearance and boosting your confidence.

Build and maintain muscle mass. The more muscles you have, the better you’ll look and the more calories you’ll burn. It’s a win-win!

Reduce your anxiety and stress level. Anxiety and stress are major contributors to weight gain. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals, that can result in a more relaxed state of mind.

Improve your psychological/emotional well-being. Exercise releases endorphins that boost your feelings of happiness.

Enhance your energy and physical performance. Are you winded by climbing a flight of stairs? Regular physical activity can boost your endurance by delivering oxygen and nutrients to your tissues, helping your heart and lungs work more efficiently. This results in more energy to go about your dating life!

All right, so it’s good for you, blah, blah, blah. I’ll cut to the chase—how much exercise do you need? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity for most healthy adults. The guidelines suggest that you spread out this exercise during the course of the week.

Even brief bouts of activity offer benefits. For instance, if you can’t fit in one thirty-minute walk, try three ten-minute walks instead. The key is making regular physical activity a workable part of your lifestyle.

When you move, you burn calories. The more intense the movement is, the greater the number of calories you burn. If you can’t get in an actual workout, get moving by making simple adjustments throughout the day: use the stairs instead of the elevator, take the farthest parking spot rather than the closest, or get up from your desk and walk around the building during your break.

Exercise doesn’t have to be awful. If you choose the right activity, it can be a fun way to spend your time. It’s a chance to relax, breathe in some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors, socialize with friends, or simply engage in sports and activities that get your  juices flowing.

The bottom line: exercise and physical activity will improve your life. You will feel better, look better, have more fun, and gain some health benefits along the way.