WELCOME: There is so much great information available about health and fitness that sometimes I wish I had a better way to communicate with my personal training clients, Y indoor cycling students and interested friends. This modest and occasional newsletter is my own attempt to do just that, to share that random thought, or interesting piece of research, with everyone simultaneously. I’ll probably just send something when the spirit moves me, but in general it’s my hope to send you a page or two about once a month. Maybe more often. Maybe less. If you’re not interested, just let me know and I’ll take you off the list. Otherwise, please let me know what you think and what questions you might like to see addressed. It’s my hope this can be one more way to create a little bit of community around what we do together. You are always invited to reply with any questions or comments.
FOOD LOGGING: For those of you with weight loss goals, I want to encourage you to log your food and activity. Logging provides you with insight into your daily habits. You can note food or activity tendencies that you may want to adjust, i.e. late eating etc. It can also inform you about the calorie content of some foods that you take for granted. Knowledge is power for you. And even short-term sharing of that information allows me to better help you reach your goals. There is accountability in just needing to write it down, not to mention showing it to me. It’s your choice, but I encourage you to log your food and activity and to share that log with me. Help me do a better job for you.
Logging can be as simple as you’d like it to be. You can do it in a small notebook or on a 3x5 card if you like. Or you can use one of the many online programs designed for that purpose. I use myfitnesspal.com which has a pretty simple and logical interface and a good food database. Another advantage is that it can also be used from your Android or Apple smartphone. Feel free to talk with me about this anytime.
YOUNGER NEXT YEAR: My neighbor is a Physician who insisted that I read this book and I now commend it to you. “Younger Next Year”, and “Younger Next Year for Women” are companion books that address the role that daily physical activity plays in improving the quality of our lives, especially as we age. (We all are.) Authors Chris Crowley and Dr. Harry Lodge remind us that our bodies are still like those of our primitive ancestors and that they need daily activity in order to survive. The creation of our modern society – where most of us sit at desks – is a new development in evolutionary terms. It has only happened in the last one hundred years or so of the millions of years of human life. Our bodies have not caught up to this recent development. In that regard, our culture may have outsmarted itself by making our lives so physically easy. The book addresses some simple steps – and a good explanation of the scientific reasons – for a lifestyle that likely will increase both the length and quality of our lives. Said another way, if you want to be sure to live through today, stay in bed. But if you want to be sure to live a long and healthy life, get out there and do something! It’s not a “great” book, but it’s a practical book with an important message. I encourage you to take a look at it and let me know what you think.
STUFF TO LOOK FOR AT THE Y: The following classes are held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in April at the HLC YMCA. I recommend you take advantage of all the great content available at the Y in part due to its unique partnership with Mercy Hospital.
April 5: Diabetes and Exercise, Carolyn Stephan, ARNP
April 12: Screen Time and Healthful Lifestyles, Cynthia Bowen, MA, CTRS
April 19: Mindful Eating, Diane McIlhon, RD, LD
April 26: Inner Dimensions of Healing, Lance Kinseth
INDOOR CYCLING CLASS: I now have my first indoor cycling class at the Y. It’s a new class, held every Friday at 6:10am. Indoor cycling is my first passion. I’ve been teaching indoor cycling for several years now and it is a particular passion of mine due to my background in long distance bike racing. Please come join us.
RESOURCES:
Check out your Y at http://www.ymcahealthylivingcenter.com/
All editions of this newsletter can be viewed as a blog at http://billstrainingandfitnessblog.blogspot.com/
QUOTE: "Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't." - Jerry Rice.
Thank you!
Bill Roach
Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine
Star 3 Lifetime Certified Spinning Instructor
bill.roach@mchsi.com
