Total Therapy Blog

Beach Body Blues July 6, 2011 (0) Comments in Healthy Tips by Total Therapy

Summer is here (albeit slowly), and we’re finally shrugging off the last of our winter hibernation. If you’re eyeing your bathing suit with a sinking feeling, you’re not alone. After New Year’s, summer is the most popular time to pledge to get back into shape.

Ok, so we may be motivated by superficial reasons here. After all, who doesn’t want a beach-ready body, complete with toned abs and buff muscles? Beach motivation aside, there are plenty of other reasons to get fit for summer, be it a desire to climb the Grouse Grind, or to simply enjoy the great outdoors. At any rate, it’s no surprise – people exercise more when the weather is nice.

So why is it important to jump on the summer fitness bandwagon? The answer here is more than just skin-deep. Consider this: cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Canadians. People who are physically inactive are twice as likely to die of a stroke or heart attack than their active counterparts. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/cvd-mcv/risk-risques-eng.php. Not only that, but staying active helps you live better, longer. One study showed that staying physically fit can add up to 15 years to your life expectancy! http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/149/7/645.short

If better overall health isn’t enough reason for you, there are short-term incentives for becoming physically active. You’ll have more energy, sleep better, and improve your overall mood. There’s also the obvious: you’ll look better, have better posture, and be able to reach and maintain a healthy body weight.

So why aren’t people jumping off the couch and into their running shoes? Well, we’ve all heard the excuses: “I’m too tired”, “I don’t have the time,”, “I don’t know what I should do”, etc. This is your life, your body. Don’t sell yourself short. There are plenty of ways to get around these issues. If you’re tired at the end of the day, try slipping a short routine into your morning. If time is an issue, there are plenty of things you can do in 20 minutes – and that’s time that everyone has! If you don’t know what to do, ask. Talk to a personal trainer or kinesiologist and get a plan designed for you. You have options!

The bottom line is, whether you’re looking to become healthier, or just to feel more comfortable in a bathing suit, now is the time to become physically active. Your body will thank you.

Check out our Week 2 of the KickStart Your Summer 2011 Promo if you are ready to get back into shape!