I like to move it, move it!!

Welcome to the first fitness post at our page. As the new year and the new decade begins, you might have made decision to get fitter and healthier, but dont know how and what. We are here to help!

People often don’t know where to start their fitness journey.  Should they weight train, go running, go swimming, play sport, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Zumba classes or just walk more.  The answer is any of the above!  The choice depends on the persons goal. 

The objective is to raise the heart rate above the resting heart rate, and this achieved by any form of pro longed movement.   Your goal defines how much you move and what your move.

To help guide you, some suggestions on the types of activities you could take are:-

·         Weight Loss – any of the above, however the amount you move and the calories you burn should be more than the calories you consume (see blog post on calories in sokav_eats) and future posts on amount of calories.

·         Fat loss – this is basically weight loss, with correct macro-nutritional content (see future post on macros on sokav_eats)

·         Chiseled body – some from of resistance training, combined with elements of fat loss.

·         Healthier lifestyle – any of the above, with “clean eating” (see future post on clean eating on sokav_eats)

As you can see, there are different types of movements that a person can undertake to achieve their goals, but they must move. 

When choosing an activity, you must also ensure it is something you can sustain for a prolonged period of time, if not make it part of your lifestyle.  Goals will not be achieved overnight; it is something that requires dedication so that the goal is something that is achievable and maintainable.

Another factor in choosing the right type of movement depends on the enjoyment factor.  If you don’t enjoy certain activities then you are likely not to sustain the chosen activity.  For example, I don’t like running (despite having done a few marathons), therefore I chose resistance training as my movement.  However, I need to run in football, so I often do some running on the treadmill to increase my stamina (Weight-lifting will not bring that sustained increased heart rate).

The best movement, is the one you enjoy.  You don’t have to sweat it out on the treadmill, or spend hours throwing weights around.  You simply have to move.  On average, a 30 minute run burns and equivalent amount of calories as an hour of walking. 

Another key factor in choosing the right type of movement depends on practicalities.  This includes disabilities, current health status and location.  For example, some people may have a pre-existing heart condition and it would be advisable not to choose an activity where the heart rate increases to very high levels endangering the individual.

I will post in future blogs details of each of the different types of movements, their benefits and drawbacks.

As January, a new decade, and a new you sets in, hopefully you can choose an activity you can enjoy, you can sustain and you can do, for a better and healthier you.