11 Jul Summer Camp Week 5: Rev Up Your Fitness With Small Wins
Fitness means different things to different people.
If you’re an athlete, perhaps fitness evokes feelings of motivation and is about pushing yourself to reach an improved marathon time, lift an extra 20 lbs. in weights, or score those extra goals for your team’s win.
If you’re seeking extensive weight loss, perhaps fitness comes with feelings of overwhelm – getting yourself to the gym, excessive sweating, or stiff and uncomfortable movements.
If you’re in life’s later years, fitness may seem like something long gone, unattainable, out of reach.
If you’re a child, fitness might make you think of riding your cool new bike, something you prefer NOT to do over playing video games, or something you only do in gym class at school.
But at Basil Bandwagon Summer Camp this year, fitness is about the same thing for everyone: creating and celebrating small wins to help us achieve and maintain better health and quality of life.
The fitness plan that’s right for you is the one where you’re improving YOUR health, YOUR wellbeing, YOUR mind, and YOUR self-esteem – not what your neighbor, son, coworker, mother, teammate, or classmate is doing. And taking time to recognize your own personal achievements is an important part of the process of achieving optimal health and respecting your effort and hard work!
Small Wins in Cardiovascular Activity
Think about what your current level of cardiovascular activity is (any exercise that raises your heart rate). Now think about turning the dial up one notch above this level. Just one notch.
Some examples…
You currently live a sedentary life and work a desk job. Turn it up one notch, and now you spend 10 minutes of your 30-minute lunch break five days a week taking a walk outside.
You currently go to the gym three days a week for a 45-minute spin class. Turn it up a notch, and now you’ve dusted off your road bike at home to practice another 20 minutes of cycling each weekend.
Tidy Up the Diet in Small Ways
You tend to enjoy three cups of coffee each day. Tidy it up in a small way by replacing the last cup with a glass of lemon water or herbal tea.
Friday night is always pizza night in your household. Tidy it up in a small way by making your own pie, full of less cheese and lots of veggies; or replace two of your 3 standard slices with a big garden salad or grilled veggies.
Move a Bit More
You like to find the closest parking spot when you go grocery shopping. Move a bit more by finding the furthest parking spot!
Your evening routine involves an hour of television with a snack on the couch. Move a bit more by trading the couch and popcorn for some yoga and stretching on the floor – you don’t even have to give up the television!
Try Something New
Exercise has always consisted of karate, jogging and weight lifting. Try something new by attending your friend’s weekly yoga class.
A knee injury has kept you from exercising for over a year, even though your doctor has given you clearance to get moving. Try something new by signing up for the water aerobics class you’ve been considering for the past several years.
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Every week, take note of what you did to turn up your activity, tidy up your diet, move a bit more, and try something new. Be proud of your accomplishments. If you’re participating in this activity with others, tell them you’re proud of them as well – the positive remarks are incredibly motivating and will keep you on your way to outstanding health.
And, remember… at Basil Bandwagon, we carry a wealth of supplements, foods, beverages and body care products to support you in your fitness activities: protein powders, hydration supplements, natural deodorants, pre-workout formulas, omega-3 liquid/softgels, and tons of protein bars. Feel free to ask one of our friendly team members for support in choosing products that are right for you!
Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease.