by katie veltri kjvelch@aol.com
Do you find yourself making excuses for not really taking good care of yourself? A definitive “yes” seems to be the answer to a question of this nature, and the excuse to this open-ended question always seems to be, drum roll please: time. We never have enough time. It might be because you have family members to tend to, or your job is all-consuming, or maybe it is that you’re just plain intimidated by the health industry in general, with many of its grandiose promises and complicated diet and exercise programs. Well, I’m here to offer some advice, tips, and thoughts in the world of health and fitness.
I currently teach yoga and pilates at a few local fitness centers, and just graduated from University of Central Florida, where I conducted research on the effects of yoga. I’m nationally certified through the Aerobics Fitness Association of America in primary group exercise and trained in yoga and pilates. It wasn’t until I dislocated my knee that I realized how fragile my body was and it was in my late teens when I started experiencing full-fledged anxiety. I was determined to find something that would help me holistically, body and mind. I wanted to take on the world with vitality, without the need for surgery in the future or anti-anxiety medication, so I kept an open mind to healthier alternatives. What I stumbled upon through friends and past fitness instructors is that yoga balanced me mentally, while pilates strengthened me physically, from the inside out. I learned quickly that I was running through life at such a fast pace, and all I needed to do was stand still for a few moments. In these moments of standing still, I discovered a lot of other people running, also chasing the same thing: time.
What is it that prevents us from taking much needed and sought after time for ourselves? It is there, and we do have it. So, what are we doing with it? Taking the time you do have and managing it wisely is the best advice I learned from one of my professors. Understanding the art of time and sculpting it into something more valuable for yourself is a lighter, more beneficial perspective on the issue of not having enough time. Whatever may be potentially holding you back from taking a step into eating, exercising, and/or feeling better, let this marinate; the root of feeling satisfied, strong, and steady, is being healthy. Furthermore, if you don’t allow yourself time to consider how you feel wholly, who will? A healthy lifestyle, one without excessive drug use, without mediocre cardiovascular activity, without a constantly worried mind, and without a weak body, is the key to a more meaningful existence. The root is the core, and when nurtured properly, it is the antidote to our freedom, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Allow me to explore and share with you some of the simple advice from fitness professionals, local gyms and health clubs, and aerobic/fitness classes for your body type. I’ll leave you with a recipe, nutritional tip, or an exercise at the end of each column.
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