Do you know what today is? The present; which is a gift that some didn’t get to experience. It just happens that today is Christmas where we all spend quality time with family, friends, and loved ones creating lifelong memories. This year is a little different, but at the end of the day, we all want to pursue happiness, joy, and good health.
What’s good health? The ability to walk, move freely without pain, breathe without restrictions, stretch our muscles, and most importantly the power of choice. I want you to go and look in the mirror at your physical body. This is you. Your present to yourself. Your body has endured so much and it’s time to give it some love today and get moving. “A body at rest tends to stay at rest. A body in motion stays in motion” Life is going to keep moving with or without your participation. Your body is aging every day. How you age, is completely up to you.
Like the story of, “A Christmas Carol” you have a past, present, and future with your body. In the past month, have you experienced any pains in your body? No? it’s just a matter of time before your joints or muscles begin to scream for attention and start aching. Have you worked out? No? Okay - that’s in the past and we can’t do anything about it. But, today is a present and my gift to you is 3 of the bests stretches that you can do right now to show your body some TLC.
Have you ever felt bad after a workout? Your body craves movement and needs you to act today. If you’re deconditioned, this could possibly lead to muscle soreness for a couple of days afterward which is called D.O.M.S. (delayed onset of muscle soreness). In short, you really did a good job of working those muscles in your workout/activity. Soreness is your body’s way of saying, good job. We need time to recover, please keep moving as this helps us restore and repair for the next workout/activity. This does not mean stop movement. It simply means that your body needs to adjust accordingly.
The best present for Christmas is your health. Your body will get stronger for future workouts/activities as long as you stay consistent. We are designed to grow and adapt to stress. The best stress is exercise at your level of comfort with the mindset of incorporating more movement into your lifestyle. If you enjoy dancing, be free and dance to your favorite song. If you enjoy running, lace up your shoes and go for a nice run or walk today. If you enjoy strength training and have 10 minutes to get your blood flowing try this circuit.
Every minute on the minute (EMOM):
Start timer - complete all movements for prescribed reps with good form. Once completed, rest or perform boxer shuffle until the next minute begins. Restart the circuit every minute on the minute.
5 Pushups
10 Squats
15 Jumping Jacks or 30 Ledge Taps
The best Christmas fitness present is a positive body image when you’re looking in the mirror and you say, “ It doesn’t get easier, I get stronger mentally and physically, every day in every way because good health begins with me today. This is my Christmas Fitness present to myself.”
Click HERE to learn more about the Wellview services available to you. We can’t wait to work with you!
– Louis Allen, CSCS
Personal Trainer / Health Advisor
