March 28, 2024

Parents: How exercise will help make your week easier! By David Hutchings

Parents have a hundred priorities to take care of in a day, and right at the bottom of that list is doing something for yourself.  The last thing you want to do is get in a workout. A far more attractive option is to flop down on the couch and get a few minutes shut-eye or watch TV or read a book.  What if I told you exercise will improve more than just your waistline?

Reduce stress. Taking care of a family is hard work, they have a hundred demands which, depending on their age they can’t communicate outside a scream.  This is stressful.  Exercise can help reduce your stress levels.  Exercise releases endorphins which will improve your mood and help you feel better about life in general.

Increase energy. Exercising regularly will increase in energy levels.  A lack of energy can definitely make life seem harder. Use exercise to boost energy, interest and enthusiasm for daily tasks.

Decrease aches and pains. Preventing injury is another thing that mums and dads should consider too.  Exercise makes your whole body stronger, therefore reducing injury during daily activities. Our one year old is already 9kg (20lb).  Picking him up and moving him about can put a lot of stress on the body.

Strengthen your core. Having a strong core and being strong generally can help prevent lower back injuries which often occur as a result of bending while carrying weight.  Such as putting children in cots, car seats, pushchairs etc.  Proper lifting technique helps too, which is often a by-product of a good training programme.

Improve self-esteem. Self esteem can be a big issue for new parents especially with the prevalence of post-natal depression or “baby blues”.  Even if you’re not prone to depression, I’ve never heard anyone say that more self-esteem is a bad thing!

So there you have it, a few reasons to get some exercise into your week.  I know it gets busy, stressful and tiring being a parent, especially a new one who is learning on top of all of this!  Start with 10-20 minutes, a few times a week, and you’ll see some great benefits in your life.

David Hutchings is the owner of 360 Degree Fitness Limited  — a mobile personal and small group training business based in Wellington, New Zealand. He trains a variety of clients from regular folks trying to get a little fitter to athletes looking to increase their speed and strength. He likes to fish, hang out with his wife and son, and also enjoys classic rock and a good barbecue.

Do you know about these surprising benefits of exercise? By Amanda Miarecki

3 Surprising Reasons You Should Be Working Out Regularly

It’s common knowledge that working out can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of disease. Physical activity also increases strength and energy levels. It can help alleviate depression, boredom, and stress.

The benefits of exercise extend to everything from your mood to your digestive health but I bet you didn’t know about these 3 surprising reasons you should be working out regularly.

Controlled Blood Sugar

Exercise is a great tool in controlling blood sugar levels, which can be exceptionally helpful for people struggling with diabetes, hypoglycemia, and other blood sugar related illnesses.

Exercise makes your heart beat faster which causes muscles to use more glucose, the sugar in your blood stream. Over time, this lowers overall blood sugar levels.  Cardio, like brisk walking, jogging, or stairs, incorporated into a weekly fitness routine keeps blood sugar levels in a healthy range.

Lose Weight Without Losing Bone Density

A study done at Washington University found that dieters who didn’t work out lost bone density, while exercisers did not. A regular fitness routine can help you lose weight without sacrificing done density.

Weight-bearing exercise forces bones to adapt to the pull and weight of muscles by building more bone cells. This increase in bone cells results in improved strength and bone density, which in turn decreases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Weight-bearing exercises, such as weight lifting, jogging, and dancing, are excellent for maintaining and increasing bone density.

Enhance Your Immune System

When you workout, your temperature rises. This higher body temperature makes it challenging for certain infectious organisms to survive. Working out will also speed up the rate that antibodies flow through your blood stream. This increase results in higher immunity against common illnesses.

A 30-minute walk once a day is enough to speed up the flow of antibodies in your system and help you ward off illnesses, like the common cold.

Amanda is a Boulder-based Health Coach, fitness enthusiast, avid trail-runner, and aspiring physician with a passion for integrative health. Her goal is to motivate women to live inspiring and healthy lives and create a revolution in how people think about their health. Her passion is encouraging others to take care of their bodies with exercise, healthy behaviors, and nutritious foods. Get inspired to live fit and connect with Amanda on her blog, via Facebook and Twitter.