Kim's Fitness and Nutrition

We have always heard a lot about the importance of cardio workouts, but very little information about its clear purpose. Sure, we have heard it improves our heart health, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The benefits are many, and those depend on the intensity, duration and frequency at which you participate in this type of training. The definition of cardiovascular training is any physical activity that causes your heart rate to increase into your training zone and maintains it within the ranges of your training zone, which causes an increase in your heart and lung health/efficiency over time. To determine your specific training zone, use the following formula: 220, minus age, minus your resting heart rate (X 55% and also X 85%), then re-add your resting heart rate to both numbers. You will then have a training range of 55%-85% of your zone. Now, within those perimeters there are several types of training systems that will give different benefits and different results.

Have you ever had the experience of "getting out of the wrong side of the bed?" Then you think, "Oh, this is going to be a really rough day." You take two steps and stub your toe on the bedpost or trip over the cat. Then you say, "I knew it ... this day is going to hell in a hand basket," just as you over-pour your first cup of coffee and make a big mess ... and on it goes. Most of us are unaware that this sequence of events is completely 100% in our control. Most of us believe that we are simply unlucky or uncoordinated or that what is happening is being done to us by some outside "bad" force. Nothing could be further from the truth. None of us are ever victims ... not ever ... no matter what it looks like ... victimism is impossible.

First and foremost, let's try and relax and not be quite so serious about this whole topic. Our society is being inundated with terrifying statistics regarding the continuing increase of obesity in our country and how it is now dramatically affecting our youth. Of course, I agree that this is an important topic and is worthy of our attention. The difference I want to impart is this ... I have come to believe that that which we push against and focus our attention on can only grow stronger and become more of an issue. What will really assist this issue to change in a positive way is a more relaxed and gentle approach. In other words, it is my belief that if we want to help with the issue of young people's obesity, we need to put our focus on modeling eating in a healthy way and exercising regularly. Words really don't teach ... preaching at our kids is not going to help them want to eat well and exercise. If we are joyous in the purchasing, preparing and eating of healthy foods, then our kids feel and observe that. They watch us successfully scheduling our fitness programs into our busy lives "with joy," then they see our excellent health as a norm and put two and two together. The fact that we never, ever have a need for a doctor, or that we are always well and energetic, we are then powerful models for them.