News

Studies have proven that exercise helps lose weight, lowers blood pressure and decreases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. It also improves sleep patterns, reduces anxiety and depression, fights osteoporosis and releases endorphins that stimulate the body and mind. With all these wonderful, life-enhancing benefits, why doesn’t everyone take advantage of them with a little exercise?

Often, it’s merely a simple lack of motivation, and lots of excuses. Often it’s hard to find time to tie your shoes, much less take the time to improve your health with exercise. But don’t try telling Judy Myers, RN, Coordinator of Cardiac Rehab at St. Alexius, that you don’t have time to exercise.

“It takes a lot more time to deal with heart disease, diabetes and other medical problems than it does to take a walk or jog,” Myers says. “You have to make a conscious decision to work towards improving your health. From that point on, YOU have to be assertive and continue to make an effort to be healthy. Once you establish a routine, it will be as easy and natural as tying those shoes.”

If you have trouble motivating yourself, bring in a fitness partner! Troy Roth, MS, CSCS, ACSM, an exercise physiologist at St. Alexius Human Performance Center, says one of the best ways to motivate yourself is to find a friend or spouse to hold you accountable for exercising.

“That way, if one skips there is some guilt involved,” Roth says.

Other times, people are not motivated because they simply do not enjoy certain types of exercise. Do you hate cardio workouts? Then skip the kickboxing and try yoga. Do you strain your muscles riding bike? Then opt for power walking! There are hundreds of recreational sports and fitness levels to try: biking, hiking, Frisbee, golf, hunting, tennis, walking, jogging, rollerblading, volleyball, archery, basketball, swimming, soccer, softball, kayaking, canoeing, gardening and painting…just to name a few. The list is long, with lots to choose from.

“The key is to find a type of activity that you enjoy more than others,” Roth says. “And remember, it only takes eight to 10 minutes at a time, three or more times per day, to get started. You can gradually increase your time and intensity as you progress.”

Physical fitness can also be fun. Think of the great opportunities sport and recreation can mean for you and your family, friends, co-workers, organizations and groups, and communities. To make the most of the physical fitness and recreation sport opportunities, you need to get on board!

Another way to focus on your physical health is to join the gym where you can surround yourself with other people who have made that conscious decision to improve their health. Seeing peers working out and achieving goals has a great influence on other individuals to push themselves.

At the Human Performance Center, there are a variety of programs you can start on, as well as trainers who are available for individual instruction. From beginning physical fitness levels to high intense workout levels, HPC can accommodate you.

In fact, for sports enthusiast who want to gain the edge in competitive sport, The Frappier Acceleration Sports Program at the Human Performance Center actually focuses on individual, intense training for various sports be it hockey, basketball or golf. Wayde Schulz, Acceleration Coordinator, says the training is personalized and scientifically developed to maximize performance levels in athletes. Star athletes such as Travis Hafner, first baseman for the Cleveland Indians, Darin Erstad, first baseman for the Anaheim Angels, and Mike Peluso, right wing for the Philadelphia Flyers have trained at the St. Alexius Human Performance Center’s Frappier Acceleration Program.

There’s something for everyone! Jump on the bandwagon this May. It’s time you make that conscious decision to improve your health, and what better time to do it than National Physical Fitness and Sports Month?