HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGES AND HOW TO FIX THEM
Life is tough enough without the constant worry that we are neglecting our bodies and our mental health. With pressure being on us to be happy and positive all the time, despite the very real challenges that face most of us on a daily basis, we must go easy on ourselves without compromising our health and fitness goals.
In this blog, we look at a few of the most common challenges we face and what we can do to overcome them.
CHALLENGE: Old injuries or physical ailments prevent you from working out.
SOLUTION: Consider alternative forms of movement. As long as you are doing some kind of movement everyday, it is better than sitting still and doing nothing. Water aerobics or swimming are low impact, but effective cardio workouts. Yoga is low impact, incorporates lots of stretches and builds your strength. Body20’s EMS technology is low impact and the Coaches build a fitness programme around your physical capabilities, assisting you with slowly building up your strength. EMS is also proven to assist with the rehab of injuries and illnesses so you can get fitter, whilst getting better.
CHALLENGE: Stress & depression cause major demotivation.
SOLUTION: Firstly, it is important to be kind to yourself. Avoid setting unrealistic expectations. Explore alternative methods of stress management, such as meditation which will assist you to develop healthy coping habits and alleviate your stress. Remember, stress can cause physical problems so addressing stress management as a priority is important. Make sure you put ‘YOU’ time into your schedule. Use this time to do something that allows you to clear your mind and move your body. Take a walk in the garden, whilst listening to your favourite audiobook, dance to your favourite music or book a Relax20 session with Body20. Exercise has been proven to assist with depression on both a physiological and a psychological level. So, whilst it might be hard to be motivated, make yourself accountable by having the right people around you and make sure you put mental health at the top of your priority list.
Body20 Members also automatically get signed up to our FiTrac Program which provides access to a team of qualified Wellness Coaches who are available to assist you with mental health challenges you might be facing. Having a professional in your corner can make all the difference!
CHALLENGE: It is impossible to stick to any diet and you battle to stabilise your weight.
SOLUTION: Speak to a professional and set realistic, sustainable goals. Maintaining your ideal weight is a lifestyle, not a quick fix. The reason fad diets are not effective is that they might help you quickly, but they are difficult to sustain. Your weight is affected by many factors and not just what you eat, so having in-depth knowledge of how your body is made up and what it needs is important to achieve the correct and sustainable nutrition plan for you. Body20’s unique offering begins with an InBody Assessment which ensures all factors of your physiology are considered when the Nutrition Dr’s develop your eating plan. Knowledge is power and with this knowledge, Body20 can ensure that the eating plan and nutrition advice you receive is right for YOU.
CHALLENGE: You simply don’t have time to worry about what you’re eating, or to attend workouts.
SOLUTION: Change the narrative and reassess your priorities. Most of the time, work is what prevents us from ‘having time’, but consider the alternative. If you break down (mentally or physically) work will have to wait anyway, won’t it? Sure it will, so looking after YOU first needs to be a priority on your to-do list. Even 10 minutes of movement every day is better than nothing. Stretches can be done in the shower or bed. Make small changes like taking the stairs every day instead of the lift. Instead of watching two hours of series at night, try a meditation session so you get a good, solid night’s sleep. Body20’s sessions are only 20 minutes, which can easily be a great way to start or end your working day.
Start your nutrition changes with something small, like cutting down on your coffee intake, or drinking sparkling water with lemon instead of an energy drink. Swap the salty mid-morning snack out for something healthy and valuable for your body. Ditch the chips and eat some almonds. It’s the little things that make the big difference.
Most importantly, you must remember that making changes to your health and fitness lifestyle is a marathon, not a sprint and sometimes the challenges are more than we can handle. It’s ok to slip up now and then as long as we get back up and try again.
Body20 Members get the full holistic experience with a group of professionals who care about looking after you. Book a free demo at your nearest studio and give it a try, you won’t regret it.
