Avoid taking on habits that don’t suit you.

What works for someone else won’t necessarily work for you. No matter how much you try!

This is where working with someone who is able to put together a personal plan can really help as it’s crucial that whatever activity you choose will suit you. What will work best for you is a programme that you enjoy, usually with a person you get along with and who will support you.

Enjoying what you’re doing usually brings the best results when taking on new regimes. We are all encouraged to exercise and we know that exercise can make you happier – especially after you have done it – but the thought of having to do it at all can put some off before they start! If it doesn’t feel like exercise but more like fun and you’re socialising with friends, there’s a better chance that you will sustain it for longer and therefore see the results of all the effort you’re putting in.

There is a growing understanding that exercising for health rather than solely for weight loss takes the pressure off an individual to constantly get on the scales. Feeling healthier and happier usually leads to weight changes anyway!

Engagement in activities that are fun and not intimidating, and working out in a welcoming environment, has increasingly taken hold over the last few years. This is great news as it brings more people together, enjoying each other’s company and improving their overall well-being.

The latest articles in the BMJ have shown the benefits of exercising in your seventies. One study suggests, ‘Taking up exercise for just 20 minutes per day in your seventies can halve the risk of potentially fatal heart issues’. This can be walking, cycling, gardening, bowls, fishing or swimming.

  • Find an activity you enjoy
  • Move more and sit less
  • Work out with a friend
  • Get some good quality advice
  • Work with a trained professional

Do what feels good and feel good about doing it!

Last month I started taking AG1 (Athletic Greens) daily nutrition to see if it made a difference to how I have been feeling. It is supposed to be taken before food in the morning, which didn’t always work for me, so I’ve been taking it before my evening meal or just before I go to bed. I can report that I do feel a little more energised and my skin seems smoother. I cannot say what is going on at a cellular level in my body but it was good to know I was benefiting from a lot of nutrients on top of my already healthy diet. Now that my experiment has finished I will continue to take it in future although not on a daily basis.

For the month of March I would like to challenge you to try one new food each week. It can be an individual item or a complete meal. Go mad – experiment a little! – variety is good for you. I will let you know how I have done next month!

Rich

Richard Marfell Wellness Coach:
07800 636004
web@richardmarfell.uk