If you have mainly been sedentary for most of your life or have not engaged in physical activity of any kind for quite some time, your first stop is your  health care professional.  Take the time to make an appointment with your MD to discuss your fitness goals with them thoroughly and mindfully. Failing to do so may place you at significant risk for a health emergency.

Metabolic syndrome is primarily caused by lifestyle, more specifically, a lifestyle that does not include regular activity and healthy eating. Further, our risk of developing metabolic syndrome increases as we age, or if our family history includes members that have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In addition, if you have already been diagnosed with liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnea, or if you are of Hispanic descent, your risk of developing metabolic disease is also increased.

Food is fuel, and our active bodies need the best possible fuel sources to perform optimally. Much of what we eat is essential for life, including water, carbohydrates, proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals. Grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins should be included in your daily diet.

Many confuse osteopenia and osteoporosis, and while both are bone diseases and linked, they have some differences. Think of osteopenia as on the continuum between having strong, healthy bones and having weakened and easily fractured osteoporotic bones. A bone density test will show whether your bones are solid and robust, or are now weakened by osteopenia, or if your bone loss is so advanced, you now have osteoporosis. Bone density testing is painless and much like an x-ray. This test measures the calcium and other minerals in bones; the examination will reveal if you have osteopenia.

To master the technique of race walking, you will need to practice. Race walking is not simply walking fast or running slow. If you want to mimic the pros, the two basic rules are always to keep one foot touching the ground at all times, and the other is to keep the swing leg straight. The straight leg must stay straight as it touching the ground and as your hips move over the top of this leg and foot.

Being active with little ones can be beneficial for them too; children also need regular, daily physical activity. Also, by getting your toddlers active, you have the opportunity to develop their gross motor skills, a critical developmental focal point. This is a great age to introduce them to fundamental sport skills, such as catching and throwing a ball, sidestepping, jumping, and kicking. Other skills developed by active gameplay are sportsmanship, taking turns, and fair play.

ONGOING PROMOTION

While there is a volunteer role for everyone, including those with limited physical abilities, roles that require more physicality offer greater physical benefits. These benefits include a decrease in back pain, obesity, and high blood pressure! So, if you are looking for a new challenge and want to feel a part of something larger than yourself, get out of the hose and get busy!

While it can be challenging to prevent a stitch, there are many helpful tips and tricks available. You may need to experiment with these different methods to determine what will work best for you; to start with, try the many preventative strategies!

Many of us have experienced group or team sport at one point in our lives, either at an informal ‘just for fun’ level or at an ultra-competitive elite level. Perhaps you have never had the opportunity or interest to join a team. Whatever the case, the benefits of being involved in team sport are numerous.

Paddleboarding is a great sport that can be done on almost any open water, and the very brave are even venturing out onto rivers with their paddleboards! River paddleboarding requires an expert guide and extensive personal skills, but most lake and oceanfront paddleboarding is accessible. Be sure to learn how to swim first, and always wear a life jacket!

Goal setting is highly personal, and unless you want to, there is no need to share them with others. However, if you have a supportive network of family and friends, sharing your fitness goals with them may encourage them to cut you some slack as your schedule changes. Or, even better, they may want to join you in your quest for better health!