by David Garred,
Club Manager Dusit Resort Sports Club.
Sawadee Pee Mai readers, all the best for this Thai new year.
Here we are again taking another look at why it is that we need to bother to
keep ourselves Fit & Healthy.
Last week we started looking into the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on
Physical Activity & Health.
The gist of last week’s article was to put it quite simply, Physical
inactivity is detrimental to our health. Whereas regular physical activity
that is undertaken on at least four days of each week reduces the risk of
DYING from or developing some of the leading causes of death or debilitating
disease in the western world.
Enough of the revision, now for something new.
A Major Public Health Concern
Given the numerous benefits of physical activity, the hazards of being
inactive are now a little more clear. Physical inactivity is a serious,
world-wide problem, creating a burden of unnecessary illness and death.
What is a Moderate Amount of Physical Activity? The Surgeon General’s
Definition:
A moderate amount of physical activity can be achieved in a variety of ways
— such as by washing and waxing a car for 45 - 60 minutes, gardening for 30
- 45 minutes, bicycling 5 miles in 30 minutes, raking leaves for 30 minutes
or stair-walking for 15 minutes (a moderate amount of physical activity is
one that uses 150 calories per day, or about 1000 calories per week).
You, obviously, should select activities that you enjoy and fit into you
daily life. The reason being the amount of activity is a function of
Frequency, Intensity, Time & Type. The same amount of activity can be
obtained in longer sessions of moderately intense activities (such as brisk
walking) as in shorter sessions of more strenuous activities (such as
running).
Precautions for a Healthy Start
To avoid soreness and injury, individuals contem-plating an increase in
physical activity should start out slowly and gradually build up to the
desired amount to give the body time to adjust. People with chronic health
problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or obesity, or who are at high
risk for these problems, should first consult a physician before beginning
physical activity. Also, men over age 40 and women over age 50 planning to
begin a new vigorous physical activity programme should consult a physician
first to be sure they do not have heart disease or other health problems.
That’s it for this week on the new information front.
However, considering that it is the first week of the (Thai) New Year, why
don’t we, as a group, renew our calendar year resolutions. You remember
them, they were the commitments that we made to ourselves so we could have a
better life this calendar year.
Why wait for December 31 before recommitting? Why not use the Thai New Year
to re - energise those resolutions to improve yourself?
Ask yourself, “How much do I want it?” - whatever your goal may be. That is
what New Year’s Resolutions really are, goals.
So if your goal is to be Fitter or Healthier then don’t wait for next
December, use the Thai New Year as an excuse to re - start today, you will
feel better for it.
Carpe’ diem (Seize the day)
