Re: exercise and diet (was some more Masson c/o Deanna)

[Guest guest]

José ,

>We were talking about exercise as I left. Shall we resume?

>

>

Sure.

>My exercise routine is probably disappointing to you. Although I am a

>rather active person (walk a lot, do all the shopping and carry the

>packages, play with the children, help with house chores - sweeping

>the floor, cleaning the bathroom, etc), I don`t do much exercise - I

>mean exercising just for exercising. Maybe some 15 min calisthenics

>in the afternoon, and I am done. I am not lifting weights any longer

>because of the children. They tend to try to imitate you and they can

>get hurt, you know.

>

>

Walking is superb for fitness. I run mainly because I am a spaz, and

running takes much less time to cover the same distance. I do walk as

well. Sunday we will go to the nature park and hike for 6-10 miles,

have a picnic lunch and swim in the river. I am very much a fan of

outdoor activities.

I do all the housework and most gardening. My sons help out quite a bit

too. Today we are cleaning the house and will have to water some plants

outside as well.

I definitely agree that weight lifting is bad news for children, unless

they are under supervision of a trainer or therapist for specific

reasons. For instance, since we are archers, I have my younger son use

a resistance band to work the other side of his body to balance out the

drawing of a 30# compound bow with one arm. But in general, children

are best served by playing, sports, activities like yoga where they lift

their own body weight only. Multijoint compound movements are the

natural movements for kids and adults for that matter. I have seen boys

as young as 10 in weight rooms doing isolation exercises like 20,000

bicep curls and little else. This is sad indeed. Often unbalanced

musculature results and since bones are still growing, it is very

dangerous to allow these types of workouts in kids under 15 give or take

a year.

>Usually I don`t feel pains in the body, which is maybe a blessing in

>my age (53). I know I should perhaps try to exercise more, but I

>can`t make it happen right now. Gyms are not the place for me - I

>don`t like the loud music, all those mirrors, and the show-off. OK,

>not all gyms are like that, but most of them are anyway. And they are

>usually crowded in the afternoon. I think someday I will build a

>private gym in my yard!

>

>

Yes, I do workouts at home or outdoors as well. I am done with the gym

scene. And you may be fine with your level of exercise. I feel better

with what I am doing and how I am eating.

>I don`t believe in a good diet if there is sedentarism, but I can

>believe that good exercise can to a certain extent compensate for a

>not so good diet.

>

>Regards,

>

>

>

I believe in a holistic approach to health. Good diet will not give

increased circulation, arterial dilation and more efficient heart

functioning. Only through movement can certain aspects of health be

met. Good company, laughter, relaxation and the like are also vital to

living well. I suppose no one of us can do everything perfectly for

health, but focusing on the big picture helps.

Peace,

Deanna