 Summer is here (although someone needs to remind the weather!) and many of us are planning a holiday in the coming weeks. This often means our usual exercise routines are put on hold and it can be tempting to just let it all go and overindulge. If you do decide to ditch the healthy habits for a couple of weeks that is absolutely fine, it might be daunting picking it all up again but with a little determination and effort you’ll soon be back on track. A break is as good as a rest and if you need a break from exercise then you should definitely take one. Taking a holiday from exercise allows your body to fully recover, you can concentrate on getting some much needed sleep and avoid injuries caused by over-exercising.
On the other hand, if you’re an active person and love exercising then suddenly stopping exercise can have a negative effect, leaving your body feeling stiff and your mind racing. Thankfully, just because you can't attend your usual exercise class or gym doesn’t mean there aren't plenty of ways you can keep fit and active while still enjoying your holiday. Here are a few options to help keep you in tip top condition:
However, if you decide to spend your time when you’re on holiday this summer, be sure to relax and savour the break. The past year has taken its toll on all of us and we all deserve some quality self-care- What are you are planning to do with the rest of your summer? Maybe just taking it easy and enjoying a rest? Let us know and post a pic on our Facebook page.
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 Never one to pass up a challenge, Smart Fitt’s Amanda Abbott is currently training for a fundraising walk in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support! Exercise challenges are not new to Amanda who completed a cycling challenge in 2018 and a swimathon last year. The 13 mile hike will take place in the Wye valley on the 21st September, 2021. The team are aiming to raise £500 and any amount you can spare will make a huge difference! You can sponsor them here: Macmillan Cancer Support provides essential emotional, physical and financial support for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer. Their work is vital in helping people cope with a cancer diagnosis.
Walking for Fitness and Wellbeing Walking is a fantastic way to keep fit and healthy. Getting outdoors, especially in these difficult times, can instantly help lift your mood and while the gyms remain shut now could be the perfect time to introduce walking into your daily routine. Some of the key benefits from walking:
One of the brilliant things about walking is it’s so easy to incorporate into your life. Even with the current restrictions you can still add a regular walk to your day. Meet up with a friend for a sociable walk in your local area and help dispel any negative feelings you might be having while also getting a good workout in. If you are new to walking you should start off at a nice comfortable pace, take in the scenery and enjoy your surroundings! Never push yourself beyond what feels comfortable. You can build up the pace and distance over a number of weeks. If you want to keep updated with Amanda’s challenge you can follow Smart Fitt on Facebook and help Smart Fitt raise their target amount by sharing the fundraising page. The Seniors Holiday Club is hosted by Deeping St James Methodist Church specifically for their senior members of the congregation. Every summer the Holiday Club runs for two consecutive weeks and offers a full range of activities and events every day, including lunch. For the duration of the Holiday Club, the members are looked after and can spend time among friends while enjoying the many activities and entertainments available. This gives their carers and family members the opportunity to take some time off knowing their loved ones are safe and cared for. Amanda at Smart Fitt was invited to provide a demo class for a 45 minute slot in the Holiday Club timetable. She chose to use routines that she had successfully used with her current Move it or Lose it classes along with music she felt would be known to the majority of the class. Amanda said: The first song ‘Catch A Falling Star’ used moves that mimicked the words allowing the routine to be easily learnt and also encouraging the members to sing along while they exercised- this helps with breathing. Amanda then moved on to Tuxedo Junction by Glen Miller and incorporated a version of a hand jive. Next up was “Seven Little Girls” which resulted in lots of laughter! During a short break Amanda gave everyone a ‘hedgehog ball’ (soft ball with round ended knobbly bits on them), these balls stimulate the nerves in the hand and assist the grip. The class restarted the class using the balls to encourage manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination while listening to music by Tom Jones, Neil Sedaka and the Everly Brothers. Amanda ended the class with a short meditation to help relax the mind and body along with some gentle stretching. As the class finished Amanda was given a big round of applause and the members stopped to chat together. When we get older it is a good idea to ensure you keep active and continue with gentle exercise. A group exercise class such as Move It Or Lose It is a great way of helping to stay mobile as well as keeping the mind active. There are many benefits of keeping active in older age. These include a decreased risk of dementia, depression, hip fractures, some cancers and type 2 diabetes. |
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