THE SIX COMMANDMENTS
OF A FITNESS LIFESTYLE
©2001 ROGERPARAS, LTD.
If your objective is to maximize your quality of life, then your goal must be optimal health. Optimal health is defined in two words, arterial extensibility. When you achieve arterial extensibility, your heart muscle will be as strong as genetically possible. Your vascular system will be clear of any obstacles and your immune system will repel invaders.
Optimal health (living younger longer) is achieved by following the Six Commandments of a Fitness Lifestyle.
- 1. AIR IS THE ESSENCE OF LIFE.
- Proper oxygen to the brain is needed for alertness and acuity. Breathing sufficiently during exercise is needed for fat metabolism. Note: During aerobics, the stomach should be relaxed during inhalation.
- 2. WATER IS THE INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT.
- Water flushes and lubricates the body. Sufficient hydration will assist in increasing energy and, combined with oxygen, will ensure fat burning during aerobic exercise. Note: During an interview with a personal training client, I asked how much water was consumed each day. The client said she was lucky to get eight cups a week. A green light went on in my head because I realized all she needed to do was increase her water consumption daily and, that minor change by itself, would increase her feeling of well-being. Tip: Start each meal and every snack with an eight-ounce glass of pure, plain water.
- 3. FOOD IS THE BUILDING BLOCK OF HEALTH.
- Your body must receive sufficient and proper nourishment (adequate without superfluity). Eat to nourish, not to feed the fat cells. The closer to nature and the less chemicals, the more nutrient-dense the food. Note: The toughest challenge I face with my clients is getting them to eat enough.
- 4. EXERCISE IS THE DESTROYER OF WEAKNESS.
- The less general activity we get, the more planned exercise we need. Exercise should not be a sometimes thing. IF I have the time, IF it is convenient, IF I feel like it. Exercise must be, should be and has to be a regular part of our life. We don't plan exercise around our day. We plan for exercise in our day. Take care of your body today or someone will take care of it tomorrow (freedom of choice). Note: The exercise guidelines I found to work the best are six days per week of planned regular aerobic exercise consisting of three days at sixty-plus minutes, and three days at thirty-plus minutes, including two days per week of strength training. Caution: These guidelines are recommended as a goal only after the initial three-month commitment to a fitness lifestyle. Start at your own level.
- 5. REST IS THE BUILDER OF HEALTH.
- A fitness lifestyle is an active lifestyle. Proper rest is imperative. Daily gains are dependent on giving your body freedom from toil and strain. Relax! Note: During an aerobics class, concentrate on relaxing your neck and your whole body should follow.
- 6. STRESS CONTROL IS MANDATORY FOR HEALTH.
- Distress (mental or physical anguish) will destroy your health and age your body quicker than anything known to science. Don't let stress control you. You must control it!
We can improve our quality of life merely by living a fitness lifestyle. The six commandments are synergistic. They complement each other. You will only be as healthy as the least followed of the six. Strive for excellence in each commandment and you will find out what living really is! Predict your health by producing it!
HEALTH and HAPPINESS!
Roger