Julie, Barbara and Ellen keep it real with fitness facts and Philly tips. | Disclaimer
ELLEN, journalist and anti-athlete: Every year, we have two celebrations at our house on Valentine’s Day. My husband, an unrepentant romantic, decorates the house and usually bakes a cake for Feb. 14. If I don’t get him a sappy card, he is hurt. So, this is a big holiday for us - even after 18 years of marriage.
We often celebrate my second daughter’s birthday at the same time. Maura will be 15 Feb. 13.
Reading Heather and Barbara’s entries this week reminded me that we have major league heart disease on both sides of our families. So, the woman I’d like to do something special for this Valentine’s Day is our Maura.
We have not done a great job of encouraging our two daughters to build exercise into their lives. We are doing a lot better this year with Heather and her colleagues’ help. The only exercise my daughters seem to enjoy is weight training. So, we are making sure they get a chance to do this twice a week.
I’m wondering, after reading this week’s entries, if there are people out there with good ideas on how to help the little women around the Valentine table. Perhaps if we start with them earlier in life, we can avoid heart disease as they grow older.
Our question this week comes from someone quite a bit older than Maura. I think she would agree that whether you are 15 or 29, starting a fitness program is difficult. But it also is helpful. You are never too old to start.
With rates of obesity exponentially increasing with young people, I’m going to devote some energy there.
To get inspiration for ideas on how to start a heart healthy lifestyle, go to www.prevention.com for its Valentine’s Day newsletter. The thyroid channel at about.com also has some interesting news on heart care for those with hypothyroidism.
Click on Add Your Own below and give the Girlfriends your best idea for young people’s heart-healthy fitness. We’ll give the person with the best idea one of our spa gift certificates worth $25 at many area spas.
Posted February 12, 2003 01:18 AM
Hello! My name is Christine Piselli. I have been in the fitness industry for over a decade. I'm a certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. I have dealt with children right on up to senior citizens. I've taught aqua aerobics, strength conditioning, kickboxing, step aerobics, resita ball classes and more! But I have learned one thing: The body will not change until the mind does. People jump right into cardio, weights and a strict diet, and fail time and time again.
I was certified in the Pilates Matworkout 2 years ago and have created my own Pilates Matworkout Routine. It is based on the teachings of J.H. Pilates. It has helped hundreds of people in the Delaware Valley, get fit, stay fit and become more fit! It is a low-pressure, addicting, fun, gentle, yet challenging mind body workout. My therory is this: 1. Take my Pilates Classes 2. Partake in a Cardio exercise 4 times a week 3. Strength train 4. change your diet. DO IT IN PHASES NOT ALL IN THE SAME WEEK! I would love the challenge of meeting and training anyone that would like to try my unique and affordable form of the Pilates Mat Workout. Watch your mind and body change right before your eyes.
Form more information call Christine 610.364.0631
Classes are available Mornings and evenings.
To someone who "doesn't enjoy exercise," the idea of starting a fitness routine can seem daunting. Not everyone is cut out to be a marathon runner or go to the gym every day. Remind young people that exercise can take many forms, from walking to the store instead of being driven to taking bike rides with friends to dancing to a favorite song. There's also Rollerblading, ice-skating, bowling, touch football---even shopping, if it entails lots of walking from store to store rather than sitting at the mall food court. An exercise routine doesn't have to be boring, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money and it doesn't have to involve dumbells or a gym membership. The key is to find things that are enjoyable to do, so that fitness becomes a fun and meaningful part of life rather than a burden. Kids---and adults---will learn that the benefits of getting regular exercise (improved mood, increased energy, weight loss, improved tone) quickly begin to add up if fun activities become a part of the regular routine.
Posted by: Blair Davis on February 12, 2003 06:09 PMWhile the answer depends on what age you are talking about, the best bet is to "get them while they're young" since little kids love to run around outdoors and play games. When you take family vacations, go hiking or "urban hiking" rather than driving for hours and stopping for fast food. Limit their vegetative time in front of the tube or computer. For kids and teens, don't push "exercise"- they will tune out and especially teens will think they don't need it. Instead encourage active pursuits and sports. Especially for teenage girls, point to the beautiful physiques of athletes like the Williams sisters, rather than magazine models with stick legs, as positive images. Most of all, set an example. Exercise and be and look fit yourself, and the benefits of an active healthy lifestyle will be apparent to the kids.
Posted by: Gail Dalickas on February 20, 2003 11:32 AM