staying fit helps you and your clients!
Fitness helps us help them - and look the part
Since our work is physical, better fitness really helps our performance AND how we feel at the end of the day. When you are physically fit you have the appearance of a healthy person. And, since our clients know we doing "manual therapy" to help them, it's better if we appear fit enough to do the job.
Disclaimer: Please consult a medical professional before starting an exercise program.
Fitness should a lifestyle and NOT an event
We work on a lot of athletic people in our city, and note that some people sign up to run a 5K or 10K, but they aren't "runners". Of course it can be fun trying new things, but we've learned you probably won't continue an exercise program if you don't really like the exercise. I tell people that the biggest key in many areas of life (including exercise) is "compliance".
How does that relate to us as massage therapists?
Fitness is NOT an event! (It's a lifestyle) Hopefully you'll be fit enough to have a long career. Everything will be better if you achieve and maintain a good level of fitness, strength and flexibility. If you are committed to making physical fitness part of your career, find some exercises you enjoy coming back to several times weekly.
Strength training OR Cardio? (Why not both!)
Hopefully you'll see the value of doing both strength workouts and cardio. Remember, there are lots of different choices. Find the one(s) you like.
Solo workouts, or classes - maybe a trainer?
A little self reflection will help you decide "how" you want to workout. Some people can do everything on their own. Others need to be in a group setting, or have a workout buddy to get them going. Some people won't work out unless it's like an appointment. Those folks need a personal trainer.
(Full disclosure: I once used a personal trainer once weekly. That appointment really helped me do the other weekly workouts. AND, when I ran competitively I would not have done so well without my Coach, Ann Bond).
Again, the key is compliance, do just find an exercise routine you'll come back to - over, and over.
What about diet?
There's an old workout saying about managing your weight: "Diet and Cardio". Trainers will tell you that diet is more important. So what to eat?
There are many food choices and types of diets, so I like to say two words: "Moderation" and "Compliance".
Remember, if your meal plan isn't working, you can change it!
Where to get quality food?
The quality of our food is becoming increasingly problematic. Many of today's common diseases were not well known before 1900. What changed? One example was due to new technology. The use of seed oils only became common in the 1870s. Those oils were easier to produce and less expensive, but not as healthy. You can track a lot of health problems to the increased consumption of seed oils. There have been a lot of other changes in our food system. Corporate farming and confined animal ranching have changed the quality of our foods.
Additionally, we have all seen the increase in highly processed, high carb, low protein packaged - processed, and cellophane wrapped foods. Many of the packaged "foods" have high fructose corn sugar, GMO carbs, and not much protein (because protein is more expensive).
Other factors contributing to lower quality foods and liquids are taste and shelf life, which means sugar or aspartame (or both) and preservatives. Many liquids food products are pasteurized, which can compromise the nutrient value. Most holistic health professionals recommend making your own meals at home, with fresh ingredients.
A lot to take in, right? (Pun intended!)
It has become more difficult to find healthy food sources, but I believe we can make some simple buying choices to have a better, longer life. You'll want to do some research and learn to read the labels.
Take a look at the video documentaries about "Blue Zones" around the world.
I also like the work of Dr Mark Hyman , who wrote "Young Forever".
Look for Dave Asprey, who has done a LOT of research around the world as he searched for his own solutions.