Evidence has recently shown that the average adult in the UK spends more time on the toilet every week than exercising, so get off the toilet in honour of National Fitness Day 2019.

While you may not think that you fall into this category, research has found that many adults spend more than 7 hours a day sitting down at work, on transport or in their leisure time.

Those over 65 spend 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down, making them the most sedentary age group.

WHY ARE PEOPLE SO SEDENTARY?

Nowadays, people are less active than previous generations. Work and household tasks are less effortful due to advances in technology – we are able to wash our clothes and dishes in a machine, we can shop online, we watch more TV and play more computer games. Although great for our convenience, we move around less and burn off less energy than people used to. We are more sedentary.

The Department of Health has called this sedentary lifestyle a silent killer.

What better time to adopt healthy habits and benefit from better health than on National Fitness Day 2019.

Scientific evidence has shown that the physical benefits of regular exercise include:

• up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke

• up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes

• up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer

• up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer

• a 30% lower risk of early death

• up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis

• up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture

• a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)

• up to a 30% lower risk of depression

• up to a 30% lower risk of dementia

• can make you fitter

• can help you lose weight and prevent obesity

• helps you build strength and muscle

• keeps your joints supple

DOES EXERCISE HELP MENTAL HEALTH

YES, YES, YES!    Your mind and body are not 2 separate entities.  They are both part of you and one affects the other. What you do with your body has a powerful effect on how you feel. 

Physical activity stimulates the release of your feel good, mood elevating hormones – endorphins and serotonin.  Regular exercise means regular release of these hormones. This reduces symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety and boosts self esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy.

See what the NHS has to say about exercise and mental health. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-benefits-of-exercise/

LOOKS LIKE THE MIRACLE CURE WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR, DOESN’T IT? SO WHAT DOSE DO WE TAKE?

The NHS Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults (19-64 years) https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/ give various options for cardiovascular intensity, but they are consistently clear that strengthening exercises should be done on 2 or more days per week. The NHS cites Pilates and body weight exercises (which we do in pilates) as effective strengthening exercises.

WHY PILATES, AND WHY PILATES PHYSIO PLANET?

Firstly, I love Pilates and love knowing that I am having a positive effect on those who access classes via my website, as well as through my local classes.

There are so many benefits to Pilates. As well as all the benefits of exercise listed above, evidence has shown Pilates can:

• Reduce back, neck, knee and shoulder pain

• Control symptoms of fibromyalgia

• Control symptoms of chronic pain

• Reverse osteoporosis

• Increase function

• Improve balance

• Reduction in prescription medication and their side effects

• Improve sleep

• Feel generally better and more relaxed

Click here to read if Pilates is for YOU

What are you waiting for – get off the toilet, improve your health, sign up to Pilates today. To celebrate National Fitness Day 2019 enter the code Fitness to get £5 off your monthly subscription.

 

Well not to me specifically, but to PilatesPhysioPlanet – and I’ll happily use any excuse for a celebration.  I had a quick nose about on Google to see what else happened on this day.  In 1965, The Beatles went to number one with 8 days a week,  Apollo 9 returned to earth in 1969, in 1982 Torvill and Dean won a championship in Copenhagen, and in 2008, Gold prices hit $1000 per ounce for the first time in New York.  I think google might now need to update their list – March 13 2018, PilatesPhysioPlanet started.

So, to me, it seems like March 13th is a lucky day, and I certainly do feel lucky to be able to do something I love so much.  I never call teaching Pilates work or a job, because in all the years I’ve been teaching, it has never felt like work to me, it’s just my passion.

They say that time flies when you’re having fun, and each class certainly does fly in, as has this past year.  Don’t get me wrong, there have been times I’ve wondered what on earth I thought I was playing at by starting my own classes.  I previously taught  for a number of years for another company, where venues and class members were all taken care of by someone else.  I had other instructors to share ideas with, and got to go to a fancy awards dinner ceremony.  But…. (and you shouldn’t start a sentence with a but – I like live life on the edge so I’m doing it ) I wouldn’t change it even if those Gold prices skyrocketed!

I found my first venue almost by accident.  I’d been thinking about doing my own thing for a long  time, and an advert to hire a local studio came up on Facebook.  I went to see it, liked it – and voila, my own classes began.  Then the worry came – what if no one comes???  For the first few weeks, it was just me and one client.   I didn’t know whether to keep going, or just stop.

Thankfully I kept going, really because I believe in Pilates and I know how much it can help people.  I’m glad I did because this has now turned out to be my busiest class.  It’s funny how I used to worry about class numbers in the beginning because now I don’t really care about that.  I love teaching because I know how much people get out of the classes, and I like to see the improvements in posture and techniques.  Knowing the positive effect of the classes on people’s lives is what keeps me motivated.  This cancels out all the testing times of moving venues due to issues getting into the hall (first venue), noise (second venue), disgruntled drama groups (third venue), trying to set up an online booking system and navigating mail-chimp (this one still fills me with dread).

Now, as my first year of flying solo comes to an end, I’ve designed a logo and posters, created my own network of instructors to brainstorm ideas, eased into social media and digital marketing and launched a website (thanks to Liam McEleney) .  My big new exciting project is online PhysioPilates classes for all those who have gotten in touch and would love to come to class, but just can’t make it along – as always, I aim to please.

First though, I’m off to Nashville and New York for a wee break……then back to working 8 days a week!