a reason to not stop

Hi! It's Laura

My spin instructor is a sadist and her slogan for the month is "keep up". Usually she allows people to do kind of do their own thing, but for December, she asked all her classes to keep up with the lead rider for the entire class. Normally, I can. This week? Not so muchL.

Being down with a cold for ten days already dropped my cardio fitness so keeping up today was not really an option although I did try.

Have you wondered how long it takes before you lose muscle strength or cardio conditioning? The answer: NOT THAT LONG.  We all have lives and wind up having to take time off from exercise once in while whether it be for sickness, travel, injuries or the holidays. But try to not stop completely.

Did you know that just 30 minutes a day of cardio training boosts the immune system, can lower cholesterol & blood pressure, decreases your heart rate and your anxiety and enhances you over feeling of wellbeing?

Here is another secret. You don't have to do it all at once. You can break your cardio training into 10 minutes intervals throughout the day. Experts say that if you are inactive you are doing as much harm to yourself as if you were smoking. Think about that.

I know you have all taken time off. We all do. But it's time to go back.  If you have been out of the gym for three months or more, you will not be happy when you return and you certainly won't be able to pick up where you left off. 

Cardio loss is quick and can happen in just two weeks’ time. Muscle atrophy is a little slower but you will have delayed muscle soreness once you do return. Do yourself a favor and don't stop even if you work out just once a week when you go back full time it won't be as hard.

Time and again though I see it happen. You take time off, when you go back, its hurts and its hard so you take an extra day off to recover. You come back again and it’s still hard and it still hurts. You continue on this cycle and next thing you know the months have flown by. Now I am sure there is a boss, spouse or child that enables the pattern to continue.  BREAK THE CYCLE.

There are too many benefits to not exercise. Find the right exercises for you, whether it is a race or a sport. If you enjoy it you will do it

Play hard & stay consistent!
Laura