Remember sweating to the oldies with Richard Simmons like the clip above? Yeah, so do I and even back in the 1980s when the exercise craze hit thanks to people like him, the focus was more an aerobics and cardiovascular health than it is today. In a world of Botox, plastic surgery and implantation surgeries for Christmas gifts, the views of looking good and being healthy have become very mixed up in the past 2 1/2 decades.
In America, the issue of looking good is a daily battle we fight, even if you don't even realize it. Women, you put makeup on, right? There you go! Guys, you go to the gym to buff up and look better? Of course you do. And why? We've all been trained through out subconscious in this country to look the best, wear the finest & basically be the best that we can. Although trying to be someone who grabs at the brass ring on the carousel of life is fine, what cost, literally and figuratively, are we going to spend inways of time, money, pain and suffering to do this? It seems that every time you turn around there's a new beauty tip, workout craze or something to aid us in the never-ending battle to look good. I understand the need and want to be healthy, but let's get serious.
And as out there as some of these beauty treatment's are, people don't even think about the health risks involved with them. It's amazing to think how many people lost their lives each year due to botched surgeries and things of that nature. People need to understand and be educated that beauty, TRUE beauty, comes from within. What's on the exterior hangs around for a while but it too fades like a memory. But of course, no one wants to hear that though. They want the quick fix, the easy route to toned and muscular or thin with a banging body. In this not-so-perfect world that we live in, this has become somewhat of an epidemic and it's getting worse.
One guilty pleasure of mine is "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" on BravoTV. There is nothing like seeing some good old-fashioned cat fights and all out brawls in my television viewing to make me feel better about my simple life. But while watching the program, you can tell most of these women have had work done. Take one of the wives' on the show for example: Theresa. You can tell that she has had some constructive surgery done in her face. she has so much collagen injected in her lips, she looks like a fish! And it also looks like her cheeks have some collagen in them as well.
Here's the real deal about collagen and Botox. Yeah, these injections aid with the disappearance of wrinkles, crow's feet (the little lines on the outside of your eye), etc., but having to 'freeze your face' shouldn't have to be an option. Anymore, people will use and sometimes abuse these treatments for one little wrinkles or to puff up their lips or what have you, but if you were meant to have puffy lips, don't you think you'd be born with them? Botox works by making the muscles relax and somewhat paralyzed, while the collagen fills in the cracks and lines of your wrinkles. It sounds more like PennDOT paving over the cracks in a highway than fixing someone's facial features. The sad fact: millions of people have these procedures done every single day, creating a trillion-dollar a year business for plastic surgeons and doctors that deal with these issues. It's no question that your youth is for having fun, experiencing life, being social and, of course, looking great. As we age, collagen levels start to decline, wrinkles and lines start to appear and you begin to look, well, your age. If only there was another, easier way to aid us in our conquest to look better, other than surgeries and other procedures! Oh! Wait!
Yes people! I've done it! I've discovered a revolutionary method to look younger and feel great at the same time. The beauty part of this is, is that some of it won't cost you a penny. Do you want to know what it is? Can you handle this innovation that I'm about to tell you? Brace yourself because this. is. BIG. This new fangled idea I have is called EXERCISE. Remember? That funny work you learned in school, so many years ago! Exercise, for those of you that may have forgotten, is an activity that promotes good health for yourself. You body knows that work, probably like a friend who hasn't called or texted you in a VERY LONG time. You two need to get reacquainted, so call him up or shoot him a "What's up?" text. you won't regret it, your life and vitality depend on it. This is one of those phone calls that is literally life or death.You are an adult, it's not my duty to tell you the right way to live. What's right for me, is not right for you. but I can give you reasons why changing a negative lifestyle can give you positive effects and you will definitely reap the benefits. Here's my:
"REASONS TO LIFT HEAVY STUFF AROUND!"
1.) You're healthier, duh. Nobody wants to die prematurely and shouldn't have to either. If you exercise, odds are that your blood pressure is lower, are at very low risk for disease and don't get sick as often as others. Another great thing about regular exercise is that, if done right, it can actually reverse the progressions of some illnesses in your body. Yes! I said reverse!
2.) You look better. This is the most obvious one and a no-brainer. Looking better by exercise? Who would've thought?
3.) You tend to have more energy. And don't get as tired during the day due to increased blood flow to the brain and other extremities and also decreased Melatonin levels secreted by the body. Melatonin is a naturally-based hormone made in your body to aid you in falling asleep. Many people who suffer from Sleep Apnea take Melatonin supplements that you can buy over-the-counter. But aside from a good night's sleep, I fully advocate power naps. Best feeling in the world:)
4.) It stays harder longer. Speaking of an increased blood flow, for us guys that means....you guessed it, stronger and more frequent erections. Also, increased blood flow for older men shows a decrease in ED drugs such as Viagra & Cialis. Sexual dysfunction is one of the top medical issues in our country today, affecting about 50% of men ages 40-69 and 70% past the age of 70. Being that we peak around the ripe young age of 18, testosterone levels begin to decline around the age of 35 or 40 for most men. Exercising on a regular basis can help to counteract these effects.
5.) It keeps your mind in check. One thing I've heard my friends talk about in casual conversations in regards to again is that they never want to get Alzheimer's Disease, dementia or and mind-erasing disorder. Although we fully are not in control of how our brain ages, we can help it out. Exercising Lumosity are full of brain games and brain teasers to help keep your thought processes in line.
6.) Few joint & bone problems. Accidents happen. But hitting the weights regularly decreases the chances for major joint issues, the need for orthotics and fewer bone breaks. Exercising increases your osteoblasts, these are cells responsible for bone formation and strengthening. The force of your muscle pulling against the bone aids in the bone density process. But if you are in need of a Physical Therapist, I have some people I can refer you too!
7.) You're not mad, you're glad....more often! We all have stresses in life and most of them probably can be avoided, given an outlet that is healthy. Working out provides a detoxification from current stresses and a needed release of toxic emotions that you really don't need to concern yourself with. Life's too short to be angry all the time or worried about something that has surfaced in your life. It makes you more likable when your mood is upbeat!
8.) Networking. It's no secret that gym time is a social hour for many. You create connections, make new friends that share similar interests and even find your next boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse. If you surround yourself with like-minded, positive people, the more motivated you will be to make the trek to the gym. If you are in search of workout buddy, sites and apps such as Exercise Friends or the Fitness Buddy app for the iPhone, iPod or wireless device are great for finding a motivator and a new friend!
9.) You'll become well-rounded....in a good way:) Being healthy helps in all aspects of your life, it's not supposed to just make you look good. Fitness & healthy living can help you grow in so many areas of your life that aren't related to lifting heavy stuff around.
10.) Allows you to become the person you are meant to be. We all have an ideal image of what we would like to become. Some of us never reach that point for whatever reason but take that first baby step. It's okay if you fall, just stand right back up and keep on moving. Mistakes are perfectly okay. All mistakes are is proof that you are trying.
Well kids, there you have it! Like my friend and trainer Andy Rose used to say that the first step to fitness is showing up, once you're inside the gym and start working out, your brain and endorphins will take care of the rest. And it's totally okay if you don't conquer everything in one day! The key to exercising well is pacing yourself. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is building your body either. Once you have all the building blocks in place, you'll be able to make the steps necessary to turning your body into the machine that you've always imagined.
If you aren't sure on how or where to start with a workout program or nutrition ideas, there are a lot of great websites that can help you. I've listed them below for your reference, as well as some Personal Trainer websites, some whom I know very well, and I'm sure they would welcome your business with open arms! Also, maybe you'll be like me one of these days....so inspired by working out that you want to become a trainer yourself and help other people such as yourselves.
In America, there may be a 'beauty' and obesity epidemic but the more people are educated about health and fitness, I think we can eradicate our superficial ways once and for all. One healthy person at a time.
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