exercise is medicine

Happy Earth Day

Every day is Earth Day.

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day and Earth Week?

We are collecting trash, aka treasure, to clean up the roadside in our neighborhood; but, then again, we do this on a regular basis. Then there is the usual recycling, reusing, repurposing and thinking before discarding or purchasing.

Even our weather system is doing its part to do spring cleaning with the crisp, refreshing, cleansing, gusty, sustained winds for the past two days. Brrr.

We are able to save two birds with one task-get outdoors to clean and preserve land and wildlife while walking and squatting. So, we are taking care of our health and the health of our environment simultaneously. A win-win.

Anyway, “walking is man’s best medicine.”* This is a phrase mankind has heard for many centuries; because, it is true. Even Harvard Medical School will agree that walking is one of the best exercises for the human body.

Why? The human body is made to move, especially, walk. Think about how you feel when you are sedentary compared to active. Now put your activity in the outdoors with the added benefit of sunshine and your immune system receives a boost. I could go on all day about the benefits of exercise; so, please, do what you enjoy and savor every moment.

By the way, are we not a part of nature? Go, be one with our calming, balancing, grounding, natural and beautiful world on this celebratory Earth Day. You will be doing yourself and our planet a world of good. 🙂

One more thought: the upside of sheltering in place, during this covid-19 event, is fresher air for all of us; so, go reap the benefits of fresh air while it lasts. 🙂 There is always a silver lining and another way of looking at things.

Best of health to you and good-bye.

image by: Natalie~Personal Trainer~NAPS 2 B Fit.

*Hippocrates

Walking Fun Fact

Walking is good medicine: it improves cerebral blood flow and lowers the risk of vascular disease that may help you avoid dementia later in life.*

Isn’t that great news? Remember the story of the man who had a blood clot in his leg? The doctor told him he could walk daily or have an operation. The man started a daily walking regimen. When the man returned to his doctor for a check up, he was pleasantly surprised when he found out that his body constructed a new blood vessel that bypasses the clot.

How wonderful is it that we are made to heal when proper decisions are made?

So, what is stopping you from doing your personal regimen?

I will joyfully continue doing my exercise walking program so I am able to remain in the best health possible.

Since walking improves blood flow to the brain as well, why not have walking brain storming meetings? Do you ever feel stumped with only a huge road block in front and no detours in sight? This may be the time to go for a walk which will most likely recharge you enough to get your creative juices flowing.

For those of you who enjoy snow free walking paths, we have been lucky here in southeastern Pennsylvania this winter. Even the temperatures have been moderate, as per winter standards.

But, please, while you are out and about, still be careful and remember to keep your ice treads handy, as cold temperatures will be returning. Realistically, we are still in winter season, although, not much longer. The winter wonderland can sure be beautiful. 🙂

Best of health to you and good bye.

image by Natalie~Personal Trainer~NAPS 2 B Fit…~Health Coach.

*source: American Council on Exercise.

Merry Christmas~Enjoy the Views

Hippocrates had it right-“walking is man’s best medicine.”*

man’s ~ Natalie’s ~ best friends in winter wonderland

I am ever so grateful for my best friends who motivate me to go out walking, in all weather, playing…or sliding, as you can see everything is snow and ice covered. It sure is beautiful, though. I love taking in the shimmering sights, crackling and distant sounds with cool refreshing smells, all simultaneously.

I also love the fact that I must go outdoors in all weather for the mail. Bills? So what? At least I am getting exercise in all the good our planet has to offer.

During the day, our feet are subjected to cumulative forces that can add up to several hundred tons. That’s right, several hundred tons of force on our feet in only one day.

Does that answer your question about the reason you have joint or other pain?

If I may, I suggest using some of your Christmas and other gift funds for good quality foot wear. Everything is dependent upon a good solid foundation, anyway.

You can further your good foundation with a proper foundation lifestyle routine. That means doing the moves that are beneficial for you instead of general knowledge that has you spinning in circles. What works for someone else is not guaranteed to work for you.

It is not your fault; you just need to have the right and proper program design fitted to your specific needs. That is when I am in my element: figuring out what works for you.

Please feel comfortable contacting me; because, when you are happy, I am happy. 🙂

Best of health to you and good bye.

*source: American Council on Exercise

images by: Natalie, your friendly neighborhood~Personal Trainer~NAPS 2 B Fit

ACE Walking Fun Fact

PHIT Will Help You Stay Fit

Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act

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What does that mean? Here is the take away from the news I have been following for you:

“ In a huge victory for America’s health, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, which would allow the use of pre-tax savings accounts for physical activity-related expenses.”

Click on the following secure link to read the full article:

“PHIT will help families with various activity costs, including pay-to-play in schools, organized team sports, individual activities, camps, clinics, classes, tournaments and qualified equipment. PHIT will also help adults’ activity, as it includes gym memberships, fitness classes, personal trainers, recreational sports/activities and other eligible activity expenses.”

Yes, we are on our way. The PHIT Act may be passed by December 2018. You will be able to use pre-tax savings accounts to pay for your personal trainer, health classes and other physical activity expenses. This will give you a discount of up to almost 40% off your health and fitness costs.

Yahoo! 🙂

Best of health to you and goodbye.

(image by Personal Trainer, Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit)

ACE Walking Fun Fact

Walking is good medicine: it can help you reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer.*

IMG_3606.jpg Mark and Diana walking back view permission to use NAPS 2 B Fit

Yes, this is true. Moving around gets the blood flowing to all parts of your body to boost and maintain your immune system.

Just like this lovely couple is doing, go outdoors with your best buddy for an even bigger impact to your health and well-being.

Best of health to you and goodbye.

(image by Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit, with permission)

*source: American Council on Exercise

ACE Walking Fun Fact

Walking just 21 minutes a day can cut your risk of heart disease by 30 percent.*

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That is great news. We all have 21 minutes to spare in the span of a 24 hour day or 1440 minute day. This gives you 68 chances each day, by probability, to take your walk.

Getting up and out for your walk is something people did on a regular basis years ago; that is what kept them regular, if you understand my thought process. Before the influx of technology and social media, it was routine for people to go for a walk after every meal. See that? Even if you only eat twice a day, that gives you two walks per day. Three meals and you have all your steps in for the day.

Please keep in mind, that a post meal walk would last ten minutes. Yes, people actually walked after every meal; because, they knew it kept their metabolism working smoothly. Even the days of travel by horse, it was suggested to walk whenever possible instead of riding.

Hmmm, maybe that is why I prefer walking the horse to riding the horse. My subconscious health and wellness coaching mind is continuously at work. I see the love in the horses’ eyes, knowing that we are all happy with each others’ company, rein and saddle free.

Now, if only I could ship all this extra rain to drought areas.

Best of health to you and goodbye.

*source: American Council on Exercise.

(image by Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit)

ACE Walking Fun Fact

“Walking is good medicine: it can help you improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels.”

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Wow, who knew that walking can be that powerful? Only everyone since the beginning of time.

Hippocrates, ~400 BC, knew that environment, activities of daily living and diet are the deciding factors of our health.

Plato, ~300 BC, knew that God gave us education and exercise to work together for our best life possible.

Look at the ancient practices of China and India, which have been keeping their people healthy for 4000 to 5000 years.

This makes me love my walks that much more; how about you?

Best of health to you and good-bye for now.

(image by Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit)

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Walking dogs is the best all around medicine

Who can argue that this is the best type of group exercise?

Just look at those loving eyes and faces. The best part of my day is when I get to walk the dogs and spend quality time with them and other pets, too. It brings me back to the days I worked in a dog kennel; one of the best jobs I ever had. Puppies and kittens forever.:-)

So you can imagine my excitement when a client has dogs; because, I will do whatever it takes to help the client achieve their results. I am able to show you some dog training tips right along with your personal training session. How cool is that? That way your dogs behave while you do your own session.

Truly, happy dogs and happy clients equals the best health possible. Think about it, doesn’t the unconditional love from your pet motivate you, put a smile on your face and in your heart? It does for me.

Now off to go play with a girl’s best friends, my dogs. Thank you, my four-legged, adorable, loving, behaved pooches, who help keep me in shape, happy, healthy and balanced.

Best of health to you and good-bye for now.

(image by Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit)