As most of us know, exercise can help with many things such as improving blood pressure and cholesterol, managing weight, improve pain and increasing strength. Additionally, exercise can also help improve your ability to perform every day activities, self-confidence, well-being, happiness and functional tasks.

As an exercise physiologist nothing beats hearing the positive feedback about the benefits my clients have gained from their exercise and lifestyle changes so I thought I would share a bit of what they have had to say.

This week I have had amazing feedback from a few clients who have set goals around upcoming holidays, events as well as their overall health. These are the type of goals that are important. Your goals need to mean something to you and not just reflect a number on a scale. When you start exercising it is important to know why you are doing it and what you want to get out of it.

Here is some of the feedback and comments I have received recently:

• I don’t want to weigh myself as I am feeling great and at the end of the day it’s how I feel not how much I weigh.

• I received an email from a client who is on a big trip through Europe who has reported the walking and hiking have been doing is much easier than they expected. To their surprise when faced with squat toilets they stated that at first they were a bit nervous about getting up and down but did it with ease as they felt their legs were strong enough.

• Another client who set goals around being stronger for their holiday let me know that they were able to complete a bike ride through Europe with little pain and felt great doing it.

Having a goals that you value can change your whole outlook on exercise. Today we are surrounded by what people think we should be, look and feel but at the end of the day my goal is to encourage a love for exercise to achieve what is relevant to you.

Emma

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And it’s critical for your heart health.

Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles work efficiently.

“If you’re well hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard,” said John Batson, M.D, a sports medicine physician with Lowcountry Spine & Sport in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and an American Heart Association volunteer.

Dehydration can be a serious condition that can lead to problems ranging from swollen feet or a headache to life-threatening illnesses such as heat stroke.

How much water do you need?

What does being well hydrated mean? The amount of water a person needs depends on climatic conditions, clothing worn and exercise intensity and duration, Batson said.

A person who perspires heavily will need to drink more than someone who doesn’t. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may also mean you need to drink more water. People with cystic fibrosis have high concentrations of sodium in their sweat and also need to use caution to avoid dehydration. And some medications can act as diuretics, causing the body to lose more fluid.

Thirst isn’t the best indicator that you need to drink. “If you get thirsty, you’re already dehydrated,” Batson said.

Batson said the easiest thing to do is pay attention to the color of your urine. Pale and clear means you’re well hydrated. If it’s dark, drink more fluids.

If you want to know exactly how much fluid you need, Batson recommends weighing yourself before and after exercise, to see how much you’ve lost through perspiration. It’s a particular good guide for athletes training in the hot summer months.

“For every pound of sweat you lose, that’s a pint of water you’ll need to replenish,” Batson said, adding that it’s not unusual for a high school football player, wearing pads and running through drills, to lose 5 pounds or more of sweat during a summer practice.

Not sweating during vigorous physical activity can be a red flag that you’re dehydrated to the point of developing heat exhaustion.

Water is best.

For most people, water is the best thing to drink to stay hydrated. Sources of water also include foods, such fruits and vegetables which contain a high percentage of water. Sports drinks with electrolytes, may be useful for people doing high intensity, vigorous exercise in very hot weather, though they tend to be high in added sugars and calories.

“It’s healthier to drink water while you’re exercising, and then when you’re done, eat a healthy snack like orange slices, bananas or a small handful of unsalted nuts ,” Batson said.

He cautioned against fruit juices or sugary drinks, such as soda. “They can be hard on your stomach if you’re dehydrated,” he said.

It’s also best to avoid drinks containing caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and causes you to lose more fluids.

Batson says drinking water before you exercise or go out into the sun is an important first step.

“Drinking water before is much more important,” he said. “Otherwise, you’re playing catch-up and your heart is straining.”

Not just for athletes or exercise.

Hydration isn’t just important during physical activity. Sitting in the sun on a hot or humid day, even if you aren’t exercising, can also cause your body to need more fluids.

People who have a heart condition, are older than 50 or overweight may also have to take extra precautions.

It’s also a good thing to keep tabs on your hydration if you’re traveling.

“You might sweat differently if you’re in a different climate,” Batson said.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/Staying-Hydrated—Staying-Healthy_UCM_441180_Article.jsp#.VkhanvkrLIU

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The current thoughts behind the way exercise can improve mental health are:

• Releasing feel-good brain chemicals that may ease depression (neurotransmitters, endorphins and endocannabinoids)
• Reducing immune system chemicals that can worsen depression
• Increasing body temperature, which may have calming effects

How does physical activity help my mental health?

• Improve your mood
• Reduce stress and anxiety levels
• Increases in confidence
• Increase self-efficacy and self-esteem
• Improves your sleep
• Increase mental alertness
• Reduces tension
• Sense of achievement
• Provides a focus and motivation
• It can be used as a social activity

Tips on how to get started:

• Begin slowly, split your physical activity up throughout your day – 10mins, 10 mins, 10mins.
• Find something you enjoy – eg. walking, riding a bike, dancing.
• Set realistic goals.
• Organise to meet up with a friend.
• Plan your activity for the week.
• Seek advice from an exercise physiologist about what is the best exercise for you.

Some movement is better than nothing!

If you need some help on where to start with your physical activity please contact us or find a local exercise physiologist at www.essa.org.au

Where to get help:

• Your doctor
• Community health centre
• Beyondblue Support Service 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

Morgan AJ, Parker AG, Alvarez-Jimenez M, Jorm AF. Exercise and Mental Health: An Exercise and Sports Science Australia Commissioned Review. JEPonline 2013;16(4):64-73.

Sharma A, Madaan V, Petty FD. Exercise for Mental Health. Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2006;8(2):106.

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A new study published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research suggests that doing 15 minutes or more of high-intensity interval training on a bike has the ability to make you faster on your feet. The U.K.-based research team believes the improvement stems from the increased heart rate experienced during a shortened rest period between intervals, forcing their muscles to adapt faster to their workout routine.

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