Issue Seven Spring 2021

Have you been missing out on the benefits of physical activity
lately? Exercise has obvious physical benefits but
also helps strengthen your immune system, reduce stress,
increase mental clarity and raise your mood! I have been
reading articles about our nation’s trend over this last year
and with all the challenges we have had to face, our lifestyles
have changed dramatically. Most of us have become
even more sedentary than before.
Working from home, meetings online, shopping online,
home delivery; all welcome solutions but they have introduced
new issues for us to overcome. At first it may not
have been noticeable, but the isolation, social distancing,
winter months and decrease in physical activity takes a toll
on our physical and mental well-being. This interruption
of our routine has not only knocked out healthy habits like
training at the gym or fitness classes but also robbed us of
smaller actions and activities that were part of our everyday
life. We didn't notice these as “activities” but if you take
stock of all the missing actions, they add up to a whole lot
less activity this last year.
Physical exercise is nourishment that everyone’s body
needs. The CDC guidelines recommend that each week
adults (18-65) get a minimum of 150 minutes or 2.5 hours
of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, plus 2 or more days
of muscle-strengthening activities that include all major
muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders
and arms). Higher intensity activities like jogging and running
lower this to 75 minutes per week. Weekend warriors
compensate for their hectic schedule and cram a week’s exercise
into 2 days.
I believe daily physical activity is better. Try to get some exercise
every day, maybe 20 mins in the morning, over lunch
or in the evening. Of course, you can do more. Can’t find
time? Start with 10 minutes. Put on some music and dance!
Try different activities or different times of the day until you
find what works for you.
Today your options have changed, online personal fitness,
one-on-one and classes, are now widely available. Make a
commitment. Schedule some classes, join a walking club,
or start one, work out with a friend or with us. Leaving your
workout up to “when I have the time...” never works. Committing
to exercise with a group keeps you better motivated
and on track. You are welcome to a free trial class, maybe
Stretch & Tone, maybe Yoga-inspired and I will help you set
it up. Live classes online are the best, as you are not alone
and can choose not to be seen. Make an action plan, adapt
as needed, but don’t abandon it.
As a parent, you have the health of your children to look
out for too. Schools emphasize academics, parents need to
supplement this by teaching children about a healthy and
active lifestyle. Send them outside to play and get them to
limit their computer and TV time. You insist they brush
their teeth, eat their vegetables so also insist they stay active
and fit every day. Get your children involved with a family
commitment to physical activities. Put them on a path to a
healthy and active lifestyle.
Science and medicine have helped to prolong our lives.
Quality of life is up to us. Healthy habits can be yours. Let’s
all live smarter and healthier. Lifestyle means fit for life.
Live it!
Sallee Slagle is director of Dance Dimensions in Nahant,
which is currently offering online dance, yoga and fitness
classes as well as personal training and customized classes.
She can help you get in shape, continue to progress after
rehab, stay fit and flexible.
For more info call 781-599-1476,
email sallee@dancedimensions.org
or visit dancedimensions.org
Sallee is also the director of the modern dance company,
Forty Steps Dance. The dancers are currently in rehearsal
for another outdoor performance this summer. Want to
be involved in Nahant’s performing dance company? Forty
Steps Dance is looking for experienced dancers to join the
troupe as well as student dancers for an upcoming project
leading to a possible “movement choir.” Contact Sallee right
away. Forty Steps Dance is a cultural organization with
charitable status and always welcomes volunteers to get involved.
Check out their website www.fortystepsdance.org
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