I Love My 'Real Job.'

Today I was doing my rounds around the gym, chatting to the various members who have come early this fine Sunday morning to burn off a few calories before the food and drink binge which is the Christmas celebrations. I was chatting to one of my client's whose complaining that he works long hours and spends most of the working day chained to his desk. While I was advising him that he could try getting up from his desk and walking to a work mate's desk, rather than sending an e-mail and taking a walk after lunch rather than eating at his desk and other helpful tips, he asked me, 'and what do you do for a real job?' I replied that I considered what I do as a real job and a very rewarding one at that, as there are not many professions that can make a huge difference to people's health, quality of life, general wellbeing, the pretential to extend somebody's life and saving the NHS money in preventing or reducing the risks of diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and obesity. There seems to be an attitude in this country that leisure is seen as just a hobby and you should only do it if you can afford it or have the time, rather than consider exercise as an important part of life that should be included somewhere in peoples busy lives. A lot of other countries consider exercise as an important part of life and wouldn't dream of it as just an 'add on.' We will continue to have an obesity problem in this country unless we shake off this attitude and consider exercise and being active in general as a must, rather than merely a hobby.

Royal College of Physicians Report on Exercise

The Royal College of Physicians recently published a report that outlined several recommendations to ensure exercise and physical activity is a routine part of prevention and management of chronic conditions. The report called for a development of a medically driven national strategy to use exercise in the prevention and treatment of disease, the recommendation of training medical students in how exercise can be used as a preventive measure against diseases and the regulation of exercise therapists who treat patients. I see this as a big step forward which will benefit the patients as well as the fitness industry. Working as a exercise on referral instructor I am starting to see a lot more clients whose GP have sent them to me to help reduce their blood pressure or cholesterol levels naturally, rather than giving them pills to take. Doctors are slowly coming round to the thinking that in some cases, exercise can be a truely beneficial alternative to medicine, which can make a huge difference to the health and well-being of their patients and this report can only help to encourage more GPs to do the same.

Six ways to stay healthy this Christmas

Oh no it's Christmas! All those mince pies, Christmas cake, party food and booze, not a good time for our waistlines. However it doesn't have to be as bad as you may think. There are plenty of healthy things you can do over this period to counter balance the not so good. Below are six of the best ways to keep yourself healthier this year. 1) Fill up your fruit bowl:- Studies show that only 30% of U.K adults eat the recommended five portions of fruit and veg a day. Clementines are in season now and are packed full with essential nutrients including vitamin C, that can boost your immune system and help reduce the chances of getting a cold. So fill up your bowl with these and other fruits in season such as , pears, apples and cranberries. 2)Eat some nuts:- Walnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts and almonds are all a great source of calcium, which helps build strong bones and teeth. The British Heart Foundation recommends we eat a handful a day and there's evidence that they can even reduce cholesterol. Just ensure they are the unsalted variety. 3) Get Dancing:- With the success of 'Strictly' there's never been a better time to go dancing. Ballroom, disco or salsa it doesn't matter what it is as long as you move that body. Depending on intensity and your weight you can burn over 400 calories dancing. If you're dancing you consume less booze and party food as well. Now the party season is here, why not take advantage and burn some extra calories on the dance floor. 4)Tuck into that Turkey:- Turkey is a great low fat source of protein, which helps build and repair muscle. Use leftovers to make a healthy and tasty dish like turkey stew or curry. 5)Eat your sprounts:- These little vegetables are a good source of vitamins A and C, folic acid and fibre. Also believed to protect the body against colon cancer. 6)Stay active:- During the slump between Christmas and New Year's Day, why don't you keep active and go for a walk, jog or a bike ride to burn off some of that Chrismas dinner, rather then sitting in front of the t.v. and going through yet another box of chocolates.