| The idea is that you should have in your corner, a | | | | 'looking good' purposes. It strengthens your muscles |
| certain minimum level of fitness for the daily | | | | and makes you strong enough to meet your daily |
| requirements of life. And, if you have taken heed and | | | | needs. It increases the density of your bones which |
| acted on it, you are already - or well on the way to | | | | reduces the risk of you getting a fracture say, from a |
| getting - fit. | | | | fall. It makes your joints more flexible so that you are |
| This is your fitness lifestyle at a glance. | | | | less prone to catches or other injuries. |
| Aerobics | | | | It also shapes certain stubborn spots like the thighs, |
| Abdominals | | | | arms, 'love-handles' at the waist, etc. by firming the |
| Sensible eating and drinking | | | | muscles in those regions. |
| Weight-training | | | | This is the fitness lifestyle in a nutshell. Aerobic and |
| To elaborate briefly: | | | | sensible eating are the foundation; abdominals the |
| Aerobics: To obtain maximum cardiovascular benefits, | | | | guarantee and weight-training the insurance with a |
| lose tat and maintain your weight within acceptable | | | | premium. |
| healthy levels, aerobics, should, " be done five times a | | | | The pay-ofts are tremendous. |
| week. Each activity needs to be done at a certain | | | | You shed years from your life as you move around |
| pace within the required time-span. When you begin | | | | more briskly and with a lighter step. |
| scoring 60 aerobic runs per week, you will be in the | | | | You rarely feel fatigued at the end of the day. Your |
| aerobically fit zone. Which means, your heart will be | | | | mental and physical reactions to stress are minimised. |
| stronger and more efficient, you will lose excess fat | | | | You learn to relax, and sleep better. Your temper is on |
| and have a better body. | | | | a longer leash and you may regard humorously certain |
| Abdominals: Excess fat, poor posture or slack muscles | | | | situations which had earlier made you snap. Your |
| in the stomach exercises should be done at least | | | | relationships improve because of your calmer moods. |
| three times a week to insure you against them. | | | | Even your consultations with your doctor turn into a |
| Sensible eating and drinking: Fatless, sugar-free, | | | | cosier conspiracy where you and she/he are engaged |
| low-salt food ensures that you maintain your | | | | in the common pursuit of tackling your medical |
| weight-loss. It also protects your arteries from getting | | | | problems that have sprung up. And all through this runs |
| clogged by cholesterol which can lead to heart | | | | the thread of satisfaction - of achieving a sense of |
| diseases, It is also an insurance against diabetes. | | | | well-being, of being in control. |
| Healthy eating habits should be a natural part of your | | | | The fitness lifestyle does not make any great |
| normal lifestyle. Dieting should be avoided. | | | | demands on you. All it asks is:make time to look after |
| You should eat the food that gives you energy. | | | | your health.keep your weight to reasonably healthy |
| To shatter the myth that 'health food' is tasteless, we | | | | levels.give up smoking - if you are a smoker. |
| have devoted an entire section to demonstrate that it | | | | Everything else is purely motivational, to inspire the |
| can be delicious and satisfy your taste-buds. Try out | | | | spark in you. To inform, in the hope that knowledge |
| these recipes and create your own too. | | | | aids you in making a start. So that you step out |
| Alcohol consumption should be zero or kept to an | | | | stronger, surer, healthier. And to make that beginnings, |
| absolute minimum. | | | | there is no time like now. |
| Weight-training: is partly health-oriented, partly for | | | | |