August 6, 2024
Maintaining Your Health
August 6, 2024
October is a big month for physical health awareness at Fitness Connection. Check out our events supporting Breast Cancer Awareness and Active Aging Week. Anyone, regardless of age, gender or family history, can find themselves suffering from a chronic disease. We’re here to help you through exercise, diet and a community of support.
Regular exercise can help prevent your risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, many types of cancer, depression, anxiety and dementia according to the CDC. It’s important to note that exercise can help to improve and manage symptoms if you do have a chronic disease.
Connie is a Fitness Connection Instructor from Little Elm, Texas. She has transformed her life in the pursuit of feeling and looking her best and helping others feel the same. Her family’s history of chronic disease led her to make a big lifestyle change. We asked her to tell us her transformation story, and here’s what she had to say:
"I weighed in at almost 290 at a size 24 and losing my father to diabetes motivated me to get moving. I knew I needed to make changes fast in order to not convey the same results for my children. I began attending a local gym and heard music coming from the back. I searched what I learned to be a group fitness class. Zumba was on the schedule, and everyone looked like they were smiling and enjoying their workout. I tried it and couldn’t last for longer than 15 minutes. I kept coming back until I was finally able to take the whole class without stopping for breaks. I began cutting calories with portion control and educated myself about limiting sugary drinks and choosing nutrition over empty calories. I later became a Zumba Instructor, which lead to more learning and trainings. One class changed my life forever and I get to help motivate others to reach their new levels of fitness. Today, I’m a size 10, still working on a better version of myself and 120 pounds lighter."
Eating well varies from person to person based on culture, food preferences, sensitivities, budget, etc. Typical foods to eat daily are a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins and grains.Better choices:
Staying healthy and active can prevent you from spending large amounts of money on hospital bills. According to the National Institute on Aging, “often, inactivity is more to blame than age when older people lose the ability to do things on their own. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses.” Key benefits of staying fit according to the National Council on Aging:
We love nothing more than being able to keep you on the track to stay healthy and active for your present self, but also as you get older. The steps you take today can help your future self more than you could comprehend. If you’d like to read other tips to exercise regularly, check out our past blogs. To interact with motivational instructors like Connie join us in-gym at the nearest location for our classes!
