If you have been reading our articles and have been following us then you will start to appreciate that we are passionate about healthy living and the importance of looking after ourselves. So this is just a quick over view on our society and the way we live in the 21st Century.
Since becoming a personal trainer over ten years ago I have strived to learn more about the human body and how it functions. Even after over 10 years of study, research, analysis and application I’m still a million miles away from knowing everything about the body and truth be known I don’t think we will ever know exactly how the human body can do what it does due it’s vast complexities…it truly is an enigma.
So let’s take a brief look at a couple of the bodies vital functions and compare this with the way we live today:
The skeletal system – from close examination of our bones and muscles, we now know that the human body is, by design, made for movement. So if we are designed this way let’s just take a look at how much we actually move. The majority of the UK population have desk bound office jobs, so we spend 8 hours a day sitting down. We also then get into a car bus or train and go home sitting down. From arriving at home we switch on the television eat our evening meal and then go to bed and repeat day after day. Is it any wonder 80% of the UK population suffers from lower back pain at some point in their lives?!
The Liver – This is a fantastic organ and one which has many functions including the following:
1. Controls the levels of fats, amino acids and glucose in the blood
2. Neutralises drugs and toxins
3. Clears the blood of particles including infection and bacteria.
There are many more vital functions of the liver (too many for this article). By looking at these functions and the way we live in a western society the Liver has a pretty rough deal. From the age of 13 onwards we eat nothing but poor quality food, take away and convenience foods. Alcohol, for many, on a daily basis and smoking for many places a huge demand on the liver from such an early age. Unfortunately when we hit the age of 40 and the liver is waving the white flag and is not interested in losing weight or fighting as many infections and toxins and we say the magic words “I cant do that anymore, I’m too old” or is it more like I’ve abused my body for so long that my body will not allow it?! Is it any wonder that someone die’s of heart attack every 6 minutes. Cardiovascular disease is the UK's biggest killer for more info click this link.. http://www.cardiacmatters.co.uk/facts-figures-heart-disease-uk.html
From these two basic functions it is quite clear to see that the way we live today is going against what we were originally intended to do. The digital age is truly an amazing era however it comes with devastating consequences.
To conclude it’s quite simple, move your body and exercise every day (this does not mean vigorous exercise). Eat good quality meat, fruit and vegetables and not take away or convenience foods. Stop smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol you consume, if you must drink, then for special occasions only (and just because it’s the weekend doesn’t mean a special occasion).
If you need advice or support on this article or would like further information then contact us on 07771 533 408 or e-mail info@elitefitnessconsultants.co.uk
Good luck!