South Florida Lifestyle Guide - Holiday Gift Guide Volume I Inaugural Issue | Page 14

Getting Fit and Staying Fit

by April Markee Steiger, ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer

photography courtesy of Stroller Mommy 'N Me

Fitness, just hearing the word makes me happy. I have done some form of exercise almost every day of my life for the past 30 years and don’t understand people that say they hate it or don’t have time for it. The first step is the hardest. But literally the first step is getting off the couch. We all know, have read, and been told by our doctors that the benefit of exercise in any way, shape or form is good for us. Here are three important statistics of what exercise can do for you and your body, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

1.You can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury by doing 30 – 60 minutes of exercise most days. If you haven’t been active, increasing your exercise level can lower your blood pressure with just a few weeks.

2.Exercise can keep you cholesterol at a healthy level. Exercise helps lower triglycerides which at high levels are linked to coronary artery disease. Exercise also raises your level of HDL, or the “good” cholesterol. Consistent regular exercise can lower triglycerides by 30 to 40% and boost HDL by 5 to 8 mg/dl.

3.Daily stress can lead to substantial mood swings. Combat highs and lows by exercising. Daily fitness can help you cope with stress physically, while chemically your body makes you feel better as well. Chemical reactions in the brain are one of the major reasons that you feel the brain boosting benefits of exercise.

I teach a Stroller Mommy N Me Fitness On Wheels class five days a week and if a mommy can get out of bed, pack up all the equipment a baby needs and hit the pavement after giving birth eight weeks prior…...well, I think you've found your role model.