Putting the “I” into exercise

You might think this is a bit off topic for a skin care email, but bear with me, because it is relevant.

     Sometimes the world seems to be divided into gym bunnies and couch potatoes, although really most of us fall in the middle, and if you are a gym bunny, STOP READING NOW. This is not for you.

     Maybe it’s just me, but when I hear the word exercise, I want to hide behind the sofa, or on it, but if you asked me to go for a walk, I‘d be quite keen, as long as it isn’t raining, of course.  I just don’t want to think about having to walk 10,000 steps each day, or I start counting, lose count and give up. Yes, I know I could buy a pedometer, but I don’t want one, thank you.

     Children seem to keep active, though, (or the ones not plugged into electronic kit do) and maybe that’s because they have movement, not exercise. They get to hop, skip and jump about which is way more fun, and what I advocate. Why should they have all the fun? Hopscotch, anyone?

Skipping is completely exhausting. 

     If you’re a boxer, you can do it for ever, it seems, but after about a minute, I’m shattered, but that’s ok because there is this thing called HIIT (high intensity interval training) which means that you have to work as hard as you can for a short amount of time. I can do that fine, I just get bored after too long, so it suits me perfectly.

Hula hooping is great fun, far too good for those ungrateful children. 

     It’s good for your waistline as it firms the abs. You do have to do both directions, though, or you might get lopsided. Argos do a fab one, much better than the children’s ones; if you think you can’t hoop, try one of these. Best to use it outside, though, as it is quite weighty. And don't drop it on your ankles as you can get quite spectacular bruises. I speak from experience.

Jumping on a trampoline or for adults a rebounder is a total hoot 

     This is lots of fun, and recommended by NASA, no less, for returning astronauts. Apparently 10 minutes bouncing is equivalent to 30 minutes jogging, also much better for your knees, and your pelvic floor. Oh and your skin! Yes! Result!!

So why am I discussing movement?

Because it is vital for the health of your skin as well as the rest of it that you keep moving.  

     Movement increases circulation, which nourishes the cells, and also encourages the flow of lymph. The lymph system, unlike the circulatory system, does not have a pump (heart), so it works alongside the flow of blood. This is why you can get puffy eyes when you awake in the morning (especially if you slather on night cream. But you don’t, do you?)

     We have become a sedentary species, and the best exercised part of most people is the thumb – all that texting. So get moving for the sake of your skin as well as the rest of you.

I’m off to have a hoop now! Ta ra!