Necessary Tools

Sharon Jane Akinyemi

Sharon Jane Akinyemi

By Sharon Jane Akinyemi

If you are a parent or have ever cared for children, you know that they will often ask for something that is not good for them. I remember when my daughter  got her first two-wheel bike for Christmas. She was so exited  that she could barely contain herself. She wanted to jump on it immediately  and ride it down the street. The problem was that she did not know how. She didn’t understand why her father thought she would fall over and get hurt.

She’d seen all the other kids riding, and it looked so easy. She soon discovered after a badly scraped knee that it was a good idea to wait for Dad. As he gently held on and walked beside her, she began to get her balance. She wanted him to stay very near, and she paid close attention to his words of  instruction on  how to manoeuvre her new bike. That is how it is with us.

Every day of our lives, we need to stay close to, abide and adhere to those instructions that make for positive and meaningful living. We need to understand the steps and let them give us nourishment and life.

The same principle applies to health and safety during exercise.  Believe it or not, the clothes you wear for a workout can make a difference in how you feel after exercise. Several factors can affect how comfortable your workout clothes are, including the fabric they’re made of and whether they’re right for the type of exercise you will be doing. Would you wear a pair of jeans trousers and a T Shirt for a swimming class or dressy gown for jogging? Of course you would  not!

Actually you don’t need anything but your own body to begin exercising. But there are several tools that will enhance your training sessions and several more that you can purchase as motivational treats. If you wonder where to find the extra cash, set aside the money you would normally spend on junk food.

Save up until you can buy some trendy, comfortable exercise wears or a piece of helpful equipment. In addition after you’ve been exercising  for a period of time, you may want to occasionally buy books, videos, clothing and equipment  to keep your interest, excitement,and  commitment high.

FOOT WEARS THAT FITS

Shoes are the most important piece of exercise equipment. Good shoes support your body weight, cushioning the impact on your feet, ankles, knees, and hips when running or exercising . Select shoes with plenty cushion. Jog around your neighbourhood  in your exercise shoes preferably on levelled grounds, before you take them home.  The toe box (section for your toes) shouldn’t pinch and there should be a half inch between the end of the shoe and your big toe. If the shoe is too lose at the heel, you can get blisters. People with narrow feet can were  an extra pair of socks if they can’t find a shoe with perfect fit. Also don’t wear your laces too long. You can cut them to the right length and tie knots at the end or use lace locks.  Experience has thought us that a too- long shoelace can trip a runner when he/she expects it!

If you can only afford one thing, buy decent running or sport-specific shoes. The rule is buy running shoes for running, jogging and walking, stair climbing, and circuit weight training; buy sport- specific shoes for the sport( like tennis shoes for tennis), or buy cross training for aerobics, step aerobics and aerobic dancing.

CLOTHES WITH CLASS

Would you ever exercise  in your corset and skin tight leather pants? Of course not! Why? Comfort rules! And of course , you wouldn’t be able to move like you want. Its important to wear comfortable, stretchy, weather- appropriate  clothing when exercising.

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Like Cinderella at the ball after midnight? All eyes on you for all the wrong reasons! Fashionable, colourful exercise outfits will add fun to your workouts supporting your commitment and enthusiasm for the next session.

For ladies, down under, you also need support. Be sure that your bra has the proper lift for the size of your breast. Sport bras are especially made for exercising . Compression-style bras hold the breast inward toward the chest wall (similar to how they wrap women in the olden days). These only work for small-or medium sized women. Full breasted women will prefer the encapsulation-style bras that hold breast steady with seams or wire. Straps should be strong, with appropriate elasticity. You don’t want your undergarment to chafe around the middle either. Wear your correct size.

Your exercise outfit will greatly enhance your fitness sessions. Purchase tops and bottoms in fabrics that move well, breath, and dry quickly when wet, like polyester , wool blends, wool and wool blends. When trying clothes on, give yourself plenty of room to move and breath. And of course, choose your favourite, energy-producing colours!

Don’t forget the importance of socks. When colour coordinated, they complete your outfit. They also cushion your feet and ankles and reduce rubbing at the sides and top of your feet. Look for wool and wool blends, nylon and cotton blends.

WORKOUT CLOTHES: CHANGE WITH THE SEASONS

If you exercise outdoors or play seasonal sports, what you wear may have to change with the seasons. Keep these tips in mind when dressing for outdoor exercise:

Hot weather. During warm summer months, be sure to choose fabrics that allow your skin to breathe and wick sweat away. Dress in clothes that are cool and comfortable, and allow you to move freely.

Cold weather. When it’s very cold outside, you’ll need to dress warmly, but keep in mind that you’ll be exercising and boosting your heart rate and your body temperature. Dress in layers that you can remove, and always dress for weather that’s warmer than what the thermometer outside says. Keep sweat-wicking clothing on your inner layer, and put an insulating layer on top of that. Always cover your head, ears, and hands to protect them from the cold.

Wet or windy weather. Nothing can ruin an outdoor workout faster than getting soaked in the rain or caught in a strong wind. Wear an outer layer that protects your skin from the elements.

Just remember that no matter what the temperature, you’re still likely to work up a sweat during a workout. Keep yourself as comfortable as possible with clothing designed for heavy exercise that wicks sweat away from the skin. And keep the weather in mind if you’re exercising outdoors, and dress appropriately.

•For questions and answers connect with me @ www.facebook.com/BodyConfidenceFitnessClub.

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