Move it March

Let me ask you this, are you still exercising and committed to movement? New Year's Resolutions often fall flat by February despite our best intentions. I know that I find January/February harder months to get out and walk. Because it's so hot outside! And after having a Christmas break and then getting back into my weights sessions, I have felt sore for days afterwards. It's hard getting back in the groove.

So, I'm taking a March reset. And focusing on simple, achievable goals. 20 minutes of movement for AT LEAST 20 days. I'd love to say I will move every day but life happens and I'm working on progress over perfection. I don't want to fall in a heap just because I didn't meet my goal for the day.

Who wants to join me?

If you need some motivation, let's talk about how frequently Australians move and why we actually need muscle for our bodies.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022) estimates that ONLY 1 in 5 Aussie adults aged 18 - 64 years meets the physical activity guidelines for 150 minutes of exercise per week. In the over 65 years group, that figure improves to 1 in 3 Aussie adults meeting the physical activity guidelines.

However, when you look specifically at the portion of the population doing strength-based exercises at two or more days per week it equates to 1 in 4 Aussies. This means that 3 out of 4 Aussies aren't building muscle and bone density for old age. This is a big problem.

Let's talk about why we need muscles.

• To help us MOVE - walk, run, swim, play golf and do the things you love to do.

• To help us stay STABLE - think of core muscles, back and pelvis when you lift something up or move the joints in the knee and shoulder.

• To help us BREATHE - the diaphragm muscle helps with breathing. Pilates is excellent at helping us centre our breath and calm the nervous system.

• To improve POSTURE - increased sitting/computer work can impact on the body's alignment. We want all your muscles working together equally!

• Burn more CALORIES - at rest, your muscles burn calories so who doesn't want a workout to provide ongoing benefits!

I encourage you to move in March. It can be really simple - I'm sure many of us have dumbbells at home. Dust them off. Try just 20 minutes of movement like lunges, squats, bicep curls, tricep kickbacks. Or what about body weighted exercises? You can hold a plank or do a push up (even on your knees, that's not cheating, that is simply a modified version). Get outside and walk. Dance to music. Play golf. Swim. Walk the dog. Simply move.

We are playing the long game here - the game of life - and building muscle is essential.

Let's move it in March!

Till next time Wellspringers,

Love Holly