Category: Health

Straight Talk About The Fitness Industry

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I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 26 years.  Coaching people on how to stay fit and healthy is my passion and extremely rewarding.  I really love seeing people thrive in every area of their lives.  Can you tell that I love my job?  I hope so, because I do!

However, there is a very superficial and at times even judgmental side to the fitness industry that can frustrate me as a professional and often times cause more harm than good to the public.  Lofty unrealistic goals, low-calorie restrictive diets, before and after pictures, and peer pressure can result in physical and emotional injury.

The fitness industry has a tendency to base a healthy lifestyle on how your body looks on the outside. Oftentimes, they show you images of air-brushed professionals that workout for a living.  I’m not knocking their hard work and dedication, but how you look on the outside is only one piece of the puzzle.

When I was a size one and ripped, my body was completely broken down from over training and I went into a depressed state.  Fortunately, God used this time in my life to help me figure out what a healthy lifestyle was really all about, and I figured out it is VERY personal.  I’m now a size six and much healthier than I was back when I was a size one.  I’ve got more curves and I’ve learned to embrace them and enjoy my life to the fullest.

A happy and healthy lifestyle is SO much more than how you look on the outside. It’s a total package that includes things like having healthy relationships, working with purpose, exercising or participating in physical activity you enjoy, having enough energy, eating well and dining with the ones you love, having fun, loving yourself and the people around you, eliminating unnecessary stress and in some cases people in your life that may be causing it, getting good rest, drinking lots of water, getting good check ups at the doctor’s office, growing spiritually and emotionally, and having self-confidence in who you were designed to be.

Please understand there is plenty of good in the fitness world.  My hope for you is that you will pick and choose what’s right for you during each season of your life.  Just because your neighbor is getting strong and lean at the local bootcamp class doesn’t mean you are a slacker if you choose walking in the park with your dog to stay fit.  You could be raising four small children and she is an empty-nester that has a completely different schedule.

Avoid copying someone else’s life.  It’s like borrowing shoes that are too tight.  Figure out what works for you and stick to it.  Don’t allow the marketing of the fitness industry to steal your identity, push you into something you may not be ready for, or make you miserable.

I’m not saying you will love every minute of your exercise routine.  It’s okay to suck it up and do your abdominal exercises when you know spending those few minutes working hard will keep your back healthy.  That’s called pushing through your comfort zone to keep your body strong enough to do the things you are most interested in.

However, for the most part, a fit and healthy lifestyle needs to be sustainable and enjoyable.  Suffering is not natural.  You were designed to enjoy your life.  And that should include your exercise and meal plan!  When your fitness and health goals are obtainable and match the type of life you want to live, success will follow.

With love,
Jennifer Ledford

P.S.  Have a question or story you’d like to share?  Please leave a comment below.  I love to hear from you!

 

Is it time to replace your walking shoes?

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Are you asking yourself, “when should I get new walking shoes?” You’re not alone! This is a common question for new and regular exercisers alike.

You might be surprised to hear that athletic shoes are only built to last for 350-500 miles. It’s often hard to tell from just looking at them if it’s time for a new pair. While walkers can usually get good support past the 500 mile mark, many people judge replacement time by how the shoe looks, and wait too long to replace them.

Walking shoes wear out over a period of months. Your body adapts to the subtle wear and tear, and you may not feel that they need to be replaced until the aches and pains start up. Once you feel achy, it’s way past time to replace your walking shoes. When pain shows up, you are at risk of injury — so the best strategy is to say goodbye to your old shoes before the aches and pains rear their ugly head!

FIVE HELPFUL GUIDELINES TO KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WALKING SHOES

1) If you walk 30 minutes per day or an average of 3-4 hours per week, replace your shoes every six months.

2) If you walk 60 minutes per day, replace them every three months.

This may seem excessive because to the eye they look so new. I’ve replaced shoes that looked brand new, but they were completely worn out! It’s best to look at athletic shoes as fitness equipment that should be kept up to date for safety purposes. Then you won’t feel like you are overindulging when you replace them frequently.

3) More casual about your walking? Check the bottom of the shoes. If the tread is worn anywhere, it’s most likely time to get a new pair.

4) Terrain matters. If you walk mostly indoors on a treadmill, there is less wear and tear on the shoe and you can probably get a little extra mileage out of them. If you walk outdoors, you will want to follow the guidelines listed above.

5) Are you light on your feet? People with a strong rear heel strike will get less mileage out of their shoes than someone who walks softly. If you know you have a strong stride, you will want to follow the standard guidelines listed above as well.

One way to preserve your athletic shoes is to slip them on right before you exercise and take them off when you finish.  This will help limit wear and tear.

Just remember — if you are replacing your walking shoes often, you know you are getting lots of exercise!

Have a question or a comment? Please leave them for me below in the comment section. I love to hear from you!

To your health and fitness!
Jennifer

Make this your best week yet!

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My husband and I are on our way back from a mini vacation in Wisconsin. We took some time off to witness one of our dear friends get married and hang out at their family farm.

Today I just want to encourage you to make this your best week yet. Take care of your body and mind. Cherish your family and friends. Live in the present and remember to breathe.

Life can get pretty hectic at times. It’s important to meet your goals and I encourage you to set some. It’s also important to practice balance in everything we do. Life is a journey to be enjoyed on a daily basis.  Happiness and satisfaction is not just for those moments in time that we meet certain markers we have set for ourselves.  It’s something we can experience every day if we choose to.

Often times, true happiness comes from the little things.  And later on, you just might find that when you look back on the little things they turn out to be the big things.

Have a blessed week!

Love,
Jennifer