Katy and I wandered through the Op Shop always on the look out for a surprise.

We both enjoy old books and so it was with joy when Katy picked up a 1960 s edition of an old elementary school book on physical education.

It seems only yesterday the 60 s have come and gone and it is perhaps with the passing of time that there has been a downward slide in the quality of structure and function within our society especially with our children.

Obesity, with it s associated symptoms is fast becoming the norm perhaps the word fast with it s tendencies toward the over-eating

of food-less foods is a major cause.

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You re fired up, your adrenaline is pumping, engines are revved. You can’t wait to get out there and perform. You’ve waited all day, maybe a few days and are replaying in your mind the challenges you will confront and how you will tackle them. Your time to escape the day to day and become your true self, the adventurer, the conquerer, the winner, the leader, the activist or the dreamer has arrived.

When your sport is your passion, motivation is not a problem. Sometimes though, the passion can create complications. Knowing how and when to stop, slow down, change your ways, get educated, hire a pro. or just take a break

is essential to survival and ongoing fulfillment from your sports and fitness career.

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Kid fitness is especially important today with the incidents of obesity in children on the rise. This article provides some tips for parents to keep their children active and have a healthy weight. Kid fitness should not just be the domain of the school physical education curriculum. Parents have a responsibility in helping to ensure that their children are fit and do get the exercise they need for their growing bodies. The advances in technology with computer games have led to a decrease in children playing outdoors. Children no longer do a lot of walking and running in order for them to be fit. Being fit at an early age helps children to grow up to be fit adults.

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Starting an exercise program is an important decision, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming one. Establish a healthy habit that lasts a lifetime by planning carefully and pacing yourself. Motivate yourself by writing your plan on paper and reviewing it frequently. Keep the following points in mind as you design your fitness program:

1. Map out your fitness goals. Are you starting a fitness program to help lose weight, or do you have another motivation, such as preparing for a 5K race? Having clear goals will help you gauge your progress.

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The 3 components of a total fitness routine.

Regular exercise is important for those with PD to help you stay strong and mobile and maintain your independence and reduce the risk of falls. A complete exercise program should consist of the following 3 components:

Aerobic/Cardiovascular Exercise.

The purpose of aerobic exercise is to strengthen the heart and lungs and it also helps you maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure. Examples of aerobic exercise include walking, biking, swimming and aerobic dance classes. Aerobic exercise involves sustaining the exercise for 15-30 minutes to a level where you are slightly out of breath and breaking a light sweat. A common technique to judge your level of exertion is the Rating

of Perceived Exertion. On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being no exertion/asleep and 10 being completely exhausted) you should perceive that you are exercising at a level of 4-6. This means that you know you are working out but you are not exhausting yourself. As your cardiovascular system becomes stronger you will find that you do not get out of breath as quickly when walking or climbing stairs and as your lung capacity improves so will your ability to project your voice.

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