Exercise To Beat Battle With Obesity
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday July 20, 2004
MORE people are overweight than ever but getting them to start or stick to a fitness or weight loss program is still proving difficult.
You probably don't need to be told that obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in Australia and many other developed countries around the world. It is damaging health, raising the incidence of heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer, arthritis and adult-onset diabetes. It also raises the stress on joints, often causing lower back pain or elevating blood pressure, and more recent research indicates that it can lead to a decrease in fertility. However, despite all the news on the subject and proof that a regular exercise program can benefit the body and assist in the prevention of these problems, it appears that either the message is not getting through or that many people simply don't know how to start a weight loss and fitness program.Alarming research figures from the UK recently showed that, of people joining a fitness centre, 58 per cent don't stick with the program long enough or go often enough to make any improvement in their cardiovascular capacity, muscular strength, flexibility, health or fat loss. Another 21 per cent only go often enough to improve muscular strength and flexibility, while the remaining 21 per cent are the only ones who will improve in all areas by committing to their program for three or more days a week. Remember, these are only the people who enrol at a fitness centre, and that there are many more who don't even get to that stage.Why don't they go, and why do many that start an exercise program not stick with it, despite the warnings about how detrimental obesity is to our health and well-being? In many cases it could be that the person is too embarrassed to be seen in a gym and would be intimidated by the people training around them. For others, it could just be a case of wanting to do it but not knowing what to do when they get there, along with the possibility of injury.The benefits of a private training session are numerous. As well as the obvious health benefits, you get closer and more specific attention to your needs, making sure that you are doing the exercises with the correct technique, thus avoiding injury. Your progress is monitored and can be adjusted as fitness improves. The trainers care about the results and plan a time- efficient and varied program to help you achieve your goals. As anyone who trains regularly will tell you, the hardest part of any fitness regime is putting your gear on and getting out the door. Next week we will tell you what to expect from a private training session, how it can kick-start your fitness program and how it can help you achieve your goals.The article was supplied by The Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre at the University of Newcastle. Phone the centre on 4921 7001 or you can access the Forum website at www.newcastle.edu.au/sport.
© 2004 Newcastle Herald