Kristi's March/April 2024 Health and Fitness Page Greetings all, welcome to Meteorological Spring! What happened to winter? The above photographs are of Aruba where we had the blessing to spend the end of December/ early January. It is beautiful and yet very different than many of the other Caribbean islands. I am grateful for a number of opportunities for travel this Winter and Spring. Please note, this year marks the Purple Pumpers 29th year! We again will be riding the MS 150 and welcome sponsors! We have been fortunate through the years to raise over $200,000! See below for sponsorship opportunities!
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SOCIAL UPDATETuesday March 19th- Breakfast at Fat Nats 7:45
April-June: We will have a series of training rides for the MS 150- all are welcome (even those not on the team). I will look for available dates.
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Sponsor the Pumpers! We will again ride the MS 150 in June! We welcome sponsorship, I have included my personal and the team page. I will match each $250 sponsored to my personal efforts. Any contribution is deeply appreciated!
Link to Kristi's Fundraising Page:
Kristi's Fundraising Page>
Link to the Purple Pumpers Page:
Purple Pumpers Fundraising Page>
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Sharing more of Aruba-
Our fancy digs National Park beauty
Baby Beach Aruba Sunset Beauty
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This year marks my 39th year as a Certified Group Fitness Instructor (I continue with my certification) - I served 35 in gyms and continue to use the knowledge as a professor and private practitioner. In 2018 I retired from the club and am grateful for all the wonderful years. Here are a few flashback photos....
Left- Yours truly with long time member Andy One of many Battle of the Sexes contests
Class fun at our After Christmas Party Women won the Battle of the Sexes this year!
Happy big birthday in April to my soul sister and former instructor Julie!
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Interesting Health and Fitness Facts-
1. As we get ready for the MS150, here are a few biking tips from University of California (Berkeley):
a) remember proper safety including a helmet, bright colored clothing, gloves for fall protection, and traffic regulations b) start training on fairly flat ground in a lower gear, c) as you change gears, try to keep your pedaling consistent, d) when training for a large event, with time add hills and distance. Please note, in recent years there have been significant improvements in helmets, be sure to get one that minimizes chances of brain injury! Happy riding!
2. According to the Weyerhaeurser Hope Heart Institute, often when you feel tired in the middle of the day, it may not be due to hunger, but could be caused by dehydration. A lack of adequate water intake may also cause headaches.
3. I found this interesting!! An American Council on Exercise study found that persons who wear casual clothing to work, particularly comfortable shoes, experienced an 8% increase in physical activity during the work day.
4. Building muscle requires an overload to the muscle. Within aerobic training, that generally means building through cardiovascular exercise and it will be affected by your weight, body make up, and personal factors. Strength training requires resistance. Generally those who seek increased muscle size, overload with heavier weights and fewer reps whereas those aiming for endurance use lighter resistance and more repetition. Keep in mind that everyone has their own unique needs for weight lifting based on gender, weight, age, health and lifestyle. Consult your trainer or health professional.
5. According to an article in Lifetime Fitness "Experience Life" magazine, a 2007 study found that simple daily meditation may help you calm down, increase energy, and decrease anxiety, depression and anger. The study used an integrative body mind technique (sorry, it did not cite source).
6. As summer draws closer remember to keep adequately hydrated. Water is also key in healthy diet and nutrition. Sometimes people reach for the cookie jar or snacks misinterpreting thirst for hunger. Keep in mind the type of fluids you are drinking and their impact on your health.
7. According to the Centers of Disease Control, 75% of our national health expenditures are treating chronic diseases. In recent years and especially since the pandemic mental health has taken a toll. Be sure to make time for yourself and to do the things you love to do with the people you love. Lets all choose healthy lifestyles to minimize the risk of chronic disease!
8. I just completed in February 2024 a major CEU course towards my certification- it was on sports nutrition. There was excellent information including the importance of catering your personal dietary needs based on age, gender, lifestyle and daily expenditure needs. Eating mindfully and focusing on what we are eating can help us increasingly enjoy our meals, slow our rate of eating, and enjoy our daily intake!
*The above information is for educational health purposes only, and is not meant to replace the advice or your health or fitness professional.
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Flashback Poem I wrote decades ago :)
Aerobically Speaking...
Felt out of shape, and sort of fat,
Didn’t know where my muscles were at
Had those chicken fat arms, and elephant legs
Around about tummy, and bottom sags
