Spring Break
Get fit by kicking bad habits
Alexia Lang
Issue date: 6/1/09 Section: Sports
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While any excuse to exercise and eat healthy is a good one, there are a few great ways to get started so it becomes a lifestyle rather than a seasonal trend.
Chief Instructor 6th Degree Black Belt Renshi Gregg Brown, instructor and nutritionist at Shogun Martial Arts Center, said the key to getting fit and staying fit is diversifying activities.
"If you are gonna be active, diversify," Brown said. "Period. Walk around the block, but garden. If you are going to do martial arts, then play soccer. From the martial arts standpoint, I like to kill a lot of birds with one stone."
He said martial arts is a great way to get into shape and still have the confidence to defend yourself.
"Martial arts improves your character, improves your discipline, gets you in the best shape of your life and it's something you can do all your life from age three to 103."
Of the various forms of martial arts, Brown said kickboxing and weapons burns the most calories.
"How many people do you see burning 600-700 calories in an hour out playing golf? You never plateau if you benefit from the self defense."
Brown uses four categories to describe activity levels of people.
Sedentary Sue: Never worked out in her life and likely has a smoking problem.
Brown suggests getting on a plan, exercising five days a week, or three days on one day off. Walking is a good option to get started.
"Diet and exercise are important, but we need to look at health," he said. "Get to a point where you walk time-wise instead of length-wise."
To ensure a healthy diet, Brown suggests making a list of healthy foods and going to the store after a workout.
Off-and-on Tom: Works out off-and-on and he has a busy schedule. But he is overweight.
For this type, Brown suggests getting a gym membership and finding a buddy. Shoot some basketball. Make it diverse.
"Someone like him needs a financial commitment and a friend to keep them going," Brown said.
Already active: This type is already active but plateaus all the time. He or she might lose six pounds in April because it's summer and then gain 12 pounds over the winter.
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