We challenged our members over the month of November to commit to getting in 15 minutes of purposeful movement a day af part of the Healthy Habits Challenge! Whether in class or outside of CFR, any type of movement has so many health benefits, some describe it as “medicine without the side effects.”
Benefits of Movement
- Lowers blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol
- Reduces the risk of/improves chronic disease including some types of cancers
- Supports heart health
- Helps control weight and slow the aging process
- Reduces stress and improves memory
- Improves balance/reduces falls
- Enhances the immune system
- Reduces stress, releases endorphins, and increases energy levels
- Promotes progress
- Challenges the mind and body
Movement is beneficial for anyone at any age in any stage of life! While stopping in at CFR for a CrossFit WOD, ReBoot workout, or Elevate class is a great way to get some movement in for the day, there are so many other ways to get moving on non-gym days, or active recovery days!
Benefits to Active Recovery
- Reduces the buildup of lactic acid in the body
- Minimizes stiffness
- Promotes blood flow to the joints
- Alleviates fatigue
- Helps maintain strength
- Improves mobility and form
- Reduces heart rate
- Improves mood
Types of Active Recovery
- Stretching or Foam Rolling
- Yoga (hatha, yin, slow vinyasa) less vigorous, keeping the heart rate right about resting
- Stationary cycling/elliptical/rowing
- Light weight lifting
- Corrective Exercises-exercises or range of motion activities prescribed by a physical therapist for a specific problem
- Swimming, aqua walking, or water aerobics
Opt Outside!
Don’t forget to opt outside! A great big dose of the great outdoors can be just what the doctor ordered! Go for a walk or jog around the neighborhood. Meet up with friends and go biking or hiking at a local park. Go kayaking, canoeing, or swimming! Set up a pickup game of touch football or soccer. Try out something new- like frisbee golf or ziplining. The possibilities are endless! Not only will you be able to benefit from all the positive effects of movement, but you’ll be able to reap the benefits of getting outside!
Benefits include improved short term memory, reduced stress/anger/fear (reduced stress hormone production), reduced blood pressure and inflammation, and improved focus and creativity! Being outside boosts overall happiness and positive emotions. Vitamin D (which is produced when our skin is exposed to sunlight) helps to regulate our mood and ward off depression! Do you really need another reason to opt outside for some activity?!
We’re halfway there on the challenge to build healthy habits! We are so proud of all of our members for making movement a priority in their lives! If you get your movement or exercise in outside of the gym, be proud and show it off! #HowDoYouRecreate #CFRChallenge
Post by Elizabeth Haughey
