Fitness FAQs

I am a homemaker with two children aged 12 and 10. I am not overweight but for the past few months I do not have any energy to even do the basic household work. I used to exercise until 5 years before but now I don't feel like doing so. How do I regain my energy?

One positive fact is that you are not overweight or else you will have to work on that area first. First, answer these queries: Is it time for your menopause? Have you changed your diet or eating pattern of late? Are you spending less time with your husband and children?
If you are towards your menopause or even if there is a change in your menstrual cycle it can cause a lot of fatigue to your system. The hormonal changes might be difficult for you to cope up with, sapping your energy.
If there had been any change in your eating habits, it might lower your energy levels. Sometimes women, especially in early forties, presume that it is better to eat less. But this actually results in the energy getting expended from the muscles and body tissues quickly. So be careful.
The third likely cause could be that due to less time spent with your family you are just getting too bored. Lower interaction within the family owing to busy work schedules can make you feel lonely.
I would suggest that you once again start exercising - anything from a brisk walk to yoga or a dancersise session will pep you up. Take care of your hormonal changes and the possibility of boredom too.

Simple stretches to regain your flexibility

We are working parents with 2 teenage daughters. My children prefer eating food from outside even when I cook at home. They are both putting on a lot of weight and are not doing any exercise. They both reached menarche recently. How do I convince them to eat healthy and exercise?

First it is difficult to convince them to do anything of your choice. They have to be convinced themselves that it is good to eat healthy and exercise. Analyse how many times a week you and your husband eat outside and if you both are into any fitness regime. If your answer for the first question is more than 4-5 times and a big no for the second one, you have to first start making changes. Your daughters will automatically follow.
Enroll yourself in some weekend fitness program of your children's choice. Do not force it on them but instead take their opinions in making a decision.
Do the same with your food too. Try to involve the entire family in cooking at least one meal over the weekends. Initially do not worry about the choice of dishes and involvement. Let the dish you prepare always be healthy and nutritious. Over a period of time, you have to slowly permeate this eating habit and exercise routine through the week.
This requires a lot of patience from your side and a determination to handle the whole situation with ease. Take your husband's support as he can influence daughters better. Also try motivating your children to participate in some sport/physical activity at school too. Wait and you will see results soon!

Identify your energy state

I am 22 years old and am in a sedentary job. In the past one year I have added on 15kgs extra. It is very difficult for me to do my day-to-day work because of this. Also when I visited a doctor for my irregular periods, they asked me to lose weight. I am not sure if I will be able to lose so much of weight and get back my old form. Can you please suggest something?

Let me begin with a positive note! it is possible for you to lose your extra weight and also to regularise your periods over a period of time. I would suggest that you right away join some aerobic program or yoga session depending on your interest and choice of exercise.
I do not recommend walking, jogging, running, skipping etc because a group exercise is one that will give you the right atmosphere and motivation to start a routine and stick to it for a while.
Give yourself a minimum of three months time to lose weight. Don't over aspire and lose hope. Once you start reducing weight you menstrual cycle will also fall in place. If time is a constraint during the week, enroll in weekend sessions. It might take a bit longer for you to see results but it will surely have an impact. Your body will welcome this change. Good luck and go ahead!
That's it for this week folks! But do keep your mails going. Our question-answer session will resume soon. Until then, Happy Exercising!

The author may be contacted at anupa.m@sify.com.

The views expressed in the article in the author`s and not of Sify.com


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