lifestyle
SHANNAN PONTON
Making the Covid Fit-Switch 2021
There are too not many ‘good news’ stories to come out of a horrific virus that has caused pain and misery around the world, but being a Personal Trainer, luckily enough for me is one. So many carbs and so many people at home, with so much excess time on their hands has made for a prosperous return to work for me… post lock down. We find ourselves deciding whether to put off ‘kick starting’ your ‘new you’, or just continue to enjoy the moment and all the decadence that comes with it. Heaven knows that those little luxuries have become a habit way too easily and are way too hard to just give up. Like an extra wine, or beer, or two, every afternoon or little extra grazing on nuts, chips, dips and bickies or whatever it is that has slipped into your daily grind? It’s not just the food that has burgeoned but with so much time on our hands, somehow, we’ve managed to be way too busy to move. Each one of those habits alone doesn’t signify a catastrophe, but link them
Words: SHANNAN
PONTON
together, every day, and before you know it, your health, wellness and confidence have started to slip. Feeling unwell, unhappy and unmotivated is not an environment conducive to making positive changes. ‘I eat badly because I feel unwell, I feel unwell because I eat badly,’ and the vicious cycle is created. Much of what’s transpired since ‘Covid 2020’ has been out of our control but there are a few things you can, what you eat and how much you move. Whether it’s at the gym, outdoors or at home, you can give yourself that push to ‘get going.’ Don’t let ‘the start be the thing that stops you!’ Make a decision and then stay true to you. We all know that exercise and good nutrition will improve your health, fitness, mobility and flexibility but often overlooked though a vital part is the benefit to your mental health. Remember the slippery slope we just spoke about? Eat bad, feel bad cycle? You can exit that ride equally as easily.
day, you’ve started to reverse the cycle you’re living. With an increase in movement comes opportunity and motivation to improve what you eat. Eat well, exercise regularly and you will almost certainly feel better. You’re forming new habits and replacing the old with positive and empowering new routines.
Just take that first step.
It’s the perfect equation; you will be improving physically and medically but more importantly giving yourself the opportunity to enhance your mental health.
Start with something easily manageable. With a 20 minute walk but done every
It’s time to start! Go and take that first step. I Dare Ya! •
SHANNAN PONTON // HARDNUPPT@HOTMAIL.COM FB & INSTA @SHANNANPONTON // www.shannanponton.com.au
56
