Looking Good, Feeling Great

with Will Mbanga

Sustainable fitness and wellness

Having spent a few hours gardening in the lovely weather recently, I was surprised at how stiff and sore I was in ‘places I forgot I had muscles’ a few days later.

Our ancestors lived far healthier (certainly harder) lives than us – working the land, in factories, raiding or defending themselves from raiders, eating naturally grown, seasonal foods in a sustainable way, walking predominantly, while carrying whatever goods or tools they required.

Fast forward to the present where we live in a world in which technology and ‘progress’ has resulted in humanity becoming a rapidly devolving species across our physical, mental-emotional and socialbehavioural spheres.

The advent of everything from mobility scooters to photoshopping images, genetic modification of foods to enhance their nutritional value to jobs and recreational pursuits that force us into sedentary lifestyles have all added to the problem.

Sometimes, stripping back to basic components is the best way to get more fulfilment and health benefits in your life.

It always amazes me how people can get motivated to achieve ‘one-offs’ – fitting into a party outfit; making weight for lower insurance premiums; getting a ‘beach body’ for a holiday; passing a test or exam – but life is a marathon, not a sprint and we would be better served focusing on maintaining and sustaining good health and fitness all year round, rather than ‘emergency’ top-ups.

Being ‘fit for life’ is not a onetime thing – it’s a commitment to ensuring you maintain a good balance of physical and mental-emotional skills through a sustainable commitment to self-care, exercise, nutrition and improvement.

We can be functionally fit at all stages of life

Note, I called them skills. These health and wellness components are things we can improve, as well as sustain over a lifetime. While we can’t all be fitness cover models (not many of us want to!) we can all be functionally fit at whatever age and stage of our lives we are, thereby reducing the risks of morbidity and improving overall quality of life in an increasingly stress-filled world.

Here’s a simple home-based daily exercise program that can help keep you supple, fit and healthy no matter what age or stage of life you are at: • 30 minutes of aerobic activity (intensity and exercises based on your goal/fitness level) • 3 x 10 push-ups

These can be standard, on your knees or standing at 45° pushing against a wall • 3 x 10 squats Thighs parallel to the floor, hold for 4 seconds, then rise • 3 x 10 good mornings or deadlifts • 3 x 20 core exercises Alternate each day between two abdominal exercises and one lower back exercise, and vice versa All of us are at different stages of life – we have different goals, fitness levels, physical abilities, emotional needs and genetic potential, but we all have the same access to information. There are experts and businesses locally and online doing programs from toddler and mum fitness to elderly fitness classes and everything between. Do your homework, experiment and challenge yourself a little, find what resonates with you and then commit to being fit for life. Who knows, if you keep it up, you could be hula hooping at 80! The Local Answer To advertise call   Page 

Go on Safari with Dave

Dave and Darcy Go on Safari

Dave and Darcy are off on safari to see the animals of Africa. On their trip they make lots of new friends, from giraffes to lions, as well as a baby elephant that is in trouble! Will they be able to help?

Pre-order open now! *

Dave and Darcy Go to the Beach

Dave and Darcy are going to the beach for their summer holidays and a week filled with fun. Follow them on their adventures as they make friends and memories by the sea - but watch out for that naughty seagull!

Dave and Darcy Go to the Show

Dave and Darcy dress up smart to go to the local village pony show. They face many challenges throughout the day including big jumps and tricky dressage routines! How will they do in the competitions? Will they win any rosettes?

Dave and Darcy Have a Birthday Party

It’s Dave’s birthday and the whole gang have come to celebrate with him and Darcy! There will be lots of fun games and lots of yummy cake. Make sure you don’t miss the party!

Dave and Darcy Save Christmas

Santa’s reindeer are all poorly so there is nobody to fly the sleigh and deliver presents. Join Dave and Darcy as they whizz around the world and help to save Christmas!

andDarcy this summer!

PLUS! The brand new Dave and Darcy Colouring and Activity Book will be coming out this summer as well! You can preorder this alongside the Safari story via my website. • More than30 pages of colouring in • Fun and educational activities • Ideally suited for children ages 2-7

Pre-order now to receive a discount on the single book, the new bundle of five books and the colouring book!

*Any orders that include the Safari storybook orthe Colouring and Activity book will be posted out later in the su mmer. Once I have an official publication date, I will email all customers to let you know when you can expect to receive your orders. All other orders will continue to be posted as stated on my website. If you have any questions, please email lois@loiskingscottauthor.com

Fun, engaging stories for ages3-7 10% of profit donated to Cotswold RDA Activities and resources on my website Wholesale andschool discounts available Please email lois@loiskingscottauthor.com