We’ve all heard the term. But what does it really mean for every
person?
Well, let’s start with exercise. According to Public Health
England every adult should get 150 minutes of moderate activity a week in
sessions of 10 minutes or more. This includes brisk walking and cycling. If you
prefer a higher intensity exercise such as running 7 5minutes spread across the
week is also suitable. They also suggest strength training at least 2 days a
week. This is the bare minimum we, as adults, should be doing to stay healthy.
Many of us don’t hit those guidelines and some of us will go
well over them. Moderation is key. If you don’t do enough you’re not reaping
the benefits and if you do too much, without working up slowly, you can over
train and make yourself fatigued and unwell.
Next is food. Now anyone who knows me knows I love food.
However, even I know I can’t eat donuts every day. Yes, I can indulge a little
(not go crazy and over eat) on the weekends or at some point during the week. But,
I shouldn’t be indulging every night. Nutrition is individual and if you are
seeking help finding exactly what you should be eating I advise to find a
qualified dietician to help you. Public health diet guidelines are not
specialised per the individual and I highly doubt I could get away with eating
2000 calories a day and not put on a substantial amount of weight.
Aps such as My fitness Pal can help you track what you eat
and how much you burn exercising. It’s not perfect but it is an easy way to
start tracking your diet, be honest! It is important to see what you’re eating
so you can make positive changes without feeling starved or denied your
favourite foods. You shouldn’t feel guilty if you spurge occasionally.
Finally, recovery. Many people training for events don’t
focus enough on their recovery. They train and train and train until they make
themselves ill. Sleep is an important factor is recovery. But once again, in
moderation. Sleeping less than 6 hours and more than 10 hours of days can have negative
health implications. And if you’re training for a difficult event,
you can always add a short 30-minute nap during the day, after a training
session.
In summary, there is such thing as too little or too much of
a good thing! Keep going in moderation and keep up the healthy living!
