F E B R U A R Y 12
Rediscover the Joy
of Movement
BY KRIS HERNDON,
ELITE LIFESTYLE
CONTRIBUTOR
For many of us, the start
of the year is a time to refocus
on our fitness goals. But
with winter winds blowing
outside and the sky still pitch
black when our alarm sounds
in the morning, we may find
it tempting to hit the snooze
button instead of heading for
the gym. How can we get
motivated and embrace that
new exercise routine?
To get inspired, I spoke
to Kathryn Thomas, PhD, a
researcher and educator who
also teaches Nia, a holistic
wellness practice that takes the
form of guided group dance.
Now in her 70s, Thomas shows
no signs of losing momentum
on her fitness journey;
still, she says it’s no surprise
that when exercise is so often
seen as a boring or unpleasant
chore, we may find ourselves
avoiding it.
Here, fresh from my interview
with Thomas, I give you
three quick tips you can use
today to turn that chore of a
workout into a celebration of
movement:
Turn up the music
Thomas loves to move,
but even for her, there are
some exercises that can seem
tedious. “For me it’s the
rowing machine, and certain
strength exercises, like
planks,” she says. When she
needs extra motivation to
knock out those moves, she
uses music to get started.
12 LEHAVRE COURIER | FEBRUARY 2022 | WWW.QNS.COM
“When I’m feeling lazy and
I don’t want to work out, I
turn on a playlist.” Thomas
recommends choosing music
with a strong beat and rousing
melody — and above all, pick
songs that you like. “That’s
how I get over my resistance.”
Find your
community
Studies show a marked
reduction in stress hormones
when people move in a coordinated
group. There is simply
something primal about coming
together to dance, move,
and play. Thomas explains:
“Science shows that when
people engage in a rhythmic
activity together, everybody’s
experience improves on multiple
levels. It’s brain chemistry,
and when you experience it,
you realize how powerful that
is.” Thomas has found this
in her Nia community, where
there’s a “synergistic kind of
support for one another,” both
in-person and online.
Keep a sense of
play
Ever watch little kids playing
at the playground? They
seem to draw on a bottomless
well of joyous energy.
But somewhere between teenage
competitive sports and
adult weight-loss woes, play
becomes more like work, and
can be a source of feelings of
guilt or failure. Not to worry:
Every human being can rediscover
how to play, regardless
of age. The key is to stay
present in the moment while
embracing feelings of joy and
release.
And remember, the goal is
to get moving. As Thomas
says, “Feeling good is its own
reward.” That’s what will
keep you coming back and
turn your new routine into a
healthy habit.
Kris Herndon is a freelance
writer who frequently covers
fitness, health and wellness.
Can Good
Nutrition Give
Your Immune
System a
Power Boost?
BY KATRINA TRISKO,
REGISTERED DIETITIAN
It’s February, it’s cold, the
days are short, and there’s a
pandemic going on. Especially
now, when staying healthy is
on everyone’s mind, maybe
you’ve wondered what you
should be doing to ramp up
your immune system. There
are plenty of supplements,
cleanses, and other fads that
claim to boost immunity, but is
there truth behind the trends?
While we all wish there were
a silver bullet that could supercharge
our immune systems and
keep us healthy, it’s not quite
that simple. What really works
is to take a holistic approach to
your health. That said, nutrition
and immune function definitely
do go hand in hand. Here are
three simple habits to keep your
immune system strong:
Eat a colorful diet
Nutritionists have a saying:
“Eat the rainbow.” It’s a quick
rule of thumb to remind you
that when choosing fresh fruits
and vegetables, you want to see
the full range of colors on your
plate. Leafy greens have lots of
Vitamin K; orange fruits and
vegetables are rich in beta-carotene.
The list goes on, but you
don’t need to memorize it. Just
make sure you’re eating a colorful
diet, and you’ll boost your
vitamin intake without even
thinking about it.
Maintain consistent sleep
habits, and make sure you’re
sleeping enough
Don’t forget that adults
need seven to eight hours
of sleep a night. In these
stressed-out, work-fromhome
times, you may need
to set boundaries to protect
your sleep. Go to bed at a
set time if you can, and try
to avoid screens for 30-45
minutes beforehand. Sleep in
a dark, quiet room. And aim
for 30 minutes of moderate
exercise, three to five days
a week; your sleep will be
more restful if you do.
Manage your stress
levels
Stress can chip away at
your immune response. That
means good stress management
is key to staying
healthy. So be proactive;
build simple habits into your
routine that keep you feeling
calm. Take a few minutes
each day to connect with
friends. Make a playlist of
your favorite songs. Get outdoors
as part of your routine,
even if it’s only for a short
time. Meditate. Just setting
the intention to take control
of your stress can make a
difference. Try it and see!
Katrina Trisko is a
Registered Dietitian offering
nutritional services to ELITE
members. To learn more, find
Katrina on the ELITE App.
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N E W S
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