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HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING
dance cardio classes to old-school step classes at the YMCA. Besides the health benefits associated with group training, these classes tend to be far more inclusive in terms of sex and age — a great feature that will boost this trend’s longevity.
Since the mid-1990s, scores of studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of interval conditioning for fat loss. High- intensity interval training (HIIT) involves cardiovascular exercise strategies where you alternate between short periods of anaerobic exercise and recovery periods. While there’s far more vigorous exercise in HIIT than traditional cardio, you don’t have to put in as much time to burn the same amount of calories. Simply put, HIIT is short but strenuous. One of the most popular fitness trends that incorporates elements of HIIT is Crossfit.
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
Activity trackers, smart watches, and heart rate monitors are as popular as ever, but wearable tech is going beyond the Fitbits and Apple Watches. For example, Motiv recently released its titanium ring, a stylish and innovative product that tracks activity via your finger. Additionally, Wearable X just introduced the Nadi X yoga pants, which deliver vibrational feedback to the wearer to encourage good form and alignment. While there are a plethora of products to choose from, it’s safe to say that wearable technology won’t be going out of style any time soon.
GROUP TRAINING
In group training, an instructor leads a workout in a group of five or more people. These classes are designed to be motivational and effective for people of various fitness levels. Group training classes could be anything from HIIT classes and
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Taking the time to acknowledge who and what you’re grateful for is a Thanksgiving tradition far more important than turkey or football. It’s the cornerstone of the holiday and the reason we feast together in the first place. But when you really think about it, should expressing our gratitude and appreciation for others be limited to one day every year? Of course not! WHY GRATITUDE MATTERS As we get older, it’s easy to succumb to negativity and pessimism— “Kids these days,”“The world isn’t what it used to be,” etc. The crabby grandparent and angry old neighbor are archetypal depictions of later life. But these fictions don’t have to be your reality. Recognizing and acknowledging gratitude will help you take stock of the positive aspects of your life and dwell less on unhappy thoughts. Should Last Beyond Thanksgiving Being grateful has also been linked to significant health benefits. According to gratitude expert and author Dr. Robert A. Emmons, “Preliminary findings suggest that those who regularly practice grateful thinking do reap emotional, physical, and interpersonal benefits. Adults who keep gratitude journals on a regular basis exercise more regularly, report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future.”
HOW TO PRACTICE GRATITUDE In the above quotation from Dr. Emmons, he mentions the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. This activity is a great way to start seeing the world with a more positive, appreciative eye. As often as you can, take a few minutes to write down the acts, people, and moments that you’re grateful for. Some will be big, others small — but all will have an impact on your mood and bring a smile to your face. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire book full of good memories and warm feelings. While keeping a journal is great, there are other ways to go about cultivating and expressing gratitude. The easiest one is simply to say “Thanks”whenever you can. It may seem insignificant, but you’d be surprised what a difference it makes. When you approach the world with the perspective that every day is Thanksgiving, it’s only natural to be grateful. We all have moments when we want to curse the world, especially as we get older, and those experiences are perfectly normal. Just as frequently, though, we have moments that are worth celebrating, often with people who are worth appreciating. Which will you think about more?
2 • www.ThomasPhysicalTherapy.com
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