Workout to Help Out

Words Bevery Pokuah

Exercise is more than a trend or a quick fix method, health isn't made in an intense program or a macro diet plan or the ability to cut out carbs for 6 weeks. It only gives room for bad habits to slip back in. Health is not a destination but a lifestyle which expresses itself to different people in different ways. The lockdown period introduced all manner of new funky workouts and diets, stirring a major craze but the question is; have you remained committed? Especially because exercise is the best medicine that an individual can be prescribed and will now become a vital aspect of daily life. Bevery Pokuah explains to us just how much exercise can benefit us.

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In early July Boris Johnson announced ‘Better Health,’ a new obesity campaign urging the nation to lose weight to beat coronavirus and protect the NHS, the campaign includes banning TV and online advertisements for food high in fat, sugar and salt before 9 pm. As well as calories to be displayed on menus to help people make healthier choices when eating out, it's fair to say that the new campaign is a wake up call and coronavirus has highlighted major issues.

Boris’s visit to The Gym Group in West London reinforces his new-found determination to fight the UK’s obesity crisis. During the visit Boris was given a tour of the facility and was talked through how staff are keeping themselves and customers safe, The Gym Group’s Chief Commercial Officer Barney Harrison stated “We had the opportunity to discuss the importance of physical activity and how the Gym Group is leading the charge on getting Britain back to the gym.” 

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Boris Johnson stated that he was overweight after being admitted to hospital for heightened COVID-19 symptoms in early April, obesity is said to have been a contributing factor to his health deteriorating, leading to the need of extensive care and leading by an example has decided to hire a personal trainer to combat his health conditions.

We understand that the mantra preached over the last couple of months has been, wash hands, wear masks and maintain distance from all necessary government guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

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But there is other ways that are not mandated but are as equally important; exercise and nutrition both can aid a person’s immune system, lungs and mood in a variety of ways including reducing inflammation, increasing the presence of innate immune cells and positively effecting a gut microbiome all of which support ones body defence mechanisms, so if you don't already have a keep-fit regime, it's worth starting one now. 

On commencing this journey, no need to panic, exercise doesn't need to be long, intense or unpleasant in order to be effective, studies have also shown that moderate activities such as jogging, walking or cycling lasting less than an hour can provide a range of immune benefits. However, substantial sudden increase in physical activity can have some side effects and affect your body’s defences and if not conducted accordingly can lead to an injury so don't leap into anything demanding initially unless your already in good condition or alternatively taking the route of joining a gym, gyms and fitness studios, which will follow the needed frameworks once open again, are safe a great place to build strength, energy, motivation, positive mindset, resilience, to stress, happiness and mental awareness.