Some health and fitness trends are amazing for what it provides the body and soul. Others can do more harm than good. It all depends on a person’s goals and aspirations. Some strategies may seem healthy up front or are okay in small amounts but used in excess may net negative gains and actually do more harm than good.
Mud Runs and Obstacle Courses
Fun, challenging and inspirational, mud runs and obstacle courses seem to be the norm these days. It is a way to connect with other like minded people and impress friends with the ability to do things physically many are not capable of doing. One of the challenges of mud runs and obstacle courses is that people who do not have proper training prior to participation can fall into the water and drown, break their backs, legs, arms or other body parts attempting very difficult obstacles. The best way to participate in a healthy manner is to skip any obstacles that are too challenging or find another avenue to explore for personal fitness.
10,000 Steps
Many applications on phones and devices are available to help people track 10,000 steps a day. If a person kicks off with 10,000 steps a day but has never walked that far, it can lead to injury quite easily. Old injuries, pains or even poor posture can lead to more severe injuries when done in high volume. Orthopedic stress is one complaint of people who overdo the 10,000 steps and take it one step too far. The number of steps is not the ultimate goal, it is mostly about getting out and being healthy. Tracking diet and food consumption is just as important as how many steps are dong. Take a step back, assess the reasons for getting moving and start slowly before working up to 10,000 steps. Grab a friend who moves at the same pace and work together for accountability to make healthier choices.
Detoxes and Juicing
Cleanses and detoxing are hard on the body and, when a person who is out of shape or under stress tries it, the body may not process the experience well. The body needs certain nutrients to function so doing a cleanse or juicing without consulting a nutritionist or doctor may even be dangerous. People in recovery need to be especially important about changing diets while just coming out of detox or addiction treatment programs.
To HIIT or Not to HIIT
HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval Training. The body makes progress when there is time to recovery from a workout. HIIT is effective at creating changes but done too fast or rapidly without rest and recovery time can burn out the body and lead to injuries. It is best to consult a doctor, physical therapist or personal trainer prior to starting any exercise regimen.
The Villa provides people with an opportunity to find space to recover and get well following addiction. Call us to find out how we can assist your journey to recovery with our programs and services.