Exercise Tip of the Week: Phone a Friend

Even the fittest and most motivated person can sometimes get bored of the same old work out. When exercise starts to feel like a chore it becomes much harder to meet your goals. We all know that feeling when the novelty has worn off and the couch starts to look inviting. So our best tip to deal with this is simple. Tell a friend. Friends, partners, neighbours and relatives can provide fantastic support and motivation when you are feeling down. We find that a walk with a friend goes twice as fast and gives you the chance to chat and laugh together instead of sitting at home comfort eating and feeling defeated. There is always someone who is free to join you at the gym, for a swim or just a 30 minute brisk walk round the block before Coronation St! All you have to do is tell your friend that you need their help.

Exercise Tip of the Week: How Long?

Getting exercise can be a delicate balancing act. You need to get the right kind of exercise, in the right amounts, at the right times in order to make the most of your body. Most health promotion agencies will tell you that 30 mins exercise per day is enough to keep your body healthy and they are right. But if you are trying to lose weight or tone up your body you need to do a little more. To feel as fit and healthy as possible you should try to get an hour of exercise each day. This can be 6 ten minute sessions, or a half hour walk at lunch and again in the evening. you body doesn't mind which way you break it down. You just need to give it the stretching and movement it needs to get the blood flowing and keep your heart and body healthy. Once you reach your fitness goal you can cut back to 30mins per day to maintain your fitness level and body shape. 

Health & Fitness News: Zumba

You might have heard of the latest fitness trend to hit our shores but you could be forgiven for thinking it was a juice bar rather than a workout. Zumba is an incredibly energetic blend of salsa, samba and merengue dancing, sometimes done while carrying free weights, that helps you tone and burn calories off while having fun! The craze began in Columbia where Latin music is popular and has spread worldwide with celebrity fans and new classes popping up all over the place. So if you're looking for a new workout why not see if you can join a local class - many gyms are now offering Zumba or pop in a Zumba DVD to try it out at home? 

World Heart Day Success

Morning all - well we are in raring form today as we spent a very pleasant few hours in the Phoenix Park yesterday. About 150 walkers of all ages, shapes and fitness levels met up near the Castleknock Gate at 11am for a 5k walk. The sun shone and the birds sang in the trees on a really glorious Sunday morning as we set off. About 40 minutes later we were done and feeling a little tired! 
Former Irish rugby international and Fitfone fan Keith Wood led the walk and afterwards we sat down for a rest and some yummy refreshments from the Irish Heart Foundation and Lidl. Walkers went home with freebie frisbees courtesy of Fitfone. 


Congratulations to all who walked in the Phoenix Park, and in other parts of the country, raising their heart rates and even raising some money for the Irish Heart Foundation! 

Get Out More: World Heart Day

This Sunday the 26th of September 2010 is World Heart Day and to celebrate the day the Irish Heart Foundation are hosting a walk in the Phoenix Park. Anyone is welcome to come along and take the walk. Why not pop in the kids in the buggy and push them the distance? Or meet some friends for a bit fresh air and a good long chat? 


The aim of the walk is to get your body moving and your blood pumping. Regular exercise can help to keep your heart healthy and prevent premature death from heart disease which is alarmingly high in Ireland. In celebration of this event we are also offering free downloads of the Fitfone app from the iTunes App Store all week long. Go to the app store right now to download the app for free: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/fitfone/id360676599?mt=8 


We'll also be in the Phoenix Park, near the Castleknock entrance, from 11am on Sunday handing out some special free goodies and taking part in the walk ourselves. So pop over and see us on what's sure to be a great morning for all the family!

Health News: The Cost of Doing Nothing

A recent study from the Irish Nutrition and Health Foundation called Slan looked at the lifestyles, attitudes and eating habits of Irish people. The results of the study were shocking, revealing that 38% of the population is overweight and 23% are obese. Very few respondants met the minimum recommended daily levels of physical activity. This included children who were seen to be learning from their parents bad habits. 


The Slan study has concluded that our low levels of physical activity are costing the state €1.68 billion per year. This cost includes treating weight related illness, offering expanded or new health services catering to those who are overweight and running health promotion initiatives to try to reduce the problem. It would be so easy for us as a nation to get moving one by one and gradually stem the tide of weight gain. Take one simple step today. Get up from the screen and take a walk. Why not set a 500 calorie goal or a 20 minute target using Fitfone?


For more on this article please visit: http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=17905

Sports News: Katie Taylor Back in Ireland

This weekend saw Irish girl Katie Taylor win gold at the World Boxing Championships in Barbados. She was welcomed into Dublin Airport yesterday by a huge crowd celebrating her win. The teenager, from Bray, has raised the profile of boxing in Ireland massively and her success has also been a boon for womens sport here; encouraging young women to get involved in competitive sporting activities. If you would like to try out boxing you can contact the Irish Amateur Boxing Association at www.iaba.ie. They will put you in touch with your local club so you can get fit and boost your confidence in the ring.