Hidden Dangers of a Sedentary Lifestyle

Our bodies are made to be active and to move. Unfortunately the lifestyle that the majority of the world is living has become sedentary. If you don’t regularly exercise and are sitting down for the majority of your day, your lifestyle can be categorized as sedentary. Even if you do exercise, if you spend the majority of your day in a sedentary job, you could be in the danger zone.

Bones are the foundation of our physical being and the heart is the foundation of our life. They require exercise and movement to maintain their strength and nutrient contents.

Think about it like this, in order for a car’s engine to function at maximum capacity, it needs to be driven. If you leave a car in the garage for years without taking it for a drive, the engine won’t start. It’s similar with your heart, except your heart needs to be “driven” and challenged at least 3 times per week.

If your heart is rarely or never exposed to exercise, your rate of weight gain, heart attack, high blood pressure, and many other significant and potentially fatal medical issues increases. Being physically inactive is a close second only to smoking as a leading cause of preventable death.

The hardest part about making changes in your lifestyle is taking the steps to initiate the changes. For anyone trying to start a fitness or wellness program, the easiest way to start is by going for a walk a couple times per week.

Nu’U Vitality Center is participating, and is continually encouraging other local companies to participate, in Bethesda Transportation’s Walk & Ride Challenge starting in September 2016. The Challenge is bringing local business together through friendly competition while getting sedentary individuals outside and active. If you are a business owner in Downtown Bethesda, this is a great way to get your employees moving and encouraging the get and stay active. If you work in the Downtown Bethesda area, talk to your business owner about starting a team and taking that first step! Follow the link below for more information regarding the Bethesda Transportation’s Walk and Ride Challenge and to sign your team up!

https://www.walkandride.net/districts/bethesda

Nu’U Vitality Center is also here to help you take that first step! Join us Wednesday’s during your lunch break at 12:30, Wednesday evenings at 6:30, and/or Sunday mornings  at 8:30 for our FREE walking program, Nu’Strides. Come get your steps in  while enjoying the beautiful outdoors and meeting new people with similar  goals. 

To sign up for our walking program, follow the link below and RSVP! We are excited to be a part of your first steps into a healthier you and a healthier lifestyle!

                  https://www.meetup.com/NuStrides/

Nu'U Vitality Center gets outside on a hot day!

Working out in the heat can be done, but you have to be smart about it. If you can't get out early in the morning or late in the evening, then you need a Plan B. And if you're going to #getoutside and #getactive, then make sure you #stayhydrated and #beprepared. Subscribe to our YouTube page for other great tips.

VO2 Max: Benefits for You

In many instances when people with no physiological testing background are asked if they would be willing to complete a VO2 max test on a treadmill or bicycle, they expressed feelings of anxiety. They expressed that the anxiety comes from the belief that a VO2 max test is very similar to a torture session, complete with a muscular meltdown into a puddle of lactic acid and sweat.

This is NOT the case at all.

Yes, it is a physical test and yes it will be physically difficult, but not for longer than a minute or two. The test length actually depends on your fitness level. There is no time limit as the test will end when you, the tester are at a point of fatigue. This can take anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the tester.

In laymen's terms, VO2 is how much oxygen your body can transport to your muscles to sustain work in an hour. So if you weigh more your body will require more oxygen.

The VO2 max test uses measures of heart rate in conjunction with caloric output as determined by the Korr machine’s measurement of the CO2 in the air exhaled by the testing individual. The test takes the individual through a range of effort levels to establish an accurate number of calories expended per hour at varying training levels.

The results let you know at what specific heart rate your body begins to use FATS or CARBOHYDRATES as its main energy source. If you are looking to lose more fat…this is the test for you!

VO2 max is a great way to determine ones fitness level by testing how the body consumes and utilizes oxygen. A beginner may not be able to utilize much oxygen at first due to low lung capacity, but as one continues to train, their lungs are able to take in more oxygen and utilize it better. 

Essentially allowing individuals to exercise much longer and more efficiently. If you are looking to optimize your endurance and fitness levels…this is the test for you!

Understanding the results that are yielded from a VO2 max test are a key component in a fitness or weight loss journey. Having an understanding of the way that your body works is essential in a successful weight loss or exercise optimization journey.

This test is NOT just for runners, cyclists, or super endurance athletes. Anyone can take the test…and anyone can benefit from the results.

To schedule your VO2 max test or to talk to one of our Lifestyle Architects give us a call at 301.685.0230 or send us an email at contactus@NuUVitality.com.

Look ahead to our Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) article to learn how it can benefit your weight loss journey as well!