The FINANCIAL — With the upcoming New Year 2008, people are once again making fitness resolutions.
Having a healthy lifestyle serves as good image promotion in any career, even for high circle politicians. Every other day you can find Gia Maisahsvili, candidate for the January 5 Presidential elections, showing off his muscled chest with pride and displaying his yoga skills publicly. Though off camera Lado Gurgenidze, Georgian PM and former Chairman of Bank of Georgia Supervisory Board, is often seen at a ‘Prime Fitness’ treadmill or doing cycle exercises with a foreign financial magazine on the trainer display.
Prime Fitness is equipped with Nautilus and Stairmaster trainers. The centre also offers: yoga, massage, aerobics, steam, Finnish sauna, and aromatherapy.
“I was always eager to lead a healthy and fit lifestyle. Yet because of the busy rhythm of everyday life I could not find time to visit a fitness centre. Today, being a club member for one and a half years already, fitness has become a constituent part of my lifestyle and I can’t imagine a weekend without working out at Prime Fitness,” Jason Nachkebia, 25, Prime Fitness Club member, told The FINANCIAL.
“Over 1 000 people are members of Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club. Prices subsequently are increased due to the growing number of clients and the maintenance of the high quality luxury services offered at the centre,” George Bochorishvili, Vake Fitness PR Manager, told The FINANCIAL.
According to Bochorishvili, since membership contracts are signed, prices depend on the type of membership chosen: Ordinary – GEL 3 120, Corporate (5 persons) – GEL 3000 (per person), Family – GEL 2760 (per person). A single visit costs USD 50, or USD 30 if the client is accompanied by a club member.
“Our fitness instructors constantly observe the health conditions of the clients. In addition we have a special cardio test machine that automatically reveals any problems the person might be suffering and sets up an individual training program for the client,” stated Bochorishvili.
As Bochorishvili noted, Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club is a favourite place of sports and leisure activities for foreign diplomats, especially those visiting the country for short term business leaves.
Although visiting fitness clubs is half a job, read below 10 Essential Health Tips:
The Basics to Practice Every Day
“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.” -Arabian Proverb
1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it’s a stress buster. Think ‘move’ in small increments of time. It doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. Although that’s great if you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
2. Cut out Fat
Avoid the obvious ones such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausages). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that can kill. Just recently, we’ve seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or ‘tough guy’ stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.
4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e., soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can’t live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It’s a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: ‘Smoke gets in your eyes’…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it’s because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body’s boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There’s a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can’t be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young because of ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed to you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can control your own destiny better.
Discussion about this post