Team efforts

This week we were down to eight people. I know that some have gone on holiday. One sent apologies because she had to work late. Also the weather wasn’t terribly conducive to being out in the open.

The ground we usually base ourselves on was very wet and boggy so I decided on a different spot nearby. We were still “hidden” from general view. Because of the change of position I varied the warm up route taking in the first cricket pitch. It made a change and I think variety helps so long as it is kept within a framework of familiarity.

I had to re-organise the session in my mind because of the number attending. I set them on a relay of three points so there were four in each “team”. They did it twice round and then had a short rest. Then went through the same effort once more.

I find that even though I stress that it isn’t a race, they are all very competitive. This motivation enables each and everyone of them to push themselves over the short distances I set.

After the final jog round to cool down we had what seems to have become a regular little chat. This week I was able to relate what information I had collected about tee shirts. We are trying to decide on a colour.

MO said how she had noticed the previous week’s efforts had been set for all abilities and that no-one gave up but worked through to their own level. She pointed out that everyone was achieving in the company of others. MO found this motivating and at the same time lacking in intimidation.

AB announced that she had managed to go out and jog for a full fifteen minutes for the first time since joining the Plodders. She puts this down to her achievements during the Monday sessions. We were all impressed and the whole group were most supportive.

Team Running

At last. A man joined us this week. I didn’t particularly want the class to turn into a female only session. The only criteria I have is that everyone is over 18 years of age and seeking fitness through exercise.

The total attendees was twelve. That felt great. The class seems to be taking off well. However, so far the weather has been good. It may be different when the cold, dark evenings are with us. We’ll see. I think if we achieve good membership before October then that should see us through.

I set a course across the football field as follows: Centre line – side line – front of penalty area – side line. However, the “Start” is halfway across the field. The people got together in pairs. One started on the “Start” line. The other of each pair walked directly across to the corresponding marker. The first of the pair runs around half the course to reach their partner. Touch hands. Number two runs second half of course whilst number one walks across centre to “Start” line. Number two hands over to number one and repeats.

They were asked to make two circuits then rest and repeat.

Gosh. They may be beginners. They may think they can’t run. But boy are they competitive!

Another New Runner

I walked on down with the three I met at the entrance on the park road. This week we had to use the far side of the field because other groups of people had staked out territories!

I had just sent the group on a warm up run when I saw a woman approaching. She turned out to be someone I had been told might be attending. So after four weeks with three people we now had a class of four which meant that we had a total of seven who had attended at various times.

Each week I told everyone to try to bring one person the following week in order to expand. I find that larger groups work better than small groups.

The exercise was to run fairly hard (within the individual’s capabilities) for about 80 metres and walk back recovery. The newcomer, CD, although claiming not to have done any running, is obviously quite fit.

A great, chatty little group. MO is proving to be quite a fun person and CD will be easy to get along with.

I find that it is quite difficult to know whether the people in the group feel that they are getting what they need. I guess time will tell. If they keep coming then the answer must be yes.

Can Exercise Lower Your Cholesterol Levels?

Author: Albert Lee

Numerous studies support the various benefits of exercise in daily life. The ability of exercise to lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of development of heart disease has been confirmed by adequate scientific research.

A study conducted in a university proved that any amount of exercise is better than no exercise at all. The study was composed of 84 individuals who all had high cholesterol levels. They were divided into a group of intense activity of long duration, another group of similar intense activity but of shorter duration, a third group of moderate activity, and a control group.

At the end of the study, all exercise groups were noted to have better cholesterol levels than the control group. The study likewise revealed that when you exercise to lower cholesterol, the amount of exercise you accomplish is more important than the intensity of your exercise.

Another study conducted in a different university revealed that combining a low-fat diet with regular exercise to lower cholesterol results in healthier cholesterol levels. A total of 377 individuals with low HDL and high LDL levels were divided into an exercise group, a diet group, an exercise-and-diet group, and a control group that received no intervention.

A year after, the exercise-and-diet group were found to have a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol compared to those who merely dieted. This also supports the fact that it is effective and safe to use exercise to lower cholesterol.

Research has also shown that when you exercise to lower cholesterol, your HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol, goes up, while your LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol, goes down.

To discover the best foods to lower your cholesterol, visit http://www.diettolowercholesterol101.com
This article is free for republishing Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_162686_23.html