HLM Fitness

If you are looking for a simple way to remove stubborn fat, increase fitness  and tone muscle then rest assured there is simple way to do it and it is all based  on that magic word “consistency”.

Here at HLM Fitness, we aim to motivate and encourage people to stay on course by remaining consistent and true to their goals.  This is the only way to achieve lasting success when it comes to weightloss and fitness.

The overall aim of any health program for most people is too look and feel good about themselves through different mediums.  Unfortunately, there is no quick fix, magic pill or even surgery that can make you achieve permanent health and weightloss!  These are all temporary fixes when all that is required is to change some habits (100 hrs for each habit to make permanent!) develop some self discipline and work to achieve your aims.

HLM Fitness

The first step on any fitness and weightloss program is to measure where you are and where you want to go.  This will include finding out various things about yourself and writing them down in a diary.

Vital health statistics that you must have before you start on any fitness or weight loss program are the following:

1. Naked body weight
2. Body Mass Index (BMI)
3. Waist circumference
4. Resting Heart Rate (RHR)
5. Aerobic assessment (Walk Test; Run Test; Bike Test)
6. Local Mucular Endurance Test

If you have not done any exercise for a period of time then it might be worth while visiting a Doctor and explaining your aims and getting an overall health check.  Doctors surgeries also provide cholesterol checks which is worth having in your fitness diary.

The easiest way to get all this vital information such as aerobic capacity, LME, BMI etc is to go down to your local fitness and health centre and a personal trainer will have no problem taking you through all these tests.

If you cannot afford to do this as it can be quite expensive then don’t worry as in my next post I will be detailing exactly how you can do all these health checks for free though you may need to borrow a few things like a tape measure and some weighing scales!

HLM Fitness

Do I Have Diabetes?

A question that many people ask themselves as it is a common 20th Century metabolic disease with over 280 million suffers worldwide (2010) and it’s not just the average person that is affected. Paula Deen the famous celebrity chef from the USA recently revealed to the public that she had been diagnosed 3 years ago with Type 2 diabetes which may be due to a high sugar intake.

There are two types of diabetes, Type I and Type II, where Type I is mostly genetic and is down to the body not producing enough insulin to lower sugar levels so sufferers are insulin dependent. Type II is both genetic and lifestyle related where there is enough insulin but is no longer effective at transporting glucose from the blood to the cells.  This normally occurs in middle aged adults over 45 and the elderly but it has now becoming prevalent in the younger generation. Interestingly, a few hundred years ago diabetes was extremely rare.

Diabetes is a serious medical and sometimes life threatening condition and if left untreated can cause blindness, heart attacks, renal (kidney) failure, lower limb amputation, loss of sensation, poor circulation and blurred vision! The types of people who suffer from diabetes varies as the cause can be hereditary or down to lifestyle factors such as obesity, hypertension and lack of exercise.

Some of the Signs & Symptoms to watch out for if you are asking yourself the question “Do I have Diabetes?”…

1. Frequent urination (polyuria) which is caused by too much sugar in the blood. The kidneys struggle to filter water into the blood if insulin levels are too low thus causing a backlog of water in the kidneys and bladder.

2. Dry and itchy skin especially around the extremities (feet, elbows etc).

3. Sores, cuts and infections usually take longer to heal due to an impaired blood and nerve supply.

4. Foot problems can occur with loss of sensation (neuralgia) and the development of sores around pressure points of the foot such as the lateral borders, heel/achilles tendon, planter aspect of  the hallux valgus and the top of the toes.

5. A feeling of tiredness and lethargy can develop for no reason and be sustained for long periods.

6. Blurred vision is also a recognised symptom due to glucose absorption around the retina causing a change in the structure of the eyeball.

If Signs and symptoms are positive then a check up by the Doctor is necessary in order to determine if you do indeed have diabetes. This is a very simple procedure where the sugar level in the blood is checked after a meal and during fasting.

Do I Have Diabetes?

Some Interesting Facts!

• Diabetes speeds up coronary artery disease.
• Diabetes can reduce your potential to deal with infections.
• Diabetes and HBP (high blood pressure) are the main reasons for failure of the renal system
• Diabetes I and II is easy to diagnose with blood sugar tests.
• Diabetes can threaten anybody from early childhood to the elderly.
• Diabetes mellitus is basically the Greek/ Roman word for “to flow, honey” .
• Diabetes can impact women and men alike and all age groups.

Do I have diabetes is an important question to ask if suffering from any of the symptoms above.  Fortunately diabetes can be reversed with proper diet, medical care and check ups as well as adequate exercise.

Do I Have Diabetes?

by guest writer
James Medway