As we approach the middle of winter, you should all be applauded for your dedication! Braving the dark, cold, and often wet conditions to continue your outdoor workouts demonstrates incredible fortitude. Your efforts will be rewarded with improved health and well-being, and when the warm weather arrives, you will be fitter and stronger than you were last year. When you're deciding whether to stick with your training plan or stay in bed, remember this: it's worth the discomfort, and you will be glad you showed up for yourself (and your team). Keep up the great work!
With week 3 behind us, the competition is heating up! The Ice Breakers have taken a very small lead adding 57 for the week, compared with 49 for No Pressure Group. Ian has excelled - having his best week yet - this week adding 11 points! Rich and Rob also had their best week's to date. Overall, Ian is charging forward with 28 points in total, followed by Kathryn J with 25, Lisa and Rach with 24, Kim and Rich with 23, and John and Tania with 21. Don't forget to use the WhatsApp groups to motivate and encourage your team mates. It's really still too close to call!
To mark the halfway point, we'll give you the full table next week. Here's the overall tally to date:
The Ice Breakers: 177
No Pressure Group: 173
Today we're looking at hormones from the pancreas, namely insulin and glycogen. Exercise plays a crucial role in managing insulin and glycogen levels, which are vital for overall metabolic health. Here’s why:
Improved Insulin Sensitivity - Exercise, especially aerobic and resistance training, improves insulin sensitivity. This means that your cells become more responsive to insulin, allowing glucose to be absorbed more efficiently from the bloodstream into the cells. Enhanced insulin sensitivity helps to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
Glycogen Storage and Utilisation - Glycogen is the stored form of glucose in your muscles and liver. Regular exercise increases the muscles’ ability to store glycogen, providing more energy for future workouts and daily activities. More efficient glycogen storage and enhanced storage capacity, ultimately provides a greater energy reserve, improving performance and endurance during prolonged or intense exercise.
Weight Management - Maintaining a healthy weight is closely tied to insulin and glycogen management. Exercise helps reduce visceral fat, which is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. Building muscle through resistance training increases the number of insulin receptors, enhancing insulin sensitivity.
Cardiovascular Health - Regular exercise supports cardiovascular health, which is often compromised in individuals with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Improved insulin sensitivity helps manage blood pressure and a better lipid profile.
Understanding how exercise impacts your overall health and leads to improvements, can provide the motivation you need when other sources of inspiration fall short. By recognizing the tangible benefits of your efforts, you'll be more informed and motivated to stay committed to your fitness goals.
Andy will be in the park tomorrow. Get along and give your points (and your health) a boost!
Here's the week that was, starting with an impressionist polyptych:
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