Some drive a block to the convenience store for a newspaper. Or only take the parking spot nearest the door of their destination. The car makes it possible to get to lots of places, but it can also take you to what Nicolaou calls "deconditioning". Translation: the less you use your muscles, the less they'll be available to use some day.
His prescription is simple: do something! You can start by walking when it makes sense. When you arrive at your place of business or a shopping center, try parking as far from the door as you can to force yourself to walk more. You'll end up getting more fit without thinking about it.
At some point, you may want to engage in a more-structured fitness routine, whether at home or in a more-formal setting like a gym or sports club. Often, people breaking into a fitness regime are counseled to work with a personal trainer, at least for a session or two. These professionals evaluate your fitness level and help you work out a routine to reach your fitness goals one step at a time. You may be urged to get medical clearance before starting that routine.
And Nicolaou says there's no truth to the old saying, "no pain, no gain." He says that, apart from the little aches a new exercise routine may bring, pain is not a good thing. It's a warning you should not ignore.
For more information, you can visit his website, http://www.philnicolaou.com, or call 610-574-3587.
