| In an article in the Fall 2009 issue of the online | | | | before a quick lunch. If this is not possible, she |
| Massage Envy magazine, author Amanda Myers | | | | suggests changing into running shoes and taking a |
| points out that if health is your priority, you need | | | | brisk walk outdoors. |
| to consciously make an effort to allot time to | | | | The best time for exercise would still be in the |
| exercise. Since massage therapy is another | | | | early mornings, though, Cotton says. “Ideally, |
| important factor for health maintenance, it would | | | | get your exercise in first thing in the morning and |
| be best to establish exercise and massage | | | | then it’s out of the way,” he opines. It will |
| therapy routines in 4th Street Downtown St. | | | | then power you up for the rest of the day. |
| Petersburg. | | | | Myers advices scheduling workouts on weekends |
| Myers says Richard Cotton, national director of | | | | and Wednesdays so that only one day is affected |
| certification for the American College of Sports | | | | within the busy work week. It’s easier to allot |
| Medicine, admits he is one of those people who | | | | exercise time on Saturdays and Sundays. |
| say they do not have enough time to exercise. | | | | Consider it as a crucial part of your “me |
| She quotes him as saying “The bottom line is, | | | | time.” |
| it’s not that people don’t have the time, | | | | It’s normal to miss your workout schedule |
| it’s that they don’t take the time.” | | | | every now and then due to unavoidable |
| Cotton adds, though, “You should start with a | | | | circumstances. Don’t make it an excuse to |
| values clarification. Where do your values lie? | | | | totally give up on exercise, though. Cotton |
| What’s important to you? People typically list | | | | cautions that you need to get back on track |
| health, family, career and community.” | | | | after only two missed workouts so that you do |
| According to the exercise physiologist, | | | | not lose any of the momentum that you have |
| “Exercise directly impacts many of these | | | | built up. |
| priorities people list.” He explains further that | | | | To complement your workout routine, Cotton |
| the health benefits of exercise extend one’s | | | | advocates massage. It helps develop flexibility and |
| healthy life span to increase time spent with | | | | makes exercise easier. “Massage is definitely a |
| one’s children and grandchildren. He also | | | | positive, self-care activity,” he says. “A |
| asserts that stress hinders productivity and has a | | | | massage can actually support your overall lifestyle |
| negative impact on one’s career while | | | | habits.” |
| exercise resolves that stress. | | | | Myers gives tips on how to maximize even the |
| Myers gives some tips on how to find time to | | | | trip to the massage clinic. She says a 30 minute |
| allot for exercise. She accedes that sometimes it | | | | brisk walk there burns 198 calories, jogging to the |
| may be difficult to find solid two-hour blocks of | | | | clinic for the same time burns 220 calories while |
| time to set aside just for exercise. She, | | | | bicycling for half an hour on a flat surface burns |
| therefore, recommends finding smaller chunks of | | | | 337 calories. |
| time within each week. Even 20 minute segments | | | | You can then get Swedish massage therapy, |
| would be enough to do you a lot of good, Cotton | | | | deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage |
| agrees. | | | | therapy, and even pregnancy massage therapy |
| One way of identifying possible gaps in one’s | | | | from reputable massage clinics in 33607 and St. |
| calendar is by mapping out one’s schedule in | | | | Pete. |
| hourly partitions. In even the most cramped | | | | Establishing an exercise and massage therapy |
| schedules, there are lunch hours that could be | | | | routine in 4th Street Downtown St. Petersburg |
| maximized for exercise time. Myers recommends | | | | would surely work wonders in improving your |
| fitting in 20 minute workouts at a nearby gym | | | | health, making you feel good and look good, too. |