It is a new year, and many of us have decided that improving our overall level of fitness is one of our resolutions. Unfortunately, something might be getting in the way of us achieving our goals.

According to Examine.com’s Fitness Guide 2019, 78% of Americans don’t meet the national exercise guidelines.

Physical Activity Guidelines for American Adults (HHS.gov)

• Adults should move more and sit less throughout the day. Some physical activity is better than none. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits.
• For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours a week of moderate-intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. Preferably, aerobic activity should be spread throughout the week.
• Additional health benefits are gained by engaging in physical activity beyond the equivalent of 5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
• Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity and that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these activities provide additional health benefits.

So what is stopping us from getting enough exercise in order to get fit?

70% of Americans are overweight or obese. Excess fat makes the heart work harder and negatively affects hormones.

46% of Americans have high blood pressure. Exercise capacity is dependent on having a healthy heart.

40% of American men over 45 have low testosterone levels. Testosterone affects everything from muscle and bone mass to mood.

35% of Americans report sleeping too little. Sleep is needed for mental health, tissue healing and a lot more.

11% of Americans suffer from joint-related pain. Joint pain is the main reason regular gym goers stop exercising.

What You Need is a Plan

If you have one or more of the issues above that is making it difficult for you to achieve your fitness goals, you need to have a plan to deal with these issues.

If you are overweight, let’s get your diet right. At BTF, we use a 14-day Detox plan that helps you jump-start your weight loss strategy. We follow this up with a plan that includes more lean proteins and vegetables to promote satiety (fullness) and a promise to cut down on processed foods that include flour and sugar. This can have a carry-over effect in helping promote a decrease in blood pressure as well. Let’s face it, improving your diet can even help decrease joint pain, improve testosterone/hormone levels and even lead to better sleep!

The bottom line is, if you need help coming up with a plan to tackle your health issues and improving your fitness, BTF is here for you. Call us at 310-534-1900 or email [email protected] and schedule a consultation with one of our fitness specialists today!