It Does Your Body Good
By Jeffrey Crupi

With the school year now under way, your body is facing the strenuous demands of being a teacher. To keep the stresses of your profession in check and to keep your body healthy and in shape, consider engaging in the activities listed below.

Cardio training
Doing laps around the school during your lunch break, forming an after-school walking club, jogging or bike riding will help to improve your circulation and strengthen your heart. In addition to the above-stated benefits, by simply doing 40 minutes of cardiovascular activities during the week, you can reduce stress and lower cholesterol levels.

Stretching
Does your lower back feel sore by the end of the day? Many teachers may feel muscular aches largely because they're on their feet for most of the day. Standing for such long intervals of time demands the need to limber and stretch your muscles daily. Furthermore, as we age, our muscles begin to shorten which restricts one's flexibility. It's recommended that you set aside 10 minutes every day to stretch your muscles. Be sure to hold each stretch for a minimum of 20 seconds to receive the full benefit of your stretches. A before- or after-school stretch group might be a great way to start or end your school day.

Strength training
By engaging in strength training you can tone your body, speed up your metabolism and prevent the onset of osteoporosis. To achieve the best results from strength training, consult a certified personal trainer at a local gym. The trainer can teach you the types of exercises that are best for your body type.

Once you've learned these exercises from a certified trained professional, you can incorporate some of these exercises into your daily activities.

Healthy eating
With student birthday parties, PTA functions and Teachers' Lounge treats, there are plenty of obstacles to eating healthy. By keeping in mind the following advice, you'll be able to better navigate the various parties that await you this year.

• Stick to fruit and vegetable platters
• Drink water instead of soda
• Choose a small plate over a large plate – this will help to control your caloric intake

By engaging in these activities, you'll be on the road to good health and ready to do your best for your students!

Jeffrey Crupi is the owner of Peak Fitness Gym in Westport, CT. He is a certified fitness specialist with a degree from Marymount Manhattan College.

October, 2004, Vol.35, No.2