Chocolate, Wine & Exercise

Overview: NAWBO-NW presents the Entrepreneurial Program Series during their monthly chapter meetings. In September, the Entrepreneurial Program featured Arthur Shaw of Exercise Solutions, speaking about maintaining a balanced lifestyle that is healthier, energizing, and joyful.

"A balanced lifestyle all the time..." begins Shaw, "that's tough." Why is that tough? Shaw tells us it's because we've been introduced to sweets early on, that's the culture we live in. As a nation, we strive to be happy, and most of us have learned to find happiness in food. Things like chocolate and wine make us happy. "In 7 years," says Shaw, "I've seen the struggles with food and beverage. It's tough."


Red Wine

Red wine is good for you, according to studies. One glass of red wine a day for women. Why? Because red wine contains antioxidants and flavonoids, both of which are good for the body. However, if you drink more than one then the negatives outweigh the positives. Living a healthy lifestyle, according to Shaw, doesn't mean you have to give up the things you enjoy. You have to balance them.


Chocolate

Technically speaking, chocolate is not that good for you - it's really the cocoa. There are 8 more flavonoids and antioxidants in cocoa than there are in strawberries. Good news for many women!


Exercise

Yes, to maintain a balanced lifestyle, you'll need some of this: exercise. "Think of it this way," says Shaw. "Food and drink are energy. The amount of energy you take in, needs to equal the amount of energy out. It's like the law of thermodynamics." And exercise makes us feel good, too - like wine and chocolate.

So there you have it! Chocolate, wine, and exercise really do have a lot in common! Shaw also shared with us a few tried-and-true exercise tips that anyone can do.

  1. Get a pedometer and watch how many steps you take. You need 10,000 steps per day. It doesn't cost much, and it's more like a game. How many steps does it take you to get from your parking spot to your office?
  2. Get active, but find things you like to do.
  3. Vary your routine.
  4. Set a schedule - but ONLY 48 hours out.
  5. The three major muscles that contribute to back pain are: hip flexor, piriformis (sciatic nerve), and the hamstring.



written by: Heather Pieczonka, Director of Communications