SPORTS AND FITNESS SHOW 2013

First of all, I would like to apologise for not writing in this blog for so long. Busy work (which is not a complaint at all!) mixed with family health problems have been keeping me away from writing.

            Changing the subject… This last weekend has been all about Fitness. The second ever Sports and Fitness Show in Ireland was held on the 2^nd and 3^rd of February 2013 in the RDS in Dublin. On both days, right at the entrance, you got a bag with the Irish Mail with lucozade sport, kellogg’s Nutri-Grain (Crunchy Oat Granola Choc Chip) and McVitie’s Breakfast (porridge oats biscuits with red berries).

            There were a lot of stands that were sports, fitness, nutrition and personal wellbeing related. Some giving free samples like the Vita Coco natural coconut water drink (traditional in Brazil and among world famous celebrities like Madonna. It is highly hydrating and energetic with vitamins and minerals and they showed three different flavours: original, pineapple and orange); Sumo giving samples of their calorie burning refreshments with 2 different flavours (Tropical and Summer fruits) and also The Foods of Athenry had many samples of their gluten free range.

There were many more stands such as the Nutriband (their products are supposed to make performance boosting nutrients be absorbed through the skin by wearing their patches), KT Ireland (treating and preventing sports injuries), Alkaline Healing Water (ionised water company that also had a stand in the previous edition of the Sport and Fitness Show), Aloe Vera Gel, Softball Leinster (promoting sports), International Paintball Group (promoting their various paintball centres in 6 countries), Clare Burren Marathon, White Collar Boxing (with a Boxing ring in the event showing boxing demos) and many more. Chuan Chom Thai Spa and Art of Therapeutic Thai massage giving free massage. Worth mentioning the Adventure West stand, besides their people being really nice and enthusiastic about their services, they had a zorbing ball/OGO right there at the event. There were charity stands for the Irish Paraolympic Athletes and for Autism.

            There were different classes/workshops scheduled and divided throughout the two days of the event. Some of them were:

• Capoeira - Master Mamaozinho was there giving demonstrations of Capoeira (Brazilian Martial Arts that works the whole body) and Frevo (One of many Brazilian type of dance);

• Zumba and Rip 60 (Great and fun popular classes delivered by the profifitness school that is always coming up with great Fitness Conferences with classes and workshops that count with many great Instructors from all over the world) Those two classes were also present in the first Sports and Fitness Show that happened in Dublin in 2011.

• Toe-ga (Great presentation and exercises demonstrations done with your toes to re-educate our feet to perform in a more natural way and shape that improves your technique for running, for instance).

Chi Balls

• Chi Ball class (Instructor Eddie showed us a great relaxing and different class using a Chi Ball created in Australia with Tai Chi, pilates, yoga and traditional Chinese medicine as some of its influences. There are many different Chi Balls each with a different colour and different scent and each one of them is supposed to help you to work a different physical/mind health issue. 

• Kettelbell class (a complete whole body exercise class also delivered by Eddie that showed us not only how to use kettlebells in a fitness class but also how to take it to a different level and make it a really advanced exercise performing 80 repetitions in less than 4 minutes (Eddie did it in 2 minutes and a half).

           

            Overall I would say the classes were very good but I felt there was less of a variety of classes being offered comparing to the other Sports and Fitness Show in 2011. A very positive side was that the classes didn’t run simultaneously like the 2011 event so you could do them all if you wanted. It makes me wonder when the next Sports and Fitness Show in Ireland will be and what other new trends will be shown. I can’t wait!

The importance of sleep to your healthy routine

Regular exercise and nutrition are crucial but a good nights sleep is very important too. If you are constantly sleep-deprived you can be sabotaging your healthy routine. Many hormones are produced and your organism as a whole rests and recovers while you sleep. It is also during that time that your muscles repair and grow, which is essential to get results from your workout.

Insomnia can happen due to medical causes (pain, respiratory problems, hyperthyroidism, etc) or the intake of certain substances (such as caffeine, alcohol, psycho-stimulants, anti-depressives) or due to psychiatric disorders (such as anxiety, mania, depression) or because of specific sleep disorders (sleep apnea, nocturnal myoclonus). Insomnia can be Initial (when the person finds it difficult to get to sleep) or terminal (when the person wakes up precociously early and cannot go back to sleep).

Lack of sleep can make you feel grumpy, easily irritated, tired, stressed, your energy levels get low, makes it difficult to concentrate, lowers your immune system, makes you prone to health problems such as high blood pressure and weight gain (hormones that control your appetite get altered when you don’t get enough sleep).

Some tips for a better sleep:
· Make sure your room is cosy, comfortable and as dark as possible.
· You should have a routine around the time you go to sleep.
· Always go to sleep at the same time.
· Use your bed to sleep (don’t watch TV, read or study on your bed).
· Write down all your commitments for the following day to avoid getting worried about them.
· Wake up always at the same time every day.
· Exercise regularly.
· Be more active during the day and leave the evenings for more relaxing activities.
· Avoid alcohol.
· Avoid coffee and other psycho-stimulators mainly in the afternoon and evenings.

You should try to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Consult your doctor to check if your lack of sleep has any specific cause and if so treat it. Exercise regularly to improve your sleep. Have a good sleep routine so you can see the results of your workout.