Several years ago I read an article in a fitness magazine listing the top health and fitness tips provided by its editorial board members. Three of those tips stuck in my mind and I still think about them today. Drink water. Take the stairs (instead of an elevator or escalator) whenever possible. Break a sweat every day.
I can proudly say that I drink the recommended amount of water each day. It was hard at first, but now it is second nature. I know that three of my water bottles just about cover the recommended 64 ounces a day, so with another few sips here and there, a tea, a water-based soup, Ive got it covered.
When I used to commute into Boston on public transportation, I took the stairs-over-elevator tip seriously. And with my route, this was no easy task. One of the connecting legs between the train and my office was a ridiculously long and steep set of 50-plus stairs. But I did it. Every day. I would (sometimes enviously) gaze over at the people gliding up the escalator, but I knew I was doing that little bit extra that would give me an energy boost and pay off at the end of the day.
I am still working on breaking a sweat every day. Most days, yes. But not every day. For years I considered running to be one of the only exercises worthy of my time. What was I thinking? Have you tried a fast-paced walk? It’s great. I break a sweat, am more aware of my surroundings, and it’s enjoyable. Three miles walking gives you nearly the same cardiovascular fitness as three miles running, and I look forward to it more. That’s a win in my book.
This issue we asked strength and conditioning coaches from several top volleyball colleges to give our readers their top tips for training (Expert Advice p. 24). The advice is varied, from basic concepts down into the nitty gritty. We hope you find some good take-aways to incorporate into your own daily fitness routines.
Aubrey Everett, Editor
To further the conversation on health and fitness, we asked some of our staff and contributors what the best piece of fitness advice they ever received was. Here are their answers:
Jeremy Roueche, DJ and writer of music column: Think of food as fuel. If you eat better, youll feel and perform better in all aspects of life.
Laura Finamore, supervisor of sales administration: Skip the diets just eat healthy and stay active. 30 minutes of cardio a day makes me feel great!
Jordan Derosier, sales manager: Always stretch and drink lots of water.
