Let’s Stay Fit!

With our competitive cheer season upon us, we are all busy reading our manual, preparing our judging bag, and filling our schedule with competitions. Along with being an active competitive cheer official, many of us work full time, have family responsibilities, and try to fit in some time for exercise.

Exercise has huge health benefits. It helps improve overall physical health (Let’s face it, that cheer bag can get pretty heavy. What about all those steps we climb while at a competition? Many times we end up parking in a different time zone!); improve mental health (Sometimes those Round 3 Description sheets can be challenging. Those differences of opinion when scores are lower than expected can be stressful.

Balancing family, work, cheer, and other commitments can be difficult at times.); and maintain a healthy weight (Wow, those donuts and bagels ready for us first thing in the morning sure are tempting. Some of the lunches provided are amazing and loaded with calories. We can’t ignore the munchies, candy, and soda provided at our judging tables!)

There are some options to fit some exercise time into your busy schedule. Wear a step counter, whether it is a fitness watch or a pedometer, tracking your activity level is important. If you notice you haven’t moved much one day, try to get up and move around more the next day. Take those stairs. For me this is an easy choice. Have you ever been stranded in a broken elevator? Trust me it’s no fun, especially if you are claustrophobic!

If you don’t have time to go to a fitness class or the gym, just keep moving. Did you know that common household chores can burn calories and keep you active? Use your fitness tracker to count the number of steps you take gathering laundry and putting it away. Make a date with your vacuum or floor mop. Any activity is good activity. Remember, moving is better than sitting!

Paula McAllister