Australia’s Ninja Warriors make climbing walls with their fingertips and battling through obstacles look like a walk in the park. Here two incredible female Ninja Warriors share their top tips for getting into your best shape ever.
- Trust your body
“Having belief and trust in your body is really important,” says Lisa Parkes, 43, an exercise physiologist from Byron Bay who says she is “fitter and stronger in my 40’s that I’ve ever been”.
Start by focusing on your flexibility and strength. “It’s not about aesthetics and how you look, it is about movement mobility and how you feel,” says busy mum and personal trainer Janet Smith, 37. She made the switch from finance to fitness ten years ago and “it has been a passion ever since”.
You need to find a way of exercising you enjoy. If you consider exercising a chore, you are less likely to stick with it. Variety and consistency are vital to successfully maintaining good health and fitness (and avoiding injury) she says.
- Some is better than none
“Just because you don’t have 60 minutes doesn’t mean 15 or 20 isn’t doing you just as good,” says Janet.
Lisa agrees. “You have to understand that it is not about being better than anyone else or being the best. It is about being the best that you can be.” So if 20 minutes is your best, then give it your all.
- Make time for you
Janet encourages people to slow down and step away from the busy lives they lead, and make time for themselves each day to enjoy a cup of tea or to read a book, or do a guided meditation.
“Our stress levels are so much higher because we are busier with work and family, and all these other things that are in our lives. When your body is running on so much stress and constant anxiety, you can never be at optimum health wellness or fitness.”
- Step outside your comfort zone
As you become comfortable with each level of exercise, challenge yourself with new fun goals. Lisa challenged herself with her first ironman at 40.
“You need to always be comfortably uncomfortable,” Lisa says. “You need to push yourself a little bit outside your comfort zone to see results and a change.”
- Build a strong support network
“The hardest part with doing stuff at home is that you lack the accountability. You rely a lot on your own self-motivation. It is easy just to fall off the wagon and let things slide,” Janet admits.
Surround yourself with people who will keep you accountable and encourage you to be better. At the same time, Lisa reminds us to be our own biggest supporter. “Trust that you can do it, because you can!”
Australian Ninja Warrior airs tonight at 7.30pm and concludes tomorrow on Nine.
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