WHEN GEMLIFE PACIFIC PARADISE RESIDENT GEORGE OLIVER FIRST ENTERED HIS QUEST TO FIT INTO HIS SUIT FOR HIS SON’S WEDDING, HE NEVER EXPECTED TO BE HITTING THE GYM SIX DAYS A WEEK AND LOVING IT.
Readers of The Gem may remember George and his wife Sheila Oliver from the first episode of Living Proof’s Health Check segment. Last July, dietitian Carly Barlow gave George advice on how to achieve his goal weight in time for the wedding.
Since last year’s family event, George says the couple’s exercise regime is helping them not only with their physical health but also with their mental wellbeing.
“Fitness has always been important to us, and I was already going to the gym back then. After losing the weight, I was inspired to really hit it hard. Now I train roughly six days a week from 5:15am to 6:30am,” George says.
“We also walk a lot, as we have a miniature long-haired dachshund called Rollie, so there’s no excuses when it comes to walking because he lets us know when it’s time to hit the pavement.”
Energise those endorphins George says he loves the endorphin rush he gets from training and that Sheila, who had been fighting fatigue lately due to a busy schedule, was also feeling the benefits.
“Exercise releases endorphins and makes you feel better, and Sheila recently had an experience with that because she is into amateur theatre and has been doing a lot of it, so she didn’t have time to exercise much and started feeling a little lethargic,” he says.
“She has started to exercise again and is feeling a lot better, so we both agree that exercise is hugely beneficial for your physical and mental health.”
George advises that training with a friend or group of friends helps a lot.
“I have a gym buddy and he’s a golfer like me. Sometimes there is up to four of us at the gym here at one time, which really helps keep you motivated, and we always look after one another which is important for our age group,” he says.
As for a few wise words for residents who want to improve their physical and mental health but don’t know where to begin, George says the best way to start is to take it slow at first and work your way up to a proper exercise routine.
“I have to say the best advice I ever got is that it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do something,” he says.
“Start slow, do activities that you’re comfortable with and never force yourself into something that makes you uncomfortable, and just keep at it.”
WHAT ARE THE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE?
- Exercise releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood. It can also get you out in the world, help to reduce any feelings of loneliness and isolation, and puts you in touch with other people.
- Exercising regularly can reduce your stress and symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety or schizophrenia, and help with recovery from mental health issues.
- Exercise can also improve your sleep.