| Exercise and Sport. Most of us, keep fit enthusiasts | | | | This is a great option unless the whole idea of |
| excepted, will sooner or later, suffer from the dawning | | | | exercise without seeing a tangible result after each |
| realization that our mirrors are telling us that our | | | | session doesn't appeal and the idea of running, lifting |
| bottoms are sagging, our stomachs are bulging and our | | | | weights and other similar gym type exercises fills you |
| faces are getting puffy. | | | | with total boredom. |
| Some will just accept natures way and carry on with | | | | So lets look at Sport. |
| their usual lifestyle but there will be others that want to | | | | All sports have a definite objective and that is to win |
| regain a trim and toned body and that feeling of well | | | | or lose at the end of a session. |
| being that comes with being fit. | | | | I cannot think of a recognized sport in which women |
| No matter what age you are when you become | | | | don't take part, even the roughest and toughest such |
| aware of the dreaded signs that your body is not the | | | | as Rugby Union and League, American Football. |
| temple of excellence that you expected it to remain. | | | | Wrestling and Boxing have ladies teams competing |
| Sloth, bad habits and diet will have their way. | | | | against each other. Male or female, there are very |
| They will affect even a teenager's body in just the | | | | few bars to taking up any sport you fancy. |
| same way as it will with any older person. | | | | Anybody can take part in any sport; the question is |
| Having the right genes plays a huge part in our ability | | | | whether to take up a team sport or an individual sport. |
| to delay the deteriorating effects of a bad lifestyle but | | | | Both will have clubs and associations and with few |
| sooner or later the body will begin give out | | | | exceptions will welcome new members irrespective of |
| ever-stronger signals that action should be taken to | | | | their ability and most have an emphasis on the social |
| restore it to the way it was. | | | | side of their activities so making new friends and |
| So what are the options? | | | | acquaintances with common interests is an added |
| The first thought that comes to many peoples mind is | | | | bonus. |
| jogging. It does not require any expensive equipment, | | | | The competitive atmosphere generated in sports clubs |
| just trainers and any old clothes to suit the weather | | | | can become infectious and is a spur to increasing |
| and can be carried out at any convenient time of the | | | | physical fitness to better ones performance on the |
| day or even night. | | | | playing field, court or wherever the sport is taking |
| OK that's fine for those who prefer their own | | | | place. |
| company but if you suffer from loneliness or just don't | | | | For those who cannot get on with fast ball games |
| want to be alone when pounding the highways and | | | | such as Tennis, Squash or Racquetball there are many |
| byways of your neighborhood you will have to find a | | | | other options open. |
| friend who shares your dedication to getting fit. | | | | Fencing, with three disciplines (foil, epee and sabre) |
| Incidentally there is a school of thought that considers | | | | requires good reflexes and fast feet, Wrestling needs |
| jogging one of the worst activities for causing joint | | | | application to technique good balance and strength. |
| problems and associated pain. | | | | Then there is Judo, various martial arts, archery, boxing |
| Another option is to equip a home gym if you have the | | | | and a large variety of athletic pursuits. Football of |
| spare space. | | | | whatever kind is so popular that a team to suit any |
| Whether you buy just a few weights and maybe find | | | | standard of play however poor, is likely to be located |
| a second hand simple treadmill or even if you can | | | | nearby. |
| afford a comprehensive multi-gym machine it will still | | | | My Dad who is 70 still plays a two-hour competitive |
| cost you. | | | | game of tennis three times a week and has recently |
| As with all exercise regimes you will have to have the | | | | taken up golf once a week so he will have a sport |
| will power to continue with what can eventually | | | | when he is too old for tennis. |
| become a boring routine, particularly so if budget and | | | | He still contrives to get out of taking the family's little |
| space consideration limit your choice of equipment. | | | | Shih-Tzu dog for a short daily walk because he says |
| Again great if you have company to help keep you | | | | that just walking is boring |
| going as listening to music on an I-pod or watching telly | | | | Another alternative for those who find road and gym |
| while you go through your routine can pall after a while. | | | | work tedious and boring is to take up swimming. |
| If you are a mother at least you haven't the problem | | | | Clubs organize races, water polo, sub aqua and other |
| of finding a baby sitter. | | | | water activities that also require a good level of fitness |
| If you are a sociable type join a gym. | | | | and provide competition, companionship and interest, as |
| You can keep your interest up by trying out the | | | | is the case with every sport. |
| variety of machines that a well run gym should be | | | | So for that trim and toned body and to feel good |
| equipped with, take advantage of the good advice on | | | | without the drudgery of jogging or the dread of |
| hand from the staff and probably find a new circle of | | | | boredom in the gym try taking up a sport. |
| friends with the same interests which should help you | | | | There is a sport suitable for every one whatever their |
| sustain your efforts. | | | | age, shape, standard or disability. |
| Subscriptions vary but are usually affordable. | | | | "�Sport for all' means exactly what it says! |