This month, our spotlight is on our NIH lead trainer, Shannon Oussoren who is a 20+ year fitness professional with expertise in strength and flexibility training, functional movement, and high-intensity interval training for athletes. As an avid Yogi and cyclist, she delivers results with an emphasis on correct form through mindful engagement and finding fun in everything you do.
Certifications:
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Certified Personal Trainer
- Athletics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA), Primary Group Exercise
- Balanced Athlete Levels 1 and 2
- Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) – 200
Fitness Tips
We asked Shannon to share some of her favorite fitness tips to keep you healthy and strong and increase your fitness level. Here are some of her favorite recommendations:
1) Minimize Stress: Engage in healthy activities to minimize stress and reduce Cortisol production in the body. Some constructive activities that help reduce stress include meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, and other regular exercises. Key tips include:
- Focus on your breath
- Exercise regularly
- Make sure to stretch and relax after strenuous exercise
2) Get Enough Sleep: The National Sleep Foundation recommends that healthy adults get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. People over 65 should get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Chronic sleep loss has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Adequate sleep is vital to your well-being. Tips include:
- Stick to a schedule
- Be careful what you eat and drink before bed
- Create a restful environment in your bedroom
- Be physically active during the day
- Limit caffeine intake and daytime naps
3) Keep Moving: Motion is the body's lotion and continuing to exercise throughout our lives delivers stunning results in terms of health and wellness. Pointers include:
- Set goals and log your activity
- Turn off your television and computer and put down your smart device
- Set a time to exercise and stick with it
- Encourage your friends to join you
4) Engage Your Brain: Your brain is the “governor" of your body. Use it when you move to govern form, positioning of the hands and feet in space, and to help you focus on primary and secondary muscle movements. Tips include:
- Take time to set up your form so you can execute properly
- Think before and while you move
- Concentrate on the primary and secondary muscle movements
5) Eat Mindfully: You can't outlift, outjump, or outrun the effects of a bad diet on the body. Consider keeping a journal of the food you eat on a daily basis to help you truthfully assess consumption. Other key tips include:
- Change your shopping habits and stop buying processed foods
- Watch your portion size
- Change how you prepare foods to limit excess oils, salt, and sugar
- Drink lots of water
- Stick to a regular eating schedule
- Eat slowly and stop when you are full
By following a few simple pointers, we can all achieve optimal health throughout our lifetime!
