By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
A top executive of a global nutrition firm has advised Filipinos to engage in 30 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis in order to keep healthy.
Dr. Dana Ryan, the director for Sports Performance and Education of Herbalife Nutrition, said studies indicate that the average Filipino spends an average of 10 hours and two minutes on the Internet, with four hours of those spent on social media. This practice, Ryan pointed out, may lead to a number of health risks.
She gave a press conference recently, titled “How to Remain Healthy in the Age of Social Media” at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
“Unless you’re doing a physical activity while you are online, it is not healthy to stay inactive for long periods of time. In fact, according to the World Health Organization [WHO], insufficient physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide. It increases the chances of serious diseases such as cancer and diabetes,” Ryan said.
According to the WHO, more than 80 percent of the world’s adolescent population is “insufficiently physically active” with 1 in 4 adults “not active enough.”
“Not all of us may afford a gym membership but that does not excuse us from not being physically active on our own,” she said. “Take up some physical activity that you love. That way, you won’t see it as a chore so you will be able to do it regularly.”
Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that has been changing people’s lives with a line of nutrition products and a proven business opportunity for its independent members since 1980. The company offers high-quality, science backed products sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial members who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Ryan found it surprising that not as many people were physically active here in the Philippines as it was noted that more Filipinos were buying gym memberships. In fact, the Philippines registered the biggest growth in the number of gym memberships purchased at 33 percent.
“The awareness to be healthy and to exercise on a regular basis is there but this does not translate into action all the time,” she said. “Some people actually go to the gym because they want to project a certain image. You should be going to the gym or do regular physical activity for your health, not for your image.”
She added that having a workout buddy would also be helpful as you will get to motivate each other. “Find a class or program that you can attend together. It also helps to set a goal for yourself. This way, you will stay motivated,” she suggested.
Walking to work, setting reminders to stand up every 30 minutes, standing during breaks, getting up during TV commercials and using the stairs in stead of taking the elevator are also some of the ways one can have physical activity in a day.
A member of the Herbalife Nutrition Scientific Leadership, which is composed of leading excerpts from around the world of nutrition, science and health, Ryan, likewise, advised against cutting certain micronutrients from your diet.
“For example, some people believe that they only need protein and cut out carbs or carbohydrates from their diet. This is not true. When it comes to keeping healthy, just always remember balance, as the body needs a complex blend of nutrients to remain healthy,” she said. “Indeed, Herbalife Nutrition Philosophy recommends that you get about 40 percent of your calories in the form of beneficial carbohydrates—whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits, along with 30 percent from proteins, and no more than 30 percent from fats.”
At the same time, Ryan pointed out the importance of balancing what you eat and what you burn. “Balance the calories that you take in and what you burn, and your weight will remain stable,” she said.
Ryan added that staying online is not bad in itself; it is just that people should remember to be active at times, rather than becoming absorbed in the online world that they do not move for hours.
“Also, try to look up helpful tips on how to remain fit from reliable organizations. Look at the celebrity or influencer you admire as an inspiration but don’t stress yourself into achieving what he or she has. The important thing is to remain active and healthy,” Ryan said.
