Are 3D delts and 6 pack abs on your fitness agenda?
With gyms open, Park Runs running and sports events happening, there’s a lot we can do to keep ourselves fit, in mind, body and, of course, mouth.
One of the joys of sport is the community that surrounds it. With gyms, it means you won’t be stuck at home doing those shoulder presses alone. You’ll be able to get back to the heavy duty equipment. The same is true if you enjoy running, or dog-walking. It’s always good to have the companionship of like-minded enthusiasts.
Keeping it in proportion
As dentists we promote both physical and mental fitness. After all, having healthy teeth is part of having a healthy body and mind too.
Social media trends and popular shows, however, shouldn’t leave us feeling inadequate. Nor should we fixate on chasing goals that are unrealistic. Probably someone with stupendously defined musculature has a job that allows for keeping up that look. When we’re hunched up over a keyboard from 9 till 5 there may not be enough hours in our day to attain ‘perfect’ 3D delts.
What matters is keeping healthy, exercising in a way that makes us feel good, and appreciating the amazing things we can do.
For good form, be sure to revisit your wellness goals often:
- Prioritise mental health – am I enjoying this workout?
- Preserve your body – is this fun or just too painful?
- Be realistic – what’s the timeframe to achieve my next target?
- Put aesthetics last. It’s wellness that really matters.
Did you know:
When we meet, the first thing we notice is either eyes or a smile? After all, in England we’re usually wrapped up against the weather.
Hidden traps on the way to 3D delts
Usually people who workout regularly also think about what they put into their bodies. They buy healthy food, plan and prep their meals, and monitor intake sensibly, but not obsessively. If you’re about to start a new exercise regime, then it’s a good idea to think about how you’ll fuel it too.
5 traps to avoid:
- Misuse of drugs: Anabolic steroids are Class C drugs that can only be obtained legally from a pharmacist by prescription. They can cause serious side-effects and addiction. If you don’t have a prescription then you don’t need them. Moreover, be careful about taking over-the-counter painkillers too. If you’re hurting, then just dial down the action a bit.
- Body dysmophic disorder: BDD is a mental health problem. People with BDD, most often teenagers or younger adults of any gender, focus on flaws in their physical appearance that often others would not notice.
- Unsuitable diets: There’s lots of good information out there on diet, but there is misleading information too. So check your sources or ask a professional for advice. Moreover, what suits one person may not be right for you. If it makes you feel bad, then it’s probably not doing you any good. A balanced diet rich in vitamin D can benefit your teeth too.
- Dehydration: Water loss during exercise needs to be replaced. And the best drink for a healthy mouth is water. Make sure you always stay well hydrated, without damaging your teeth with sugar and acid.
- Gritting your teeth: Take a moment to look around at some of the other people working out. You may notice they’re struggling with their weights and pulling faces. Or clamping their teeth. Mechanical force on our teeth and jaws can cause stress damage or TMJD, so be sure to check your breathing, relax your jaw or even slip in a protective, custom-made mouth guard.
You can have it all!
It is possible to have healthy teeth and 3D delts!
In fact, you can start getting professional help right now! Why not set yourself on the road to healthy teeth before you tackle a shoulder workout at the gym?
Why do my teeth matter more than my rear delts?
Well, where do we start?
When we first meet someone, we are influenced by how they look.
Research confirms that whether it’s men or women we’re meeting, we notice eyes and a smile first. Of course, getting to know someone’s personality always takes a bit longer. But first impressions definitely count.
Having healthy teeth and a bright smile makes a statement.
Most importantly, we need our teeth to eat. A comfortable mouth for life really is more of a priority than gains in the gym.
All you need to do is make an appointment.
A new patient appointment is a thorough examination of your teeth, and also your gums, mouth and lips. The dentist checks for any concerns and suggests a treatment plan, if needed, or schedules another check-up.
Regular visits to the dentists, combined with a diligent brushing and flossing routine at home, will keep your teeth in good shape. And it doesn’t take as long as you spend honing those 3D delts!