Dr. Bob Wilcher on physical fitness

Vanity or vitality? Some people do countless curls so that they look good in the mirror. Others jog for hours on the treadmill to improve their cardiovascular endurance. Which option is the best for overall health? Dr. Bob Wilcher, the founder of Killer B Fitness, visited us today to explain why it’s so important to focus particularly on our heart, rather than other muscles. With so many Americans leading sedentary lifestyles these days, it is no surprise that cardiovascular disease is one of the nation’s leading causes of death. Along with a nutritious diet, one of the best ways to ensure heart health is to use the muscle vigorously and regularly. This means that running, swimming, biking, jumping jacks or any other form of aerobic activity should be part of our daily routine. Bob also mentioned that many people attempt to rid their bodies of fat by working out specific muscles, like the abs or triceps, where the extra pounds may be located. This form of “spot” exercising won’t solve the problem; it will only make the area bulge out more if muscles become larger. The best way to burn off the fat is to work up a sweat and do cardiovascular exercise. This burns more calories and can be a lot of fun. The whole school is going to hike to the top of San Ysidro trail on Monday to really puts Bob’s ideas to the test. Plus, we’ll have a blast doing it!