Be More Cat

Cats are brilliant. I am a cat owner and experience every day how amazing my fluffy female felines are. After 2 years of being a cat Mum I have 10 reasons why we should all be more cat.

1. Personality.

Cats are independent animals, some may say that they are aloof and loners but the truth is that they are very affectionate, it’s just on their terms. If humans ceased to exist, cats would be fine, they’d pack up their dreamies, head out into the world and become feral killing machines. They are resilient. Being resilient means recovering quickly from difficulties and is essential to succeeding with any task, especially fat loss and lifestyle change.

How can I do this? Treat everything like a learning experience, and trust that you can bounce back from anything given enough time and support from others in your life. Getting back up after ‘falling down’ isn’t always easy, but you will thank yourself in the future.

2. Full body exercise.

Cats don’t really have much of a choice, they walk on all fours so all their muscles are being used simultaneously. In general humans lead quite sedentary lives and exercise during the day is planned. Unless you have a personal trainer or go to classes it can be tempting to do the exercise you enjoy, and leave the less enjoyable stuff until tomorrow (a day that never comes). This leads to muscle imbalances and gives us the phrase “friends don’t let friends skip leg day”.

How can I do this? Focus on compound exercises, these are movements that use more than one muscle group at a time, examples are squats, deadlifts, press ups. Or you can combine an upper and lower body move at the same time e.g squat with a shoulder press or lunges and torso twists. Be aware of the moves you don’t like and if there’s no suitable alternative that you enjoy, stick with it, learn them, conquer them and grow to love them. Example: Burpees!

3. Occasional flat out sprints.

If you are a cat owner you will have experienced this. The house is quiet, perhaps it’s even in the middle of the night. And then you hear it, the thundering paws of your cat galloping around the flat with the weight of an elephant and the speed of a cheetah. If you’ve seen the start of the mad cat dash usually it starts with a stretch, then (I imagine) a mental “COME ON!” proceeded by the butt wiggle and then…GO GO GO.

Why is this good? Well, high intensity interval training has been shown to be very beneficial for the body. It aids in fat metabolism, increases your calorie burn after the event and it shakes things up a bit in your fitness routine. Think of your cats sprints as the insanity of the feline world.

How can I do this? Interval training is easy to implement into your workouts, you can try this interval workout on a treadmill or on your next run[1]

If you are interested in introducing interval training into your workout plan but are unsure of how to go about it, give me a shout and we can discuss an exercise plan for you.

 4. Stretching.

An activity underused by most humans but cats never seem to stop stretching. They even have a yoga move named after them. Why do we not value the stretch? There are many benefits to stretching including increasing your range of movement and helping you to recover after a workout.

Some say that stretching does not reduce the risk of injury, from personal experience I would say I have to disagree. We are all different however and while some people really need a good stretch after a workout to avoid injury, others seem to be able to skip it and be ok.

There are other benefits to taking a few minutes to stretch however, stretching allows you to relax, focus on your body, lower your heart rate and calm the mind.

How can I do this? Take time to stretch after a workout, and consider following a daily stretching routine to aid in flexibility and relaxation.

5. Adequate resting.

Cats need upwards of 12 hours sleep per day.

If we sleep for 12 hours a day we are either ill or we’ve been up all night. However, it is recommended that we have a solid 8 hours each night. While each person is different it is important to get adequate rest for your activity levels. If you are finding that you are struggling to get through the day without that 3pm cup of coffee and a sugary snack it might be time to take a look at your bedtime routine.

How can I do this? Try setting a bedtime for yourself, half an hour to an hour before this time, shut down your computer, put off the tv and try to relax yourself. Have a bath or read a book and give your eyes a rest from the glare of technology. The more rested you are, the better prepared you will be for your workouts and your life.

6. Food Control.

When you feed a cat they will eat until they are satisfied and leave the rest until later. Of course the humans who feed the cats can also regulate the intake of food. As adults we don’t have those restrictions and so for some, learning food control and eating based on hunger cues is a skill that needs to be re-learned. Once you can eat based on hunger alone, you are in more control of food intake and your weight. [2]

How can I do this? This takes practice and time. Start with your biggest meal of the day and consciously eat slower. Eat until 80% full and then wait 10-15 minutes before going back for more. It will be difficult at first but persevere. If you would like help with this strategy get in touch and we can discuss organising a plan for you.

7. Prioritise protein.

Protein is essential for good health. Protein is broken down into amino acids which are the building blocks of our bodies, everything from the growth of our hair and nails to the much needed muscle repair after a workout, amino acids are responsible for it all. Cats are carnivores and have a diet that is heavily protein and fat based with a small amount of carbohydrates. While the dietary requirements of humans is slightly different, and our tastes and beliefs surrounding food are much more complex, we can take an example from our feline friends and prioritise foods that will nourish our bodies.

How can I do this? Eat whole foods that are good for your health. Minimise non nutritious calories such as added sugars, refined carbohydrates and vegetable oils. Seek to eat foods that will make you stronger, fitter and happier.

8. Drink water.

You won’t catch a cat gulping down a pint of fizzy juice (at least I hope not!) they stick to what they know is good, water. Everyone is different when it comes to their needs for drinking. Some go through litres a day whereas others are happy with a few small glasses. The basic rule is drink when you are thirsty, simple as that. However be aware that the sensations of thirst can be masked as the sensations of hunger. If you feel hungry but have eaten recently, try a drink of water and see if this helps.

How can I do this? Not everyone likes water and making the switch from sugary drinks to plain water can seem like a big leap, but the benefits for drinking water include clearer skin, better hydration and some say, increased mental clarity. At the very least, it is essential to stay hydrated during workouts. Try these ideas for adding water into your daily routine.

9. Have some ‘cat time’

As previously mentioned cats enjoy their own space. If they don’t want to be cuddled or stroked they will let you know. Whether it’s simply getting up and walking away or the more aggressive hissing technique. They enjoy their privacy and space. Not that they allow their humans the same courtesy all the time…

“Excuse me while I stand in front of your face”

Sometimes we forget to spend time with ourselves, a lot of us have family commitments or other areas or our lives that need constant attention. It can be easy to think that taking the time to look after yourself is less important, or even worse, selfish! This is not the case, spending time on yourself allows you to come back to the world as a more relaxed, calm, happy and rational personal.

How can I do this? Set aside some time for you, even if you can only manage 10 minutes on your own. If you have children this might be difficult, but try and find ways to sneak some time to yourself, send them off to a friends house and have an evening in. Read a book, drink a glass of wine, have a bubble bath, meditate, whatever it is that you need to do in order to relax and enjoy some ‘you’ time.

10. Be sociable and find time to play

Just as much as cats like to be alone, they also love spending time with their humans and each other and when they are in the mood they never pass up a chance to chase paper or play with toys.

That doesn’t mean you ask your closest friends to give you a tummy rub, but it does mean taking the time to seek out the company of others. It’s good for the soul to expand your social circle and meet new people. It is also equally important to spend time with those who mean the most to you.

Take time to engage in activities that you enjoy, whether that’s going to the cinema, shopping, bowling or even being brave and finding your local Christmas ice rink! Just find something that you love to do and do it as often as you can.

How can I do this? Organise a monthly ‘date’ with friends or a family day where everyone gets together for lunch. Alternatively go to meetup.com and find events taking place in your area that you might enjoy.

In conclusion, quite simply the best way to live is by being more cat.

This post was made possible because of my little fur babies Ellie & Miko.

[1] Interval training is not for everyone, please make sure you are in good health i.e no colds, illnesses or injuries. Be sure that you are confident with using a treadmill or running outside. If you have just started exercising after a long period without, please consult your GP before starting an interval programme. Stop if you feel dizzy or ill and stay hydrated. Intervals should not be used on every workout. Maximum 3 per week.

[2]There is a difference between good control over eating and being controlling over how much you eat. If you find yourself being on edge and worrying about how much you eat, it may be time to consult your GP.

References:

High-intensity aerobic interval training increases fat and carbohydrate metabolic capacities in human skeletal muscle. Perry CG1, Heigenhauser GJ, Bonen A, Spriet LL.