A lot of us don't love to work out. In fact , lots of the people I see at the gym look like they would rather be anywhere else, but I maintain that exercise can be fun. You may be doubting that but if you remember back to your younger days you can usually come up with at least one or two physical physical activities that you enjoyed. It could have been jumping rope, playing ball or just running around in the woods. So if you could have fun then, why not now?
I encourage you to find exercise that you find pleasurableâ€"for the simple reason that you'll be more inclined to do it continually.
Here's a few ideas to get you thinking:
- Get a pal or relative to join you while you exercise. It's a good way to build a relationship.
- Join a clubâ€"hiking, cycling, tennisâ€"it does not matter as much as it will get you moving.
- Get a dog (woof, woof).
- Purchase some exercise DVDs that interest you. Frequently you can buy these inexpensively at garage sales or lease them from a library to try.
- Sign up for a "fun" run or walk. You might be more motivated if you have got to prepare for an event.
- Attend an exercise class. It might be yoga or spinning or anything else that is of interest to you.
- Listen to music or audio books on your iPod. I sometimes like to just meditate and clear my head while I exercise, but occasionally it's pleasant to have a distraction.
Also, I encourage you to mix things up a bit. You don't always have to do the same thing each and every day. It may be that you go to the gym a few times a week, and on the other days you ride your bike or take your children for a stroll. Whatever you do, make sure your work out is acceptable for your age and level of conditioning. If in doubt, talk to your physician about what may be safe for you.
To enhance your possibilities of success, start with little goals and build up from there. If you haven't exercised since gym class in 7th grade, don't try to run a 5K the first time out. If you have trouble staying motivated, consider possibly hiring a fitness coachâ€"that's what they are for!
We, as people, were designed to exercise. It is only a fairly recent phenomenon that we became inactive. According to theMayo Clinic, lifestyle issues account for 70% of chronic conditions and the bulk of our medical care costs. The final analysis is that you actually can't be healthy unless you exercise, so you might as well have fun doing it!
I encourage you to find exercise that you find pleasurableâ€"for the simple reason that you'll be more inclined to do it continually.
Here's a few ideas to get you thinking:
- Get a pal or relative to join you while you exercise. It's a good way to build a relationship.
- Join a clubâ€"hiking, cycling, tennisâ€"it does not matter as much as it will get you moving.
- Get a dog (woof, woof).
- Purchase some exercise DVDs that interest you. Frequently you can buy these inexpensively at garage sales or lease them from a library to try.
- Sign up for a "fun" run or walk. You might be more motivated if you have got to prepare for an event.
- Attend an exercise class. It might be yoga or spinning or anything else that is of interest to you.
- Listen to music or audio books on your iPod. I sometimes like to just meditate and clear my head while I exercise, but occasionally it's pleasant to have a distraction.
Also, I encourage you to mix things up a bit. You don't always have to do the same thing each and every day. It may be that you go to the gym a few times a week, and on the other days you ride your bike or take your children for a stroll. Whatever you do, make sure your work out is acceptable for your age and level of conditioning. If in doubt, talk to your physician about what may be safe for you.
To enhance your possibilities of success, start with little goals and build up from there. If you haven't exercised since gym class in 7th grade, don't try to run a 5K the first time out. If you have trouble staying motivated, consider possibly hiring a fitness coachâ€"that's what they are for!
We, as people, were designed to exercise. It is only a fairly recent phenomenon that we became inactive. According to theMayo Clinic, lifestyle issues account for 70% of chronic conditions and the bulk of our medical care costs. The final analysis is that you actually can't be healthy unless you exercise, so you might as well have fun doing it!
About the Author:
Dr. Pierre Angier, D.O. practices integrative medicine in Saint Augustine, Florida. He focuses on prevention, and offers chelation therapy for heart disease.