Why exercise?
Besides the benefits of a reduced risk for heart attacks and weight loss, you can benefit from a more peaceful state of mind. Why Should I Exercise?
You probably already know the answer
(pick one):
Because you get depressed when you look in the dressing room mirror.
Because heart disease runs in your family.
Because you’re feeling sluggish and have no energy!.
All of the above.
The benefits of exercising fall mostly into two categories: your body and your mind.
An Improved State of Mind
Studies show that either short bursts of aerobic activity or longer workouts can raise levels of important chemicals in the brain, such as endorphins, adrenaline, seratonin, and dopamine. These are the all-important chemicals that give you good health and in return a better life. When you exercise you actually have more energy! You will also have more restful sleep at night.
It is important to take time to "do some time" and dedicate it just to "me" time and exercise pays off better that an hour of soap operas.
When you are healthy and giving yourself a little pampering you are a better mom, wife and friend.
Statistics overwhelmingly point to ways exercise helps the body—from lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes to preventing many forms of cancer. It helps keep your bones and joints in working order and keeps back problems away.
For the elderly, whose bones lose density, exercise is important as a way to keep bones strong, beating the fragile bone problems that often cause broken hips, stooped shoulders and osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercises such as walking, tennis and strength training put stress on the bones, causing them to build up.
For men, often at great risk of heart disease, exercise keeps the blood flowing strongly, reduces the buildup of plaque in the arteries, and increases the feeling of well being.
Women, who lose estrogen increasingly with the onset of menopause, can combat bone loss, depression, breast cancer and more.
Getting Started
The best way to start an exercise program is to get motivated and make a plan.
Finding the Motivation to Exercise
If you've been working all week or chasing children or whatever else you do on a daily basis, how is it remotely possible to go outside to walk around the neighborhood? Well if you do take the time to walk or what ever suits you fancy you will have more energy to do the things you do. Here are a few scar tactics that you can use to get yourself motivated!!!
1. The best motivation is to look in the mirror!!!!
2. Go to the store and try on close.
3. Put on last years bathing suit.
4. Look at some old pictures of yourself when you were thin.
5. Go to the beach or the pool and watch the everybody look at the people that don't need to lose weight.
6. Take a good look at all the other people that need to lose weight and picture how people look at you.
7. Think of how it use to feel to go up and down the stairs and not break a sweat!
Here are a few steps to get YOU started.
1. Weigh in - Start your health and exercise program by measuring and weighing because you know that mussel weighs more than fat. Many of my friends get discouraged because after starting to exercise they gain weight. When they find that they have lost inches it helps them to keep going. I keep in mind that it is for my health as much as for my weight that I am doing this. If you want to weigh yourself and keep a chart make sure that you weigh yourself the same time of day morning, afternoon or evening. Your weight can vary during the day!
2. Decide what you enjoy doing! If you don't enjoy your exercise - you will not keep doing it!!! Think about your personality: are you an extrovert who loves group activities? If so join a team sport, join a exercise class or just get some girlfriends together and exercise with them. Maybe you are an introvert who needs time alone to recharge your batteries. If this is the case there are several good TV. exercise channels, exercise tapes, yoga tapes or dance tapes. Walking is a great alone exercise or maybe swimming if you live near a warm pool.
Think over the types of sports that are out there and imagine yourself doing one. Did you love basketball in high school? Is getting a runner's high a high for you? Get the picture?
3. Set a few attainable goals. It's a good idea to write down some goals and tell at least one person or many so that you voice your commitment. Exercise works well with a healthy diet!!! Do not go on a fad diet change your eating habits! This will be addressed on many other pages on this site.
4. Start simple, but start! If you set your goals too high or make your program to complicated you are setting yourself up for failure. Success breeds success—we all know that!
5. Find some buddies. Even if you prefer to exercise alone, it's a good idea to commit to your plan with a friend, spouse or online buddy. Or you may find a neighbor or coworker who wants to be your workout buddy.
Your Own Program
Design a program tailored to what you enjoy and to what you need.
EXERCISE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE TIME?!?
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WEIGHTS COST ONLY ABOUT $10 TO $15 . YOU CAN LIFT WEIGHTS WHILE WATCHING TV.
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USE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT WHILE WATCHING TV, TALKING TO YOUR LOVED ONES OR EVEN WHILE READING.
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TAKE THE STAIRS INSTEAD OF THE ESCALATOR OR ELEVATOR.
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DON'T ALWAYS GET THE CLOSEST PARKING SPOT TO THE STORE
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WALK AROUND THE BLOCK WHILE LISTENING TO TAPES ON A HEAD SET WITH EAR PHONES.
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RAKE YOUR OWN YARD (YOU SAVE TIME AND MONEY)
- Get a good group of exercise videos and work out at home instead of the gym.
THERE ARE MANY MORE BUT REMEMBER THERE ARE 24 HOURS IN A DAY - YOU CAN GIVE YOUR BODY ONE OF THOSE HOURS!!
FOR THOSE THAT SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY
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THE LIBRARY HAS WORK OUT VIDEOS FOR FREE!
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MANY OF THE PARKS AND RECREATIONS OFFER FREE AEROBICS CLASSES.
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USE BAGS OF FLOUR OR SUGAR FOR WEIGHTS.
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WALKING, RUNNING, AND DANCING ARE FREE!
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MALL WALKING YOU CAN JOIN A GROUP OR DO IT O YOUR OWN THE MALLS OPEN EARLIER THAN THE STORES AND YOU CAN MAKE THE ROUNDS AND GLANCE AT THE SALES (ADDED BONUS IS CLIMATE CONTROL).
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WORK OUT WITH THE TV. THERE ARE SO MANY CHOICES THESE DAYS!
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