Six weeks down, four more to go. The progress thus far has been amazing! For this week’s fitness tip, I suggest…
Make exercise fun!!
Most people do not consider going out and running for hours on end a fun experience. Those who do had to work their way into getting that runner’s high. But to add exercise into your life you do not need to become a gym rat or hit the road for countless hours. Start small and find ways to make it fun.
• Exercise with the family. Don’t tell them it is exercise and focus on the fun. Play tag. Have races around the neighborhood. A family bike ride is a great way to burn a lot of calories. Go swimming. Play a friendly game of basketball. Convert family time in front of the television into active time outside. Even tossing a baseball or the ol’ pigskin is better than sitting in front of the tube.
• Find an exercise buddy. Nothing motivates me out of bed more than knowing somebody is waiting for me to exercise. Find a friend who has similar weight goals as you. The social aspect will keep you motivated and make exercise something to look forward to.
• Get a dog. People with dogs tend to be more active, primarily because dogs need exercise as much as people do. They make great running and walking companions. If you don’t have a dog, borrow one from a neighbor or friend and offer to take them out for some exercise. The dog and your friends will appreciate it.
• Get a stationary bike or a treadmill. Work exercise into your television schedule. Get a stationary bike to ride or a treadmill to walk on while you watch TV. If that is out of the budget, work exercise into the program. Instead of heading for the fridge during commercial breaks, alternate between pushups and sit-ups until your show returns.
Get creative with your exercise. If you are having fun then exercise doesn’t feel like such a chore and can even become something you look forward to. Always remember that moving is better than sitting and making little changes can make a huge difference.
That's why I do Zumba. I used to travel hours to go to a dance back in my single days, because I love it so much. Dance is the only exercise I can stick with!
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