WHAT ABOUT EXERCISE?
Exercise is one of the two key ingredients – the other, of course, is healthy eating - in losing weight or maintaining your ideal weight. What’s more, it is not only good for your body it is also good for the well being of your mind.
Unfortunately, today’s busy lifestyles mean that many people just don’t find time to exercise.
I can’t emphasise enough though, how important it is to include some physical activity in your everyday life. Please notice I said some physical activity – so, if you go for a walk step up the pace a bit, include a hill or steps. Do not just amble along, make a bit of an effort.
I am a big advocate of walking. It is free and it’s easy and almost all of us do it anyway. You may walk on your own, with a partner or a friend, your children or the family dog. Vary the route, smell the flowers, check out your neighbourhood, walk to the mall or drive somewhere that is nice to walk and park the car and get out and walk.
Your body is designed to move, not stagnate on the couch and if you exercise for around half an hour a day, at least five days a week you will reap the benefits. When I exercise regularly I feel better about myself and my body and walk with a bit more of a spring in my step. I feel good.
If walking isn’t your thing, pick an exercise that you enjoy and see if you can hook up with an exercise buddy. Exercising with a friend will help keep you both motivated.
Get your partner off the couch - you don’t want him putting on weight either do you – and go walking together, play golf, go swimming…make love.
I have a friend who I go to Vibra-train with twice a week. We have both noticed how much stronger we are. We both feel a lot more energetic, sleep better, feel healthier and while not weighing less on the scales are definitely more toned.
All this from two 10-minute sessions of Vibra-train a week, along with walking.
Whatever you choose, you must make a commitment to yourself to do enough exercise. Try out different exercise classes that you have not tried before and see what you like best.
There are many activities that you can do as exercise, for example housework, gardening, playing with the kids, bouncing on the trampoline, swinging a softball bat, kicking a ball, climbing a hill, going dancing or renovating the house.
Pick something that you enjoy and remember - make it physical.
And don’t forget you will have your Figure 8 bodychain motivating you along the way by letting you know whether you are doing enough exercise by being tight, loose or comfortable.
So come on, get up off the couch, grab your partner, the kids and the dog and get those walking shoes on. Let your Figure 8 bodychain show you the good results of regular exercise just one link at a time.
For more useful information on suitable exercise got to Ministry of Health (the healthy eating/healthy action section), or check our vibra-train or fitness NZ