The exercise side of things

Today's daily dose: the exercise side of things
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Over the last few days we've looked at virtually every aspect that makes up our lives. From the food we have stuck at the back of the cupboards, to the clothes we just can't fit into anymore.

Today I would like to talk to you about exercise.

There are two major kinds of exercise. One is deliberate and the other is incidental.

So lets look at incidental kinds of exercise we do every day.

Incidental exercise includes things like, walking around the shops, gardening, ironing, cleaning houses and cars, playing with the kids and the cats and taking the stairs rather than the elevator. Basically any time you get off your chair to move to another location you are doing some kind of incidental exercise.

You'd actually be amazed at how much incidental exercise you can fit into your day to day lives - without it impacting too greatly on your time line. But to up the intensity just a little, try walking a little faster than normal - like you are late for an appointment, or running up the stairs. And believe me if you get a little breathless - that indicates a couple of things to me. The main one is that you are relatively unfit and should seek medical advice before undertaking a proper exercise program.

But lets assume you are reasonably healthy and would like to consider adding exercise to your time line. What can you do?

For me, variety is important. Not only can exercise be boring as bat droppings, you have a lot of muscles in your body and they all need working. Granted some need more work than others, but if your workouts consist of whatever you put into your hand to lift to put into your mouth I would suggest you need a bit of variation in your exercise program.

You should consider making sure you have some form of cardio (the stuff that makes you huff and puff a little), some core strength work - that's the stuff that enables you to have a decent waist line and six packs as well as strength work - weights. Weight work has been shown to be excellent for the bones - but they don't have to be heavy weights to be effective. And no ladies, you are unlikely to look like a gym junkie with light weights.

I try and do some kind of exercise every day. But "proper" exercise I like to do every other day. The day off in between helps the muscles to recover and a diet with adequate amounts of protein helps too.

But what happens when you know all the theory and know all the benefits but that still doesn't help you to get motivated and organised to "get fit"?

Well I know what that's like. When I know I should, but just can't be bothered!!! Sometimes I don't push myself, but more often than not, I just do it anyway. But there is one kind of exercise that works when nothing else does, and that is walking. I can strap on the mp3 player and hit the road jack. I can compose my training programs and books as I am walking. Or if things have been a little hectic and I am feeling more than a little stressed - I walk mindfully - as in I concentrate on the muscles being used and the breathing I am doing. Then I slow the breathing down, making the breaths deeper and longer is an instant de-stressor, and within a few minutes I feel much happier and far less stressed. The final thing I try and do as I am walking is to imagine what my life is going to be like as a "thinner" person. It gives you more incentive to keep going.

So - mix it up - but more importantly find something you enjoy - that way you are less likely to not find the time.

With many thoughts
Elle

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http://www.motivateme.info/through-the-barrier/2008/10/5/getting-ahead.html
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