Motivate Me to Exercise: Mix it up a little

When it comes to being motivated to exercise, I find it's good to try new things. And for several very good reasons. One it uses different muscles, or the same sets of muscles in a different way and the second reason is that it tests the biggest "muscle" of all - the brain. If you've ever gone to an aerobics class and wondered how everyone else seems to be coordinated and you're not. That's because their brains are in synch with their muscles and yours aren't/

This morning a couple of friends and I did something I've never done before, and believe me I am "suffering" as a result. Suffering in a good way though.

I am fortunate enough to live about 40 minutes from some of the best beaches in the entire world (IMHO) - the west coast of Australia does boast some of the cleanest sand I have ever seen, not to mention some great surf (for the surfie dudes out there) and even better at this time of year, not many people at 8am.

We took two cars, dropped one off at one carpark - drove to another car park several kilometres away - then walked back to the other one...on the sand. I kept my runners on, simply because too many injuries means I struggle with my feet and knees these days. But that's just me. It only took about 40 minutes, but was probably worth several hours of "normal" road work. And I know it worked, because my right sciatic is now playing up !! and my thighs are emitting a nice after burn feeling.

But of course I didn't stop there, after breakfast and some much needed coffee, we parted ways. My weekends are usually hectic and this one is no different. Groceries to fetch, car to clean (inside and out) a house to tidy, weeds to pull (I do a bin full each week - that's the trouble with a big garden, there's always enough gardening to fill a bin each week with weedy stuff)...and now I am ready to start work again. I shall probably pick up some additional exercise this afternoon, just because my body is feeling a little sluggish and is looking a little worse for wear after a winter of doing just enough but not quite enough to make major changes.

But what happens if you don't have a beach to walk on? Well one of the more interesting ways for entire family to get fit is to get yourself a frisbee, find some nice open space and go chuck the disc around. Or how about learning how to juggle. Believe me, the amount of times you have to bend over to pick up the little balls is just not funny and believe me if you use your legs to squat rather than bend over every time, you will probably have the tightest butt in a very short space of time. Or given that we are moving into winter in the norther hemisphere - why not get those exercise videos out and have a go. Forget about the bad hair do's and leotards, and go for the burn. And if nothing else you will have a good laugh at the hair and clothing styles in vogue at the time.

Go on, mix it up a little, and have fun and laughter too - you will feel better for it.

Comments

[Debs]

I tried a hula-hoop recently and it was a lot of fun. I couldn't do it when I was little so it felt pretty neat that I can now. Glad you brought this to mind as I did promise myself I would get around to buying one . . .

[Elle]

So yesterday was the beach, this morning I walked a 12km bridge circuit (check out the gallery) followed by a several kilometre walk in the hills - John Forrest to be exact...followed by car cleaning. I'm looking forward to a bath later to ease the right hamstring, a nice glass of wine and some dinner - shame I have to cook it tho.