Get
Your Body in Motion - 7 Tips to Get You Moving
What has been stopping you from moving your body? If
I had to guess, I would say it's because you believe
that exercise has to be complicated. You feel if you
don't go to a gym or a Tai Chi class or lift weights
--- you just can't reap any benefits.
Let me tell you straight up: you're dead wrong!
Yes, it would be highly beneficial if you did have
a regular routine of cardio and strength training 3
to 5 times per week. It would also be beneficial if
you regularly invested the maximum out of your paycheck
into your 401(k) plan (believe me; this is true...even
in the current economy.) However, doing SOMETHING is
better than nothing --- in BOTH situations. Of course,
always consult your family physician before beginning
any exercise program. Now, allow me to make some suggestions
for rain or shine:
- Drive to a nearby park and walk the trails or along
the grassy areas. It's good for your body and will
clear your head from the worries surrounding that
401(k)
- Walk around your neighborhood after work and before
dinner. You will actually increase your metabolism
before eating, which will cause you to eat less and
burn off dinner faster
Let me just expand on the above bullet point for a
moment. Often, people thought that the best time to
walk or workout would be after dinner. The concept being
that we would 'burn off' the calories we consumed an
hour or two earlier. This is by no means a bad idea,
as any exercise performed properly is beneficial and
will burn calories.
However, it is believed that body temperature and hormones
are higher in late afternoon and these factors may,
indeed, produce a better calorie-burning experience
when exercise is done later in the day. Also, we really
do eat less when our metabolism is racing (after a brisk
walk, for example). The result: we'll eat less at dinner.
And the really GREAT news is that we will burn dinner
off faster because our metabolism is raised. It's a
win-win!
- If you prefer company, take your dog for a walk
(if you have one). If you don't own one of man's best
friends, offer to walk your neighbor's dog. After
a few times, your neighbor may even have the desire
to join you. You will now have a walking partner and
Fido will actually have "two" friends!
- Throw on a CD and dance your heart out. If you live
with other people and feel a little self-conscious
about this, get up before they do or find a private
place in your home and close the door behind you.
No one will be able to see you, so you may as well
CUT LOOSE!
- Invest in a mini trampoline and jump to the music.
This is easier on the lower back if you wear good
running shoes AND it's lots of fun. It basically provides
the same benefit as jogging. If you really want to
play it safe --- just march briskly in place. You
will still reap the benefits.
- Keep your eyes open for a recumbent bike. This bike
design is easier on the lower back. While pedaling,
you can view your favorite TV show and 20 - 30 minutes
will fly by.
On that note, I worked with a client a few months ago
who was in desperate need of losing weight, toning,
and an energy increase. He felt tired when he woke up,
tired before lunch, tired after lunch, tired before
dinner, tired --- well, you get the point. He found
a stationary bike in a classified ad page for under
$100. I couldn't convince him to get off the couch because
he loved watching a news show every night from 5-6 p.m.,
right before dinner. You guessed it! He came off the
couch and rode his bike for that same hour every night
and within a month, he lost 7 pounds (this was a HUGE
accomplishment for him!), looked more "toned"
--- so he actually looked like he had lost twice as
much weight as he did lose --- AND he noticed a more
stamina throughout the day.
Maybe the best news of all is that he slept like a little
bambino! How many stressed out corporate execs and/or
business owners can make that claim?!
- Let's not forget the abundance of work-out DVDs.
Find one at your fitness level and you will immediately
have a work-out buddy. You can often find DVDs on
Amazon.com for just a few dollars and most are good
as new.
By the way, I bought a mini trampoline for $129. That
was a few years ago. But, you can purchase other brands
of mini trampolines at most sporting goods stores and
sporting goods departments of retail stores. Costs vary,
but don't forget your local Paper Shop circulars and,
of course, the Classifieds.
I only paid $90 for my recumbent bike, which I found
in a classified ad. It was in perfect condition when
I bought it two years ago and it still is. Also, don't
forget that so many people buy mini tramps and stationary
bikes only to have them sit in their bedrooms and function
as coat racks. Often times, they look for opportunities
to sell them inexpensively. (Not good for them, but
good for you!)
One last thought, if you live in a warm, sunny climate
either in the desert or by the beach --- then, walking
along the beach on the sand offers an X-TREME walk!
Also, I found some of the best walking experiences in
flat, desert areas. It provides the environment for
a faster walking pace. And, of course, when it does
rain --- all of the above tips are for you, too.
So, spend less time on your couch and more time on
your floor. Just 20 minutes a day, three to four times
a week will provide you with amazing results. You will
have more energy, you'll eat less because you'll get
full faster, and you will sleep better. You'll even
see a difference in your waistline and legs. Who knows?
You may just get addicted to your newly found fitness
level and decide to go ahead and join a gym or sign
up for Tai Chi!
See Debra's Other Articles:
Take Heed:
Take a Break
Filling the Empty Nest with
YOU
Debra also has a book at: http://tinyurl.com/DebraCostanzo-StressOut
and will appear on Blog
Talk Radio Nov. 12, 2009
Contact: Debra Costanzo, www.3in1fitness.com
about this article, with any questions, or for a free
coaching consultation:
Telephone: 570-689-3878
Cell: 570-510-8792
Copyright Protection and Reprint Rights: This
article and accompanying tips are fully copyrighted
by the author, but can be reprinted without permission
provided the article links back to this page:
http://www.800Muses.com/muse-profiles/muse-debra.htm
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