Exercise Doesn't Have to be a Chore! Chapter 4

 

What hasn’t already been said about exercise? It’s a topic that’s been talked and talked and talked about. I know you know that exercise is good for you. So why haven’t you been doing it?

In case you’ve forgotten, exercise strengthens the body-the muscles, bones, and heart. It burns calories and helps keep you trim. It increases oxygen in the body. It gets your blood flowing and your heart pumping. It makes you sweat, which takes toxins out of the body. Exercise can elevate your mood, and is a fantastic form of stress relief. Exercise can make you sleep better. And fitness is in-exercise even makes you more attractive to potential mates.

I have a confession: I don’t like to “exercise” any more than you do. As far back as I can remember, I’ve preferred reading a book to running around outside. As a child, I was no good at sports, and I’m still not that interested. Yes, I did my time working out in the gym, mainly because I had to be able to do it myself if I was going to recommend it to patients. I did become strong, but I didn’t enjoy the process that much. 

Now you know where I’m coming from when I say that exercise is important and you really should find a way to include it in your life. But how do you find time for at least twenty minutes of exercise, three times a week?

You can start by walking with your kids or spouse-make exercise a family-time activity. A 30-minute walk each day will give you time to catch up with what’s going on in your family, and bring you closer together. You could also put the exercise equipment in front of the TV, and each day choose one 30-minute program that you enjoy to be your cue that it’s exercise time. You’ll be amazed at how fast thirty minutes on the exercise bike can fly by when you’re watching something you like.

I know one person who walks every time she gets into a long conversation with a friend on her cell phone. All the time she’s talking, she’s walking around the back yard. You can also lift small weights while watching TV or talking on the phone. Walking for twenty minutes while you talk on the phone may not seem like significant exercise, but it’s a lot better than sitting while you talk. Every little bit makes a difference.

Discover a new sport. If you’re like me and were not very good at sports as a child, you probably think you can’t play sports, and haven’t tried since. But, encouraged by friends, I learned to golf and ski at the age of forty. I was thrilled to discover I could be good at sports, and even more to find that there really are some exercises I don’t mind doing. I don’t golf or ski three times a week (I wish I could), but the once or twice a week I do is better than the nothing I used to do.

Join a sports league (the phone numbers are in your local paper). Leagues are designed to promote sports; they love new members, and most leagues welcome beginners. Take some type of regular sports lessons, and practice between lessons. For instance, ice rinks have beginning skate and hockey classes, and have regular hours for you to practice your new skills. Check with your local college or university for continuing-education classes. I like to swim; it’s another painless sport for me. My point is to encourage you to discover a new sport you can fall in love with; if you do, “exercise” will never be the same.

If you want to try the gym—I recommend it—hire a trainer to help you learn how to exercise without injuring yourself. If you get hurt at the gym in the first few days you work out (and most people do if they don’t have help), then you won’t want to go back. If you can afford to work out with a trainer each time, especially in the beginning, do so. I found that having an appointment at the gym made it a higher priority for me; once I got into the routine, I continued on my own.

Get out on the dance floor! Zumba, Jazzercise, belly dancing or other aerobic classes can be really fun. And what about dance classes? Exercise, meet new friends, and learn a new skill at the same time-what a deal! Where I live, we have a Country and Western dance club that offers lessons twice a week for a very small fee. I hear that there are also square-dance and swing clubs. Maybe you have a local heritage club you can join, one that teaches folk dances. If you already know how to dance, go out and shake your booty once or twice a week. Exercise can be so much more than lifting weights.

These days almost every town has one or more Yoga centers, and although it looks easy, Yoga can be a great exercise that tones and strengthens not only the body, but the mind as well. The whole family can participate, learn the yoga moves, and then practice at home together as well.

Exercise creatively. Volunteer to walk dogs for an elderly neighbor, or help in their yard. I met a member of the Aloha Patrol on the beach at Waikiki. Patrol members walk up and down the beach assisting tourists and alerting the police to problems. The volunteer I spoke with got plenty of exercise and met people from all over the world. Make an exercise outing to the local zoo or art museum, where you have to walk to see the exhibits.

Remember, you can make a big difference with a little exercise, and you can exercise even if you aren’t “athletic.” You can exercise without lifting a single weight. You can find a sport that you love. You can make exercise a social activity. You can make exercise creative and fun. And you can pat yourself on the back for every effort you make to include exercise in your life.