Mentioning exercise to an adult can be like mentioning back to school time to a child. Some are excited and others dread just the thought. Just like going to school, exercise is something we all know we need to do, but somehow it has gotten such a bad rap. Often this reputation is more about the perception than the actual thing. Does exercise make you think of unflattering spandex, ripped bodies judging you at the gym, or tedious time spent sweating on the treadmill?
Just like so many things related to health, we have made fitness such a complex issue. In reality, your body just wants to move. Of course after a long day at work, you might not believe this innate drive exists, but our bodies are made to, and actually want to move – sometimes the hardest part is just getting started.
Whether you were a science scholar or not, most people are familiar with Newton’s First Law of Motion – an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion. This is never truer than when it comes to your body. Just getting that body in motion is the real hurdle. Now I’m not one of these people who LOVES burpees or is looking to tow a pickup truck with my teeth (God bless those people), but I know that when I’m in the habit of exercising, I want to keep exercising.
We can get so wrapped up in debating whether we will get the best results from Pilates or P90X. There is no one exercise that is going to be best for everyone. The best one for you is the one that you are going to do! Be curious and play with different classes, workouts, or just vow to walk around the block. This blog will help explore some of your fitness questions and guide you to what is golden versus what is pure gimmick. Whatever you choose, if you go from sitting on the couch to putting on your running shoes – you are a winner!
Part of my exercise routine is based on necessity – walking my dog! We go for 3, 30 minute walks each day. She loves it, and I love just getting out and moving. It gives me a chance to spend time with her, and just clear my mind for a few minutes!
Breaking down exercise into more manageable segments is a great idea for a busy schedule – even if you only have time for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Three 30-min walks is great! Anytime we are accountable to someone else (especially a pet), we are more likely to stick to our exercise routines. And you are so right…exercise is a great way to release your stress from the day and get blood flowing so you can focus and be creative. Thanks so much for your comment!