| The benefits of regular exercise are endless-it can | | | | massage, manicure, a long hot bath, a new piece of |
| improve your health, increase your energy, make you | | | | sports clothing, or whatever works as a reward for |
| look and feel better, and can help you age more | | | | you. |
| healthfully. Unfortunately, the list of excuses not to do it | | | | 5) Set up a home fitness center. This can be as simple |
| are almost as long-you're too busy, you don't have the | | | | as a few exercise CD's and a mat, some hand |
| time, it's too cold outside, it's too hot outside, your | | | | weights, or an exercise bike. The convenience of a |
| knees hurt, or you'll get sweaty, and so on. | | | | home fitness center will help you fit your exercise into |
| You know you should exercise, but it seems nearly | | | | your busy day. When your schedule doesn't allow for |
| impossible to get started, and once you start, it's even | | | | you to spend a lot of time exercising, 20 minutes in |
| harder to make it a regular part of your life. The | | | | your basement with a yoga CD may be just what you |
| following are some tips and ideas if you're finding | | | | need. |
| yourself with more than your share of excuses as to | | | | 6) Try something new. If your workouts are feeling |
| why you shouldn't get out there and move your body. | | | | stale, try a new activity, take a different class, find a |
| 1) Find a partner. A fun part of being active is doing it | | | | new walking path, or take your workout outside of |
| with a friend, family member, or someone who shares | | | | your health club. Also, you can rent just about any |
| your enthusiasm for your sport. If you know that your | | | | piece of sporting equipment imaginable, so if you've |
| friend is waiting for you at the corner, it's a lot harder | | | | always wanted to try kayaking or snowshoeing, it's |
| to decide not to go for your daily walk. | | | | easy to give it a try. |
| 2) Set goals. Goals can be great incentives to begin or | | | | 7) Build fitness into other areas of your life. If you're |
| continue with your exercise program. Your goals | | | | struggling to find the time or motivation to exercise, |
| should be measurable, like staying with your program | | | | look for creative ways to turn your everyday activities |
| for a set period of time, reaching a level of skill, or | | | | into exercise. For example, ride your bike to the store, |
| participating in an event in your activity. | | | | turn walking the dog into an aerobic event, shovel |
| 3) Make a contract with yourself. Some people find | | | | some snow, or get your garden in shape. |
| that writing down their plan makes it more concrete. | | | | 8) Have fun. Ultimately, whatever activities you choose |
| You may want to write a contract with yourself | | | | must be fun if you want to continue to do them for |
| outlining how you plan to be physically active, and post | | | | any period of time. Whether you use your exercise |
| it somewhere that you'll see it everyday-on your | | | | time to walk with a friend, explore your neighborhood |
| bathroom mirror or refrigerator, for example. Your | | | | by bike, try some new dance moves, or get |
| contract is a commitment that you're making to | | | | reacquainted with your old hula-hoop, the key to |
| yourself to become and stay physically active. | | | | staying with it is that you're having fun. |
| 4) Reward yourself. When you're feeling sluggish or | | | | Whatever strategies you try, remember two things: |
| after you have achieved a goal, give yourself a | | | | exercise is really good for you, and yes, you really will |
| reward for doing your workout or having stuck with | | | | feel better after you've exercised. |
| your plan. Try to avoid food rewards. Instead try a | | | | |