This past weekend, I was reading my new Glamour magazine while I laid out in the sun (wearing SPF 30 sunscreen of course) jamming along to my iPod. I got to an article that asked if there was a magic pill that could…
• Slash your chance of getting breast cancer
• Help get rid of headaches
• Cut symptoms of depression almost in half
• Lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by 50 percent
• Make it easier to get pregnant when you want to
• Boost sexual arousal by 100 percent
• Improve your body image
• Make you fall asleep 40 percent faster
• And help you lose a pound a week
…would you take it? Of course, after reading the exact list above in my Glamour, I was nodding my head in agreement, thinking duh who wouldn’t take a pill that did ALL of that!
Guess what that magic pill is? Exercise! That’s right – 30 minutes a day will truly keep the doctor away! That is pretty powerful stuff! Like I’ve said in past posts, the benefits of exercise reach far beyond transforming your physique. If you want to feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally every day just get moving for 30 minutes! I can’t name one other single thing you could do that would have such an extensive impact on your overall health. What a small price to pay (if you even want to think of it like that) for such a great benefit! Talk about an amazing return on your investment!
Remember, exercise comes in all forms. You don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment to get in shape. Go outside and walk for 30 minutes, take a yoga class, go for a hike, go swimming, dance the night away, play tennis, work out to an exercise DVD or with Wii Fit, play volleyball, do jumping jacks and run in place, basically do whatever excites you and gets you MOVING for 30 minutes. Everyone has 30 minutes in the day so find the time and reap the rewards!
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Need Some Inspiration?
I admit, there are days when I just really don’t feel like working out, where putting on my gym shoes feels more like a chore than an exciting challenge. I know how hard it can be to stay motivated and make exercising and eating right a consistent habit. Think about it, if it were so easy, we wouldn’t have the obesity epidemic we currently have in this country. After a long day of work (and being in high heels), it’s not always easy to come home and hop right into the gym, but without fail I manage to make myself do it every single time (unless my body is super sore and really needs a night off) because life just isn’t that HARD and I have no excuse not to take care of my health! In fact, no one should make excuses to not take care of their health. And, being physically active is an integral part of being healthy.
Whenever I’m feeling uninspired about working out or eating right, I watch or think about the Biggest Loser on NBC. When I watch that show and see how hard the contestants workout in the gym, I think hey I can do that too! These contestants are 2-3 times my size, and push themselves way harder than I do. Now, I know it’s a reality show and that they are there for one single purpose, and that’s to lose weight. They have amazing trainers, 24-hour access to the gym, and no other responsibilities or obligations holding them back; they can fully focus on their goal. Nevertheless, what these contestants are doing is not easy. To get up every day and spend hours working out and being pushed to workout harder than they’ve ever worked out in their lives is AMAZING! And, every time I watch that show and see their progress and hard work I’m inspired. Whenever I am feeling unmotivated, I think about what these contestants do and think I have NO excuse not to get in my gym and workout. I have a young, fit, able body and I feel truly blessed for that. If people 2-3 times my size can do things 10x harder than I do, I truly have no excuse not to push myself.
If you ever feel like you CAN’T (I hate that word with a passion by the way) do something, watch this show and get some real perspective. You can overcome anything you want to – genetics, years of bad eating and exercise habits, low self esteem, etc. The only thing holding you back is YOU! If a 350-pound contestant like Michael (who started at over 500 pounds) can run a 5k on the treadmill for the first time in his life, anything is possible! You can change your circumstances at any age, any weight, any time. And, more importantly it doesn't matter what you did in the past, it matters what you do NOW, and what you plan to do tomorrow. So, please don’t say “can’t” and don’t come up with excuses. You CAN and you SHOULD exercise and take care of your body, no ifs, ands, buts about it!
Whenever I’m feeling uninspired about working out or eating right, I watch or think about the Biggest Loser on NBC. When I watch that show and see how hard the contestants workout in the gym, I think hey I can do that too! These contestants are 2-3 times my size, and push themselves way harder than I do. Now, I know it’s a reality show and that they are there for one single purpose, and that’s to lose weight. They have amazing trainers, 24-hour access to the gym, and no other responsibilities or obligations holding them back; they can fully focus on their goal. Nevertheless, what these contestants are doing is not easy. To get up every day and spend hours working out and being pushed to workout harder than they’ve ever worked out in their lives is AMAZING! And, every time I watch that show and see their progress and hard work I’m inspired. Whenever I am feeling unmotivated, I think about what these contestants do and think I have NO excuse not to get in my gym and workout. I have a young, fit, able body and I feel truly blessed for that. If people 2-3 times my size can do things 10x harder than I do, I truly have no excuse not to push myself.
If you ever feel like you CAN’T (I hate that word with a passion by the way) do something, watch this show and get some real perspective. You can overcome anything you want to – genetics, years of bad eating and exercise habits, low self esteem, etc. The only thing holding you back is YOU! If a 350-pound contestant like Michael (who started at over 500 pounds) can run a 5k on the treadmill for the first time in his life, anything is possible! You can change your circumstances at any age, any weight, any time. And, more importantly it doesn't matter what you did in the past, it matters what you do NOW, and what you plan to do tomorrow. So, please don’t say “can’t” and don’t come up with excuses. You CAN and you SHOULD exercise and take care of your body, no ifs, ands, buts about it!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
What’s Your Excuse? "There’s Just Not Enough Time" and Other Lame Excuses We Love to Use
What’s your excuse for not exercising at all or exercising regularly? Is it school? Work? Both? Or is it hard to find time when you are juggling kids, relationships, family, and friends? Maybe you’re working two jobs. Or maybe you have too many social obligations. Do these excuses sound familiar? I’m sure you’re shaking your head yes right about now, and that is because we’ve all used them. It seems we’re all tired, overworked, stressed out, and there is just “never enough time in the day” to fit everything in and on top of it make time for working out. Ohh yes there is. I work full-time and I go to school part-time (I take two night classes a week) and I make time to workout five times a week, yes five one-hour sessions every single week. How do I make the time? I am committed to working out just like I am committed to my job and education. I have made exercise one of my top priorities. In fact, I schedule exercise in my weekly planner every single week. Now, I understand life comes up; there are vacations, unexpected crazy days where everything falls apart, emergencies, false alarms, etc. I know sometimes it’s hard to make time in the midst of everything else, but it is possible. Everyone, in my opinion, has 30 minutes somewhere in their day. I used to workout on my lunch hour in San Diego, then for a while I went to bed a little earlier so that I could wake up and workout before work, now I workout as soon as I get home from work and even sometimes after I get home from school. When I know something is going to throw my routine off, I try my best to maneuver around it. For example, I was in San Diego a few weekends ago. I knew that it would be hard to workout in SD so I worked out one extra day during the week to take the pressure off myself to workout on the weekend. If you’re committed, there is always a way.
For some of you reading this, you haven’t worked out period in who knows how long. For others, you workout, but it’s inconsistent because you fit it in here and there when it works for you. And, for some of you, you’re just as committed as me and are making the time, good for you! If you haven’t been working out, grab your calendar and find three days where you think you can workout uninterrupted for 30 minutes. I’m sure some of you are saying, but I don’t have a gym membership or I don’t have any gym equipment at home…that’s not an excuse. Walking or running around your neighborhood or at the park is free, so get moving! Remember to start slow whenever you start any new exercise program, drink plenty of water, and stretch before and after working out. Just think, in the time it takes to watch American Idol or Dancing with the Stars you could get three to four workouts in!! For those of you, who find exercise is an inconsistent part of your routine, try to identify why. What is getting in your way? Is it your relationship? Is it your school or work schedule? Or are YOU getting in your own way? You need to figure this out before you can make a change. I know at times it is hard to put on your running shoes and walk into a gym when you’ve packed your day so full that you feel like you are running from one thing to the next. But, believe me, there is something so therapeutic about working out that I guarantee when your workout is over you will feel happier about even the craziest of days! So what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Put your running shoes on, start moving, and start feeling better.
For some of you reading this, you haven’t worked out period in who knows how long. For others, you workout, but it’s inconsistent because you fit it in here and there when it works for you. And, for some of you, you’re just as committed as me and are making the time, good for you! If you haven’t been working out, grab your calendar and find three days where you think you can workout uninterrupted for 30 minutes. I’m sure some of you are saying, but I don’t have a gym membership or I don’t have any gym equipment at home…that’s not an excuse. Walking or running around your neighborhood or at the park is free, so get moving! Remember to start slow whenever you start any new exercise program, drink plenty of water, and stretch before and after working out. Just think, in the time it takes to watch American Idol or Dancing with the Stars you could get three to four workouts in!! For those of you, who find exercise is an inconsistent part of your routine, try to identify why. What is getting in your way? Is it your relationship? Is it your school or work schedule? Or are YOU getting in your own way? You need to figure this out before you can make a change. I know at times it is hard to put on your running shoes and walk into a gym when you’ve packed your day so full that you feel like you are running from one thing to the next. But, believe me, there is something so therapeutic about working out that I guarantee when your workout is over you will feel happier about even the craziest of days! So what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Put your running shoes on, start moving, and start feeling better.
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