Making
Fitness Fun
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Consult a general practitioner before attempting this exercise |
People who manage to keep exercising day after
day and year after year have developed ways to find immediate gratification
from their exercise time. What do I mean by this? While a lifetime of regular
physical activity offers many future health benefits, making time to exercise
is easier when you get some of the rewards today.
The knowledge that exercise is helping to prevent
obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other health
problems may not always be enough motivation to get you away from the demands
of work and family and into your sneakers. On the other hand, knowing that you
are just one workout from feeling great can help you make daily exercise a
priority. Here are some suggestions for getting more stress relieve and more
fun out of your exercise program.
Consider exercise multitasking.
Sometimes you can combine your goal to be physically active with other goals
that are important to you. For example, are there people in your life that you
would like to spend more time with? Parents, for example, might be able to find
ways to be active with their children. Consider activities you and your
children might enjoy together. Younger children would love to have you join
them in playing tag, riding bikes or sledding. Older children might accompany
your hiking or skiing.
Is there a friend who would join you regularly for a walk, bicycle ride or a
trip to the weight room? Maybe you would both like to sign up for exercise
classes or join a recreational sport team.
Don’t overlook opportunities at work. Perhaps some meetings, especially those
with only two or three people, could be transformed into a walking discussion.
Walking is a great way to stimulate creative thinking.
Pursue a hobby that helps you stay active.
Cultivate a garden. Digging, planting and weeding can be great calorie burners.
Go on garden tours that require plenty of walking. How about bird watching?
Join an organization that goes out for weekly nature hikes or bicycle rides.
Maybe you would like to learn a new activity or revisit one you used to enjoy,
such as canoeing or snowshoeing. Many outdoor activities are a great way to
enjoy nature, get fresh air and spend time with interesting people. You might
even forget you are exercising!
Try sports.
Is there a sport you used to love? Try competing in or simply
training for an event, whatever appeals to you most. Find a group compatible
with your age and skill level, and have fun! Or try a new sport. Check out
local opportunities and consider taking a beginner’s class to help get in
shape. You may even enjoy some coaching to improve your skills.
Enjoy walking.
Walking is the easiest and most accessible form of exercise for many
people. Maximize your walking enjoyment by finding interesting routes and fun
people to walk with. If you like walking with a group, what about a hiking or
walking club? If none exists in your area, start your own.
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