01/25/2017
Have you exercised yet today? It's a simple thing we should all do ideally five days a week. And, they don't have to be consecutive days. The minimum is considered three times a week. Each session should include some strengthening, aerobic or cardio and some light stretching done only once warmed up and never before. Many people are under the false impression that an exercise session needs to be a big production and therefore, feels like an inconvenience, but that's just not so. Personally, I like to get my exercise done in the mornings. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I've started my day with taking care of number one first. My point of view is that if I'm not taking good care of myself, I'm not going to be much use to others and maybe be a burden. Most people appreciate the common benefits of exercise, but many people don't realize that through research, exercise has become the main stay in staving off many chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's, just to name two. And, the research supporting that concept is indisputable. A proper exercise regimen does not consume too much of your time and is not a burden. Pick the time of day that you are sure is the least disruptive to your schedule. Try to devote 40 minutes per day. And depending on how you approach the session, it may not take that long. The 40 minutes does not have to be consecutive. For example, we all have daily chores and rituals. Write down a few exercises that you think you would want to do. Pick one, such as a set of push-ups, ladies or men's style. Do it, then go into one of your daily chores, then perform the next exercise, followed by another chore and so on until you're finished. You will be amazed at how productive it makes you feel. For example since morning is my time, once I'm out of bed and situated I will do a set of pull-ups, then make a pot of coffee. Then, I will do another exercise followed by going outside and picking up the limbs that have fallen out of my trees overnight. Then I will make my morning protein shake and as I'm having my shake, I'll take a break lay down on the floor and do some crunches. Then I might vacuum the kitchen floor or check the fluid levels on my wife's car, or check the tire pressures. It seems like there's always something to do around the house; a load of laundry, or empty the dishwasher, tend to a pet, etc. Sometimes we are babysitting our grandchildren and they will exercise with us and that adds a whole new dimension that is more fun and sweet. Before you know it you will have done four or five sets of different exercises and you are done for the day. It's invigorating and gives a person a refreshed and motivated mindset and makes you feel that you're more or less ready for anything the day might throw at you. Don't forget the light stretching, which may only take a minute or two. A word of caution here, do not over stretch. Most people get injured during the stretching part of their work out. Exercises can also be done later in the day when taking a break from studying or reading or during a commercial break of your favorite television program or movie. If you are a beginner or you've been away from your exercises for a while and you want to get back into it, just remember to start small with not much time involved and slowly, gradually build upon that. I admit that sometimes I don't feel like doing my exercise regimen, but I always make myself do the first one on the list for that day and invariably I end up getting through the whole list of exercises just because I started one. It seems like once you get started you become motivated to finish. I think in my case, what crosses my mind on that day after doing the first exercise is, hey that wasn't so bad, now I feel like I can go on and finish, and I do. There is some willpower involved but I've also found that once you have done an exercise or two your body sort of cries out for more and before you know it you're finished. Just remember to be ingenious about figuring out ways to make the session fit into your day, and don't forget to mix it up. Each exercise should work a different part of the body so that multiple muscle groups are being helped. After all, doing some exercise in a day is exponentially better than doing nothing. Even small bits of exercise pays off in huge dividends. Guaranteed! So good luck in your exercise endeavors. If you ever have any exercise questions, call me and I will answer them. Good luck and good health!
