EXERCISE: a new year, a new YOU

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

How many of us have made the “I’m going to exercise more often” resolution, only to find our treadmills collecting dust by March? It’s no wonder. We’re busy people—we’ve got careers and families that take precedence. Plus, what person can honestly say they’re excited to run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike? When we work out, we don’t want it to seem like a chore. And if there’s one way to take the fun out of exercise it’s by calling it exercise. Sure enough, though, there are ways of keeping your resolution; there are activities you can do that will make those 30 minutes a day fly by. By employing just one of these tips, you can ensure you’re actually working out with your elliptical, not using it to hang-dry your clothes this summer.

Parenting.org has some great suggestions for the whole family, including ways to get exercise outside.

For starters, “Walk to the park. Bring Fido, stroll with your small children in a wagon, or race to the slide. And, while you’re at the park, be sure to push each other on a swing, play tag, or climb on the monkey bars together!”

A fun activity for the whole family is to dance. Again, Parenting.org suggests you “Turn on your favorite song and make up a dance routine. Each family member can make up his/her own dance moves and other family members can judge each other on talent and difficulty.

“Run or walk for charity. Pick a walk/run geared toward families with kid entertainment and activities. You will be putting in actual miles on the course, and there will be additional playtime during the post-race festivities.” We’ve got plenty of those coming up, including the March of Dimes’ March for Babies and the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Walk.

You could also grab the family and spend some time in the yard. “Rake the leaves. Gardening is hard work! It uses almost every muscle in your body. Jump in a pile of leaves or have your children help plant flowers. It’s never exercise when you can have fun getting messy.”

For those of us looking for a great cardio workout but aren’t looking to spend hours on the track or in the gym, there are options.

According to HelpGuide.org, “You are more likely to exercise if you find enjoyable, convenient activities. Give some thought to your likes and dislikes, and consider that preferences can change over time...So pair an activity you enjoy with your exercise—take a dance or yoga class; blast some music and dance with [friends]; make a deal with yourself to watch your favorite TV shows while on the treadmill or stationary bike; workout with a buddy, and afterwards enjoy coffee or a movie; try outdoor activities such as golf or frisbee.”

And because sticking with an exercise routine is the hardest part of working out, an About.com article by Mark Stibich, Ph.D., lists a few ways (reviewed by their Medical Review Board) to put more fun into your workout so you don’t get discouraged!

For starters, add a friend. You could even recruit others to join and form a fitness group. Your group could jog around the park or ride along bike paths. As long as you have someone to chat with, the activity won’t feel like exercise.

Sometimes the thought of getting on the treadmill is painful. But it won’t be so bad if you’re streaming your favorite podcast or listening to an audiobook. “Hundreds of free podcasts are available covering any topic you can imagine. Audio books can also be easily downloaded. This way, when you think about exercising, you can be looking forward to ‘reading’ the next chapter in your novel.”

About.com also said that, “Many people find that a bit of distraction helps get them through a workout. Get a tiny music player and load it up with inspirational music (change the music weekly to give you some surprises). Watch TV shows while on the treadmill or put in your favorite movie and watch half of it each time you exercise. That way, you’ll be able to watch one or two movies a week. You can do the same with TV shows; record your shows or rent a series and watch while exercising. You’ll look forward to your exercise just to find out what happens next in the show.”

Whatever you do to spice up your exercise routine, be creative and think outside the box. You don’t always have to be in your spandex shorts to get in some cardio or give your muscles a good workout. You can sneak exercise into your daily life by finding ways to add more motion or activity to tasks you already do. Try jogging in place while brushing your teeth. Walk around your office while reading memos or making calls. You could even do leg lifts under your desk while doing research on the computer. There’s no limit to the things you can do to keep that promise to yourself and keep that exercise routine going. Try them all to find the one that works for you so you can ensure you’ll have a healthier 2011.

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Article appeared in our 27-6 Issue - February 2011