Dr. Mercola November 06 2007 56,399 views
A lot of people complain about not having enough time to stay in shape. Are you one of them? Does exercise always get bumped to the bottom of your list of things to do? The problem may have nothing to do with time – it might just be that you hate exercise...
If that’s the case, some of these tips may be just what you need to change your attitude, and in return, exercise might just change your whole life. For the full list of all 13 tips, see the Lifehack link below, but here are a few good ones:
Figuring out what type of exercise you actually enjoy doing is the best way to get yourself into a regular exercise routine – the last thing anyone wants to add to an already stressful day is yet another dreaded, no-fun activity.
And, the great news is it doesn’t have to take up a lot of your time!
In fact, one of the most effective forms of exercise is short bursts of high-level exertion, followed by periods of rest. This is also the best form of exercise to strengthen and protect your heart.
The main problems with long-duration, aerobic exercise is that:
One of my favorite sources for practical exercise assistance is Ryan Lee. I began supplementing my own cardio workouts with his four-minute exercise program a while back, with impressive results. The only caution I would give you is that you must start out slow. Although some of his exercises seem deceptively easy, don’t make the mistake I did and do the entire four minutes with a significant weight. Start with a very small weight and only do it for one minute.
This could save you much pain and muscle soreness. Progress slowly and in no time you will be up to the full four minutes, shaving hours a week from your workout regimen and getting healthier than when you were doing aerobics for five hours a week.
The trend in exercise is indeed leaning toward developing regimens where you use burst-type workouts, which will give you anaerobic challenges that can stimulate your body to higher levels of health, in shorter amounts of time.
As you experiment to find the exercise that you enjoy doing on a regular basis, keep in mind these three variables:
To make sure the intensity is high enough (without going overboard for your current level of fitness), exercise to the point that it’s difficult – but not impossible – to talk to someone next to you.
I agree with everyone who prefers non-gym activities integrated into a daily routine, as part of a healthy lifestyle overall.
Walking somewhere I need to go, or taking my bike is the only way I can manage to "make" myself exercise... A gym-like setting seems too artificial. Running around with your kids, gardening, taking care of the house - all that is exercise too, isn't it?
If you find an exercise that you can lose yourself and time in...that's priceless. I did back in 1980...and am still an addict - RACQUETBALL! Ever try it? It's AWESOME!!! All ages can play and have fun...only takes two people and you can also play with 3 or 4. Yesterday, I wore a pedometer and during an average I took 1000 steps per game. AMAZING workout and you don't think about the time - your just having fun and playing.
Give Racquetball a try - it's a blast and a lifetime sport.
Take Care of You...Lucy