Monday, September 6, 2010

Move For Good



Last week at Weight Watchers, we talked about moving for good, and making our workout work for us.  Yes, we talked about the "E" word.  Exercise.  It really doesn't have to be a dirty word.  Instead, let's make the workout; workout.

Did you know that if you walked 10,000 steps in a day that you have walked 5 miles?  Makes you want to get a pedometer and see just how much mileage you are getting doesn't it?

Weight Watchers has a little guide for exercise that even I am willing to try.  And that is saying something since I am the Queen of Excuses!

1.  Love it!  Let your personality and interests guide you.  Social butterfly?  Consider a fitness class or team sport.  Crave Solitude?  (Boy do I!)  Soak up the beautiful scenery of nature solo on foot or bicycle.  Depending on your interests, walk along Main Street(their words not mine) or around your neighborhood, or watch a favorite movie or TV show while logging treadmill miles.

Be creative but realistic.  Make sure you have the time, the financial resources, and the right equipment to make the activity comfortable.

Start small!  If you jump into an intense hard core workout the only thing you get out of it is SORE!  Please be kind to your body.

Step 2:  Keep it up!  Make a schedule  and stick with it.  Put it on your calendar like you would with any other appointment.  Shoot, call it a date with yourself!  You are certainly worthy of a date with you!! 

Make it EASY:  Put your clothes and shoes out, have a bottle of water filled and ready to go, (I like to fill mine half way and then freeze it over night.)  Invest in an MP3 player if music gets you going. 

Focus on how good, even if tired, you feel afterward.  In time, you come to look forward to the great mood you get from activity.  You know...the endorphins!!

3.  Once your routine feels easier, take it up a notch!  Increase the intensity or duration of your workouts. 

Ramp up.  Add an extra exercise a day, incorporate some more moves into your routine, add extra weight, or head out on a more difficult route.

Try something new.  Go for a different activity once or more a week; cross training is good for your body and wards off boredom.

Use "The Buddy System."  Have a buddy to workout with. 

*Please consult your physician before starting any exercise routine.*

What do you say?  Are you interested, or are you committed?

6 comments:

Rachel said...

I'm interested, but not committed. haha.

Exercise has never been my favorite, but you and Emmy are motivating me!

Liz Mays said...

Now I'm curious about how many steps I take a day. I have a pedometer I need to get out!

Trina said...

I hate to exercise but I FINALLY FOUND SOMETHING THAT I LOVE...ZUMBA! No matter how crappy my day was or how tired I am, I always go every Tues and Wednesday night! I also tried bootcamp last Saturday. One word...torture!

Sandra said...

The endorphins are what keep me sane!...well, as sane as I can be!
Terrific post Lourie, you're always so full of wonderful information. You're like our own personal "google!"

Emmy said...

Yes interested and committed.. but not following through with commitment :( so hard

KK said...

I really do love to exercise, don't hate me! But the motivation to start can be hard to find.