Need motivation? Try thinking of exercise as an excuse to
feel good,
A doctor said that to a reader,
Dear
Reader: Everyone has heard that exercise is good for you. But
not many people know just how good it is for you.
For example, did you know that walking briskly for 30
minutes, at least five times a week, can do more to reduce your risk of getting
diabetes than any medicine yet invented? It cuts your risk of diabetes in half.
Regular exercise helps you feel better, look great and
live a longer, more joyful life.
Here are some strategies that help me - and many of my
patients - stay on course when our motivation flags.
Keep
it personal. Choose activities that suit your lifestyle,
time constraints, budget and physical condition. It doesn't need to be at a
gym; I have equipment in my basement.
You
can get exercise throughout the day. For example, take the
stairs instead of the elevator. I moved from a one-level home to a three-level
home about 10 years ago, and I found that my weight dropped about 3 pounds
within a month of the move - just from using the stairs.
It's
OK to do it in pieces. You don't need to exercise for 30 minutes
at a time. You can do it in pieces, five to 10 minutes at a time, throughout the
day.
You
don't need to sweat. When you exercise in pieces, you won't
sweat - or need to shower, change clothes and so forth. That's fine; it still
leads to healthy changes in the body.
Make
it fit. Schedule blocks of exercise into your weekly schedule,
and add bits of activity and recreational exercise to your day. An extra lap
around the mall or some stair-climbing at home can add up.
Set
realistic goals. Set an attainable long-term goal, such as
walking for 30 minutes five days a week. Then break it down into monthly or
weekly targets.
And
a final tip: Rather than focus on why I don't want to
exercise, I concentrate on how good I'll feel when I've finished.
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