LIFE WELL LIVED TIP #17 - Get Moving!! I debated with myself (Tom couldn't quite figure out who I was arguing with!!) about whether to put this one in here or not. I mean, let's face it, we all know we need to exercise. DUH! Yes, but if you are anything like me, you might put it off and put it off until it's been months since your stomach has crunched anything other than food and your legs are starting to look like unformed hunks of modeling clay. So, I decided to post this one as much for myself as for all of you. I LOVE exercising - walking, biking, hiking, yoga, running - you name it, I enjoy it. BUT, I rarely, if ever, get out and do anything. Motivating myself to get moving when I don't have a class to be at or anyone to come with me and get me out of my house is challenging (to put it mildly!!). It's soooo easy for me to say, I'll go later. My life is crazy busy. My office is at home so I always have the idea that if the computer's free, I could get some work done. Add to that two kids and a husband who I haven't spent any quality time with all day, and well, exercise gets dropped down further and further.
You see, I've been finding this writing quite cathartic and am finding I'm actually listening to myself when I write all these tips down (that's something for me!!). The tips are fresh in my head, and I have to think about them and explain and describe them and all of that serves to motivate me to get doing what I say we all should be doing! Funny how that works, isn't it??? Anyway, I thought I'd take this opportunity to remind us (ok, me!) why exercise is so important.
Well, beyond the obvious burning of calories so we can eat more (been awfully hungry lately!), there are many good reasons to actually get off our butts and get moving. It helps reduce stress and reduces your risk of diseases such as strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. Exercise can also lower your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels (the bad one only!) while increasing your good cholesterol levels. By lowering these things, you also reduce the amount of medicine you need to take as you get older. (While many of my parent's friends are on medication to reduce these things, my parents are not because they have eaten properly and exercised throughout their lives!) Exercise also affects your mood and changes how you feel. It helps you sleep better and have more energy.
Ok, ok, I'm convinced!! They say that even just a half hour walk everyday brings all the benefits I've described above - I can definately do that. And it doesn't even need to be 'exercise', per sey. Mowing my lawn, especially with my little reel mower, is considered exercise, as is house cleaning, scrubbing the tub (this can be a whole work out in itself!) or even playing with the kids. Anything that gets your heart pumping and your muscles working! Aim for something everyday, I am, and I'm even giong to keep track in my daytimer. For me, having a visual record of what I've done motivates me to continue doing. Some people just always exercise, and some of us don't. Some of us really need motivation on an ongoing basis. This entry has been mine. Find yours and keep it close. Enjoy your day!!
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