10 Ways to Exercise When You Don't Feel Like Exercising

[Guest guest]

Exercise. It's been endorsed by every major health organization in the

country as one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body.

One half hour of moderate physical activity a day is the key to better

health, they say. The best diet in the world can only go so far in

helping you lose weight. To really see the effects of changing your

eating habits (in lost pounds and inches, that is), you need to rev up

your body with physical exercise.

So why does the word bring a collective groan to dieters around the

world? Maybe it's our mistaken impression that exercise is a chore,

and a boring, painful one at that. Here are ten ways to exercise that

should get rid of that impression for good, and make xercise something

you can look forward to:

1. Take a walk through a favorite place. One half hour of moderately

paced walking will burn 450 calories - and make you feel great. Make

sure that you're wearing comfortable shoes, and pick a venue you

enjoy. Try a walk around the lake, up and down the block or around the

mall - your body doesn't know the difference.

2. Go out and play a game of tag with your kids. Making exercise a

family activity turns it into fun that you share with them. Besides

being good for your body, you're instilling good habits in them, and

creating happy memories that will stay with them for life.

3. Go swimming. An annual membership to the local YMCA or YWCA is

fairly inexpensive, and many have 'scholarships' and financial aid

available. Swimming is great exercise - it's aerobic, low stress on

your joints, and a lot of fun!

4. Join an exercise class. You can turn exercise into a social

activity by becoming part of a class. Besides making friends, you're

more likely to exercise if you're paying for it.

5. Get an exercise buddy. It's partly the same principle as joining a

class - turn exercise into a social activity. In addition to that,

making a commitment to a friend for a daily exercise date will make it

far more likely that you'll stick to it.

6. Play ball! Seriously. If your company has a sports team (softball,

anyone?), join up. Or join a bowling league, volleyball team or other

sports group that practices and plays regularly.

7. Get a trampoline. Mini-trampolines are easy to set up, store in

small spaces and provide a stress-free surface on which to bounce,

dance and have a lot of fun.

8. Go for a bike ride. Even leisurely bike-riding burns calories and

exercises muscles that don't get used in regular walking. No need for

an exercise 'routine' - just ride your bike to the store, or back and

forth to work each day.

9. Take up a new active hobby. Would you believe that gardening is

exercise? Bending and stretching and digging and weeding - half an

hour of energetic work in your garden burns more calories than a brisk

walk.

10. Challenge yourself. If you're the kind of person who thrives on

competition, challenge yourself to meet a new goal each week. Walk one

more block. Do six more sit-ups. Take the stairs each day instead of

the elevator. Goal-setting to meet challenges is a great way to commit

to exercise.

----

This article can be read also at http://diet-tip.blogspot.com