Exercise & Weight Loss

Unless you live with your head primarily buried in the sand, you should know that exercise benefits you both physically, mentally and emotionally. If you want to lose weight, taking a "magic diet pill" or watching what you eat won't be a "forever fix." Your weight will return. You may even be fatter than before you went on the latest diet. It is by making a lifestyle change both in what you eat and how you exercise that will aid you in a longer, healthier life.

Why don't we take a look at why you might not be exercising:

• It's too expensive
• I don't have the time
• It's tedious
• I'm just not interested
• I can't exercise because of past, present injuries

On the topic of it being too expensive:

I drive a 2005 Chevy Impala. With the price of petrol on the rise, I used to buy the cheapest pertol around.  That is, until the injectors started to act up. A friend of mine (an ex-ace mechanic) explained it to me this way- the tech-ron gas although more expensive that other gas I could buy keeps the engine clean and running at optimum level. Having to replace injectors is an expensive venture.

But, if you use prevention, by exercising and changing how you eat, before you get into trouble, you can save yourself costly medical bills. You could even save your life!

If you don't exercise, even a little bit, your body is not going to be able to maintain its maximum usage. Exercising helps burn calories, increases your metabolism giving you more energy. You stay mentally alert. Exercise curbs your appetite. When you exercise, you sleep better. You will also (studies show) unless you are an exercise manic, live longer. Can you really put a price on that?

Exercise doesn't need to be expensive. Research shows that 50% of people who begin a strenuous exercise program (join a gym, sign a personal trainer contract) drop-out before the year is complete. So be creative!

There is no way to cover how many ways you can exercise for free, but here are a few tips:

• Walk instead of driving or ride a bike
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Go for power walks on your break
• Meet with friends after work and play tennis or racquetball
• Borrow a push mower and mow your lawn. Offer to do your neighbor's lawn too!
• Go in-line skating with the kids. Who knows, you might not even embarrass them.
• Jog on the beach in the water or the wet sand to build up resistance.
• Adopt a dog and take him on long walks daily.
• Play with the kids after school or work.
• Join the Boys & Girls Club as a volunteer, (or the YMCA/YWCA).
• Volunteer to coach after school sports.
• Join a gym on a limited contract (you have to ask specifically if they carry one).
• Is there a park nearby? Most parks have obstacle courses for runners- try it out.
• Join a dance club-
• Park far enough away from the stores you shop at to be safe but still get exercise.
• And the best exercise of all- push yourself away from the table!

If you are just starting out, you want to go slowly. What they call Moderate Exercise; walking, mowing the lawn, playing tennis, biking, stepping class, roller blading, and jumping rope.

Exercise at least three times a week, thirty minutes a day. Talk to your doctor first! For people with health issues, over-exercising can be hazardous to their health.

However, NOT exercising can be just as hazardous

If you have small children consider throwing a Backyard Fitness Party for your friends and their kids.

Call upon the backyard games you played when you were growing up- three-legged races, wheelbarrow races-pony rides, with a child on your back.

Set up obstacles in the yard that you have to crawl through, climb over, scale, or otherwise exert yourself.

As a cooling down period run through the sprinkler then gather at the table where you serve healthy foods and power drinks for the adults and sugar-free drinks for the kids.

Organize a friendly game of touch football with your friends, or arrange to play basketball. Make these parties a monthly event and ask your friends to do the same at their home.

If no backyard is available, gather at the park to exercise together.