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Starting an Exercise Program
Many people resolve to begin exercising in the New Year but
for various reasons tend to throw in the towel and give up.
In fact, research shows that more than half who begin an
exercise program stop within 3-6 months. So, how can you
prevent from becoming just another statistic?
Exercise guidelines from the American College of Sports
Medicine recommend 30-45 minutes of exercise, 3-5 days per
week. For some of us, this may seem a little overwhelming
due to our busy schedules. In fact, the most common reason
for not exercising is a lack of time.
Here are a few suggestions to help get you off the couch and
into a regular exercise routine. Instead of trying to carve
out a 30-45 minute time slot in your day to exercise, break
it up into shorter bouts of 10-15 minutes a few times a day.
Exercise adds up and does not need to be performed all at
once. When possible, build exercise into your daily routine
by parking your car further away from the office or store,
taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or enjoying a
brief walk during lunch.
It is important to set realistic goals and make exercise
enjoyable as oppose to a burden. Instead of resolving to go
to the gym 5 days a week, find a friend and play golf or
tennis 2 days a week, or take an exercise class. The more
you enjoy what you are doing, the better the chance you will
stick with it. And finding an exercise partner will help
keep you motivated and compliant.
People often state that they are too tired to exercise by
the end of the day, and by the time they go home the last
thing they feel like doing is changing clothes and head to
the gym. Try going directly to the gym after work to avoid
the temptation to stay on the couch.
As with starting any exercise program, be sure to check with
your doctor before you begin especially if you have a
history of heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains,
shortness of breath, or bone and joint problems.
Determine the best exercise for you and stick with it. Keep
realistic goals and make it enjoyable. The bottom line is to
keep moving, and simply start by doing more than you are
doing right now. |
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