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A lot of us live our lives like penned animals. We are
designed to move but too often we put ourselves in our suburban cage. We have
bodies designed for running across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle
designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to
the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room couch and back to
the bed.
We sit in the car. We sit in the office. We sit in
front of the television. We use elevators and escalators and we even try to
find the closest parking space to the mall so we don’t have to walk those extra
few yards. We are getting lazy.
It was not always this way. Not so very long ago, a man who
worked on a farm did the equivalent of 15 miles of jogging every day; and his
wife did the equivalent of 7 miles of jogging.
Today, our daily obligations of work and home keep many of us
tied to our chairs, and if we want exercise, we have to seek it out and make an
extra effort.
Many health experts are of the firm belief that the obesity
problem is probably caused at least as much by lack of physical activity as by
eating too much. Hence, it is important that people need to move around.
However, that does not mean that a lap or two around the old
high school track will offset a daily dose of donuts and high fat content fried
foods. Exercise alone is not very efficient, experts say. They contend that if
you just exercise and do not change your diet, you may be able to prevent
weight gain or even lose a few pounds for a while – but – you will not see any
real weight loss.
Nevertheless, it is not something that you are likely to
sustain unless exercise is part of an overall program. The more regularly you
exercise, the easier it is to maintain your weight. Here is what to do every
day to make sure that you get the exercise you need.
1. Get the quality sleep time your body needs.
Make sure that you get adequate sleep. Good sleep habits are
conducive to exercise, experts point out. If you feel worn out during the day,
you are less likely to get much physical activity during the day.
In addition, there is evidence that people who are tired
tend to eat more, using food as a substance for the rest they need.
2. Walk the walk.
It is probably the easiest exercise program of all. In fact,
it may be all you ever have to do, according to some health experts who say
that it is the best exercise for many, many people.
Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking
five times a week. Brisk walks themselves have health and psychological benefits
that are well worth the small effort.
Make it part of your routine and you will soon find that
you will come to love the time you spend walking every day.
3. Walk the treadmill.
When the weather is bad, you might not feel like going
outdoors. But if you have a treadmill in the television room, you can catch up
on your favorite shows while you are doing your daily good turn for your
weight-maintenance plan.
Most of us watch television anyway, and indoor exercise
equipment enables anyone to turn a sedentary activity into a healthy walk.
If you can’t have a treadmill in the house, then get to
the gym. Don’t be afraid, just get out there and do it.
4. Seize the time.
Excuses aside, lack of time is certainly a limiting factor
in most lifestyles. That is why health experts suggest a basic guideline for
incorporating exercise into your schedule.
Get as much exercise as you can that feels good without letting
it interfere with your work or family life. If you need to, remind yourself
that you are preventing many health problems both short and long term.
We all deserve to take some time that is just for
ourselves. Use your time to do a little exercise so you have a health mind and
body.
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