How to ease into Exercise
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How to ease into Exercise
| Mon, 08-29-2005 - 5:49pm |
how to ease into exercise
The Get Going Guide

Exercising doesn't have to feel like work! Getting physically active can be invigorating, enjoyable and easier to do than you think! You don't have to vow to become an athlete or spend half your life in a gym to become an enthusiastic exerciser. All you need to do is make a pact with yourself to simply get going!
Why Exercise?
- To boost your metabolism
- To relieve stress
- To raise your confidence
- To give you more energy
- To help you sleep better
- To strengthen your bones
Here are a few ideas to help you get active - the easy way! Remember, it doesn't matter what you do as long as you do something!
Walking
For most of us, the simplest way to get active is to walk. Walking can be done virtually anywhere: in a park, on neighborhood streets, in a mall, on a treadmill...the list goes on for miles!
If you currently lead a very sedentary lifestyle, your beginning goal should be to walk for 10 minutes at a brisk pace on most days of the week. Your ultimate goal is to walk continuously for 30 minutes 5 to 6 days each week. To prevent an overuse injury, don't increase your walking time by more than 10% each week. In other words, if you are able to walk for 10 minutes each day this week, walk for 11 minutes each time you walk next week.
Tip: Count your steps with a pedometer and challenge yourself to take more steps each day!
Home Gym
It's easy to get active (and hard to think of an excuse not to!) when you have exercise options available in your own home.
You don't need to go out and purchase the most expensive equipment for your home gym. Here are some ideas for your workout haven:
- A cushioned mat for stretches
- A variety of beginner-level exercise videos/DVDs
Tip: Most libraries have exercise videos that you can borrow for free. - Exercise books and magazines
- A set of resistance bands
- A stability ball for strength and flexibility exercises
- A step for cardio workouts
- A sticky mat for yoga exercises
Health Club
The thought of joining a gym may seem intimidating to you, but believe it or not, spandex is not required and most gym-goers are too involved with themselves to stare at you! In fact, people tend to admire those who strive to be fit.
Why Join a Health Club?
- A wide variety of activities are offered, which may reduce the likelihood of boredom
- Group exercise classes can be very motivating - and fun!
- Fitness professionals on the workout floor can assist you if you are unsure about how to use some of the equipment
- You can even hire a personal trainer at the gym to help you reach your goals
Tip: Try before you buy! Most gyms will let you try out the facilities before deciding to join.
Fitting in Fitness
Whether or not you have time for a regular exercise session, there are plenty of ways to fit activity into your busy day. Take a look at just some of the possibilities...
- Walk while talking on your cellular and cordless phones
- Park your car at the far end of the lot and walk
- Take the stairs as often as possible
- Devote a portion of your lunch break to a brisk walk
- Get up from your desk once an hour to stretch your muscles
- Sit on a stability ball instead of a chair to strengthen your core (abdominals)
- Slowly lift your heels up and down while waiting on line to strengthen your calves
- Ditch the drive-thrus. Park the car and walk into the bank or restaurant instead
- Walk on your treadmill or use your exercised bike while watching your favorite TV show
Tip: House cleaning is a terrific way to get a vigorous workout!

