The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck! (author unknown)
There are so many ways to engage in healthy exercise. Biking, running, aerobics, weight training, yoga, self-defense....the list can go on and on. With so many options, anyone and everyone CAN find something that they enjoy, and that works great for them. What is most important is that you decide take care of the only physical asset that you have that can't be replaced: YOU!
The Two Great Commandments...to keep your 'Temple' in good repair.
Commandments may be a bit of a strong word, but since these two 'things' are so important (and WAY too often neglected), I think it works well here.
First: Eat Healthy. Easy, right? Okay, maybe not super easy. Easy is drive-through, take-out, delivery, microwave meals, and just-add-water. And to make things slightly more challenging, healthy for one person may not be healthy for another (and your body's needs today may be different than they were 10 years ago or will be in 10 years). But eating healthy doesn't have to be hard either. Start by drinking water instead of soda. Go for the veggies instead of the fries. Munch on almonds instead of a candy bar. And listen to your body. You can train yourself to feel which foods work for you, and which foods don't. Cutting out sugar, or at the very least, cutting way back on sugar (and foods that act like sugar) can be a revolutionary change to your overall health and energy levels, not to mention help you shave off and keep off some unwanted pounds. How much of your 'hunger' is your body needing food, and how much of it is your addiction to food? You might be surprised! And often, the hunger you feel is your body needing food that is healthy (meaning food with nutritional value, minerals, vitamins, etc...)!!!!
Second: Make exercise a regular and fun part of your life! As stated above, there are so many ways in which you can get good exercise that there is really no good excuse for not making it an integral part of who you are. There IS something that you will enjoy so much that you will look forward to it everyday. Make the commitment to spend at least 30 minutes exercising, 3-4 times each week. Try different things, and find a combination of activities that gives you a great all around workout. Some people prefer a gym environment with work out buddies. I love plugging in the headphones, turning on a great motivational audio book, and running early in the morning. What a great way to start the day! Exercise, motivation, education! There are great DVD's out there for every type and style of work out imaginable, and before you go out and buy every one, ask your friends and neighbor's which ones they have, which ones they like/dislike (and why), and 'try it before you buy it'. I guarantee that you will find many of your friends have many work out DVD's just sitting on the shelf unused, and will likely let you borrow them. If you like it, they may even sell it to you cheap (or maybe even give it to you).
Throw the excuses out the window and make the choice to take care of your body. In case you haven't figured it out yet, it is the only one you get! Become one of the 'lucky' people out there who live a long and healthy life with little to no need for medications, insulin, by-pass surgery, emergency trips to the doctor, and so on. You will not regret it!
Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity. Lucius Annaeus Seneca
