Various things on my mind
A friend posted in her journal about how hard exercise is for certain people (people with disabilities or on medications). I responded there, but wanted to post here too. Exercise is not an physical activity as much as it is a mental one. I've lost 35 pounds in just under 3 months. I am closer to my goal than I thought I would be and I exercise three times a week for just an hour a day. I never believed those "Bow-flex" commercials, until now. I mean, a scuplted body like those models is hard to swallow, but weightloss and strength training in just an hour day? That I believe.
But, like I said, it is all about having the right attitude, and the right guidance. You need someone to show what to do and what not to do. You need to realize that you did this to yourself and only you can change it. You have to add exercise as a habit, or break the habit of not exercising. I never thought I would hear myself say this, but I actually look forward to going to the gym. I enjoy swimming in my pool too. I used to hate the thought of sweating and straining; now I enjoy sweating and have found that straining is not what I am doing. I am seeing muscle tone when i look in the mirror. And, I do all this with a strained knee or shoulder (we work around any injury).
So, for those who are changing their diet, congrats. But, that is only half the battle. I challenge you start exercising. Find 15 minutes a day to start and walk it. Put on your earphones and get some up tempo music. You will find that 15 minutes is 3-5 songs.. that's it. Do that for a week. Then, add another 15 minutes sometime later in the day. Same thing, just walk. After a couple of weeks, you will be up to doing 30 minute work outs. Once that becomes a habit, then start some strength training. It does not have to be much. Warm up with 15 minutes of cardio (walking), then 15 minutes of just raising your arms (no weight except that of your arms). I'm not talking about jumping jacks, just standing there and raising you arms to form a T (and slowly up and slowly down). Then stand and raise them in front of you. Nothing hard, same slow speed. Lower them slowly too (it is called negative resistance). Start that out doing just to to fifteen. After a week, add some weight, like a can of something in each hand (if you cannot afford or find weights). Add some reps, the next week, 15-20 times each. Before long, you'll be up to an hour of exercise a day (and be feeling better).
Peace,
Bear
But, like I said, it is all about having the right attitude, and the right guidance. You need someone to show what to do and what not to do. You need to realize that you did this to yourself and only you can change it. You have to add exercise as a habit, or break the habit of not exercising. I never thought I would hear myself say this, but I actually look forward to going to the gym. I enjoy swimming in my pool too. I used to hate the thought of sweating and straining; now I enjoy sweating and have found that straining is not what I am doing. I am seeing muscle tone when i look in the mirror. And, I do all this with a strained knee or shoulder (we work around any injury).
So, for those who are changing their diet, congrats. But, that is only half the battle. I challenge you start exercising. Find 15 minutes a day to start and walk it. Put on your earphones and get some up tempo music. You will find that 15 minutes is 3-5 songs.. that's it. Do that for a week. Then, add another 15 minutes sometime later in the day. Same thing, just walk. After a couple of weeks, you will be up to doing 30 minute work outs. Once that becomes a habit, then start some strength training. It does not have to be much. Warm up with 15 minutes of cardio (walking), then 15 minutes of just raising your arms (no weight except that of your arms). I'm not talking about jumping jacks, just standing there and raising you arms to form a T (and slowly up and slowly down). Then stand and raise them in front of you. Nothing hard, same slow speed. Lower them slowly too (it is called negative resistance). Start that out doing just to to fifteen. After a week, add some weight, like a can of something in each hand (if you cannot afford or find weights). Add some reps, the next week, 15-20 times each. Before long, you'll be up to an hour of exercise a day (and be feeling better).
Peace,
Bear