Stay Healthy and Fit with Exercise

crunchesExercise is a very important part of keeping healthy, feeling great and looking your best.  It is important to realize that in the world in which we live, where we spend hours each day either sitting in front of a computer, or sitting behind the wheel, or both, that we do not move our body’s around as much as they need it to keep us working, playing and living at our best. Therefore we must intervene and make the time and effort to insure that our bodies get way they need and that is exercise.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that exercise is just for weight loss. Even thin and trip people need to exercise regularly. A good exercise routine helps you to live longer and healthier in many ways. Increasing strength and weight-bearing exercises like jumping, running and walking help to combat osteoporosis, the loss of calcium in the bones, leading to brittle, fragile bones, highly common among the elderly.

Exercise can also help prevent highly dangerous illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular conditions. It has been shown that a regular exercise routine can increase the HDL levels in your body while also lowering the amount of LDL in the blood. This combination can help prevent the build-up of plaque on the arterial walls which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Making Bender Ball a part of a regular exercise routine is a great way to stay healthy, strong and feeling fit.

Part Two, Getting Back Into Your Routine

massageFor many of us, it’s very hard to get started with an exercise routine.  Once we’ve started, it’s actually not as hard to continue as it is to begin.  Here are some tips for starting to get to the gym, use the bender ball, get in the pool or anything else!

1. Take it slowly - Come up with realistic expectations for yourself.  If you decide that you have to walk each day for an hour, you’ll approach your exercise obligations with intimidation and apprehension.  Be realistic and gentle with yourself.

2. Get a Partner - See if you can convince someone else to exercise with you.  Working out with another person can be a huge motivator, and a great way to connect with a friend while also getting into shape.

3. Reward Yourself - Make plans to reward yourself for your efforts.  For instance, after using the bender ball every day for a week, allow yourself an inexpensive manicure.  After walking for 20 minutes each day for a month, you deserve a professional massage!  Set goals and treats for yourself that will help to get you through the routine.

Getting Into A Routine

Most people will tell you that it’s easier to stick to a routine than it is to start one.  If you’ve fallen out of your exercise routine - it is very hard to get started again!  Here are a few key suggestions to get you started again and to get you to stick to that routine.

1. Don’t stop - Obviously, this is easier said than done, but if you are contemplating stopping your exercise routine - don’t.  Even if you miss one week, it is much harder to start again than it is to just continue.  Try not to push it aside, with the assumption that it won’t be hard for you to start again.

2. Commit to 30 days - Commit, from today, that you will use your bender ball every day for 30 days or that you’ll walk for 15 minutes a day each day.  Don’t make yourself commit to anything for a year - this is too much pressure; at the same time, if you only commit for a day or two, you may find it hard to follow through.  Commit to 30 days and then take it from there.

3. Showing Up Counts - Often, just showing up is the hard part.  Don’t think about what you’ll do when you get to the gym, or start the video again.  Just show up and be proud of yourself for taking that step.  Then, you can concentrate on actually using the bender ball, getting in the pool, and such.

Get Moving!

People spend a lot of time trying to figure out the best exercise routine for themselves.  Should they force themselves to the gym? Should they do more stomach exercises with a bender ball, or concentrate on their legs with a Stair Master?  The bottom line - no matter what you decide - is to get moving!  You can get more fit and see a slow weight loss if you simply incorporate some new creative movement into your day.  Take the stairs at work rather than using the elevator.  Park far away from the mall and walk farther to get to your favorite store.  Take the dog for an extra 10 minute walk each day; use the bender ball for 5 minutes at a time instead of 4.

There are oodles of little ways that you can increase your stamina and get yourself moving without even altering your life very much.  Try it out - you’ll be surprised what an extra 15-45 minutes of movement a day can do for your overall energy level, your stamina and your weight.  What have you got to lose giving it a try?