I regularly tell people that a key part of your weight loss program needs to include exercise. I often get, “I know, I just don’t like to exercise.” Well exercise doesn’t have to be drudgery. You should choose the type of exercise that you like to do. Most people won’t stick to a program that they hate so if what you hate includes anything with a membership fee or special equipment my suggestion is to find something else. Find some type of exercise that you like to do!
Before we go on let me make the required disclaimer that if you haven’t exercised in a while it’s best to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Now that’s out of the way, we all know that very few people are going to keep doing a type of exercise they don’t like. Think about it. If you don't like jogging, you are going to find every reason in the world not to get up at 6 AM and go running, from “I’m too tired” to “my cat’s sick, I can’t leave her alone.” Now if you’re having a challenge finding something you like to do, choose something you hate the least. For most people this is walking.
The thing about walking is that it’s great exercise and it's a great way to lose weight. It suits any level of fitness. As long as you don’t have specific knee or back problems that prohibit it, anyone can start a walking program at any time and you can calibrate the intensity and duration of your walk so it’s just right for you. Walking is also a great social exercise. If you look around a little it’s usually very easy to find a training partner to chat with while you exercise. Walking with a partner will make you more accountable for your exercise and will also make the time go by faster.
No matter what exercise you choose, you should start at a low level of intensity and build it up over a period of weeks. This is absolutely essential to the longevity of your exercise program. If you start off too hard, you could end up with an injury which will require time off to recover.
If you haven’t exercised in a long time and find that walking is difficult, start off by walking for 10 minutes each day. Then, make a plan to either increase it by 5 minutes every 1 to 2 weeks. To make things more interesting, try walking a different course every few days. This is a great way to discover new neighborhoods or parks in your area. You can also recruit a different friend to walk with you on various days of the week. This can be a great way to stay in touch!
If walking isn't your thing or you want something with a little more intensity you may want to try a fitness center. Most have a variety of equipment and normally have trainers on hand to answer your questions about using them.
When you choose a fitness center, make sure that they give good service. Most will give you a trial period. Take advantage of it to check out the service and the equipment. A rule of thumb for joining any gym is that if they aren't willing to treat you well before you join, then they certainly won't after you join. Check out the equipment and see if it is well taken care of. If the machines move smoothly without a lot of creaking and squeaking they are most likely well maintained. If they squeak a lot or make noise, then chances are they aren't being taken care of.
If you still aren't sure what you should do, you could always try golf or tennis. Both are good social activities and you can even meet new friends. Tennis is great for fitness although it isn't for someone who is just starting out. If you haven't exercised for a while, then golf may be the best activity for you. Just remember to walk the course as much as you can because after all it is suppose to be exercise.
If you want to lose weight and get fit I have a FREE Weight Loss and Fitness Course
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