Image Credit: © C-Ali
Are you fit enough to not exercise?
In a word… NO! And I don’t care who you are or what you’ve done in your life so far. Every person on the planet needs to exercise. Exercise is such an integral and important part of our lives that it should never ever be neglected or forgotten. The good news is that it doesn’t need to be “hard work”. As a matter of fact, it can very often be a source of a lot of fun.
Before You Start
This is important, folks, so don’t skip this part. If you’ve been fairly inactive for any length of time, you absolutely must see your doctor before you start any exercise program. Tell your doc what you plan to do and get them to give you a general check up. Also, your doctor is an excellent source of info if you have no idea at all about what or how to exercise. So don’t be afraid, just ask.
How Much
This will depend on your fitness level, and what your doctor says. But if you’re just starting out, you shouldn’t try to do too much too soon. Basically, you should be looking to get your heart rate up for about 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week. That’s 30 consecutive minutes. 
And if you can’t manage that (because you are too unfit, not because you are too lazy), that’s fine. Start smaller. Try for 15 minutes. See what works for you. But put some serious thought into making 30 minutes a day your goal. Oh, I should say… this is a minimum.
But I Just Don’t Have The Time
Then you just aren’t trying hard enough. Perhaps all you need is to hone your time management skills a bit. If you can’t find 30 minutes in your day to devote to your physical health then you are already doing way too much other stuff. Do something radical and turn off your stupid computer for half an hour, then get outside and move about.
I Can’t Afford A Gym Membership
Guess what? Neither can I. But you don’t have to pony up for a membership to a gym or health club to get or keep fit and healthy. If you are motivated and like structure you can set your own exercise program. You don’t really need any equipment, except maybe a pair of running shoes. Push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, walking, running, etc… none of those require equipment.
But I Hate Formal Exercise Programmes
So don’t follow one. They are very easy to disguise anyway. Next time you need to duck down to the corner store for some bread and milk, leave the car at home. Do you take a bus or train to work? Get off one or two stops before your normal stop and walk the rest of the way. If you have kids, ask them to show you how well they can play soccer, football, run, jump, skip. I triple dog dare you to not join in on their fun. Whenever you can, take the stairs instead of the elevator. At lunch time, try out that new deli that’s 3 blocks further away than your normal place (you walk there of course).
But I Want It To Be Fun
Sheesh, some people are never satisfied. I’ve already mentioned playing with your kids and if you don’t think that is fun then you are a cold cold soulless individual. But maybe you don’t have kids (and you can’t find any to “borrow”). See what sporting clubs are available in your community that you could join. If you are really unfit like I am you’d probably want to join a club that puts the emphasis on having fun rather than competition. Clubs aren’t your thing? Here’s something to think about… an hour of love making is roughly equivalent to a 5km run… just sayin’
To Sum Up
Keeping the physical side of your life in balance doesn’t need to be a chore. It doesn’t even need to be structured and boring. Just make sure you get your body moving. Use your imagination to come up with some “interesting” ways of keeping fit. And have some fun out in the big wide wonderful world. And please, see your doctor first!
Till next time…
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awesome brother welcome back and what a way to come back.
I totally agree although these days for me its about staying healthy and supple instead of fighting fit.
Great job steve
Yep, there’s no need to bust your gut and half kill yourself unless you’re in training for the Olympics, or you’re planning to join up with S.A.S.
Like with everything in this life… common sense is your friend.
Thanks for your comment, James. Always a pleasure to see you here.
Kind regards,
Steve.
Twitter: SteveYoungs
Make sure you keep posting content of this quality brother and I’ll always be here!
You’re making me nervous, mate. Hope you’re not setting my bar too high.
Time will tell I ‘spose. Anyway, ‘nother post coming out tomorrow morning (my Saturday), and then every Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday from now on. My time of course. For you it’s Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights.
Twitter: SteveYoungs
Hi Steve,
)
I’ve been meaning to come back since reading your introduction to this series earlier in the week. Thankfully a tweet sent me back here (or was it a blog comment you wrote elsewhere, I can’t remember
I wasn’t going to read this until I’d read the previous one but I started and then I couldn’t stop myself! I’m one of those people who hates formal exercise and gets very easily bored. Thankfully though I have three young children so rushing around after them (and tidying up behind them
) is my usual regular exercise! That said, I always like the idea of doing something more normal (but since the idea is so much more fun than reality it doesn’t often stray past that 
)
My biggest tip for someone like me is to invest in a decent pedeometer. I got a really good one that I trust and like to stick it in the pocket of my jeans. Then I can see if I’m really as busy as my legs tell me I am at the end of the day.
I also like doing Laurette Willis’s Slow Cadence workout when I think of it to help with muscle type stuff (OK, you’re right, I don’t really understand the why but I know that a bit of weights is good for me!)
Anyway, off to read the previous post now.
Have a great day,
El
Hi Eleanor!
This is an awesome tip! The simple act of counting your steps will make you want to do more each time you go out. You’ll always be wanting to break your own records.
Twitter: SteveYoungs
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