Healthy Attitude Ezine | Issue #003 | How Much Exercise?

How Much Exercise Do You Really Need?

How much exercise you get is really a big part of any healthy lifestyle, and it can also be a huge boost to any weight loss plans you might have.
However, when it comes to exactly how often you should exercise to stay at your happy and healthy best, it can be easy to get confused.

You've probably heard many different recommendations depending on what you read and whom you talk to.

-The most recent information I read was that the intensity of your exercise really determines just how much you should exercise each week.

For example, it said if your workouts are very intense, say an 8 on a scale of one to ten, then 2 or 3 thirty-minute workouts each week is enough.

I strongly disagree.

-If you sit on the couch five days a week and twice a week you run a 5K you may still struggle with weight issues and poor health. Not to mention those two runs are going to be very uncomfortable on your body!

The Best Exercise Rule to Live By ...

Move your body every single day. Now, I'm not talking just about "exercising", but rather about just ...moving your body.
(Once again, see the calories burned in 15 minutes for more on this)

For Example:

Climb the stairs, instead of taking the elevator
Walk to the coffee shop
Take a walk during lunch
Take breaks from your desk and walk for a few minutes
Stand up when you're talking on the phone
Also stand when you're at work if possible

Simply changing your life from sedentary to active can make a huge difference with your fitness, health, and any weight loss goals.

A Sad Story ...

I have a young neighbor couple, their driveway is about a hundred feet long and their mailbox is at the street end of it. Every day when they get home, whichever one gets home first, will stop at the end of the driveway, roll the window down, and stretch their arm out to grab the mail.

Never mind that half the car sticks out in the street and will surely get whacked one of these days, but c’mon how lazy can you get? They have the perfect excuse for a short walk every day and don't use it!

Exercise for Fun and Health, Not Just Weight Loss

By making your exercise time about your health and having some fun (which is what it should be for), and not just for losing weight, you increase your likelihood of making it a regular part of your life -tenfold!

-You may find that the traditional definition of exercise isn't necessarily required to lose weight. You'll know you're active enough when you walk 10,000 or more steps each day. (Remember that pedometer!)

Try fitness activities like yoga, dancing, swimming or cycling, anything that you truly enjoy will make it fun rather than a chore.

-Then when you do "exercise" it can be because you enjoy it, because it makes you feel happy and because it's good for you - not because you have to do it in order to lose weight.

The real key to this, is to make these programs, as well as an active daily lifestyle a permanent part of your everyday life, you'll be so glad you did!

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Remember, the best reasons to exercise are for fun and for your health, NOT just for weight loss and a good looking body. -That's just a bonus!

-Next Issue:
How Often Do You Need to Workout To Lose Weight?

To Your Great Health! And keep that Healthy Attitude!

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