TIME !
Sooooo, let's complete the thought here.............you'll just continue gaining pounds, eating junk food and hardening your arteries.
I know, and you know, that is a recipe for misery and severe health problems..
It really is a matter of perspective. In earlier posts I mentioned the MENTAL shift; that change in attitude that causes people to realize if they don't do something, NOW, they will soon have a severe health event or worse!
Just like working a budget, many people who succeeded in making time for exercise inventoried themselves and analized how their time was actually being spent.
Carl Jung had it right.
If getting up ten minutes earlier was needed for the morning session, they did it. If lunch was a time spent sitting and eating, they changed that. Instead of coming home and frantically trying to be chauffeur, cook and housemaid, they found ways to integrate physical activity into the tasks.
Here are some real-world examples of people's successful methods to add that TEN stinkin' minutes into their busy day.
MORNINGS 1. She set the alarm ten minutes earlier and did breathing and stretching.
If you have to, go to bed ten minutes earlier. So what, if at first, you're in bed lying awake at night? Use the time to plan how you will go about improving your health.
2. He bought books and devised his own ten minute meditation/breathing/stretching/yoga/strength program.
You know better than anyone what you like to do; what you hate to do. If you own it, you're more likely to do it.
3. He stretched a bungee cord across the doorway.
By physically reminding himself that removing it was the signal to ride his bike to work, he did it. Breakfast became fresh fruit, a healthy meal bar and water on the way.
4. She bought a mini-stepper. After breakfast and before leaving for work, she watched TV news and brushed her teeth while stepping her way to fitness!
5. She planted a small garden. "It was so relaxing!"
For non-gardeners....Pulling weeds and raking and pruning gives the body and the mind a good workout. Enjoying the morning quiet time was an unforeseen bonus..
6. He challenged the kids to a duel. Who ever could beat dad on the balance board got to pick special things. (he came up with a point system for them to earn a much desired item) Guess who won.
So, get inventive! If you have decided you really want to improve your health, you WILL find a way!
A few notes for the purists. I'm well aware that some of these activities may be less than ten minutes (at first) and the intensity may not be great; but it's a funny thing about exercise. The more you do it, the more you want to do it, as well as making it more challenging.
Inch by inch, life's a cinch.
If you don't start, NOTHING will happen, right?
Also, don't fall into the trap of skipping breakfast to make time for activity. It has been proven many times over that those who eat breakfast can better manage their weight.
Keep a record of what you do. It is key to maintaining momentum. Put it on the refrigerator door. You KNOW you'll see it there!
Next post-some examples of noon time ten minute exercise breaks.
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