How to Make Your Exercise Schedule Work
By Sandy Schroeder
If you usually have six different things to do as you start the day, exercise may not top the list. That's what my day usually looks like too, and I think Harvard Health may have the solution.
Here are a few of their tips to get all of us moving.
Pick your most important goal - It's a lot easier to get out there for a morning run or brisk walk when you have a specific reason to be there. Ask yourself what exercise will do for you. You may be looking to travel and backpack soon, or you may be thinking about a retirement that's all about travel. Or you may want to keep your brain and body tuned up for new opportunities in the future. Whatever you want, staying fit will be a big help.
Enjoy the immediate payoffs - Researchers tell us daily exercise lifts our spirits, boosts our creativity, and improves our memory. Monitor your own results and see if you can tell a difference in sharpness and productivity when you are exercising more.
See exercise as a prescription - Doctors say the failure to exercise is really a medical disorder. The body needs exercise to stay strong and perform well. Consider your daily walk to be just as important as the vitamins that you take or the healthy meals that you consume.
Streamline your exercise efforts - Daily exercise may be a lot more likely when you make everything easier. Put a set of pedals under your desk or put a stationary bike in your office to use when you are on the phone. Start an exercise group at lunch with co-workers, or add a treadmill to the family room.
Always choose your favorites - The way you exercise is strictly up to you. If you choose activities that you really enjoy they may become daily habits. Dance classes, yoga sessions, or daily runs all work. Wilderness hikes or nature walks work too. Pick the ones that fit you.
Put it on your calendar - Make exercise an appointment on your calendar and treat it like everything else. When you have picked a logical time and reserved the space, it is a lot more likely to happen.
Keep working on your goals - Making exercise a reality can be tough in the midst of everything else. Cut yourself some slack when you slip, but keep on going. Keep a few backup options in place too. If you miss the morning walk, fit one in after lunch or after dinner.
Chart your progress - Track your steps with a pedometer or check off your exercise sessions on your calendar. Either way, it's important to recognize patterns, and reward yourself when it is all working.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pearland, Tex.