I had a visit to my chiropractor today. She has been very supportive of the 30 Days Challenge. She helped me come up with some of the challenges, and she has gone as far as including it in her monthly news letter to her patients. This month she had quite a long news letter about exercise, and the key point was movement. Basically, we've evolved into a society that doesn't move much compared to what are bodies are designed to do. Where kids used to play outside, they now play video games. Where people used to make a living with their bodies, they now sit in a cubicle. There seems to be some correlation between this and many of the health issues we're seeing today, from obesity to stress to heart disease...even to dementia.
Exercising doesn't necessarily mean going to the gym and slogging it out on a stairmaster. It can be much simpler than that. Go for a long walk at lunch. From my workplace, there are several places that are a 15 minute walk. I can walk there, eat lunch, and get back to work in an hour. Wallah! I've gotten my 30 minutes of exercise and stayed within my hour for lunch! There are other simple things to do that can increase movement, and therefore increase exercise. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park a little farther away from the front door and get a few extra steps in. Do some simple exercises and stretches while watching television. That's what this month is all about. Get us all out moving!
On silly thing I noticed I was doing was after working out at the gym, I would drive across the street for lunch. What? On a side note, this gym is in the suburbs and has a strip mall across the street. If I had been downtown, I wouldn't have even considered driving that short a distance. Now I walk it.
Also, strength training doesn't necessarily mean lifting weights. Do some pushups. Work on some core exercises. There are a lot of things you can do without hitting the gym (although that is good, too!).
Anyway, please root for me to be successful this month. I'm rooting for you!
Jason
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I'm pleased to report that so far the second month of the challenge has been a successful one. For me, the time of day plays a role in that success. I usually get up pretty early and go for a 30 min walk/jog on the tredmill while watching "Fox and Friends". I'm energised to start my day - have to be when teaching 7th graders 1st period. Research on the time of day aspect of exercise was inconclusive - start of day - middle of day - end of day - multiple times during the day ... the key is, "move that body"
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!