Get Fit In This New Year
BOSTON (CBS) - The National Center for Health Statistics found that only 19% of us do three or more workouts a week. If your resolution is to be fit be realistic about this goal. Any activity is good. Park your car at the back of the parking lot if it is safe and add a few minutes of walking.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Lift weights while cooking dinner.
If money is not a problem, join a gym. Look for a gym where you can do a month-to-month membership. Ask if they have a free pass so you can try a few of their classes as well as the machines.
Gyms intimidate me with all of their equipment. Have you noticed that the people using these gyms usually look like they don't need the gyms!
If you can afford it, hire a personal trainer. If you watch the TV show, The Biggest Loser, they eat less, change their lifestyles and include exercise in their daily routines with the help of trainers, really mean and loud trainers! Also, the contestants exercise 6 to 8 hours a day. Most of us can't do that and in my case don't want to!
If your budget is flexible, how about a treadmill or bike for your basement? At our house I have an old treadmill, a newer recumbent bike, a mat for leg lifts, some free weights and a VCR connected to an old TV. That's my indoor gym!
If the budget is really tight and you don't mind the cold, walk outdoors. I prefer to be outdoors but I hate to walk with frost building up on my facemask as I walk. So I retreat indoors for the worst part of the winter.
The malls are also available for walking but you will need to drive there. Go with a friend, you'll be more committed if you have to pick someone up every morning.
One more thing: Keep a log of how many miles you run or walk. My goal is to walk 500 miles. If I walk 10 miles a week that gets me to 520 miles for the year.