9 Resolutions to
Commit to the Most Beneficial Exercising
Get fit in the New Year by making exercise one of your New Year's
resolutions. Here's how to make it fun and effective!
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At this time of year, one of the top New Year's resolutions often includes
exercise.
And while you know you should exercise (whether you enjoy it or not)
it may feel challenging to decide what type of exercise is best.
Or to find the energy to maintain a healthy exercise schedule.
As Donna Gates, founder of Body Ecology, often says: "First create
Energy. You must have energy to heal," you also need energy to even
WANT to exercise.
The good news is, when you commit to a healthy Body Ecology program, you
will automatically be creating energy to aid healing AND motivation for exercise
and other goals you want to achieve.
For more information on adding the Body Ecology program to your New Year's
resolutions, read: 5
Resolutions to Commit to a Healthier Diet, by Donna Gates.
In this article, we'll highlight the best tips for healthy and healing
exercise!
Here are 9 New Year's resolutions for getting the most from your exercise
in 2008:
- Rebound.
If you change only one thing about your exercise routine in the New Year,
then get a rebounder and use it!
Fun, easy, and maximum results. Too good to be true? Not with rebounding.
It just might be the easiest healthy forms of exercise you can do.
Here at Body Ecology, we recommend Softbounce Needak Rebounders.
Made here in the US, these sturdy rebounders let you enjoy the all
the benefits of rebounding on the highest quality mini-trampoline
you can buy. Learn
more about the Needak Rebounder now!
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Using a reboounder can jumpstart your metabolism, encourage lymph drainage,
improve digestion and strengthen your cardiovascular system, along with
many other benefits.
Find out more about this amazing exercise and read The
Rebounder: One Fitness Tool Highly Recommended by Body Ecology and Why.
- Stretch.
Dogs and cats stretch every day, but we humans can't seem to make time for
it. However, flexibility is absolutely necessary for a healthy body.
Flexibility exercises maintain and improve your range of motion and can
keep you from being stiff. Proper stretching (after a period of warm up
movement) can also help your balance and coordination.
Ease into a stretching routine with gentle stretches in the morning. After
your workouts, practice touching your toes or even take a yoga class.
Yoga is a great flexibility exercise that also calms your mind. You can
build strength and flexibility with several types of yoga, so pick the style
that best meets your exercise goals.
If you are new to yoga, try this great Yoga
for Beginner's program
to support you in getting started. In this program, you will learn healing
yoga postures, yogic breathing exercises and calming meditation to balance
mind, body and spirit.
- Breathe.
Proper breathing during your workouts and throughout your day can impact
your health immediately. Every cell of your body relies on oxygen, but we
often neglect the other half of our respiration- the half that exhales carbon
dioxide.
Deep, cleansing breaths not only take in oxygen but also get rid of toxic
waste.
Make an effort to take deep breaths in through your nose several times a
day: in the morning, whenever you need a "pick me up," again in
the evening before bed and especially during workouts.
- Go for a walk.
You don't need a gym, equipment or classes to exercise. Getting in shape
is as easy as taking a walk!
Research shows that walking improves bone density, controls blood pressure,
lowers your risk for stroke, and even improves your mood. Walking also improves
your digestion, elimination and detoxification!
- Mornings improve maintenance.
People who exercise most consistently do it in the mornings. With fewer
distractions and the promise of burning more calories, mornings can be an
ideal time of day to exercise.
Once you're done, you have the rest of the day and have already crossed
one very important item off your to-do list.
- Take two.
Working out with a buddy is one of the best ways to ensure that you do
it regularly. Enlist a friend to be your accountability partner even if
you can't exercise together.
With regular check-ins and regular exercise dates, your new commitment
is bound to become one of the best parts of your day.
- Get outside.
Taking your physical exertion out of doors provides ever-changing scenery
and can give you a needed dose of Vitamin D is sunshine.
Even better, you have a nearly endless option of outside activities: volleyball,
rollerblading, swimming, walking, hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and rock climbing
are easy ways to have fun and get fit at the same time.
- Take a day off.
Daily exercise is great, but your body (and your mind) needs a day off.
Once a week give your body a break, and you'll enter the next week with
renewed vigor.
- Have fun!
Exercise doesn't have to mean an hour of boredom every day. No matter what
activities you choose, where you go or who you do them with, exercise can
be... and should be... one of your best ways to have fun. Try not to take
it so seriously.
Take off your heart rate monitor and stop checking to see how many calories
you have burned. Smile while you run or listen to uplifting music.
Soon, you'll look forward to keeping your New Year's resolutions to exercise
because this healthy habit actually brings you pleasure... feeling alive
and full of gratitude!
With these 9 tips, begin today to jumpstart your New Year's resolution and
create a healthy exercise plan!
Sources:
Cope, Linda, "Flexibility Stretching, a vitally important part of your
workout," Essortment.com. http://nh.essortment.com/flexibilitystre_ramx.htm
2 The Importance of Breathing, HolisticOnline.com.
http://www.holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_breathing_Importance.htm
3 The Numerous Benefits of Walking, AARP.org. http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/walking/a2004-06-17-walking-numerousbenefits.html
4 Bumgardner, Wendy, "The Best Time of Day to Walk and Exercise,"
About.com. http://walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/besttime.htm
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