Exercise

This is the word that most people hate. It conjures up in the mind the days of PE/PT/Games at school, and not too many people have fond memories of those days.

The gym I used for my marathon training had this notice on all the toilet doors and I think it is great.

THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE TIME TO EXERCISE WILL SOONER OR LATER HAVE TO FIND TIME FOR ILLNESS.

Exercise is really important.

Whatever form of exercise you choose you should treat it as something that you deserve and that enhances your life. It is too easy to think of exercise as hard work and a chore, something that both your mind and body have to endure, when actually both your body and mind love exercise and need it to function efficiently.

Once you have read and re-read this then print it. Now turn off the computer and guess what you are going to do. Any ideas? Yes I can see you, and I can hear you. I am going to go and exercise. Isn't this fun! What are you going to do?

Exercise I hear you say, yes but be specific. How about ballet? No walking you can all do that. Saw a holiday programme once and it showed people getting fit walking the Malls. The average person (retired) would walk 800 miles a year. No how about that for a challenge. OK! OK! I hear you all, so 200 miles a year? I will be happy for 20 mins a day from you when you start and then increase it.

Now you might need a little convincing about the benefits of exercise, so this comes straight from my notes when I was studying.

Exercise can:

• Speed up the metabolism
• Increase stamina
• Increase the body's ability to fight infection
• Help prevent heart disease
• Prevent osteoporosis
• Reduce the risk of breast cancer
• Decrease the risk of colon cancer
• Lessen arthritis pain
• Lower blood pressure
• Control cholesterol
• Burn fat
• Burn calories
• Alleviate PMS
• Help you stop smoking
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Relieve depression
• Release anxiety
• Reduce stress
• Improve sexual performance
• Enhance self-esteem
• Heighten sense of well-being
• Improve mental sharpness
• Increase IQ performance
• Improve concentration
• Enhance creativity
• Improve outlook
• Increase productivity
• Increase job satisfaction
• Improve flexibility
• Preserve muscle
• Improve circulation
• Increase mobility
• Improve memory
• Improve reaction time
• Deepen sleep
• Increase energy
• Lengthen life
• Make you happier

Just 20 minutes of exercise every other day and you should feel the benefits within two weeks.

It is time to stop using the car so much and get out and walk. Stop thinking that exercise is difficult and remember that fitness is essential. With increased energy levels, thing you do around the house and the office will become less effort and more invigorating.

• Stop driving to the corner shop.
• Stop staying in all day on the weekend and watching television.
• Stop putting off going to the gym.
• Stop deciding to get fit tomorrow.
• Stop trying to avoid long walks.
• Stop eating too much.
• Stop ignoring the opportunity to get fit and healthy, become full of energy and be raring to go.

Exercise can cost nothing; it can be done at any time of the day or night; it can be done whilst you are doing everyday chores; and it has many, many benefits. Now that you have enough reasons, you should do at least 20 minutes every day. Not only will this help to keep you fit and toned but it will also ensure that your metabolic rate does not decrease or your circulation become sluggish.

Well this should be obvious but I will put them there.

What exercise do you do at the moment? If none write it down. Now what type of exercise are you going to get involved with? It might be walking instead of taking the car. Write it down and see yourself making progress.