When people think of exercise, the most common reaction is that it takes too long, but there are also other negative thought processes that keep us from working out the way that we know we should. Trying to find the time, the right equipment, or a good location are all factors that contribute to making an excuse for not being able to work out on any given day.
The fact is, if we look hard enough we can find an excuse of one type or another to keep from having to exercise, but the long-term damage that we are doing to our health makes this a serious issue that should not be ignored. Fortunately, there are some simple steps we can all take that will allow us to get our workouts in every week and maintain optimal health and fitness.
Work Out at Home
If you are the type of person who does not like gyms, or you would simply feel more comfortable exercising in the comfort and privacy of your own home, then you should know that there are a variety of different types of activities you can participate in that do not require you to leave your home or buy special clothes or equipment for working out.
There are a number of exercise DVD’s you can purchase that will provide you with a fitness routine that you can use to build your own personalized workouts around. If you already have a stationary bike or a treadmill, then you can switch your routine up by using one piece of equipment one day, and then using the other one the next day. Switching up your routine is important because our muscles get used to our activities if we repeat them on a regular basis.
Even better good news for all of us is that it doesn’t require long, time consuming workouts in order to achieve benefits that are healthy for our minds and our bodies.
Short Bursts of Activity
Incorporating short bursts of activity into your daily routine is an excellent way to give your metabolism a boost and maintain your good health. Research has shown that workout bursts of as little as 30 seconds can get your heart revved up and provide a healthy boost to your metabolism.
Some experts recommend participating in an activity of high intensity for about three minutes at a time. One of the best ways you can accomplish this is to run or jog for three minutes, then slow down to a moderate walk. Not only can this type of interval training speed up your metabolism and provide excellent benefits that contribute to protecting you from heart disease and cancer, it also helps to lower your blood sugar levels, thereby reducing your risk for developing diabetes.
If you get into the habit of working out in short, intense bursts of activity, you will be much more likely to stick to a program over the long run, which will mean greater health benefits for you over time. The reality is that it is much easier for most of us to incorporate short, intense workouts into our daily routines than it is to try to find an extra hour each day for exercising. The inability to find the time to exercise leads many people to simply give up on exercising all together, and this leads to a number of health issues as we continue to age.
By Andrew V.V.