Exercise > Change Your Attitude About Exercise

Change Your Attitude About Exercise

Although exercise is one of the most powerful tools available for improving health and managing weight, even the word "exercise" can conjure up negative thoughts and feelings. If you are not very active or not exercising regularly, perhaps you have some negative thoughts of your own. Isn't it time to start thinking in more positive ways?"I know I should exercise but I hate it so I just can't seem to make myself do it." Many people have negative feelings about exercise, as can be heard by the use of words like "should," "hate" and "make myself." These thoughts and feelings come from negative past experiences like being chosen last for teams, boring exercise routines, and discomfort or pain from doing too much too fast. Some people only exercise when they are trying to lose weight so they have come to think of exercise as a punishment for their overeating. However, this time you can find fun physical activities that suit your personality and lifestyle.

You can start slowly and allow your body to adjust gradually so it is not uncomfortable. You can choose to focus on all the great things it does for you and how wonderful you feel instead of how much weight you should lose.
"I'm embarrassed to be seen exercising." Ironically most other people are so focused on themselves, they are not going to notice you anyway! Those that do will likely admire you. Eventually you will feel less self-conscious but in the meantime, find activities and places that make you feel comfortable so you can focus on all of the wonderful benefits. Remember, you are doing this for yourself - to feel better and become healthier.

"Exercise is really hard for me." Physical activity doesn't have to be hard or hurt to be beneficial. In fact, it is more important to find activities that are convenient, comfortable, and enjoyable so you'll stick with it. Finding a partner, trying new activities and new routes, rewarding yourself with a hot bath or massage, and setting small, achievable goals are great ways to make exercise more fun. Even if you have physical limitations it is always possible to find some way to increase your activity level. If you have been very inactive, start by increasing your "lifestyle" activity then work toward a regular exercise routine.

You will be amazed at how much your body can adapt to whatever challenges you give it! "I'm so out of shape?I don't even know where to begin!" Of course it is important to check with your doctor before you begin any new exercise program. Once you have been medically cleared, you have to start somewhere?so start where you are! There is no such thing as instant fitness. If you start this week by increasing your activity level, little by little, three months from now you will be leaner, stronger, more energetic, and healthier. If you choose not to start, then don't be surprised if you are exactly the same as you are today! What are your other negative thoughts and attitudes about exercise? Can you counter them in a positive way? Develop positive statements about activity and repeat them often to yourself. For instance, instead of saying, "exercise is boring", say, "being active gives me the opportunity to relieve stress and feel better." Repeat affirmations like "I can feel myself becoming healthier and more energetic", "It feels so good to move my muscles!" and "I can do it!" Start thinking of your self as an active, healthy person?and you will become one!.

Michelle May, M.D. is a practicing Board Certified Family Physician with expertise in the cognitive-behavioral aspects of weight management. She is the author of Am I Hungry? What To Do When Diets Don?t Work in collaboration with a Registered Dietitian and Psychologist. Visit her website www.AmIHungry.com for ideas on managing weight without dieting.

Exercise Nutrition: How To Keep That Energy Up!

How many times has this happened to you? >> You psych yourself up mentally (you are GOING to do it!)>> You don the outfit (you can practically feel the energy flowing through your veins!) >> You lace up the running shoes (Nike: Just Do It - that's you.) >> You grab your towel (because ANYONE SERIOUS needs a towel). Then it's time. It's time to sweat. It's time to burn the evil fat from your body. You face the treadmill (or stair climber, or rowing machine, or exercise video with the perky aerobics instructor on it).And you start.You warm up, and start moving faster and faster.

The sweat starts to pour. The blood is pumping. Man, you are burning! That size 2 exercise instructor is going to look like a whale compared to you when you get through!The adrenaline hits your blood and you feel GREAT! You could exercise forever! In fact maybe you will exercise forever!Your time winds down. Ok, maybe you'd better slow down, no sense in going TOO crazy here. The cool down sure feels good....

Exercise Nutrition: How To Keep That Energy Up!

Exercise > Exercise Nutrition: How To Keep That Energy Up!

Exercise and Womens Weight Loss Plan

Exercise and Women's Weight Loss Plan: Proper Diet +Exercise=Weight Loss
Have you had a difficult time deciding what to eat each day? It is so frustrating trying to decide: -What to eat? -How much to eat? -How much exercise? You need the exercise and women's weight loss plan!
I understand because I have been there and am still struggling with these choices on a daily basis. When you put all of this together, exercise and changing you're eating habits you will feel great and look great!
Each day you're going to rely on the right carbs, protein, fat, and this will enable you to live happily without the bad carbs, processed sugar and bad fat. As a result you are going to get healthy and loose weight. -You will eat normal size portions of meat, chicken, fish, turkey (remember most peoples portions are too large) A normal sized portion is the size of the palm of your hand. -You'll have plenty of vegetables, eggs, cheese, nuts.

-Salads. -No bread for two weeks...

Exercise and Womens Weight Loss Plan

Exercise > Exercise and Womens Weight Loss Plan

Exercise Nutrition: How To Keep That Energy Up!

Exercise Nutrition: How To Keep That Energy Up!

Exercise > Exercise Nutrition: How To Keep That Energy Up!

Spare A Thought For Redundant Exercise Machines

I have an exercise machine that I've used once. Did I hear you say 'Me too'? Hey, I'm not proud of that, but I make this revelation with more confidence today than I would have done yesterday.Why? Well, last night I was watching a TV programme about us - the public - and our attitude to exercise. Guess what? I am not alone. In fact, the presenter went down one average street here in the UK and nearly every household had unused or nearly-new exercise equipment. One lady had enough to equip a gym, plus work out videos galore - BUT - all untouched and gathering dust - if not mould - in her garage.

No wonder there are so many TV channels selling this gear - we can't get enough of it - but at the same time, use the exercise bike as a clothes hanger, and dumbells as doorstops.I'm in the wrong business!The thing is that all this equipment does get bought with good intent in mind - so what goes wrong? We all have those moments - you know the ones - Right!! I'm going to get fit. I'm going...

Spare A Thought For Redundant Exercise Machines

Exercise > Spare A Thought For Redundant Exercise Machines

Diabetes and Exercise

There are two main types of diabetes, type I and type II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the pancreas making too little or no insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin throughout the day in order to control glucose levels. Type II diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels or the cells not responding to insulin. When a cell does not respond to insulin, it is known as insulin resistance.

When a subject is diagnosed with type II diabetes, exercise and weight control are prescribed as measures to help with insulin resistance. If this does not control glucose levels, then medication is prescribed. The risk factors for type II diabetes include: inactivity, high cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension. Inactivity alone is a very strong risk factor that has been proven to lead to diabetes type II. Exercise will have a positive effect on diabetes type II while improving...

Diabetes and Exercise

Exercise > Diabetes and Exercise

Managing Computer Stress by Easy Exercise- 10 Tips

Copyright 2006 Michael Madigan

Stress comes from all sides these days, in home and workplace. Computer related stress - caused typically by crashing or malfunctioning programs, slow downloads, irritating emails or just sheer job repetition
and figuring out how to do things online- can build up and cause you to feel bad, and eventually make you ill.

Luckily gentle easy exercise is an excellent preventive and cure for computer related stress and workplace anxieties.

Assuming you aren't obese, pregnant or have any condition that could be made worse by exercise, here are 10 tested and useful tips for staying cooler and fitter at the PC.

1/ Exercise your eyes by looking away from your PC, and focussing on distant objects. Dont look at any one object too long, a few seconds will do.

2/ Exercise your breathing. Relax and breathe in and out deeply and slowly for about 30 seconds. Close your eyes if you wish, but don't...

Managing Computer Stress by Easy Exercise- 10 Tips

Exercise > Managing Computer Stress by Easy Exercise- 10 Tips