Build strength, flexibility and energy through joyful movement
Does the word “exercise” fill you with dread? Do you roll your eyes in anticipation of what you should be doing, what you need to be doing every day? Blah blah blah?
In spite of growing knowledge about exercise many women haven’t really learned much at all, and some have worked very hard to avoid the topic altogether. Until they look at their body in the dressing room and think “I really need to lose weight and firm up. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to run every day and lift weights and go to yoga.” But what if you don’t like running? What if you don’t have weights? What if you are too intimidated to go to yoga?
Your key to an exercise program is to find something you love to do and create ways to care for your heart, your muscles, your body while doing it. AND do it enough that you don’t have time to sit on the couch mindlessly watching television and eating chips or ice cream.
Remember the many benefits of exercise? Exercise is a vital component of a longer, more active life.
- Increases metabolism,
- Increases lean muscle mass versus body fat (which increases metabolism even more),
- Improves blood sugar handling,
- Lowers cholesterol levels,
- Lowers risk of most common chronic diseases,
- Increases energy and vitality,
- Improves sleep,
- Reduces stress and tension,
- Elevates mood and mental performance.
Another wonderful benefit is self-esteem. Walk a mile and feel great; walk another mile and feel “greater!” Walk another mile two days in a row, seven days in a row, 30 days and feel ready to run that mile! Try it – it’s true. There is nothing like the feeling of confidence and joy that comes from connecting with your physical body.
Where to start? Just move!
- Clean house – including windows
- Dance
- Learn to snow shoe
- Garden
- Play
- Park blocks away from work or shopping
- Take the stairs
- Call a personal trainer for information
- Walk your dog(s)
- Play with your dog(s)
- Walk to lunch along the greenbelt
- Hang around active people
- Buy a quality pedometer and challenge yourself to walk 10,000 steps a day
- S-t-r-e-t-c-h for 10 minutes while waiting for something
What if you found a truly joyful way to move your body every day? What if you loved that joyful movement so much that you looked forward to it? What if that became aerobic exercise? Built strength? Increased flexibility? What if you moved every day for a month and felt so great that you were searching for new ways to exercise? What if you could add more joy into your life through movement?
If you have been thinking about making a change, don't wait another day. I can help. Call 208.921.1044.
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Support for your journey
Personal trainers help you to assess your fitness level, clarify your goals, set up a program and keep you motivated. He or she will push you past your comfort level--something difficult to do on your own. A trainer also provides guidance, education, a reason to show up, accountability and ways to help track your progress.
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice centered on deep breathing, stretching and the holding of postures to release stored tension in the body. Yoga postures can also increase your strength, flexibility and ability to relax. The word “Yoga” means “to join or yoke together,” and this discipline is said to bring the body and the mind together. There are many different types of yoga. A partial list of benefits include: • Better, more restful sleep • Energized, toned endocrine, nervous, and digestive systems • Freer, more efficient breathing and lung capacity • Greater bodily strength and balance • Improved circulation • Improved flexibility • Increased awareness and concentration • Reduced anxiety • Strengthened immune system • More joy!
Websites
Books
- Balance your body, balance your life (1999). Edward A. Taub, MD
Resources
- Just move!
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