<![CDATA[Amy Riddick Physiotherapy - How to Make Exercise a Daily Habit]]>

Does anyone need some inspiration on leading an ACTIVE lifestyle? This is how I make exercise a daily habit:

I only do exercises that I ENJOY
I exercise in the morning, after feeding the cat (LOL) but before my own breakfast. I wake up WELL before I have to leave for work, so I can pay myself first and create more energy for my day
Convenience: I workout either at home or on my bike rather than having to drive somewhere. I started this when I was in my 20s and I couldn’t get to the gym one winter day because of a snow storm. I bought an elliptical machine from a refurb store and it still works 25 years later!
Fresh air: if it’s too cold to bike, I jog, if too cold to jog, I’m on my elliptical machine in my sunroom with the windows wide open. If I didn’t have a sunroom, I would do what I suggest to my patients who are just about to buy an exercise machine: put it in a sunny room where you like to be, even if it goes in your living room - you are more likely to use it and enjoy it. If your living room is small, a set of pedals fits under any table and can be pulled out when needed.
Flexibility and variety: depending on how much time I have and what I feel like doing, I decide when I wake up whether to do my 10-minute workout (rarely), or my 20-minute leg workout or bike ride or jog, or a 40-minute ride. Regardless of which one I choose, I always feel better than if I hadn’t worked out. Repetitive movement stimulates joints to create synovial fluid -- the oil that we need to feel good. ‘Motion is Lotion’
Great workout playlist: ‘Thunderstruck’ by AC/DC gets me moving if I'm feeling sluggish, other dance favourites (including some great oldies!) so I can dance between leg sets. My workout playlist doubles as a playlist for family parties.
And again, I only do exercises that I enjoy. There are lots to choose from. I strive for good alignment whether I am doing cardio or strengthening - as I always say, “If you are not fighting gravity, you are losing the battle!". See my 'Why is Alignment Important?' blog article for more info (under the main blog tab).

If you are just getting started, try to commit to just two weeks of working out daily. You will feel so good after two weeks, you won't want to stop! Enjoy!