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).