America, Let's get moving!! Easy exercise suggestions?

[eliza61]

Saw an news piece last night that got me thinking.

30% of adults in the south (MA, AL, LA, Tenn, Ga) get no exercise and overall as a nation we're not much better. 25.4% of adults nationwide get no exercise. Nada, nothing, zip. No walking, no gardening, zero.

A new study has show that counties in this country with less exercise are also the ones that have skyrocketing obesity and diabetes rates.

There is a direct correlation to exercise and disease. We are also prescribing medicine more to correct health issues that could be prevented by exercise.

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/obe...ans-exercise-food-advice-tips-health-12935370

Now in the interest of full disclosure, I hate exercising I try to do it 3 times a week but I force myself and I'm still waiting for my "endorphins" to kick in.

So anyone with easy ways to get the heart pumping.

 

[FireDancer]

I saw that report and can't say it surprised me at all. I pay a lot of attention to the health community and for the last 8 or 9 years I've been reading about the rising obesity rate, lack of exercise, poor diet, and everything else that we are doing to kill ourselves in this country. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution confronted the problem from a nutrition perspective as opposed to exercise but the message is the same and those two things really go hand in hand.

For me the best exercise to be running. All it takes is a pair of shoes and I love doing it so it doesn't seem like work. I can down my driveway and head out without having to drive somewhere else to get my workout session in. I generally like anything active whether it is biking, hiking, kayaking, swimming (which I'm trying to get much better at), or going to the gym. I also play sports pretty much year round. Other than while I was in college I've tried to be on some team or another all of the time.

I think the key for people who are starting out or don't enjoy exercise is two fold. First, find something you like. Second, schedule your workouts, runs, walks, or whatever that thing you like as though they are mandatory meetings. Put them on whatever calendar you use to keep track of your schedule and don't let anything outside of an emergency keep you from keeping the appointment.

 

[Northstar]

I put music on while I'm running around the kitchen getting an evening meal together. Seems like my feet just naturally start dancing when I hear music, and the rest of my body kind of follows along. Couldn't be an easier exercise! (I know, it's pretty pathetic compared to actually working out, but you did say small steps)

It's even better when I put my DD's playlist on and she comes in and just rolls her eyes.... "MOOoooOOM that's just embarrassing!" What can be better than a chance to embarrass your child... (as long as I don't end up on Failbook)

 

[Handbag Lady]

I hate excercising. Nothing creates hatred more in me than having me do something I can't do (I can't run) and that I feel totally awkward at doing.

After being teased for uncoordination my entire life, especially in gym class, I took up excercising last week. I have a small gym at our complex and I go when no one else is around. I fell off the elliptical machine twice now. I just go slow and I read a book so it gets my mind off of what I am doing. I try to get in a half-hour on the treadmill and the bike, too.

I also bought a shiny new bike and I ride casually around the neighborhood on weekends. It is a long road, but I'm getting there. I really enjoy the bike and it has a cute little basket, too.

 

[indimom]

I walk and bike. They are the only excercise I can stand. I've tried jogging in the past, but usually end up with shin splints so I stick to walking now. 45 minutes/4 or 5 days a week. I'm also uncoordinated so sports are NOT an option for me. Years ago when it was in vogue, I loved the "step" workouts. I'd do it again if I still had the videos or any gym had classes.

 

[cglaura]

I use the eliptical 3x a week, and do free weights 2x a week ( most weeks ).

In addition to my routines, I make sure to get in what I can when I can...park at the farthest spot in the parking lot, take stairs instead of escalator or elevator, rake the leaves instead of leaf blower...things like that.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

The easiest for me when I started 3 years ago was the treadmill. I'd walk on high incline while I still watch my tv shows.
In the last 2 months I've been using the Cybex cross trainer at the gym which has helped alot.

I also do the same as cglaura and park farther, take the stairs, etc.
I should do weight training but can't get into the habit of it.

 

[Momvic5]

I also love running. For me, it yields the fastest results. Like Firedancer mentioned, it doesn't require anything other than a pair of good shoes and determination. However, I also know that running is not for everyone. My dh has and wants to run with me, but he experiences severe reflux when he runs. It is insane really - sometimes, it interferes with my running too because it begins to make me feel sick just hearing him suffer from it. We have tried playing with our eating/run schedule to see if we can help him, but we haven't been able to find something that works. He still tries to run a little - 3 miles at the most. Bicycling is now his thing.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

for motivation--buy some kick-a new work out clothes..I suggest lululemon... At any size, those exercise clothes make you look like a million bucks... WEAR your exercise clothes and you are more likely to exercise.
Get up an hour early and get it out of the way...if you don't like exercising, you aren't going to like putting it off until the evening---then you have to dread it all day...
buy an ipod and download a ton of new tunes. It's more fun for me to go on a long run if I know I have some new songs to look forward to!!

 

[Bilberry]

I like exercise. I work out at a gym twice a week with a trainer, plus play tennis, and go on walks. Personally, feel from what I've experienced and read, best benefit comes from resistance training.

Resistance training benefits diabetics (and others too)
http://www.drbriffa.com/2010/11/19/resistance-training-benefits-diabetics-and-others-too/

 

[Alex&Evan'sMom]

I love the Wii Fit Plus. I was concerned because it's a little intimidating to get weighed, measured etc. but it wasn't bad. It has yoga, strength training, aerobics and more and tells you how many calories you burn. And, cheesy as it may be I love my Richard Simmons workout videos. There are real people on his videos, not super fit models. I think the key to working out is to find something you enjoy. If you don't, you won't stick with it. There are still days where I have to make myself(started exercising regularly about 6months ago) but I always feel energized after I do.