How To Get Exercise Into Your Life

For most people it's not failure to realize that it's good for them but an unwillingness to work it into their daily lives. The most common excuse "I don't have time." I think that people always manage to find time when it comes to things they really want to do.

The first step to finding time to exercise is to realize it's importance and then taking a decision, a commitment, to make it a regular part of your daily activities. Just like you eat every day, brush your teeth and sleep, you can do the same with exercise. With regular exercise you will get more rest and you will need less sleep, you will work more efficiently and therefore have more time to exercise.

Pick an activity you enjoy.

Exercise is not some kind of punishment. It's an activity to be enjoyed, not suffered through. When you get yourself into something you dislike, then for sure you will find plenty of excuses that will keep you from doing it. If you think hard enough, there has to be some kind of activity you enjoy. It might be walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming or dancing. You can join an aerobic class, go to a gym or buy yourself a workout dvd and exercise at home. There are so many options out there. There is definitely one for you.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to workout alone or with a friend. Exercising with another person can be motivating and when you make a commitment to join someone else, your less likely to skip the exercise session.

Consider your schedule and pick a time to exercise.

If you're out working all day from 7 AM to 6 PM and you have only 1/2 hour to spare or so, exercising at home might be more suitable. Intense exercises like jogging, aerobic dancing, rope jumping, or working out on an exercise machine would be good options.

To maximize the weight-control benefits of exercise do at least 1/2 hour sessions three times a week of aerobic exercises. During an aerobic activity, your body uses oxygen, which is needed when fat is burned to produce body energy. To be most effective, the activity should be done continuously for 20 minutes or longer, three or more times a week.

Select a time for exercise and stick to it. You need to make exercise a habit, just as other daily activities are habits that you do pretty much at the same time each day. If you can't get up early, then try exercising at lunch or before dinner. If you're a morning person, exercising soon after you get up may better suit you. Pick the best time for you, a time where you will be anticipating your workout.

In addition to setting a time for a period of concentrated exercise, you can incorporate more activity into the routine of your daily life.

If you need to take the car to work, park the car some distance away and walk the rest of the way.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Carry your golf clubs, or pull them along.

The possibilities are unlimited only by your imagination and if for everything you do you think exercise, you'll find many enjoyable ways to get your body moving.

Give yourself time to enjoy it.

It can take a while before you begin to feel really good about what you're doing. Give it time and don't expect to love your new activity the moment you start. Make a commitment to stick with it for at least 1 month before deciding if it's for you or not. Work up gradually to your full-length exercise program to avoid injury or muscle soreness.

When you first start an exercise program, don't treat your body as though it deserves punishment. Start with three times a week and go easy or else you will make yourself sore and become turned off. Start slowly and remember you are introducing your body to something new. Take it slow, step by step and listen to your body.

This article was written by Joe Blaschke of EZWeightLossExercise where you can find free info on exercise, dieting and weight loss.