Exercise as Part of Your Routine

It's February already. So for those who have remained loyal to their new year's resolution of devoting time to exercise, congratulations. Do not falter. You are doing your body a great favor.

For those who have tried and would say that "the spirit was willing, but the flesh is weak", well, you can try harder. Simply do not give up. You can start anew with a different strategy and do your best to sincerely achieve your goal this time.

People can give tons of excuses for not wanting to exercise. Some may say that exercising is not fun. It's too boring they would rather watch TV or play their video games. There are people who simply do not find its importance, while there are those who would admit that they are just plain lazy to do it.

Once people really realize the good effect of exercise to their body and health, perhaps they would provide time for it. True, everybody is just busy. But if you really try to look at the possibility of squeezing it to your hectic schedule, maybe you could really add it. Remember, you owe it to your body to be healthy, and to look and feel good.

Here are a few insights that could help the flesh get strengthened, while the spirit is willing, so you could get those muscles moving and help you break into that much-needed sweat.

1. Know your interest - The saying "know thyself" always works in choices that you make, even in picking the right activity that would benefit your body. Are you the sporty type? Do you like basketball or tennis? People in this country are so blessed because of the many facilities that are offered for free. Most public parks are ready with tennis courts and basketball courts waiting to be used. Many who frequent these venues are very friendly and welcome those who really want to join and play. So go and join the games.

If you like to walks, do so. Morning walks are very good because they help build muscles, can help in weight loss. Walking is a good work-out for your heart.

If you feel interested in indoor activities like yoga, Pilates, jazz, belly dancing and the like, why don't you try them? Other than fitness clubs, community centers offer these classes for a lower price.

Using the treadmill and then lifting some weights might sound good to buff your body, so by all means go to the gym and start with it.

2. Disguise it as fun time with friends - If you're the type whose interest in one thing quickly wanes when doing something, why don't you try to involve your friends in it to make it more fun and less of a chore? Taking a walk with a friend can just appear like a regular after-work activity where you get to share about your day or your problems. For ladies, it's time to gossip or do that fun chatter. Being with a buddy makes it less boring, plus it makes you forget about the time being actually spent for your physical activity.

Some get motivated once they see the good effect of their exercise on their friends' bodies. So it could inspire you to keep going.

3. Have a regular schedule - Although your busy schedule allows you to be flexible, it helps a lot if you keep a fixed schedule for your exercise. If you keep changing the time that you allot for it, you would tend to lose your focus. Flexibility means allowing a little change, but still maintaining a certain schedule. For instance, if you can hit the gym on Mondays and Wednesdays only, then keep those dates. On Tuesdays, and Fridays when you get off from work late, then jog or do a morning walk on these days instead. The goal is to follow a routine that your body would get used to. The kind that your body would long for, once you make a miss.

4. Variety can do the trick - You may enjoy your daily jogs or walks, but all of a sudden the weather would not permit you to do this. Using the treadmill can be a good substitute. Of course, you cannot enjoy the lovely view and air outside, but, in principle, you are doing the same thing. Still, doing this over and over can be quite monotonous. Add a little spice to your exercising by discovering other forms that can also do wonders to your body.

Why not try dancing? Or Tae Bo perhaps? Some who go to the fitness centers enjoy the amenities because there is a wide choice of activities in these places. You can do the treadmill today, and lift weights tomorrow. Breaking the monotony can perk up your interest and would give you that push once you feel a little lacking in energy to keep up with your goal.

You can also alternate it by going to the gym, say 3 times a day, and then do sports on the other days of the week. On weekends, use the dance pad with the kids. The point is for you to have fun because of the many choices that you are free to opt from.

5. Listen to your body - Don't you just feel good after a good physical activity? Once you break into a sweat, and feel that you have stretched those muscles and, don't you feel that you have been good to your body? And when you are sedentary for many days, perhaps because of the gloomy and wet weather, don't you feel more tired, lazy and actually gloomy. Your lose pep and your spirit seems to be down and low. This is your body telling you something.

When you have a fever, the body is telling you that there is something wrong with you, like an infection for instance. When you feel a part of you is aching, this is also the body trying to send a message that it's time that you see a doctor about it.

Similarly, the body sends you a message when it feels the need for a good work out, when the activity is long enough and even when you can still push it a little more. You can know your limits by listening to the needs of your body. Know your body and listen to it, remember, it's the only one you've got.