Everyday Fitness

The first thing I want to make clear is that being active can't be a hobby. I believe this is why most people fail at living a healthy lifestyle. Staying active has to be a part of who you are just as much as your personality. It has to be a part of your day just as much as going to sleep at night.

So what can you do about getting some physicality into your day? Most people realize you can sneak in simple heart-healthy exercise doing things you already do, just doing them differently. For example:

• You're going to get to class/work; why not bike?
  
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you're faced with the option.
  
• If you're going out for lunch, why not leave the car behind and walk instead?
  

Once you get in the mind-set of changing the way you do mundane things, no doubt you'll find even more ways to squeeze in activity.

Ultimately though, it's also a good idea to invest in a gym membership. Don't get me wrong! Walking and taking stairs are better than nothing. However, I push the gym for a few reasons. The weather doesn't always permit biking to work, for one. But most importantly, normal daily activities like walking can't compare to the efficiency and versatility of working out at the gym. Now I know gym memberships are notoriously at the butt of sitcom jokes, but you're not going to let it go to waste, right?

Try this for yourself; keep a log of how you spend every hour of your "average day." You'd be surprised at what you find! In my case, I didn't plan my time what-so-ever. I would sputter around aimlessly on my computer and procrastinate from doing anything productive. Not for lack of motivation--mind you--but by not laying out goals for the day, it went down the drain. Eventually, I found that having a mental idea of what I'd like to accomplish in the next hour or two kept me focused, and freed up an enormous amount of time I'd otherwise waste sitting around thinking, "what should I be doing?" It's not like you have to keep a play-by-play itinerary; it's as easy as actively thinking about what you're going to do with the "here and now." 


Remember, you want to make working out a part of who you are. So for the next little while, finding exercise that you find fun and enjoy is key. Now, the gym can be a foreign and scary place for some people, but don't let intimidation get the best of you! I'll give a basic guide on getting started in my next post.

Expected posts in the future:
1) Learning your way around the gym
2) Starting to eat right

Who has time to make proper meals and get to the gym these days?

You do!

No really, you do. You just don't realize it yet. Too often we put taking care of ourselves on the back burner. We're distracted by our studies, by our work, by our social lives. But let me ask you; who is all that time and effort for?

You!

Well, our social life benefits our friends too, but for the most part all of this hard work we do for ourselves. So why is it that taking care of our bodies ends up on the bottom of the list?  Spiritual philosophy aside, our bodies are the very core of our existence. Your body is what allows you to live, and taking proper care of it determines how long (and how well) you live. It only makes sense that we give our bodies as much effort--if not more--as we do any other responsibility.

Think of our ancestors; did they spend half their day chasing that next big promotion? No, they spent their time chasing gazelle to nourish and strengthen their bodies. Quite frankly, I picture those spear-throwing-loincloth-wearing neanderthals face palming at what monkey's we've become. Monkeys soullessly submitting this idea society whispers in our ear; that time is money and we just don't have time to be healthy.

Now, I'm not saying go quit your job and run around half naked chasing deer. My point is, you can't let your social obligations distract you from taking care of yourself. You need to find the time to stay active and eat right; trust me, that time is there! Not only is it incredibly rewarding, but it's actually quite easy. You just need to know how. That's what I hope to accomplish with my blog; to let others know a few simple ways to make numero uno, numero uno!

Expected posts in the future:

• Starting to get active
• Learning your way around the gym
• Starting to eat right