I once heard someone say “I wish I loved exercise as much as love drinking wine and eating everything.” Isn’t that the truth, but you can learn to like exercise.
We all know exercise is good for us and it burns calories. That in itself is enough of a reason to make it a regular part of your schedule.
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But exercise is more than that. It should be an integral part of your stress relief regimen. There is nothing better for clearing your head than a walk or a run.
You can exercise in a gym, outdoors or in your home. Pick something you are going to feel like doing at least once in a while to get you started.
Aerobic exercise burns calories and is great for your heart. This is the kind of exercise that makes you sweat, such as; walking, running, bike riding, swimming, dancing, just to name a few.
Strength training is exercise that builds muscle. It is done on weight machines, with free weights or resistance bands. You can also use the weight of your own body.
This is what causes the resistance in a yoga workout…the weight of your own body. A moderate strength training workout is a great tool for suppressing hunger.
Stretching exercises are perfect for keeping your body flexible and mobile. Stretching should be done while your muscles are warm.
They are a great way to end a workout routine.
Exercise has numerous physical benefits, but the mental and emotional benefits are just as important to your well being.
Since this guide is about filling a toolbox to manage stress and emotional eating, exercise in any form will help with both of these…even if it only 10 minutes at a time.
You know that you need to get moving, but you hate the idea of going to the gym and staying at home is boring. So, what is the answer? Head outdoors!
Outdoor exercise should be part of what you do, even if it is only once a week. Take a walk in the park or rent a bike and go for a ride.
Join a club that participates in outdoor activities, such as; skiing, dancing, running or bike riding.
There is nothing better for the soul than fresh air. These types of activities can be the motivation you need to get off the couch and move rather than avoiding a workout.
Yoga and meditation are the ultimate in stress-relieving exercises and should be at the minimum a small part of a weekly routine for losing weight, reducing stress and getting healthy.
Meditation can reduce stress, control anxiety, promote emotional health and focus, enhance your self awareness and lengthen your attention span.
Yoga has similar benefits, but they are more physical while meditation has benefits that are more on the mental end of the scale.
Yoga increases flexibility, builds muscle, increases energy, reduces stress and enhances breathing. Don’t like traditional strength training? Give yoga a try!
Learning new things should be part of your weight loss program. Dedicate a month to trying yoga or meditation and see how it makes you feel.
Exercise can be planned with a fitness planner, a printable, a blank sheet of paper, an app, an activity tracking bracelet.
A fitness plan can be as detailed or simple as you want it to be.
Yes, the exercise burns calories and tones your muscles. You just have to realize you can not exercise your way out of a bad diet.
For me, exercise provides me with the energy and the motivation to have a highly productive day with a positive attitude for dealing with life’s challenges.