Eating provides calories. Physical activity
burns calories. The more physically active
you are, the more calories you burn. In
addition, physical activity, including
exercise, has many health benefits.
How:
-The best exercise is the one you’ll
do, and the best time to exercise is
whenever you can.
-Any activity is good activity. Walking
to the store, weeding the garden and
cleaning the house all count.
-Three 10-minute sessions of brisk
walking can provide almost the same
benefits that one 30-minute session
does.
-Make “excuses” to become more
physically active. Include regular
activity breaks in your day to stretch
and walk around. Take the stairs
instead of the elevator, at least for a
few floors. Walk a few extra blocks
from where you parked your car. It all
adds up.
-Instead of sitting down to watch
television or check your email when
you get home, put on your walking
shoes and go for a walk. Watch your
favorite program or read while you
walk on a treadmill or pedal a
stationary bike.
-Make exercise enjoyable. Schedule
time for exercise with a friend. Listen
to music. Mix things up — don’t feel
tied to one activity.
-If you haven’t been physically active,
start slowly and give your body a
chance to get used to increased
activity. A common mistake is
starting an activity program at too
high an intensity.
-If you have trouble getting started, tell
yourself that you’ll exercise for only
five minutes, then reassess. Chances
are you’ll keep going — and feel
better.
The hardest part about physical activity is
not the doing but the getting started —
putting on your shoes and getting out the
door to walk or run. Psych yourself up with
positive self-talk to overcome any
hesitation when you’re deciding whether or
not to exercise.
POSITIVE SELF-TALK TIPS
-Instead of, “I’m so tired,” tell yourself,
“I’ll feel so energized when I’m done.”
-Instead of, “I should be better at this
by now,” tell yourself, “I’ve made real
progress.”
-Instead of, "Skipping this one won't
matter," tell yourself, "Every little bit
makes a difference."
-Instead of, "I'll never stick with this
exercise program," tell yourself,
"Take one day at a time."
