Exercise...

I have to say that I'm not, have never been and am not likely to be one that likes to exercise. That said, I recognize that it's necessary to support my new life;

- It helps me build muscle so that I'm more toned and my body's metabolism allows me to enjoy more of the foods I'd like to have.

- It helps me build bone density that helps me fight osteoporosis.

- It helps me manage my my emotional eating by providing an effective distraction and elevating my mood.

So while I'll probably never be a 'Gym Rat', I've found ways to incorporate it into my routine. Since, I'm not so good at 'exercise', here are a few things that I do to support my health and well-being: 

* Wear a pedometer - it helps me remember to move my tail as I work to make sure that I'm getting in at least 10K steps a day. It prompts me to park farther away from my destination, take the stairs, etc... so that I can rack up those steps. 

* Dance - I never really equate dancing with exercise, so even though I'm no Ginger Rodgers, I will crank up the music in the house and dance while I do my household chores, enjoy a Zumba or Jazzercise class or go dancing. It gets my heart rate up and I feel wonderful while doing it. 

* Gardening - I have never really liked getting dirty or sweaty, so gardening was something I always hired out or got someone else to do, in part because I didn't like doing it and in part because it was just to hard to do. Now, I still don't 'like' doing it, but I love the result I see in my garden and my body, and absolutely LOVE that I can do it. 

* Swimming - Swimming was one of the few exercises I enjoyed even when I was heavy. I used to be somewhat concerned about what I looked like in a suit when I was heavy and I still have concerns now that I'm slender, but it's an activity I enjoy so I do it when I have the opportunity.

What do you do to get moving and how does it impact your life?

My favorite exercise is walking. I make my dog and or husband go with me and sometimes my daughter will go as well. It gives me time to think without interruption. It is hard to make myself get going sometimes but once I'm done I'm so glad. Plus it's a good time to talk to hubby or my daughter.

Hi Kelly,

I would say that my primary form of exercise is walking and like you I walk with one of my dogs, husband or occasionally my daughter... And like you I find that once I get out and am doing it, I find that I really do enjoy it and feel better.

yes but it sure will be nicer when the weather is a little cooler! 

I do not count the walking I do during chores or shopping. I count the dedicated steps as in when I am walking just to walk.
The walking itself has been such a help on getting me on track to success. I walk when I crave a smoke, I walk when I start to crave a food I shouldn't crave, and I walk when other stuff pops up. I actually LIKE it.

I wear a pedometer and work on racking up at least 10K steps daily, so I guess I do count whatever movement I incur, that said, moving enough to get your heart rate up is a 'different' type of exercise than 'just moving' and I work on that too. 

I think that you are right about getting out and walking when you start craving something. Thanks for sharing that tip. 

 

I'm not much of a exerciser at all but I have made myself get out and walk when I take the kids to their after school activities. Once I get out there and get started, I'm usually ok. I just have to get passed all of the excuses I make not to do it. LOL

((((Hey Girl)))), 

I'm right there with you. I'm not much of an exerciser either, but as you say once I get out there and do it I really feel so much better. I also find that as I do a good thing for myself, such as going for a walk, I tend to do another good thing... good, begets good... What I mean, is that the more I go for walks, eat in ways that support my health, etc., the easier it is to do those things and the more I do them. It's a wonderfully supportive cycle. 

I hope to see you (and your beautiful daughter) again soon sometime.

BTW... Consider doing the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk with me October 1st. 

Getting out there is always my problem.  I thought I sent you a e-mail but I have been so busy I may have forgotten. I will not be at the meetings until November because my son has football games every Saturday until the end of October. This is his first time playing (he is 10) and he wants me there for everything. LOL However, me and my daughter, LaShara will be there in November. She is turning into a stress eater just like her Mom. I'm trying to help her get it under control before she ends up like me. I think being at the meeting helped. She seemed to really like it. I'm not sure if I am ready for  the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk yet. I'm just getting out there for 30 minutes at a time right now. I may be able to do it next year. Let's discuss it when I see you again. I can get into shape and be ready by then for sure. Talk to you soon.