So What’s Anaerobic Exercise?

I told you about aerobic exercise the other day. You also hear about anaerobic exercise. Anaerobic exercise might actually be a goal for your health if you are so inclined or physically fit.

Anaerobic exercise is exercise at a more difficult pace. You’re going all-out. Races are a good example, but it can also include weight lifting, jumping rope, and sports. All the things that would leave you really winded when you finish. If you get really fit it can be a real reward. You get that “runners high”. But if you’re not fit you get aches, pains and maybe worse. Don’t do it without a doctor saying you can. I’m just nagging you to exercise for general health and fitness and to burn calories to reach your goal, not to go for the gold.

Here’s a quick way to tell if you’re doing too much, too fast. You should be able to talk when you’re exercising. Just don’t talk about eating.

TODAY: TAKE A GOOD LONG AEROBIC WALK.

What’s Aerobic Exercise Anyway?

I know I’ve told you that you need aerobic exercise, but you may wonder what that really is. Well, aerobic exercise is when you do something at a faster rate than you normally do it. Like walking. Just strolling down the street is good for you. Doing it up and back and fast enough that your heart and lungs have to speed up to give you the needed oxygen and blood makes it aerobic.

The result of aerobic exercise is decreased cholesterol levels and blood pressure, more muscle tone and ultimately reduced body fat. It makes your whole body better, heart, lungs and even stronger bones. You’ll breathe easier and be much healthier.

TODAY: DO SOME AEROBIC EXERCISE.

Today Is A Day In The Park

I’ve told you about setting small goals. It starts you on your way to success and feeds your self esteem without feeding your belly. With the weekend here, take an hour today and go to the park. Any park will do, but maybe try one you haven’t been to in a long time… or ever. It will be good exercise and good for your brain as well. Explore, exercise and enjoy. It’s good for you in more ways than one.

TODAY: GO TO A PARK AND WALK.

Plan Today for Tomorrow

Take today to plan a walking route for the weekend and each day in the coming week. Nothing elaborate. Just set a schedule of locations and write it down to check off each day. If you plan for it and anticipate doing it you will get more satisfaction and be more likely to carry through with it.

TODAY: PLAN YOUR WALK DESTINATIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK.

Day 1 of This Week

Walk day one of the routes you have set for goals this week.

What… no goals?

Get to it! I’m nagging you!

TODAY: WALK

Your Diet Is A Stretch

You need to do a bit of warm up before your daily walk to increase the effectiveness of the exercise and reduce any stiffness that might come later. There are just a few to do to give you a great start.

Hamstrings (back of legs)

1. Sit on the edge of your bed with one leg up and the other on the floor and reach with both hands until you feel the stretch in the back of the leg.

Calf stretch

1. Stand at arms length away from a wall and lean against it.

2. Put one leg straight back and the other bent under you.

3. Keep your back straight and lean your hips forward.

4. Keep rear leg straight with your heel on the ground.

5. Repeat for other leg.

Side stretch

1. Stand with both arms over your head.

2. Lean to one side, then the other.

3. You can also leave your right arm at your side and bend to the right while reaching your left arm reaches overhead, then reverse.

Torso twist

1. Stand with both arms out to side with elbows slightly bent.

2. Feet should be at shoulder width or slightly wider.

3. Twist your torso to the right and then the left, alternating back and forth slowly.

Quadriceps (thigh)

1. While leaning against a wall, reach back with your left hand and grab your right ankle.

2. Pull your foot back and away from your butt.

3. Repeat for the other side.

It really won’t take you long to do these. It’s a good way to start your exercise or even just your day.

TODAY: DO YOUR WARM UP EXERCISES.

Walk As Though Your Life Depended On It

I’ve got  one big reason for you to walk. If you don’t do it you will die sooner. Does that shock you? It has a different lasting effect if you are male or female, but both are positive. A study of over 72,000 nurses showed that women who walk three hours or more per week reduce their risk of a heart attack by 35%. For men the difference can be bigger. In one study of retired men, mortality rates of men who walk less than one mile a day was actually twice that (100% higher) of  those who walk more than two miles a day.

Just be careful crossing the street.

TODAY DO THREE THINGS:  1) WALK A ROUTE THAT YOU THINK IS TWO MILES   2) DRIVE IT TO SEE HOW FAR IT REALLY WAS.   3) MEASURE OUT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT TWO MILE ROUTES TO WALK.