A common problem when you are carrying some extra weight is knee pain. I know you understand that carrying extra weight around takes more work, but your knees really suffer. Even a little extra weight triples your chances of developing arthritis. Here’s why. Every extra pound puts five pounds of stress on your knees. So being just 10 pounds overweight is like 50 pounds to your joints. Also, research shows that losing 11 pounds may cut the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee by half.
Losing weight may be a pain but it will eventually reduce even more pain in your knees. Otherwise you don’t have a prayer.
TODAY: REMEMBER TO DO STRETCHING EXERCISES BEFORE YOUR WALKS TO LIMBER UP THOSE MUSCLES AND JOINTS.
Yesterday I introduced you to the idea of doing your exercise in short manageable chunks during your day. Just 30 minutes in ten minute sessions. Well there is one more trick to making it work for you. Since the exercise is in brief intervals, it’s important that you do it at fairly high intensity to get the most benefit from it. You need to raise your heart and respiration rates. It’s not just a leisurely stroll. Push yourself to a good brisk pace, long stride and good deep breathing. You should “feel the burn” when you finish. That way it keeps your metabolism up for a while after you’re done and keeps burning calories faster. Okay you might sweat a little. That’s okay, you’ll get the recognition for your efforts that way. Of course the slimming effects will show up later.
TODAY: DON’T FORGET TO DRINK YOUR 8 GLASSES OF WATER. HAVE A BIG GLASS BEFORE EACH WALK. IT MAY SPEED UP THE END OF YOUR WALK IF YOU NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.
Even 10 minute exercises need to be enjoyable to keep you on track. You should find that walking time is a great time to let your brain churn and come up with ideas. That happens to me when I walk alone, ride my bike or even while mowing the lawn. But if you can’t seem to get motivated to start just add walking to your routine chores. Do you need to go down to the market? Walk instead of hopping in the car.
If the exercise bike or stepper seem boring. Do something else when you exercise. Some people say they can read when they are doing it. I never could, but I did move it to in front of the TV. You’ll find that the time really moves along faster. You can even use the commercial breaks as a convenient timer. Start during one set of commercials and finish during the next. Or maybe decide to keep going.
The main thing is to think of those 10 minutes as being YOUR time. It’s also paying you back with more time living a healthy life.
TODAY: DECIDE ON SOME FUN WAYS TO EXERCISE.
In our quest for exercise to offset calories I encouraged you to start a small 10 minute exercise schedule. Remember it all adds up so try and get at least 30 minutes a day. Well, getting some of that time in the first thing in your morning will also give your energy level a boost. I used to catch up on the news while watching the Today Show and using a stepper, till the stepper wore out. (The Today Show is still my favorite, but I don’t care for Meredith Vieira) Now I just walk or ride my bike. I’ve actually noticed that that sluggish feeling in the afternoon goes away when I get started with some good exercise in the morning. I know it seems like ot should make you tired, but the exact opposite happens. I guess burning those calories just stokes your boiler so you keep up a good head of steam.
TODAY: START YOUR DAY WITH A GOOD EXERCISE SESSION.
Why is it that we always try to find the closest parking space? Is it really that difficult to walk a little more? If it is… then you REALLY need to park farther away. There is a reason the handicap spaces are there. YOU don’t need them. And don’t EVER think about riding in one of those motorized carts! They’re just a faster ride to your grave. You need exercise and this simple thing will add a bit more to your day with little effort or dedication of time. But it all adds up. A few more steps here, a few more there, suddenly you’ll notice that you can walk better, with less pain and with less weight to carry. (Which is most likely the cause of the pain!) As a bonus you’ll get fewer dings in your car doors.
TODAY: START PARKING IN THE DISTANT SPACES.
You’ve probably got all the clocks changed to Standard Time by now. You might feel like you’re getting up too early. So it’s a good time to change up your exercise routine. It’s the best way to prevent a weight loss plateau. You ought to change it every 4 to 6 weeks. It will also reduce your boredom and keep you going. Since the weather is changing too, it will give you another reason to look for an alternative. So decide on new exercises, a new route to walk, new places to go and a new attitude. Just get out there!
TODAY: PICK A NEW EXERCISE ROUTINE FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
Daily Nag, Exercise | Diet Nag | 
January 28, 2011 6:09 am | 
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