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.

Don’t Make Exercise A Chore

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.

Variety Is The Spice of Exercise

I know I nag about walking a lot. It’s really the easiest beneficial exercise to do and it takes no special equipment. But you do need to do other exercises as well. If you think about it you probably have other exercise options available as well. Maybe an exercise bike in the basement or garage. Or maybe someone you know has a rider or exercise machine they bought from one of those infomercials. If you have something like that available… USE IT.

For example:

• Do one 10 minutes session on a stationary bike for a good cardiovascular workout.
• Then do one of your ten minute sessions doing sit-ups and push-ups. (Even if you have to cheat some on them) leg lifts, crunches and some stretches. They will all add to your strength and flexibility.
• You don’t need to have a set of dumbbells to lift weights. Fill a couple of milk jugs with water and I bet you have one of those grip springs somewhere too. Do different things to different muscle groups. After a few 10 minute sessions, you’ll feel some muscles you weren’t aware of before and actually start feel healthier too.

TODAY: DO SOME DIFFERENT EXERCISES

Dust Off The Bike

Okay, I admit it. I had stopped riding my bike for a while. It was because of any number of convenient excuses. Not enough time, too cold, too hot, too wet… too lazy. I actually had to get spider webs off the tires, (I hate spiders.) before re-inflating them. It was simply a matter of motivation. I know I have to burn more calories. The bike works for me. I had grown to really look forward to the rides, especially longer ones on Saturday mornings. But for some reason I lost interest and it took mustering up energy again to get back in the saddle.

You may have a stepper, rider, weights, skates, or walking shoes that need to be dusted off. Now is as good a time as any to get going again.  Take it easy at first. Getting stiff will just give you an excuse to stop again. Then watch your endurance go up and your weight go down. You’ll remember how. It’s just like riding a bike.

TODAY: START A NEW, OLD EXERCISE ROUTINE.