Even though I'm lazy and I don't particularly like it, I have exercised mostly regularly for years.
I've worn out treadmills.
I've gone years at a time alternating between strength training and cardio.
I've done boot camps.
I've hired personal trainers.
I've allowed Bob and Jillian to yell at me on my Biggest Loser workout DVDs.
But I quit exercising when I just kept getting bigger, despite my good habits.
It's annoying to work that hard and see no results.
I can think of many better ways to spend my time.
Pulling off my fingernails.
Cleaning the dead snakes out of the crawl space.
Memorizing the periodic tables.
The list is endless.
Now that I've lost some weight, I've started getting active and exercising again.
But I only do fun things.
I created a playlist on my iTunes...
Becky's Dance Party.
Every hour or so I stop what I'm doing and dance to a couple of songs.
It's aerobics without all the pesky required moves.
As a bonus, you can pretend you meant to trip over your feet.
I still work out with my Biggest Loser DVDs, but I don't wear my glasses anymore.
That fuzzy girl in the mirror? She's hot! I lift weights, trying to best myself each time, either with more reps or heavier weight.
I've found it works to tell myself I only have to go till the next commercial break.
"Hmm...
that wasn't so bad, maybe I'll just go till the next one.
" Soon I've exercised for an hour.
But if I start out by saying I have to exercise on the elliptical for an hour, I won't even lace up my shoes because it's too big a task.
I know I'll fail.
I have enough failure in my life.
I don't need to seek it out! I love watching TV, but I hate taking walks because I was bitten by a dog once, even though I was minding my own business.
(Yes, I'm still bitter when I think of Bruno.
) It makes me feel virtuous when I'm exercising while watching some less-than-redeeming sitcom.
Plus, how ironic is it to be sitting on the couch staring slack-jawed at The Biggest Loser on TV? (Worse, I suppose, if I were also shoveling Cherry Garcia in my face.
) Thank goodness the TV gods have stepped in to allow me to watch full episodes of many shows on my computer.
But I only allow myself to watch my favorite shows if I'm on the treadmill or the elliptical.
Believe me, it gets me exercising like nothing else does! I hula hoop.
I use a kiddie hula hoop I bought at Target, but have since found at http://www.
hooping.
org - a very fun site with videos and tutorials and directions for making your own hula hoops.
So, those are some of my exercise strategies to keep active in my constant quest for middle-aged fitness and weight control.
What do you like to do? Think of five ways you can increase the amount of fun exercise in your life.
Now, what are you waiting for? Go have some fun exercising!