To be honest, I have never been able to get myself to do any type of hard-core aerobics, and both cycling and jogging just doesn’t do it for me. I think if you are going to do a particular activity, you really have to enjoy it, otherwise you’ll find it very difficult to stay motivated. If you see a particular activity as a workout that you have to do on a daily basis, regardless of whether you enjoy it, you’re going to rebel against it. Yes, it’s true that we are only hurting ourselves, but we are human after all.
One of the writers from liveto100.com stated the following;
It’s all very well to launch into new physical activity in a burst of inspiration, but to reap the full lifelong benefits you have to DO IT REGULARLY, so you need to find something you enjoy doing.
I don’t think I’m alone in stating that walking isn’t such a bad way to workout, because you don’t have to work too hard in order to throw a couple of steps together, and even if you were to walk for a minimum of 30 minutes, it still nowhere near as exhausting as jogging for 15 minutes. Now, understand that I’m not speaking about those who are used to jogging hours upon hours on end. I’m speaking about the average guy that prefers to sit at home watching TV, maybe playing a few games on the console, surfing the net, or anything else that seems far more entertaining. What’s great about walking is that it offers you a lot of opportunities to stay entertained while getting that work out, and let’s take a look at just how we can accomplish this:
You First Have to Make Sure That You Are Working Out
Before we get to the part where you can keep yourself entertained, let’s remind ourselves that in order to make this excellent activity count for something, it actually has to feel like we are working out. The only way that you can accomplish this is by consistently walking at a brisk pace. You don’t have to go all out if you are new to this, but as time goes by, it is important that you increase your pace slightly so that you keep your heart rate up and actually feel like your legs are getting some exercise. So basically, steer away from those slow strolls in the park, no matter how tempting they seem. Looking for a little motivation to get the ball rolling? This is what the Daily Mail stated on brisk walking,
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh recently revealed that overweight people who walked briskly for 30 to 60 minutes a day lost weight even if they didn’t change any other lifestyle habits.
Change Your Mindset
In order to make this work, you have to look forward to those walks, and one way to do this is by asking yourself what benefits you can achieve from it, besides the typical health benefits that we are constantly reminded of. I’m talking about the other important benefits such as “alone time”. If you think about it, when do you really get enough time to be alone? You know, those times when you don’t have to pay attention to someone when they are speaking to you or any other type of scenario where someone else or something else requires some or all of your attention at any point during the day. This can be very tiring, and so the only way to relieve this type of tension is by getting some “alone time”.
By setting yourself a daily schedule to walk for around 30 minutes to one hour, you are creating a time whereby you can be completely alone, and this gives you time to think about the things you want to think about, or maybe just not think at all. So, a great way to change your mindset is by realizing what type of benefits, such as the one mentioned here, you are able to acquire from this type of workout routine. Walking is excellent, because even though you are doing it at a brisk pace, it is still creating a relaxing environment whereby you can enjoy your surroundings or simply daydream a little during that time.
So as you can see, this is beginning to look less like work your butt off time and more like entertainment time.
The Real Entertainment
Okay, this is just one suggestion, and it might not work for everyone, because it really depends on how you like to take information in. What I found that really works for me is to listen to audio books. Yes, it’s true that I’m painting a pretty picture of just how lazy I can be by not even wanting to open a book and read, but keep in mind that audio books also play an important role in helping you to enhance your listening skills, and at the same time, you are able to do this without accidently walking into a pole and making a complete fool of yourself in front of everyone.
What is great about an audio book is that it pulls you into another world that you really enjoy, and because you are so intrigued by the story that’s been told to you, you’re not really aware of just how much exercising you are doing. There are times where find myself walking for close to an hour and a half without even realizing it, simply because I want to finish one more chapter before heading back home or to work.
This is what Julia Sweeney from The Guardian (who actually uses a treadmill) had to say on the subject,
You have to discipline yourself not to listen to the audiobook unless you’re on the treadmill. Then the workouts become something you look forward to, something you move up in your day instead of procrastinating about. It is the key. You will find yourself wondering, what is going to happen next? I better get my butt on that treadmill.
Imagine that! I’m getting top-notch entertainment while getting an effective workout, so I’m improving my circulation, maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, losing weight, getting enough sunlight for the day, increasing those happy chemicals in my brain, and also enjoying a really great story along the way.
It doesn’t only have to be an audio book. Some people prefer to listen to music, while others enjoy listening to a great talk-show on the radio. If you enjoy learning new languages, this is a great way to do it, as you will be putting around 30 minutes to an hour a day to learning the language through your smart phone or mp3 player while doing your workout routine.
Walking is definitely an excellent way to work out, as it doesn’t only focus on the legs. You’ll be surprised at just how many other regions of your body can benefit from this amazing activity, when done correctly, and the best part about it is that this type of workout routine is perfect for just about anyone.
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