Hi Vibrant Health Seeker.
Many people ask me, what is the best exercise for me, or which exercise should I be doing.
The answer depends on where you are up to, for example if you are just getting back into activity or if you have never been an exercise person, then…Drum Roll! The very best exercise is the one you will do!
It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter what the latest book say, or the chiselled trainer recommends, if you don’t like it you won’t do it.
Who cares if the celebrities are doing it (they probably aren’t anyway) who cares if your sister in law swears she got her great butt from a certain exercise, if you don’t like it then it won’t happen, at least beyond the first few days or weeks.
So many pieces of expensive lie dormant in the back of garages, or neatly folded under beds gathering dust. Because they seemed like such a good idea at the time and the TV infomercial was so compelling.
Unfortunately most of these gadgets are as good as useless and most people give up on them. So what would you do, here are a few tips.
A daily intentional walk
Walking a little further to work or to the shops.
Doing something regularly at home such as a few squats or push ups every 60 minutes.
Dance around the house.
Power cleaning!
Join a class that you would like, but don’t buy any special clothes until you are sure it is a class you will persist with.
Run, swim, cycle etc.
The bottom line is that you will make the time to do it.
If you are already in the routine of being active then it’s still important to add in exercises which you will enjoy over time.
Or you may have a sport or hobby which requires a degree of fitness and you wish to enhance it. E.g. My passion is martial arts, so I choose exercises which will enhance my strength, flexibility endurance and speed. Some Of these exercises I may not like much, but the benefits for my martial arts make it worth pursuing.
For me convenience is important I like to do body weight exercises in a park close to home, and I dislike gyms so I choose activities to suit me, and my time schedule.
There are so many possibilities, and if you are stilled confused, get out of your chair and go for a walk while you are thinking about what you will do, perhaps walk to a library or book shop and get some inspiration.
Wishing you Vibrant Health
Ian & Dr Susan Newton