Love

I saw this at the grocery store just today, displayed with flowers. Worth sharing I thought.

What qualifies as Exercise

Exercise is physical activity. The health benefits of exercise include lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, stress relief, strengthens muscles and bones, helps joint flexibility, and, reduces diabetes and heart disease.  Last but not least, exercise burns calories.  

I believe one of the reasons for the increase in obesity is directly related to moving less (duh). Specifically (in my humble opinion) from sitting more at a computer, as I am this very second. Also from shopping on line, rather then by walking through a mall. From texting our neighbor, versus walking to the neighbors house, people movers at airports, and escalators, etc. All those small moments of exercise are now missing, and add up to several pounds per year on your body. This post isn't about the deliberate, sustained cardio and weight workouts. It's about the day to day little movements that can also take off several pounds over extended time.  

Wonder how those few pounds crept on? Don't be surprised if it was a small lifestyle change such as a new job from an office with stairs to single story building. It adds up. 

Small changes you can make to turn around that sneaky weight gain over time:

• Take the steps instead of the escalator/elevator when just one floor, c'mon now.
• Park further away from the entrance at grocery store
• Get up from your desk and walk outside and back, or get up and stretch
• Do household chores, or clean the house (yourself? omg)
• Pull weeds
• Mow the lawn...I find this one particularly therapeutic! 
• Walk your pet and extra walk or two, they'll love it; play chase with the cat
• Put the grocery cart back where it belongs; don't you dare leave it in the lot. ;-)
• When you do walk down the hall, walk with purpose, longer strides, faster gait
• Amensia eating. Of course I was going mention food. The snacks in the community lunchroom at work, eating the leftovers from your kids meals....these are not about movement, but they go hand in hand with why those pounds creep on. 

So, move a little more, each day. A few minutes here and there will add up significantly. 

Happy Day.....move more. Right now. Do it. 

Warm regards,

Margo

It's that time - don't buy

Starting right about now, television infomercials and shopping channels start the big push for exercise equipment. I've spoken on this subject in a prior blog, and it's worth a reminder. These ads are so compelling and seductive. Just this morning I saw one by a company, with heart breaking stories of family in Iraq, depressed women at amusement parks with kids, all designed to get you to believe this object they are selling will change your being in these situations and your life as a whole. 

DON'T SUCKER IN! No single piece of anything, no board, no ball, no rope or bar, will shrink your body 5 sizes without calorie reduction, via nutrition or added significant exercise and cardio movement on your part. 

Many of these are fun, and yes, will offer muscle toning benefit. Just think first. Ask yours truly first, and don't believe there is any one magic toy like these commercials show. 

It ain't rocket science, everyone. It's determination, motivation, and as I say, lifestyle changes that stick!  Let me guide and help you if there is something you see that you think will work for you, before you leap and buy. I love my toys here in my studio as you know, BUT, they are in addition to LIFESTYLE changes you make, and other work we do as  team to motivate and get you to where you want to be and stay. 

Now get out there and use your legs and body to walk, jog, take dog round the block, push the stroller, etc. Everyday. ;-)

Evening Outdoor Exercise

No more "it's too dark too early" to go walk or jog or push the stroller or hit the park trail. 

Daylight savings time starts THIS WEEKEND!!!!

When Should I Exercise?

The answer to the question, what is the best time to workout?

WHEN YOU WILL. WHEN YOU CAN. 

If you know you're a morning person, or evening person, then that of course is the time you will gravitate toward. If, however, as a morning person you were unable to exercise that morning for whatever reason, then for goodness sakes..step out of that comfort zone...outside the box as they say, and try an afternoon or early eve exercise session instead. You may not like it; it might feel really strange, but the the next day (if not that evening) you'll go "wow, I'm glad I did that!"

Yes, the same goes for you later day workout people. You know ahead you have an afternoon conflict, and you could go that morning instead, right?  The thought is just absurd to you...but do this. Try it once. I promise you going in the morning, as awful as that may seem to you, will beat the alternative of skipping it altogether. 

Walk your Dog

Many people tend to think exercise comes in one form only, meaning painful, dripping sweat and ending up thoroughly exhausted or it wasn't "exercise".  NOT TRUE!  Inasmuch as I love for my clients to break sweats and end up blotto, it is not this kind of exercise that is required for everyday well being. 

One of my personal favorites, and one I preach all the time, is to walk  your dog. How wonderful for your pet to get needed exercise and let out some pent up stress. I have often been the voice of the pet to a client or two, asking you - 'guilting' you - into taking your pet out for a walk. So many of you reading this have a pet that should be walked, every single day, twice a day (yes! TWICE a day) and you find reasons not to do this. 

This walking benefits you in ways to many to list here, not the least of them heart health and calorie burning. Just like your dog wants you to throw the ball to him/her, your BODY want you to to "throw the ball to it".  If your body had a voice, it would ask you to move it.  

Your dog doesn't have a voice either, so if not for you...do it for your pet. No matter the breed or size, your dog loves, wants and NEEDS for you to walk it. Just like your body. Make it a win-win.  

Just do it. 

No excuses. 

Your pet will thank you and your body will thank you. 

Your pet loving trainer,

Margo