[Rithlilky]

Anything that gets your heart rate up will count, that includes housework, yard work, dancing and even (S-E-X ). That will get you started. Once you see some results you will want to do more. Pick something that is fun for you. That will get you started.

[Desflahd]

It can be really hard to get motivated to exercise when there are so many other things you can do. What is working for me, at the moment, is to hit the exercise video the second my feet hit the floor in the morning. It is a great jump start. I like to end the day with ab work, or some type of firming video, followed by a hot shower and I'm ready to turn in for the night.

Another thing you might try is walking in place, or kicking, basically moving for a time while you watch your favorite show. Commit to continue moving until the next commercial break and then re-commit until the next one. If it is an enthralling show, you may have completed 20-30 minutes before you know it!!

[Yarikoff]

When I first started exercising I just couldn't do it. I went to a personal trainer and she taught me all kinds of things. It's a great investment of money. You don't have to stick with the trainer forever, but in terms of helping you get started I found mine INVALUABLE.

Also exercise won't be fun at first, even if you generally like the activity, especially if you're as out of shape as I was. Let me share a story:

When I first went to my personal trainer she had me get on "the horse" as she called it, which was a Precor Elliptical trainer. She started me at 1-1. 1 Elevation and 1 Resistance. It doesn't get any easier than that. And told me to go for 10 minutes.

Looking back now I laugh. 1-1??? For only 10 minutes??

But I wasn't laughing that day. I was closer to crying.

I had to stop several times because it was sooo hard for my 300+ pound self. The timer would stop when I stopped. I'd get my breath and let my legs stop shaking, and then I'd go on. Finally I hit the 10 minute mark.

I learned a very valuable lesson that day. Set a goal (an attainable goal), and get there. If you have to rest, rest. Just keep at it til you get there. No matter what you have to get to the goal.

Within two weeks I was up to 30 minutes on a higher resistance and elevation.

Today, even after I haven't been exercising for quite some time, I can hop up on "the horse" and do at least 10-10 for 25 minutes. Within a few days I'm increasing my resistance, varying the elevation, and pushing myself to go 40 minutes or more.

I now love "the horse" but I HATED it when I first started.

Anyhow yes, find something you like to do, but don't be surprised if you don't like it all that much at first, or if you start dreading it a little. I think for many people that's normal. And when others talk about loving working out it can be hard to hear because even though we love how we feel afterwards, and we know how good it is for us, deep down we really hate it. Passionately hate it.

If that's you, don't despair. I too once hated and loathed exercise. It took every ounce of will power to get myself to my trainer. But now I truely look forward to it. It's still hard a lot of the time but I hold onto the fact that if I have to I can stop. Rest. And continue. I never do but I know it's ok if I have to. Just having that option makes it possible for me to continue.

Good luck and know that you CAN do it.

[Teeppoodiug]

Yes, housework does count... even though most of us don't bother to count it, as we have been doing it all along, and well, it just seems like cheating.. But, at this stage, vigorous housework can be a lifesaver.

If you haven't already done so, then do it now.. Go to www.fitday.com and open a free account. In the exercise portion of the program, they include exercise and every other type of activity that you can possibly imagine.. (even sitting sedentary and S e x).. plus standing on your feet at work,,, is included into your "lifestyle" profile, and will be counted towards your basal metabolism.

Since this is the case, or always on your feet, (I used to have the same type of work environment),, riding your bike is a great alternative. I love doing this, and got so addicted that I did it everyday.. it's also a great stress reliever when you get out on the road and catch the scenery.. it kinda wipes your troubles away. Anyways,, something else you might benefit from,, that doesn't require the standing routine, is pilates.. this is a lot of floor work,, and only some have limited components of standing. (Denise Austin has some that incorporate standing, and I do recommend them)... also,, Yoga does some standing,, but I'll tell ya,,, it's typically on your head upside down!! lol.. so this is something else you might look into.. No, it's not aerobic,, but it is resistance and has many many benefits.

Good luck!!

[costamarianavia]

You may not want to hear this, but starting to exercise and quitting smoking should go hand in hand. The reasons...you may gain weight from quitting, and exercise could keep this from happening. Another good reason is that it's hard to be motivated to exercise when you're lighting up a cigarette, it's sort of like a contradiction. Another reason is because you won't be able to do as much exercise because you will get out of breath so much easier. What I did on the 7th is hard for even me to believe but I gave up cigarettes, started the low carb eating and joined a gym, all on the same day. I feel so much better physically, but most importantly, I feel good about myself for the first time in a long time. Yeah, It will take me some time to get to the point to where I like looking in the mirror, but at least I can say I'm on my way. I hope you can get to this point. It feels awesome.

[robinthesearchmasterh]

I purchased a pedometer and I love it! I read that it is recommended that everyone get in at least 10,000 steps a day. So since you're on your feet all day you can see how many steps you're taking. Maybe you're moving around already. I don't sit down at night till my pedometer reads 10,000. I paid $16 for one so it's affordable! Look into it!

[Dkavtbek]

Demplee,

i was in ur shoes too about a week an half ago....laziness was like my job 24/7....soon as i started phase1 i pushed my self to walk at least 30 min a day....first few days where kinda tuff, but know..i actually look forward to my walk....doin a day with out it makes me kinda nuts.....but im still workin my way up to becoming more fit, thinner, and healthier


just start out slow and work ur way up.....sooner or later it will grown on ya

cool2

-Chris

[Unlinozistimi]

Good article...

Right now I'm motivating myself by telling my fiance what I did today to exercize... We're in separate states and I don't email him in the morning until I can report that I did my exercize tape. That's seeming to help a lot to get me going.

Good luck!

unc_horse

[Aluback]

Housework definitely counts. But if you are wanting to add in other forms of exercise, I think it helps to focus on consistency rather than quantity or quality at first. Just make a small commitment even to 10 minutes 3 or 4 times a week, or every day maybe. Tell yourself, it's only 10 minutes. 10 minutes on the bike, 10 minutes on a workout video, whatever. Then as you see yourself making it a habit, increase it to 15 and so on. Don't worry about calories burned or working hard enough or anything else at this point. Just make your mind and body learn this is a habit to stick with. Good luck and congrats for realizing the benefits of exercise and wanting to incorporate it into your life.

[puzobok]

One idea, especially when you are just starting out and moving is painful - put on a favorite tape or CD and just MOVE. Dance if you can, kick your legs and jump around, walk in place, run in place - whatever. Mix it up and have some fun. Do it for 3 or 4 songs to start. Then increase the length of time. Or get some videos and see how other people do it. I have yoga and pilates and ballet stretches and just walking tapes. Different moves for different moods. I find that the first 15 minutes are hardest, after that I get into the groove and enjoy working up a sweat. But the most fun is just to dance.

[Suentiend]

I'd go with Camaroguy's idea of walking. It's a great exercise. For me, when I walk, my mind loosens up and I get great ideas for school, web design ideas, just anything. When I get back I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. At the same time it works out your body and helps get you into more shape. After you've been walking for a while you can start jogging, slowly, and work yourself into more strenuous exercises. Best of luck!

[Brareevor]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I did do a lot a housework yesterday like 7 hours, cause in the past I have been a VERY LAZY, and my house shows it. But I did a lot of moving, didn't sit down till after 8pm yesterday. Today, I am going to make a promise to myself to take the stairs at work, I am constantly having to run to the lab or pharmacy, and I am up on the 5th floor, so this should help some.
I have been very active in exercise in the past, and would feel so bad if I missed a day, I know that the biggest hurdle is getting started. In fact this past spring I pulled a muscle in my back, and had to go to physcial therapy, the therapist told me that I had the range of motion of a 75 yr. old, boy did that piss me off, so I started exercising then, but for one reason or another I quit. wish me luck...

Dempsey

[N1bNXuDb]

Any activity that raises your pulse rate qualifies as exercise. In order to increase aerobic fitness you need to get your pulse above 60% of your maximum heart rate for 20-30 minutes several times a week. Your maximum heart rate is 220 menus your age.

So, in my case I'm 43 so 220-43=177 times .6 = 106.

Whatever gets your pulse up and keeps it up qualifies.

There are tons of benefits to exercise. It helps with your mood plus it burns calrories. Let's do some math:

If you exercise and burn an extra 200 calories a day 5 days a week that's 1,000 calories a week burned just from exercise. You need to burn approximately 3500 calories to lose a pound so exercising 5 times a week for a month burns a pound of fat. That may not sound like a lot but it sure adds up over a lifetime.

[leflyCode]

That's a good article.

[snislarne]

I need help, or maybe a kick in the butt. I can not start exercising I have easily started everything else, but the exercise is not coming. I was hoping that having more energy would kick start me, but it has not....I am on my feet all day at work, and I really don't want to do walking as my exercise. The only other thing I can think of is riding my bike, but I get so short of breath, so easily, (could it be my pack a day smoking...DUH) can any kind of housework count??? maybe I could kill 2 birds wih one stone....any suggestions???

[JesexhiSeeces]

You have to motivate yourself. Start by committing yourself to just 3 weeks. You can do anything for just 3 weeks, right ?

1) Pick a time of day that will be "your time". I do it first thing in the morning, so it's out of the way and no outside distractions. I'm too tired at the end of the day. Try getting up an hour earlier, or just a 1/2 hour.

2) Pick something you enjoy. The best exercise is the one you're willing to do. Try an exercise video. They're cheap, and you can always hit that pause button if you're tired. Check videofitness.com for suggestions.

3) Make a calendar or chart. Each day you complete your program, check it off. Each day you don't exercise is blank. It's discouraging to see those blank spaces, which helps motivation.

By the time your 3 weeks is up, you will started a habit. After that, shoot for 100 days. That's when it's truly embedded.

Good luck!

And, if you start walking or cycleing, don't forget to log it in the Mardi Gras Challenge in the Fitness Forum

[AriaDesser]

That's so true, LT! I love running. But, most days, when I'm out there, it's a love/hate relationship When I'm done, I feel great.

[exettybele]

read this article.....

www.teamflex.com/weight_loss_lifestyle/lazy.asp