There is a pervasive belief that if you're not sweating bullets in a spinning class or spending hours per week in a gym, you're just not exercising.
This is far from the truth. Sure, it works for some, but it clearly doesn't work for everyone. The better me strategy is to fit healthy living into your daily flow. We really need to dispel the myth that exercise is the only means to practice healthful living. If you're busy you can still look after your health needs. Here are some tips:
#1 Walk hard! I know runners and fitness junkies will tell you walking does nothing for you. That's completely untrue. Making your body move in any way is good for you. Remember, this is just one feature of your flow. Leave the car and stress of driving behind you. Women, please have a pair of flats for walking and a change of dress shoes at the office.
#2 Take the stairs, even if you're dressed up for work. Stroll up so you don't break a sweat. Really, take your time. Count yourself lucky if you work on a higher floor. Many office buildings don't let you use the stairs, so just develop an allergy to escalators and elevators in any other circumstance and look for the stairs.
#3 Pack your own lunch and snacks for the office.
#4 On your days off, you can arrange to go for a light run. It doesn't have to be long, 30 minutes is enough. If you have physical problems running, make it a longer power walk.
#5 Going to a gym to do some weights would be amazing. Even if you can just squeeze one weight training session in per week you'd contribute to building a stronger body.
#6 Spend time just relaxing with people you love. Keep the subjects light and listen. If you're feeling overwhelmed by something, don't keep it in. Ask for help, or just ask if you could talk about it and get it out.
This is just a few suggestions to start with. Establishing flow isn't easy. It's about creating new habits and breaking old bad habits. Creating healthy flow in your day allows you to invest in your health in a variety of ways. If your only health objective is to go to the gym, and for some reason you get piled up with work and can't make it; that means your total contribution to your well being is zero by the end of the day. Healthy flow doesn't put all your eggs in one basket, and makes you feel like you're looking after all your needs. With some hard work and patience you'll be looking at a better me. That sure beats just going to a gym.
This is far from the truth. Sure, it works for some, but it clearly doesn't work for everyone. The better me strategy is to fit healthy living into your daily flow. We really need to dispel the myth that exercise is the only means to practice healthful living. If you're busy you can still look after your health needs. Here are some tips:
#1 Walk hard! I know runners and fitness junkies will tell you walking does nothing for you. That's completely untrue. Making your body move in any way is good for you. Remember, this is just one feature of your flow. Leave the car and stress of driving behind you. Women, please have a pair of flats for walking and a change of dress shoes at the office.
#2 Take the stairs, even if you're dressed up for work. Stroll up so you don't break a sweat. Really, take your time. Count yourself lucky if you work on a higher floor. Many office buildings don't let you use the stairs, so just develop an allergy to escalators and elevators in any other circumstance and look for the stairs.
#3 Pack your own lunch and snacks for the office.
#4 On your days off, you can arrange to go for a light run. It doesn't have to be long, 30 minutes is enough. If you have physical problems running, make it a longer power walk.
#5 Going to a gym to do some weights would be amazing. Even if you can just squeeze one weight training session in per week you'd contribute to building a stronger body.
#6 Spend time just relaxing with people you love. Keep the subjects light and listen. If you're feeling overwhelmed by something, don't keep it in. Ask for help, or just ask if you could talk about it and get it out.
This is just a few suggestions to start with. Establishing flow isn't easy. It's about creating new habits and breaking old bad habits. Creating healthy flow in your day allows you to invest in your health in a variety of ways. If your only health objective is to go to the gym, and for some reason you get piled up with work and can't make it; that means your total contribution to your well being is zero by the end of the day. Healthy flow doesn't put all your eggs in one basket, and makes you feel like you're looking after all your needs. With some hard work and patience you'll be looking at a better me. That sure beats just going to a gym.
