Fitness

Before beginning any exercise program, check with your physician.  It doesn’t mean you can’t begin – the question is – at what level?

The key to any fitness program is sustainability. I state this from experience. When we start out “full-on” we tend to burn out more quickly. Remember the Chinese proverb “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Apply this to your new fitness lifestyle.

Let’s begin with aerobic fitness:

If you feel that you are not ready to join a gym or attend a group fitness class, then begin with walking. Instead of the number of steps or miles, try focusing on the length of time you are mobile. Try beginning with a daily 20-minute walk, then increase gradually.  You can count steps or miles later!

Don’t forget muscular fitness:

You don’t have to buy a set of hand weights.  Try two cans of green beans! Stretch bands are fairly inexpensive OR use your own body weight. Stand about a foot from the wall with both hand diagonally in front of you against the wall, feet are shoulder-width apart. Think of this as a standing push-up! Do as many as is comfortable and add more each day.

Lastly and most importantly, Flexibility:

Flexibility is essential for all daily functions. It is the ability to move through a full range of motion. Reaching, bending, and balancing are all part of our daily living. Start while you are doing the dishes (assuming you still do that!) balance on one foot for a few seconds. You need only raise your foot a few inches off of the floor.  Next, from the comfort of your own bed, before getting up, sit up, back straight , arms extended parallel to your legs and hold for a few seconds and repeat as needed. You do NOT have to touch your toes. This is just a quick starter for your day.

These are just a few quick suggestions to begin with, as I will focus on each one in more detail at a later date.