Your Best Exercise

People often ask, "What is the best exercise program for me?" The answer is simple. The best exercise program for you is the one that you will do and that you LOVE! Books and magazines often tout walking as a good way to work your body but if you (GASP) find walking a bore, it's not going to be. Anytime you have to force yourself to do something you don't want to on a consistent basis – it's going to be a rough road.

One exercise program touted on TV offers to change your body in 90 days. At one time I read the message boards on their website to find people struggling valiantly to change their shapes in the prescribed time. One lady asked if she could skip the exercise on the day she push-mowed her extensive lawn and was told absolutely not. The human body is designed to do lots of physical activity, the moderator told her and she should be able to mow her lawn, and workout on the same day. No excuses. Later I read a message from her where she apologetically said she would no longer be posting as she just couldn't keep up with the program. She liked the dream of a new shape in a short amount of time. But the reality of changing her eating habits and working out hard in an intense 90 day program didn't suit her personality or lifestyle. Setting rigid exercise goals can result in quick burn out.

A friend of mine, Sally, decided she need to lose weight and fast. She did some investigating and found that she would get the most bang for her buck from running. In one minute her 150 pound body could burn about 13.2 calories running, but if she rode her bike she would only burn about 6.3 calories in a minute and only 3.8 walking. Running it was and she lasted about a week before she retired to coach potatodom.

When you select your exercise you want to pick something you love! In an earlier article I mentioned how selecting something you love can make a huge difference in whether you exercise or not. This week I want you to look at the exercise you do and ask if you truly love it. If you just "like" it consider bumping it up a notch so you are passionate about it and can't wait to do it! If you are a walker, walk buy a pedometer. A biker ride on new paths. A horseback rider – attend some horse events. Rent library books on your sport. GET PASSIONATE! Find that exercise or take the one you do to the next level so you LOVE it! Or move on to your next exercise passion, keeping the other for "sometimes".

As a teenager, I enjoyed yoga. I studied books on technique, took classes and eventually even taught some. Much of that flexibility has stayed with me and I am delighted to say I can still do a headstand and hold it forever. But my interest in yoga receeded and I moved on to my next physical activity. Several years ago I worked out to The Firm home exercise videos. I so enjoyed it that I took it to the next level and became active on the Firm's then website. As a result I was invited to review their newest videos and sent free copies, invited to visit them in SC and perhaps be in one of the videos, etc. I had a weekly goal of working out 5 times a week to one of The Firm videos and I never missed for two years. Eventually though as The Firm was sold to a large corporation and more compilation tapes were put out and less new ones I lost my interest. I moved on to my next exercise phase – walking. I purchased a mini pedometer and aimed for 10,000 steps a day. Though I enjoyed walking, I wasn't in LOVE with walking. Recently I discovered DDR (dance, dance revolution) which I am passionate about!

DDR is dancing to music while you follow patterns on your TV screen. Once available only at the arcades, now you can purchase home versions. You move your feet to the beat and are scored depending on how well you follow the patterns. Some of the DDR games include workout mode where you can see how many calories you burned. It may sound simple but when the patterns get going the feet get flowing and before you know it you have worked up a sweat! It's more like playing a game than working out. To make it even more fun, the makers of the game have added a huge variety of background interest to the screen. You can dance with different characters, videos etc. My first time at DDR, I couldn't pull myself away and racked up several hours of dancing and thousands of steps. Now I try to limit myself to an hour or so per day. But it's tough because I enjoy it so much. Note: If you decide to try DDR I recommend purchasing quality pads such as those at REDOCTANE. They will help cushion the joints. If you purchase the ignition style pads you will not wear shoes while you use them so padding is important.

Take a look at the exercise you are doing. Are you in a rut or do you love it? Find your exercise passion. Your body deserves it!

Lee Mellott is the webhost for The PATH Weight Loss http://www.fatfallacy.com. She holds a Masters degree in Education from Hood College. Born in England, she spent most of her childhood in France and Germany. Lee resides with her husband Rusty and their two daughters Katie and Jessica in Maryland.
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