| According to the most recent government | | | | there is no reason why everyone can't find at |
| survey conducted by the National Academy of | | | | least one thing that is both healthy as well as |
| Sciences' Institute of Medicine, Americans need to | | | | interesting. |
| exercise at least an hour a day. This nearly | | | | Like anything worth doing, you should first start |
| doubles the previous recommendation.The study | | | | with a plan and then progress from there. I, |
| was published in a 1,000-page report that came | | | | myself, have a certain core group of activities I |
| out just a couple weeks ago. | | | | plan to always do, and that so far they have |
| For many people, this will mean a significant | | | | continued to stimulate me because they can be |
| change in lifestyle in order to accommodate the | | | | so different each time. Bodybuilding and martial |
| additional exercise. Rather than focus on the | | | | arts are two of them, but I also enjoy other |
| various exercises you could do, or the little | | | | activities that are either more seasonal like skiing, |
| changes you can make in order to fit this | | | | snowboarding, and surfing (the latter I am just |
| seemingly undoable amount into your day, I'm | | | | learning), in addition to some sports that are just |
| going to talk to you about changing your way of | | | | too expensive for me to do frequently, like scuba |
| thinking about exercise. | | | | diving. |
| Exercise should be thought of as a way of life, or | | | | Freedom has always played an important role in |
| a lifestyle. It shouldn't be approached as | | | | my life, and although I am very disciplined during |
| something that you are going to do for a given | | | | the week as far as bodybuilding, cardiovascular |
| period of time and then stop once you've reached | | | | conditioning, and martial arts, I allow myself much |
| your destination. It is something that is ongoing, | | | | more freedom on weekends because I have |
| changing, and growing. Once exercise becomes | | | | more time then. I really enjoy hiking and mountain |
| stagnant, you will stop doing it. It is important to | | | | biking on Saturdays or Sundays. Weekends also |
| make it fun. That may mean going to a gym for | | | | allow time for more of a commute to and from a |
| some, or joining a running club for others. Some | | | | preferred destination. One of my favorite things |
| people enjoy exercise more if they are doing it | | | | to do is get my friends together on a Sunday |
| with a friend or loved one, and some people | | | | morning and go hiking up in the Laguna Mountains |
| prefer to do it alone. I guess what I am | | | | with my dog, followed by brunch. It's the perfect |
| suggesting is to first dedicate some thought to it | | | | combination-I get to spend quality time with my |
| and identify your strengths and weaknesses | | | | friends, and both myself as well as my dog gets |
| pertaining to exercise. Analyze who you are and | | | | a workout in the process. That just can't be beat! |
| what aspects will intrigue you to exercise on a | | | | So give exercise a fair shake before you jump to |
| regular basis. | | | | the conclusion that the new standard can't be |
| Some of the more unconventional methods | | | | done. From my own experience, I can honestly |
| include in-line skate clubs, dog walking groups, the | | | | say that I love fitness and the feeling it gives me. |
| Sierra Club, martial arts studios, and bike clubs to | | | | It is definitely a lifestyle, and I can't imagine my |
| name a few. With such diversity available now, | | | | life without it! |