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