Jessica Jones photo, SUNY Potsdam Student
Get your body moving
A whole food, seasonal eating plan can do much to re-balance your body weight, heal your body cells, and put you on the path to radiant whole health. Simple body movement, every day, can take your wellness plan to a whole other level.
Think about this: if you have a sedentary lifestyle, weight gain and an unhealthy body (unhealthy body cells) is pretty much a sure thing. Instead of reaching for the remote, pick up some hand weights. Instead of the elevator, take the stairs. Get your body moving every day. Work up to 30 minutes every day, you will feel the benefits! Ask for my hand out on the mind, body, and soul benefits of exercise.
Regular exercise increases your metabolism and your ability to burn fat, improves your mood through the release of endorphins (endorphins are a human's best friend, natural anti-depressants! Who doesn’t like that movement benefit?), and helps to keep your heart in top notch condition. And as a stress reliever, it can't be beat. A simple 20-30 minute workout has the ability to quiet our mind, make us more present in our body and in the moment, and helps us to relax - important components for a whole health lifestyle.
Think that exercise has to be boring or drudgery? Think again! Most of us can find some type of exercise that motivates us to get into action, make friends, and have fun. What did you like to do as a kid to run and play? What made you laugh and lose touch with time? Re-introduce yourself to these movement activities. Prefer the solitude of going it alone? Perfect, get your shoes on and hit the trails. Wood walks are a perfect place to exercise and find peace. Exercise doesn't have to require expensive trainers, gym memberships, or a $2000 home gym. It only requires movement and the commitment to you and your long-term health & vitality.
Here are a few suggestions: -- Do what you love. Be it hiking, rowing, running or belly dancing. It's important to find exercise that's motivating to you. What will get you up off the couch and/or away from those sedentary screen lifestyles?
-- Get walking. Unlike running, walking is easier on your joints and is one of the simplest forms of exercise. It is free and easy!
-- Find a partner. For many people, exercise can be even more fun if you have someone to help motivate you. Who could you partner with on the road to better health?
-- Buy an inexpensive exercise DVD. Without having to belong to a gym, you can get the benefit of instruction and motivation in the comfort of your own home. You will lose weight, tone your entire body, and increase your balance/flexibility/strength - all within manageable time frames.
--Stand or use a stepper when you work at your computer. Your body will feel better when not sitting for hours as the human body was designed for movement, not sitting in chairs. I still encourage you to get outside and move every day. The added benefits of natural light and fresh air ramp up the endorphin benefits.
What are your life movement plans?
