I have written several times about my beloved treadmill. You will be happy to know that I still use it almost daily. I just have to give a little update about the difference it has made.
When I started using it 6 months ago, I mostly walked. Because of work and family circumstances, exercise had gone to the back burner. As a matter of fact, there was no burner it all. Exercise just didn’t exist. I tried running some, but I really couldn’t go very far. (I am asthmatic too, so some days are better than others for heavier exertion.)
Since I bought the treadmill, I have committed to walking/running at least 2 miles either outside or on the treadmill. I used the treadmill some even in the summer as opposed to walking outside because the humidity just kills me. I don’t really weigh myself, so I have no idea if my weight has gone up or down, but I do know I feel better. I am also able to run a good portion of the two miles I travel on the treadmill now, although I usually still walk part of the time.
The other night though, I got an idea of the difference getting daily exercise has made.
Four of us went to the fitness center to play some racquetball. I love racquetball, and I started playing as a teenager. However, it had been quite awhile since I played, so I didn’t know how I would hold up. I must say, I gave it my all, and I felt like I could play forever. I could not believe how great it felt to play without being horribly winded or wanting to quit. After I played racquetball for over an hour, I even had enough energy to go out to the basketball court to help my daughter. (I was ball-shagger, I am terrible at basketball. Even my 12 year old can destroy me on the court.)
So, the point of all of this is to encourage all of you to get out and try to do even a little exercise each day. I am amazed what a difference exercising 30 minutes a day has done for my endurance and probably overall health. Not to mention I have more energy too.
I know life is busy, but walking can be easy to squeeze in. Go for a stroll during your child’s practice. Walk through the neighborhood while chatting with a friend. There isn’t a better investment in the world than in your own health, so it is definitely time well spent!
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Staying active is not only important for physical health, but for mental health as well. This is especially important for those who have jobs like mine, and sit on their asses all day!
P.S. going to test out the subscription plugin now 🙂
It works! 🙂
Thanks for the test Kevin. I wonder, am I using the right plugin? Does it inform you of any and all replies? Is that what you were looking for or just replies to YOUR comment? If you have a good plugin name you suggest, please let me know. There are so many to choose from.
This one informs you of all the replies. I believe that you are using the classic plugin. 🙂
And it is my favorite out of the ones I have personally tried so far…
Ok, I wasn’t sure. Like with Financial Samurai, I get an email when my comment is responded to, not when everyone else responds. So I don’t know what the consensus is for favorite plugin!
Maybe run a poll? I prefer sites that use this plugin, myself.
I know I have to do this. But unless I get up early and get it done in the morning, something or the other occupies me throughout the day. Excuses… I make a lot of them too. I need to exercise for my health, I don’t know how to motivate me to stay on track.
Suba – Getting up early is tough. I still haven’t found the perfect time to exercise. I prefer morning by far, around 9:00 am. I can do that since I am at home. But if I have an appt or something, I try and do something in the evening like racquetball or something. I try to mix it up. Or sometimes I pull out a disk from my P90x program.
I really need to do some type of exercising! I just injured my back while canoeing, so it will be a while before I start thinking about exercising though.
Maybe I’ll start with weights that don’t require much of my back, that would be a good way to slowly get back into it. Perhaps bench press…
I HAVE TO start exercising. I am a couch potato. I think that will be another Challenge I set up at Crystal Clear Thoughts – exercising at least 2 hours a week or something like that…it’s getting cool enough here that I could start going outside in the mornings or evenings when it’s in the mid 80’s…
I sometimes wonder if blogging has made me lazy about exercising…it’s so much easier to sit at your computer at lunch and comment vs going for a walk.
I’m in an off again phase. One big thing I notice is because of the higher amount of energy you get, I also want to eat fewer crappy + sugary foods. I actually crave healthier stuff. I’m wondering if it’s just me or if other people see that too.
Hopefully, this’ll get me inspired.
The last month and a half has been a real struggle with me with regards to exercising. I use to be fanatical, but lately I have been letting it slip. I think my work picking up is part of it; construction being done in my house is another limitation, as you mentioned yourself, it is not nice to workout outside when it is nasty. Oh well, thanks for the reminder to get myself in gear.
I have exercised regularly since I was in my 20’s and it is one of my best habits; tai bo, walking, yoga, pilates. You name it, if it’s on-demand on tv, or weather is good, or I have the dvd, it’s ok with me.
Useful article. Contains good tips.
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