Start Here
Okay, that all makes sense. What are the two things I need to do to get started?
- Cut down on TV watching or computer time: We’re not saying this because we’re awful TV haters who don’t want you to catch that next episode of Gossip Girl. What this basically means is reducing the time you spend where you’re not really moving or exerting physical energy. For example, when you’re watching TV or playing on the computer.
One easy way to do this is to make a TV schedule. It’s easy, all you do is make a list of the shows you want to watch. Then, watch ONLY the shows on your list. This cuts down the amount of time you spend just zoning out in front of the TV (and probably saves you from sitting through yet another awful episode of the Real World).
- Start moving: To start, just think about the little ways you can add more movement to your day. For example, you can walk, rather than drive. You can take the stairs instead of the elevator. You know, all that stuff…
The thing to remember here is that every type of movement counts. If you are doing something active instead of sitting around, you’re on your way to a healthier body. (Sounds simple right? It really can be that simple.)
One crucial thing to remember is that it’s important to do the activities you actually like doing. Do you like swimming? Dancing? Walking? Canoeing? Playing catch? Choose the activities that you like more and make a point to do them often.
It’s up to you to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. Any form of physical activity you choose to do is helpful. If it involves movement, and you’re willing to do it, then it is totally worth doing.
The Goal
The goal is to move 60 minutes a day, five days a week. This doesn’t mean that you have to move for the full hour in one big chunk. You can break it up into 30-minute intervals, 10-minute intervals…whatever works for you.
Same goes for the five days per week. For example, it could be every other day during the week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and the two weekend days. Or it could be whatever combination of days that work for your schedule.
