Part of the
You Can Learn Good Health series.
By Ken Brown
Editor, YouCanLearnSeries.com
Updated: December 15, 2004
Are You Spending Big Money On Exercise Equipment
Many people are spending big money on exercise equipment. Every time a new
piece of equipment is advertised on TV, these people rush to the telephone to
order. They just know this machine will be the miracle machine that will help
them lose the weight and tone their body.
You know what happens? Two weeks after it arrives, you can find the piece of
equipment in the basement with all the other equipment that didn't work,
required too much effort, was hard to put together, took up too much space or
pick your favorite excuse.
This equipment was going to solve your weight problem. It was going to reduce
inches around your thighs, tone your abs, reduce that gut and allow you to fit
into all those great looking clothes the thin are able to wear.
There is an Easier Way To Exercise
There is an easier way to exercise. It is fun. You can get out of the house.
You can get some fresh air. You can feel the sun on your shoulders. You can get
in touch with nature. You can hear the birds sing, watch water flowing, see
flowers pop their little heads out of the ground. You can get to meet with your
neighbors.
What is this miracle way to exercise? Walking!. Yes, you can walk. All the
people I have met who walk regularly are thin. They don't become thin
overnight. They aren't dropping 5 or 10 pounds a week. But little by little as
they make a habit of walking, the pounds and inches melt away.
I can hear your arguments now. I tried that once. It was hard work. I went a
quarter of a mile and I was exhausted. It is all up hill from where I live. I
live in a dangerous neighborhood. My favorite TV show was airing. I don't have
anything to wear. My neighbors will see me.
I tell you if you walk you will look good. Guaranteed.
Here is a little secret. Why do you exercise? Because you want to look good. I
tell you if you walk you will look good. Guaranteed. The key is to go someplace
to walk. You go to the gym and you have time for that, take the time to walk.
But go someplace nice. If you live in a big city there is a park within 10
minutes of where you are right now.
Walk around the park. Last winter I was walking in an industrial area with
trucks driving around. This winter I realized that I was 5 minutes away from a
beautiful forest preserve. I have never seen such beauty. I am fortunate that
this forest preserve has miles of well maintained paths. I never take the same
path during the week.
No matter what the weather is like the park is beautiful. If there is snow on
the ground the trees have snow and icicles on them. When the wind is blowing
the trees are shaking and rattling and leaves are blowing. If the sun is
shining there is a wonderful contrast of dark and light. Everyday the landscape
is different.
Sometimes it is cold, sometimes a little wet, sometimes a little hot, but it is
always enjoyable. Go with a friend. Walk alone. Enjoy the quietness. Watch
little squirrels rummage about the forest floor. Spend 45 minutes to an hour
wandering around the park at a decent pace. I have long legs so I can get 4
miles in an hour. But spend the time walking.
Take Your Spouse You Can Hold Hands And Talk
There are so many excuses you can make. But if you try this for 21 days, it
will become a habit. Walk 3 or 4 times a week. Your body needs the rest the
other days. If you go someplace nice you will begin to look forward to walking
instead of the drudgery of doing weird exercises in front of the TV. Take the
kids, they will enjoy getting out in nature with you and they could use the
fresh air. Take your spouse, you can hold hands and talk without the constant
noise associated with a home environment.
If your neighborhood isn't so nice and there aren't any parks close by, then go
into a nice neighborhood. Park your car on the street and walk around that
neighborhood. After a while the people will think you live in the neighborhood
and will say hello to you. Smile. Be happy. Enjoy the experience.
I have a friend that walks 6 miles a day 4 days a week. She is lean, has high
energy and looks good. Sometimes her husband goes with her and he has lost
close to 30 pounds the last time we saw them. So can you. Start today to enjoy
all the wonderful benefits of walking. Get good shoes and off you go.
There you have it. A low cost solution to your weight issues. For less money
than you spent for all those useless pieces of exercise equipment, you are out
and about, enjoying nature, meeting neighbors and losing weight. Take it easy,
as always see a doctor before getting involved with any exercise program after
a long period of inactivity. But work up to a minimum of 45 minutes, 3 days a
week and shoot for an hour, 4 days a week. Enjoy!
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