The Movement Project

Bicycling Family Courtesy of istockphoto

Do you exercise?  Go to the gym?  Run?  Bike?  Do yoga?  Garden?  Most people move some, but even if you don't, you can start anytime.  Really!  It doesn't have to be big deal.  Get up right now and go for a walk.  I'm serious.  The blog post can wait -- it'll be here.

Well, if you want to finish reading this, I guess that's OK too.

Everyone knows they need to move their bodies.  It's common knowledge.  In fact, the message is so ubiquitous that most people ignore it and only bring up their guilt in the coffee shop with friends over cookies and lattes.  "Oh I need to exercise so I can lose this belly flab for the wedding!"  "I'm SO out of shape but I just don't have time!"  "My doctor told me I have to start exercising but there's no way I'm going anywhere near a gym!"

We have reasons for not exercising.  Good reasons.  Reasons that make complete sense in this 24/7 life we lead, filled with work and kids and cooking and dinner engagements and family obligations.  Our justifications are absolutely 100% right.  We don't have time.

What if we made the time?  Why should we try?  Sometimes it helps to review the health benefits of exercise, even if we know them:

• Mental clarity 
• Stress reduction and relaxation
• Depression prevention
• Blood glucose normalization/management
• Heart heath
• General disease prevention
• Self-esteem (you KNOW you want to look good for swimsuit season!)

Are you convinced yet?  Maybe you can give this exercise thing another try, or maybe you can increase the number of days you do exercise.

Introducing 30 Days of Movement!  As of May 1st, 2011 I want everyone who reads this blog to move everyday, whether it's walking or lacrosse practice or water aerobics.  It's time to make that change we've all convinced ourselves is impossible.

Not to fear, this change isn't going to come overnight.  For the rest of April I'll be talking about how to make movement happen.  This is going to take some effort on your part, rearranging schedules and shifting your perspective on what counts as exercise.  We are going to tackle all the questions: what, where, when, why, how and how much.  We'll discuss examples and then you can figure out how to apply these changes to your own life.

You can and should start exercising now.  Try out that Zumba class you've been interested in or take the dog for the hike you haven't been on since last August.  Break out of the cocoon of winter and embrace spring!

Next:  The thrilling topic of how to schedule exercise every single day.