Tips for Getting More Exercise When You’d Rather be Watching TV
- Written by News Company
Everyone knows that lifestyle is a major cause of ill health all across the world, and Australia’s no exception. Obesity rates are rising globally, and there’s a whole lot of people who aren’t obese but are carrying enough extra weight to be putting their health at risk. Eating processed food and snacks high in sugar, fat, and salt is considered normal, and healthier food choices don’t appeal to a lot of people. Add in smoking, drinking, and stress, and it’s no wonder so many people have lifestyle-related health issues. What can you do if you know you need to exercise more, but the lure of the latest TV show is too hard to resist?
Why do I need to exercise?
It’s possible to lose weight without exercising if you consistently eat fewer calories per day than your body needs. The problem is you’ll be thinner, but no fitter or stronger. Having weak muscles because of your inactivity makes it hard to enjoy physical pursuits, and even worse, as your heart is a muscle it needs to be strong to keep you going, and that means exercise.
Exercise has many positive benefits, including:
* Helping with weight loss.
* Increasing oxygen concentration in the blood.
* Toning your muscles for a better figure.
* Helping to keep you feeling younger.
* Preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, which causes bones to crumble.
* Keeping blood pressure down.
* Preventing heart disease and stroke.
* Preventing type 2 diabetes.
* Increasing energy and stamina.
* Improving mood.
If you’re fitter, you’ll feel better; it’s as simple as that.
How do I get over barriers like illness and injury?
There are various barriers that crop up, which can stop you in your tracks. Injury and illness are common problems, but you can manage them with the right approach. For example, if you sustain an injury, go to a specialist physiotherapy service such as sydneyphysiosolutions.com.au/services/sports-injury-treatment-sydney-cbd/. Undergoing expert treatment ensures you heal more quickly and don’t make the problem worse. If you’re ill, make sure you’re rested and recovered before resuming your exercise schedule and follow your doctor’s advice.
How do I find the motivation to exercise?
If reading about all the positive benefits of exercise still isn’t motivating you to start working out, it’s likely that you just haven’t found the right kind of exercise. If you don’t enjoy being physical for the sake of it, the gym is probably not your best bet.
You’re better off looking for a pursuit that captures your imagination because of another interest. For example, if you enjoy hobbies such as birdwatching, painting, or photography, you could visit a new location on foot or bicycle each day or every other day with your binoculars, camera, or sketchbook, and stop to enjoy the wildlife and the view. You could even get your pooches out of the high priced designer dog beds and take them out for a walk.
Or you could just walk into town, or to see a friend. Anything that you enjoy, so it takes the emphasis off of exercise and puts it on doing what makes you happy.
You might need to try a few different activities or tricks before you find what works for you, but there will be something that fires you up and gets you enjoying your exercise, so don’t give up.
