| According to the most recent government survey | | | | no reason why everyone can't find at least one thing |
| conducted by the National Academy of Sciences' | | | | that is both healthy as well as interesting.Like anything |
| Institute of Medicine, Americans need to exercise at | | | | worth doing, you should first start with a plan and then |
| least an hour a day. This nearly doubles the previous | | | | progress from there. I, myself, have a certain core |
| recommendation.The study was published in a | | | | group of activities I plan to always do, and that so far |
| 1,000-page report that came out just a couple weeks | | | | they have continued to stimulate me because they |
| ago.For many people, this will mean a significant | | | | can be so different each time. Bodybuilding and martial |
| change in lifestyle in order to accommodate the | | | | arts are two of them, but I also enjoy other activities |
| additional exercise. Rather than focus on the various | | | | that are either more seasonal like skiing, snowboarding, |
| exercises you could do, or the little changes you can | | | | and surfing (the latter I am just learning), in addition to |
| make in order to fit this seemingly undoable amount | | | | some sports that are just too expensive for me to do |
| into your day, I'm going to talk to you about changing | | | | frequently, like scuba diving.Freedom has always |
| your way of thinking about exercise.Exercise should | | | | played an important role in my life, and although I am |
| be thought of as a way of life, or a lifestyle. It shouldn't | | | | very disciplined during the week as far as bodybuilding, |
| be approached as something that you are going to do | | | | cardiovascular conditioning, and martial arts, I allow |
| for a given period of time and then stop once you've | | | | myself much more freedom on weekends because I |
| reached your destination. It is something that is ongoing, | | | | have more time then. I really enjoy hiking and mountain |
| changing, and growing. Once exercise becomes | | | | biking on Saturdays or Sundays. Weekends also allow |
| stagnant, you will stop doing it. It is important to make it | | | | time for more of a commute to and from a preferred |
| fun. That may mean going to a gym for some, or | | | | destination. One of my favorite things to do is get my |
| joining a running club for others. Some people enjoy | | | | friends together on a Sunday morning and go hiking up |
| exercise more if they are doing it with a friend or | | | | in the Laguna Mountains with my dog, followed by |
| loved one, and some people prefer to do it alone. I | | | | brunch. It's the perfect combination-I get to spend |
| guess what I am suggesting is to first dedicate some | | | | quality time with my friends, and both myself as well |
| thought to it and identify your strengths and | | | | as my dog gets a workout in the process. That just |
| weaknesses pertaining to exercise. Analyze who you | | | | can't be beat!So give exercise a fair shake before you |
| are and what aspects will intrigue you to exercise on a | | | | jump to the conclusion that the new standard can't be |
| regular basis.Some of the more unconventional | | | | done. From my own experience, I can honestly say |
| methods include in-line skate clubs, dog walking groups, | | | | that I love fitness and the feeling it gives me. It is |
| the Sierra Club, martial arts studios, and bike clubs to | | | | definitely a lifestyle, and I can't imagine my life without it! |
| name a few. With such diversity available now, there is | | | | |