| Life in the past was definitely much slower and | | | | you can go to the store or to the post office, or |
| simpler. It was certainly not any easier as the | | | | to buy the newspaper, etc. If you live in the |
| need to survival was the focus point of a | | | | suburbs where the convenience of a sidewalk is |
| person's days. Let's not go too far: think of your | | | | inexistent, do so while you go to work. Or |
| great grandparents or their parents. It is only | | | | perhaps you can walk your children to school, if it |
| three generations ago. | | | | is nearby. Or go check your neighbor's yard. It is |
| What did they do? Did they have a job where | | | | ok to be nosey for health purposes. |
| they were sitting most of the day? How did they | | | | 2. Move in your workplace. You have heard this a |
| use transportation? Did they walk much? Did they | | | | zillion times, so here it is once more: Forget the |
| take care of the house without the help of any | | | | elevator and climb the stairs. Ok. If you work on |
| tool or appliance? Did they work in the fields? | | | | the 10th floor, go up one flight of stairs. Then |
| Did they plow, scrub, wash, churn, beat (rugs), | | | | two; then three. Park your car farther from your |
| cook, chop wood, carry water? Most of them | | | | building and walk to your office. Wait for the bus |
| definitely used their bodies much more than we | | | | in the next bus stop. |
| do in the present. | | | | 3. Do the sun salutation. This is a great set of |
| The comparison is lame. When we think about the | | | | movements from yoga that does wonders to |
| amount of exercise that they did and that we do, | | | | your body. Start with one set, then progress to |
| we lose big time. | | | | two, and so on. |
| Now did they need to exercise the way we do | | | | 4. Dance while you clean the house. |
| today? Absolutely not! Their very lives were a | | | | 5. Do gardening and or other hobbies that you |
| form of exercise. Today we are so enmeshed in | | | | love. |
| our small environment that, if we don't move, it is | | | | 6. Play with your children. |
| not really our fault. People sit in front of the | | | | 7. Play sports and games that you love. |
| computer or desk; take the car to go any | | | | 8. Join an exercise class that makes you smile, |
| distance; dread going outside to get the mail. If | | | | that is fun for you. |
| you are not moving, blame modern life. | | | | The important thing is not to get overwhelmed or |
| Yes, body was made to move and it is | | | | start with such intensity that you give it up the |
| imperative that you act in order to preserve your | | | | second day. Don't even think about doing |
| health and your life. However, not everyone is too | | | | something you really don't care for. You need to |
| keen to move. There are many reasons for not | | | | feel good; to have a smile on your face. Start |
| exercising and it really doesn't make a difference | | | | slowly. Climb the stairs twice a week. Walk to |
| which they are as they are simply excuses. True, | | | | town on Fridays. Dance while you do the dishes |
| good excuses, most of the times, but excuses | | | | on Thursdays. You get the idea. |
| nonetheless. | | | | This is just so your body begins to get the |
| So, if you are one of the millions who say: "Every | | | | interest, the desire to move. Once you get to this |
| time I feel like exercising I sit down and wait for | | | | point, you need not worry; you will have the urge |
| the feeling to pass," these suggestions are for | | | | to move more and more and when you least |
| you. | | | | expect, not only you have lost those 20 lbs and |
| 1. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Walk. No need to go around | | | | can eat that piece of chocolate cake without guilt, |
| the block for apparent no purpose. If you need a | | | | but are you now in great shape. |
| reason to walk, find one. If you live in the city, | | | | Now, that is fun! |