The idea of going for a 2-mile jog probably does not excite you. It is not something many people do on a regular basis. Unfortunately, many people also do not take a simple walk around the block, play a game of ball in the park or do any more activity than necessary. The human body was not designed to sit still all day long. Internal things start to slow down when you do. It is time to get up, get moving and get healthy.
Start Slow
You do not have to go out and buy all kinds of exercise gear to get started. If you do not have a comfortable pair of walking shoes, you should probably go get a pair of those. If you have not been active in a long time, your joints ache when you move or you lose your breath going up a single flight of stairs, start slower than slow. At this point, anything you do is more than you were doing and is good for you. The next time you go to the grocery store, park at the far end of the parking lot. You will be doing a lot of walking in the store, but you are used to that, you need to an increase from what is normal.
Many people are capable of doing normal daily activities; doing the housekeeping, a bit of gardening or some yard work. They may have trouble doing the whole yard in one day, but could push themselves to get it done. If this is you, you need to start taking a walk around the block every day or doing more of your normal activities.
Make Regular Increases
As you become accustomed to an activity, add to it; either increase the amount of time you spend doing it or increase the intensity of it. You do not need to push yourself to the point of pain; that will only have you taking a day off. The idea is to keep your heartbeat up higher than normal for at least 30 minutes every day.
Benefits of Regular Exercise
Exercising regularly will help you lose weight or maintain a proper weight. It will burn calories allowing you to eat more than if you did not exercise and increases you metabolism. It improves your muscle strength and tone. You will look better and feel better. It will keep things moving along inside your body. Emotionally and psychologically, you will feel better about yourself. There will be an increase in your mental acuity too, you will think better and clearer. You will not feel so tired all the time. Even if you are not up and doing something, you will still be awake and alert longer.
Once you start moving, you will keep moving. Today you might just walk from the back of the parking lot and tomorrow down the street a bit, but next week you will go around the block with a smile on your face as the sun shines down on you, giving you a vitamin D boost. You will be surprised at how much better you feel in a short time when you get up and get moving.