Exercise Tips: Move Your Body - Boost Your Productivity

Do you find yourself setting a New Year's Resolution (every year) to get fit/go to the gym/lose weight/drink more water? If you could answer yes to any of those. I totally understand. I did that too for many years. But I also discovered two weeks into January I had blown my resolution and then would feel guilty for "not achieving my goals". What I discovered was it was more about making movement part of my everyday routine (notice I used the word movement not exercise)! Making little changes in your life can help you make exercise part of your life, rather than something you "have to do"!

Make an appointment. Begin by starting with three thirty-minute exercise sessions per week. Book your exercise times in your diary well in advance. One of the main reasons many people don't exercise is because they think they don't have time ? so book it in and make time. Choose whatever time of day suits you and your daily schedule; for some people it will be the early morning (and it's a wonderful feeling knowing that you've exercised before breakfast and don't have to think about it for the rest of the day!), for others it will be during the day, at lunchtime or after work. No matter what time suits you, make the appointment with yourself.

Recruit a buddy. Find someone you can be accountable to ? they don't necessarily need to exercise with you (but it can be more fun with someone else) as long as you are accountable to reporting your exercise activities to him or her. You might even have a variety of exercise buddies ? one for walking, one for the gym, one for tennis ? whatever works for you. I have a great gym buddy, Simone; we have a laugh, work hard and keep each other inspired.

Distract yourself! Combine your daily exercise with other activities, for example, set up your home gym near your TV and watch the news while you work out, listen to music to keep you moving fast or a motivational CD or audio book to make great use of your time and keep you interested.

Join a gym. If you enjoy group exercise, or simply like having access to great equipment and organised activities, join a gym. Make sure you choose a reputable company, that the facilities are close to your home or work (if it is not convenient you won't use it), that the classes you'd like to do are on at times that suit you and that there is plenty of staff to assist with your questions and techniques. If you've never joined a gym before, don't be intimidated ? most gyms these days offer many forms of exercise (apart from weight lifting high-impact 80s-style aerobics!), including Yoga, Tai Chi, cycle and even walking and in-line skating groups ? there really is something to suit everyone.

Keep it fresh. One of the main reasons people stop exercising is boredom, so vary your exercise rather than just doing to same thing day-in, day-out. On weekends, grab a ball and head to the park, buy a basket ball and play one-on-one with your partner or flat mate, drive to the nearest beach, park or lake and go for a long walk, try skating, do a new gym class that you've never tried before, buy a Yoga DVD, join a soccer club, start a dance class, get some kids (or adults!) together and play tag or other childhood games ?the options are endless, just keep moving and having fun!

Get a personal trainer. If you are having trouble getting motivated on your own (or even with a gym buddy), or if you'd just like someone to help you to establish an exercise program and routine, consider investing in a personal trainer. These specialists are no longer just for the rich and super fit. A personal trainer can help you to kick-start your fitness plan and be a great source of encouragement and accountability. When choosing a personal trainer make sure they are appropriately qualified, that you like him or her and that you trust them to help you achieve your goals.

If they are more interested in talking on their mobile phone or staring at themselves in the mirror while they are training you ? find someone new. Many gyms have personal trainers on staff, and there are also independent trainers who operate out of either their own fitness studios or public gyms. You can also find trainers who won't take you anywhere near a gym if you're not interested in that type of activity ? there are plenty of other ways to get fit!

On a budget? You don't need a lot of money to exercise ? just invest in a good pair of walking shoes and you're ready to go. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise and it's available to everyone regardless of how old you are, what size you are and how much money you have.

Set goals. Keep a list of things you want to achieve through your exercise, it might include physical challenges such as running up the stairs without getting puffed, walking 4km in less than an hour or completing a full gym class without stopping, as well health and self-esteem goals such as losing weight, improving your cardio vascular fitness, fitting into your summer clothes with confidence and so on. Write your goals down and read them daily to remind yourself of the wonderful achievements you are striving for.

Keep track. Encourage yourself by keeping an exercise journal. Record your training sessions and any new milestones you achieve, for example, when you begin you might have poor flexibility and after doing Yoga classes and stretching you find you can reach your toes! Keep track, it's fantastic to have a record of all your hard work and to see how far you've progressed.

Reward yourself. Preferably not with chocolate! Buy yourself a new pair of walking shoes or gym outfit, have a massage or a soak in the tub with candles, music, sweet-smelling oils ? the works! Find ways that are meaningful to you to reward yourself for all of your hard work and dedication.

Neen is a Global Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy ? and where they focus their attention ? Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more at http://neenjames.com/

---

The Truth About Exercise and Why Its Not Always Good for You!

Exercise is often regarded as a panacea for many things..."if... Read More

What is the Best Exercise for Weight Loss?

It is a common misconception that aerobic exercise tones/firms muscles.... Read More

VO2 Max- Exposing the Myth

VO2 max is defined as the maximal amount of oxygen... Read More

The Science of Carbohydrate Loading

A valid connection between hypoglycemia, fatigue and premature termination of... Read More

A 30-minute, Or Less, Full Body Workout

Most people do not have the time to do biceps... Read More

Why You Should Learn Tai Chi

Learning Tai ChiTai Chi combines movement, meditation and breathing, to... Read More

Get a Health Screening Before You Start Training

So, you have decided to hire a personal trainer to... Read More

Great Exercises To Tone & Tighten Your Butt

A question I am frequently asked by females is, "What... Read More

No Pain, No Gain Isnt True For Arthritis, But Exercise Is Still Important

Recent studies have shown that exercise may acually help people... Read More

How to Start a Walking Program

Did you know that walking is the number one participation... Read More

Stretching Exercises

Stretching exercises are important before you begin your workout. Always... Read More

Anywhere and Anytime Exercises

These type of Exercises generally makes your body strong and... Read More

The Degradation of Fitness Science

The world and our selves evolve and exist in a... Read More

Some Great Ideas on Staying Fit

Physical exercise is something that you need to do on... Read More

Home Gym Workout Routines

Home gym workout routines can take the hassle out of... Read More

Exercise and the Time Clock

I have to admit that I sometimes find it amusing... Read More

Salsa Dancing for Fitness is Hot

Salsa dancing is emerging as a refreshing replacement for conventional... Read More

Keep Exercise Journals For Real Results

Always make sure to keep a detailed training journal. By... Read More

Sports Specific Exercise

The Greek physician Galen (AD 129 ? 210) is generally... Read More

Weight Training: The Real Weight Loss Exercise

So you want to lose weight? Chances are, you'll spend... Read More

Health Tips For Busy People: Healthy Diet & Exercise In the Office

Many women's lifestyle magazines frustrate us by providing exercise regimens... Read More

The Power Workout:

Scenario: I really want to get in shape, but I... Read More

Online Fitness Coaching

If I were to tell you that you could burn... Read More

Elements of Exercise

Warm upWarming up before exercising has physiological and psychological benefits.... Read More

Metabolism: How to Increase Your Metabolic Rate?

Metabolism is a process by which the body burns the... Read More

Current Recommendations are 30-60 Minutes of Exercise, Everyday?

This is the latest advice to the public and many... Read More

Optimize Your Exercise: Maximizing the Time Spent Working Out

Diet and Exercise are the inseparable twins that are seen... Read More

Complete Physical Transformation Using The Purposefully Primitive Fitness Methodology

The Purposeful Primitive approach to the art and science of... Read More

Tour of Diet ? Cycling for Your Health

The last seven years, or so, at the Tour de... Read More

How to Avoid Using Your Home Gym as a Clothes Rack

So here's the situation?You have a home gym, treadmill, elliptical... Read More

Exercising for life ? The magic is in the synergy!

Synergy: the working together of two or more things, people,... Read More

The New Discovery That Makes It Possible To Get An Effective Workout In Less Time

The Art of Multifunctional TrainingPeople often complain about how they... Read More

Tai Chi, NOT Chai Tea!

Those of you that have either completed a one-on-one program,... Read More