How To Exercise More

Finding the time to exercise can be difficult, especially in our convenience oriented society; but making small changes in your lifestyle can help you learn how to exercise more:

1. Make an appointment with exercise. Ultimately, people make time for what is important to them. If you are serious about exercising more, then treat exercise as an appointment you can't miss. Build it into your daily schedule and it will naturally become part of your routine.
2. Make small changes. Walk to your destinations instead of driving. It might not seem like walking to work or school will do much to make a difference, but a study conducted by Northwestern University in 2006 found that walking 10 minutes between classes several times a day can have similar benefits to 20-30 minutes of continuous exercise.
3. Set a reasonable goal. Tom Heinonen, legendary Track and Field coach, says the most important thing is not necessarily what you do, but that you show up everyday and "get some work done." If you aren't exercising at all right now, don't start off with more than 20 minutes 3-4 times a week. Wait until you know you can manage that before adding more. If you are exercising, add 5 to 10 minutes to your sessions a couple days a week until you are at least at the American Heart Association's guideline of 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week.
4. Get a partner. It is always easier to stick with an exercise plan if you have a friend. Whatever activity you like to do (running, cycling, climbing) there are clubs and groups you can join. Many people find it easier to exercise more if the have to be at a training or a practice; plus it is a great way to meet people!

References:

Ame www.familydoctor.org

http://www.acefitness.org/

http://www.americanheart.org

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

http://www.northwestern.edu