How to Get Moving to Feel and Look Better

Moving in physical activities you enjoy can help you look and feel better. You will burn more calories each day. You don't even needa membership to a gym. Simply restructure your day to include more movement and this can be done by making some simple changes to what you do each day.

Here are some ways you can get started moving and staying active. You will like the results of looking and feeling better.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Walk when you can to increase your level of physical activity.
   
   Find ways to increase your walking steps. These add up and will enable you to burn more calories over the course of your day.Head for the stairwell instead of the elevator if this is an option in your building or in the buildings where you have appointments.

2. Set a workout date with a friend who shares your goal and, together, you can have fun and be fit, too. Tennis? Bicycling? Dancing? Find activities which you can do together to enjoy each other's company. You might even make new friends to join you in your zest for physical activitity.

3. It's all about moving and range of movement. At home, turn on music and create your own aerobic dance. Knock out some household chores while you are at it. With upbeat music, you can jog or hip-hop from room to room picking things up, gathering up laundry, and getting things done. Whatever happened to the waltz, or even the Cha-cha? The kitchen or the living room is a great place to waltz. Put that imaginary dance partner in your mind and enjoy moving! The key to keeping extra pounds off is to move, over the course of your day. Find new ways to vary your movements.

4. Moving and rhythmic activities will also relieve stress. Easing stress will put you in control of your eating, especially eating large portions of comfort food that you might, under the influence of stress, gravitate toward. Sure, activity can increase you appetite, but you will feel in more control and you are more likely to reach for something with some nutritional benefit. You will find tasty foods that will not undermine your new lifestyle of daily movement.

5. Take a good look at the resources that may be available to you in your community or through a wellness program at work.

6. Be sure to check out your public library. More and more libraries are ordering up-to-date exercise DVDs for you to check out. Aerobics, dancing, yoga, Pilates, Weight Training at home are all activities that you will see on titles of DVDs at your public library. You will enjoy this option and it will expand your choices for keeping up the moving lifestyle, no matter what the weather outdoors.

7. The key to getting more exercise and staying active is to start with some kind of movement each morning. Mid-morning stretching will improve your alertness and output. You needn't workout through your lunch break. Just add a short walk, that set of stairs, some reaching and stretching, or other way to move during that time.

8. By mid-afternoon, you will be deserving a short exercise break. Can't fit it in that day? Then, maybe a movement session before you head home. On your way home, perhaps you can stop your car at the park and take a short walk. Riding the subway, bus, or train. If feasible, get off at the stop before yours and walk in from there. These are short walks, though, not hikes. You may find that this after-work movement is what keeps you from raiding the refrigerator or cookie cabinet when you arrive home.

Tips & Warnings

• Smaller periods of physical activity, over the course of the day, will add-up to an overall level of exercise and activity that will improve your health and your outlook.
• Drink plenty of water. Your body will function much better with adequate fluids.
• Stop at a mirror and smile. You are doing something good for yourself!
• Talk to your about your exercise program.