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Tips for Staying Fit and Healthy at Home
by Lesley Spencer
Many Americans these days are finding themselves out of shape and overweight.
Why is that? The bottom line is we are taking in more calories than we are
burning. It takes a conscious effort to reduce calories, eat healthier and get
regular exercise.
Exercise does not have to be a dreaded word either. The good news is that
exercise gives you more energy, stress relief, better health, clearer focus,
sharper mind, better sleep, better bone health, better sex life, and it
decreases the risk of cancers, heart attacks and heart problems. Forget the
benefits of just looking good and realize exercise not only makes you feel good,
it can help you live a longer, healthier life.
Here are some tips to get you on your way to a healthier lifestyle:
Put your workout clothes on first thing in the morning. You'll feel more
"obligated" to exercise once you are dressed in your workout clothes.
Use music to energize and motivate you to exercise. Get a few great CDs that
energize you. Turn it up and jam out! The music will motivate you and help the
time pass by more quickly!
Always keep a water bottle and a healthy snack with you. When you get hungry, go
for the healthy snack instead of heading to the pantry. Try to keep your water
bottle full so that you can drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Follow the two-bite rule. If there's something you absolutely must have, take
two bites and be done! You'll get your fix and be proud of your will power to
put it down!
No time for exercise? Make a goal to walk for 30 minutes at least three times a
week. You'll find if you make it a priority, you can fit it in. Try going right
after breakfast or after taking your kids to school.
Need to be motivated to exercise? Find one or two workout partners to motivate
one another. If you don't have anyone near by, find a virtual workout buddy on
the http://www.HBWM.com Self-Care message boards. Share successes, motivate one
another and just enjoy doing something for
yourself!
Keep a diary of what you eat for a few days. Calculate your intake and decide
where you should cut back. (You can find nutritional charts on the Mom's
Assistant section of http://www.HBWM.com.)
If you have cravings for something sweet, try eating something tart to curb the
craving such as a pickle. If you crave crunchy salty snacks, try having an apple
instead.
Take the leap. Commit to exercising a few days a week and before you know it,
the benefits will be their own motivator! You will feel better, look better and
be better.
Lesley Spencer is founder and president of the HBWM.com, Inc. Network which
includes: http://www.HomeBasedWorkingMoms.com
http://www.WorkAtHomeKit.com
http://www.edirectoryofhomebasedcareers.com
http:/www.momsworkathomesite.com
http://www.HBWMconferences.com ,
http://www.HBWMcanada.com and
http://www.HireMyMom.com (coming soon!).
She has a Master's Degree in Public Relations and has been featured in numerous
media outlets including CBS News, Forbes, Business Week, Parents, Wall Street
Journal and USA Today. She has been working from home for over 10 years and has
two children ages 10 and 8 whom she absolutely adores!
This article is reprinted with permission from www.WritingCareer.com |