Love Commandment 3: Exercise More|VLCD TFR
Melissa’s first blog series is making a serious impact on readers, discussing how to LOVE YOUR BODY this February!
In her third installment of 10 New You Commandments to Love Your Body, she outlines the benefits of exercise – not only on weight loss, but on overall wellbeing and how to stay motivated: [article below]
Love Commandment 3: Exercise More
“Exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart.” Gene Tunney
Oh, how I used to LOATHE exercise! The thought of having to go to the gym to run on a treadmill for ages, going nowhere, bored the life out of me and I very rarely went.
However, I now exercise regularly and actually look forward to it.
WHY? Because I started doing exercise THAT I ENJOYED, and because when I started losing the pounds with The New You Plan’s VLCD / TFR diet it spurred me on to continue to LOVE MY BODY more and more!
When I was a little girl, I was a ballerina (can you believe it?) and couldn’t wait to get to my classes every Saturday morning. I love ballet because it is such a beautiful artform, and practicing taught me discipline and skills that I honed to perform my best at concerts and in my dance exams.
By harnessing this love for dance, I have found joy in exercise again and go to classes like Burlesque, DanceFit, Yoga, Zumba and will soon be enrolling in “Second Chance Adult Ballet” – I wonder if my old leotard will fit…? 😉
Joking aside, my tip for staying motivated to exercise is this: DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE! You don’t need to slug it out on a treadmill – grab a friend and go for a power-walk around the city, go jogging with your dogs, enrol in some great classes, or even go to the park and run around with the little ones – exercise can be FUN.
The Wonders of Workouts
Exercise has many benefits, in addition to helping you achieve your weight loss goals! Here are just a few of them:
- It will make you happier through increased release of “feel good” endorphins
- It will make you sleep better and deeper, and you will feel more rested
- It reduces stress and will help you relax
- It helps your mind focus more easily, and improves your performance
- It lowers your risk of developing many diseases including Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease and even Alzheimer’s!
Top Tips & Tasks for Today | VLCD TFR
Today I’d love you to think about and to share what your favourite form of exercise is, and how you are going to incorporate it more into your lifestyle.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box – or the gym! – as to what you might enjoy. Why not investigate some arts or community centres in your area to see what they have programmed (most have something for all levels of ability), or research the best outdoor areas to get a sweat on?
Love,
Melissa
I love wing chin (kung fu). I do that twice a week. The gym makes me bored and a feeling of being a hamster on the treadmill 🙂 I’m thinking about belly dancing now as well.
Awesome Urszula! If you are based in Belfast I know the perfect place for Bellydance classes, the tutor is fantastic 😉
I’ve always wanted to try Kung Fu – you have inspired me to investigate it now 😀 xxx
I’m still looking! Certain things are out cos of my knees, so aerobics is a no no.
I’ve been trying Pilates but that’s not really for me, I shall finish the course I’ve paid for. It again it puts strain on my knees, I just cannot keep my legs up in the air that long! Also I have an issue with my neck and one of they key positions in Pilates involves a neck move that is painful 🙁
I will find something eventually!
Have you tried Yoga, Alison? I find that with a good instructor it can actually help many body pains, and I love it as it makes me feel really calm, relaxed and in tune with my body 🙂
xxxx
i have started one of richard simmons dance cds , its fun and certainly gets me moving lol 🙂
Woohoo Diane! That does sound like fun… I might have to get one to have a boogy to 😉 xxx
It is so true Melissa – exercise should be something that you enjoy doing, it should be something you look forward to rather than dread. Great blog Melissa 🙂
Thanks Grant! Which exercise do you enjoy the most, and do you do it often? 🙂
Actually I love any form of dance except freestyle! I love Zumba and I also love Tae Bo! I am getting back into my exercise dvd’s! I have no free time because my husband works away but I do all I can with my girls when I can and weather permitting! 🙂
That’s fab Gina, I love the idea of you getting your girls involved too – it’s great to have fun family time together whilst getting everyone healthy and fit 😀
Zumba is awesome – I have even been known to use a few moves from my class on the dancefloor on a Saturday night heehee 😉