Activate Your Activity!

I can already "hear" what you're thinking: "She's going to talk about exercise.  Maybe I'll skip this post."  Please read on!
   So what's it going to take to motivate you to move? We know we need to, but what's keeping us from activating our activity?  You know you don't have to join a fitness club.  Check out  "Fitness for less: 4 Low-Cost Ways to Shape-Up." It gives great suggestions for ways to get your activity in without spending a lot of cash.  Making modest investments is an important aspect of helping make your home exercise friendly.  According to the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, "In a study of sedentary adults, people with exercise equipment at home were 73% more likely to start exercising than those without." 
   Also take a look at the Veteran's Administration's "Exercise On A Budget." The page lists several good ideas, plus gives suggestions of household items to use as weights.
   "I'm at a desk all day!" you may say.  In the Washington Post's article "A Workout at Work" you'll find twelve exercises you can do at the office.  In addition to describing each exercise, there is a short video demonstration.  The article also includes the levels of difficulty, sweat, and humiliation. The blog Office Workout offers exercises to do at your desk, specifically at a computer and in a tiny office.
    Do you think going on vacation exempts you from daily activity?  If you're visiting a big city, visit the chamber of commerce or information center.  Most provide a free walking tour guide.  Also, make plans before you leave using "10 Ways to Get a Workout on Vacation."
   For more articles with links, visit my other blog posts on Exercise.  This week challenge yourself to add one new way to be active.  Take the challenge each week and, before you know it, you've activated your activity for a healthier lifestyle!