No matter what your intention or goal for your health and well being, regular exercise must be a part of the equation.
As we age, we lose muscle and bone density, and gain fat. Even if we make exercise a regular habit, it’s easy to get into a routine or even a rut. To avoid the culprits of aging and changing hormones, and to make changes in our bodies, we have to confuse our muscles.
First, take an honest look at your current exercise routine. If you’re not exercising, or not exercising as much as you’d like, no judgment. Simply by picking up this book you are in the right place to get started!
Your action step is to make one change in the duration, frequency OR type of workout over the next week, and schedule all your workouts on your calendar.
Look over the upcoming week and determine how you might add a new twist to your usual routine to at least one component: Duration (how long you exercise); Frequency (how often you exercise); or Type (the kind of exercise you’re doing). The only other element I’m not including is Intensity — that’s for another conversation.
For example, if you usually take three classes a week at the gym, take four in the upcoming week (Frequency). If you generally go for a run four times a week, skip the run on one of the days and substitute a yoga class instead (Type). Or if you hop on the treadmill twice a week for 30 minutes, pump it up to 45 minutes (Duration).
Now, schedule your workouts for the next week, and not just in your mind! Put them in your calendar, write them in ink or program them into your phone, however you’d schedule an important meeting or a dentist appointment.
Reevaluate your routine monthly, or even weekly if you like, and continue to make adjustments. Even small changes will add up to big results!