| Luckily, getting in shape can actually be extremely | | | | even do it over and over during lunch. Low impact, and |
| enjoyable, if you insist on doing only those exercise | | | | truly heart-pumping to the max. I even go downtown |
| activities that are fun. I mean it. Don't kill yourself | | | | where I can get in some really tall-building stair climbing. |
| jogging and going to classes that totally waste and | | | | Is that sick or what?! |
| exhaust you, unless that gives you joy. And, if it does, | | | | Walking also brings me joy. A good walk is so relaxing |
| then by all means, go for it. | | | | and you can still work up a good sweat if you feel like |
| Personally, I enjoy getting my heart pounding by doing | | | | it by walking up hills or just power-walking. However, I |
| activities that are a blast to do. I play racquetball, | | | | will admit that the impact on your legs and joints can |
| where you chase a dumb little rubber ball and the | | | | be rather intense, so you must listen to your body. |
| exercise and fitness benefits are simply a free | | | | The main rule I follow in any exercise I participate in is |
| byproduct. I don't have to make myself hustle and play | | | | simple: If it hurts, stop. Pain must not be a part of the |
| hard. It comes naturally. | | | | equation. As we age, the "no-pain-no-gain" mantra |
| Same goes for mountain bike riding. I just eat it up! The | | | | must no longer be a part of any exercise regime you |
| workout is awesome and it involves no pounding on | | | | take part in. Otherwise, you'll most likely quit doing it. |
| my sore old knees. All I have to do is not fall, LOL! And | | | | You can certainly pick from a multitude of activities |
| by the way, the pounding of my knees from hitting the | | | | with or without a fitness club. You can swim, ride |
| racquetball court is not nearly so bad since the floor is | | | | elliptical trainers, dance, pump iron (though, that's a |
| wood which is quite a forgiving surface on which to | | | | tough one for me because it requires a discipline that I |
| run. | | | | lack), and so many other activities. You can even |
| I also love to ski. That's a real no-brainer. It's so much | | | | workout at home with low-impact DVD's and the Wii |
| fun, you don't even notice you're getting a great | | | | Fit programs of which there are many to chose from. |
| workout until you reach the bottom, and are already on | | | | There are so many ways to exercise in comfort, that |
| your way back up the chairlift. It doesn't get more fun | | | | once you find what works for you (and I chose many |
| than this! And, it is always so incredibly gorgeous that I | | | | so I don't get bored), you will soon be on your way to |
| find myself in a constant state of "skiphoria" that is | | | | a happier, healthier lifestyle as you become fit as a |
| beyond description. Of course, I live 30-minutes from a | | | | fiddle without really trying. It will soon become a habit |
| ski area. | | | | you won't be able to resist. |
| Believe it or not, I also love walking stairs at work. I'll | | | | |