My first column was about motivation to exercise. This time, let’s talk about the various exercise myths people draw on, as an excuse not to.
When the idea of writing a column was offered to me, I thought it was fundamental to lay down the groundwork on how exercising for better health is important for people to lead healthier and more active lives. Hence, the first was about motivation, followed by the myths about exercise, so it’s vital to steer clear of the pitfalls to losing the battle of the bulge, and emerge successful in our journey to healthy living.
When I went to Yoga Thailand in 2006 to complete my yoga teacher training course, there were 31 students and I was one of only three who were married and had children.
It was the culmination of a six-month long course, and throughout the five-week residential intensive, my classmates often told to us how they admired our determination to balance family life, and achieve a daily dynamic practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
One of the pre-requisites for admission to the teacher training course was cultivating a daily yoga practice, and this is where most aspiring yoga teachers’ fall short of.
Discipline, determination, and sheer will power were virtues I held close to my heart during those challenging times which helped me get through my yoga practice each day. I kept on because I was a person who just loves to exercise, which is probably why I became a yoga teacher and Walk Leader. My body craves for the sweat which comes profusely, and in so doing, releasing all the toxins out of my system, increasing circulation, plus it was doing wonders for my skin and waistline!
So what then is the most effective exercise to start with? The most effective that will help you jumpstart weight loss is aerobic exercise. This lasts more than a few minutes which gets your heart rate up, using the oxygen that you breathe to burn fat calories for energy.
Walking, running, biking, swimming and tennis are all aerobic. Weight lifting and sprinting are not aerobic exercises. It is the best thing you can do for your heart, lungs and that waistline.
We can turn our lives around by simply making the decision to take that first step. On our journey to healthy living, we need to know where to go. Please allow me to share with you a few common myths about exercise (culled from my notes taken during Leslie Sansone Walk Leader Program in Rutgers University) wherein most of us can identify with a smile. I genuinely hope it will serve as your guide as you take the first step to achieving your goals of staying active all throughout our life:
1. I’m too out of shape to exercise. It’s never too late to exercise. The best way is to start slowly and you will be amazed to discover how easily it comes!
2. I have to exercise strenuously to get real health benefits. Moderate exercise delivers the best health results. Exercising to the point of exhaustion burns less fat, suppresses the immune system, and discourages people from continuing.
3. I don’t have the time to exercise. We all make choices how to spend our time. You choose whether you want to be healthy and happy, or not. Besides, the extra energy you get from exercise allows you to get more done in your day, not less.
4. Exercise makes me eat more. If you’re gaining weight, you are eating more than your body needs. Daily exercise regulates your appetite, and helps you learn to eat what your body only needs.
5. Exercise leaves me feeling exhausted. Gentle aerobic exercise will leave you feeling energized and happy at the end of every workout.
6. Exercise is expensive. If you really think it is, try getting sick, and you will realize it is even more expensive. Staying healthy through exercise is cheaper, compared to taking medicines for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
7. I’m older now, so why bother to exercise now? Older adults in fact benefit the most from exercise. All the health problems associated with aging — brittle bones, weight gain, muscle loss- and poor balance can be arrested, or even reversed, with regular exercise.
Exercise is the best medicine we have yet. The only time it will not work is when you will not even try.
