The Exercise Ideal

CEBU, Philippines — It’s probably everyone’s ideal to be able to exercise daily. Everyone knows that exercise is necessary to keep the body in good condition. It is the better half to good nutrition.

No one is excused from exercising, except perhaps the infirm and badly ill. Some people get to exercise by the very nature of their daily tasks. Others have to really make time to sweat it out, separately.

There are people whose jobs keep them sedentary all days long. A common example is office workers, especially those whose jobs are mainly “mental.” They are either having pot bellies or are almost skeletal in form due to lack of physical activities that would have burnt their fats or developed their muscles.

True, the body is predisposed to rest. But good motivation can break the inertia. A desire for good health and good form can certainly move one to acquire the habit of exercising regularly.

Some people are just “active” by their very nature that they need only a slight prompt to send them sweating it out. But the greater majority seems to need to be coaxed into it. Most office workers, for example, use their work as an excuse.

In an article at www.ivyexec.com, Tatiana Compton cites that even “just 10 to15 minutes of vigorous exercise a day is enough to have a positive impact on our productivity.” It is never too late to start the habit, she says. The question is – how to incorporate exercise into a busy schedule.

Compton shares simple steps to ease busy workers into making exercise a part of their work day:

Find a workout that you enjoy. If your activities are monotonous, make you feel inept or you just hate doing them, you are unlikely to continue exercising. Choose a workout that you find fun and you will stick with it!

Use short bursts of exercise. One doesn’t have to go all-or-nothing and force oneself to spend hours in the gym in order to reap the benefits of exercise. In fact, according to experts, short bursts of cardio of just 10 minutes can have a profound effect on one’s mental and emotional health and, therefore, productivity.

Schedule a time each day for fitness. To make exercise an integral part of one’s daily routine, it helps to set up reminders. For example, gym clothes laid out each evening as a cue to exercise the next day. Consistent exercise relies upon it becoming automatic. It also helps to schedule exercise at times when one is in the right condition; say, a later riser may not plan on exercising in the morning.

Sneak in more movement during your day. One may analyze his typical work day routine and consider ways to add exercise in. Even small additional activities can add up over the course of the day. Giving the car a rest and getting on your bike instead! Walking manageable distances. Using the stairs instead of the elevator! Parking further away from the office. Walking more. Moving at work – walking while on the phone or during coffee or lunch breaks.

Make it a social event. Perhaps it’s possible for office workers to group together after work for a Yoga class or gym session. Group activity can bring on some positive peer pressure. Everyone will try to stay on track. Adding in a little competition can even keep the workout fun and exciting.

Regular exercise has been proven to help improve one’s wellbeing. No one questions that. The only challenge is getting on to actually doing it.

Reduced stress, improved mood, and better quality of sleep are just some of the benefits, aside from better overall health. Regular exercise also reduces fatigue and increases energy levels. Thus, exercise is not an interruption to work – but rather a boost to it.