Bored With Exercise?

If you know you MUST exercise, your brain switches into 'necessary evil' mode! Like cleaning your room, we come to think of moving our bodies as a chore.

When we realise that we can enjoy exercise for health's sake, not just because people in shiny lycra tell us to, our brain will switch into 'necessary but I like it' mode!

Look for opportunities to stretch your legs. Simple things like taking the stairs instead of the escalator and walking to the train station is a good start.

Walking is the easiest exercise to do, but the boredom factor can be a big turn off. Here's some tips to make it a bit more exciting:

- take a different route every night
- take a walkman and walk in time to the beat of songs
- if you have a CD walkman, catch up on those new songs you haven't had time to listen to yet.

The gym has been hijacked by fashion, but a lot of them are now catching on to the fact that people actually go to the gym to get fit, not show off the latest stretchy gear!

If you'd like to join a gym, do your research and find one without the attitude. They are around. Avoid ones with "fatbusting" posters and leaflets for weight loss products.

If the gym idea doesn't suit you, grab a couple of friends and start a walking group.The competitive nature of humans makes it fun!

Buy some good walking shoes and wear comfortable clothing. Trakky dax are quite acceptable! Your comfort is the issue here.

Take advantage of walking trails and paths in your town. If you don't have any, then pester your local council into getting them.

Don't launch into a full scale power walk - allow yourself a moderate 5-10 minute warm up walk first. Stop and stretch any areas feeling tight. And do a 'cool down' walk near the end. Walk the last kilometre a slower pace and finish by stretching your body.

For more Information or your comments email: michelle@girl.com.au