Get Healthy -- Work Out!

I don't think I've talked much about it here on the blog, but I enjoy working out. In fact, I've been exercising 5 days a week for about 7 or 8 years and I can't tell you what a difference it has made in my life. Since this is the time of year for getting back to healthy living, I'm going to share a few posts in the coming weeks on the things I do to stay healthy.  Today I will focus on exercise.

If you are just starting out, I can highly recommend the Wii Fit Plus...

I received the Wii Fit Plus disc for Christmas, but had the original Wii Fit before that. The new edition has added games and lets you create your own workouts which keeps you moving and burning calories. There are tons of activities to keep you interested, weight & bmi tracking to help you meet your goals and you can do it in the privacy of your own home. It's so much fun that your other family members will likely start doing it too, which is a bonus.

Let's say you are like me and you've been working out for a while and want an extra challenge, or maybe you want to work on specific areas, but the gym isn't your thing. In that case, I recommend Gaiam DVD's. I've done their Yoga (I like Rodney Yee), the Pilates BodyBand Workout (which is nice because it comes with 3 bands, so you can work your way up), Total Body Balance Ball which is so fun that you hardly know you are working out (until the next day), and my current favorite...

The Covered Resistance Cord which comes in light medium and heavy. I just started doing this one and let me tell you, it works muscles you didn't know you had! Best of all, the same instructor from the Balance Ball DVD is the instructor here. Her name is Tanja Djelevic and I think she's great at getting you motivated and keeping you interested in what you are doing.  She focuses heavily on the core, which strengthens your back and abs, improves your posture and helps with balance.

I also do 20-30 minutes daily on the elliptical machine which gives me a bit of extra cardio, but the Resistance Cord DVD really gets your heart rate up.  And there is always walking (or running) which requires only a pair of shoes.

Mixing and matching workouts keeps me interested and makes working out enjoyable, but I've found that the most important thing is sticking to a routine.  Every weekday morning I get out of bed, fill my bottle with water and workout.  Making this the first thing I do each day gives me energy and makes me feel like I've done something good for myself form the start.  It sets the tone for the day and makes it easier to make other healthy choices.

Do you have a favorite workout or exercise program?

Comments

[Michelle]

I love the Wii for working out. Wii Active is very, very good, and I just got the More Active. Am ordering Wii Fit Plus for myself, since I didn't get it for Christmas.

Happy New Year, Julie!

[Donna]

I have to admit tht I am an elipptical trainer junkie. But my health club got rid of the old Life Fitness ones (we tried to buy one from them & they wouldn't sell it) & the newer ones are just not as fluid. On the old ones, when I was feeling OK, I could just zone out & go for an hour - made me feel so good. I have the old Wii Fit (bought for my daughter last yer & then she moved to Ca & my partner had one sent to her)but no Wii - maybe I'll get it.

[Juliann]

I have two videos that I have been using for awhile on days when I cannot get to the trail for a run - 30 day shred and Kathy Smith's Tummy Trimmers. The shred is a 20 minute circut workout which I can do before going to work. I also have an eliptical but I am going more for the impact exercise since I am at risk for osteoperosis. The Wii does look fun!