Fun Ways to Exercise while Shedding the Pounds
Motivational Tips to Lose Weight
It is that time of year when we start shedding our layers of clothes and start wearing shorts and summer shirts, and - shall I hope - the bathing suit.
After packing it on while stuck in the house all winter (let's not forget the holiday season with Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day), it is hard to get those endorphins moving into that motivational direction for losing a “few” pounds. Motivation is in decline and summer seems far away during these times. Exercise seems like such a chore.
It would be much easier if exercise was something you could look forward to, something you found fun, and something you could do to compete with yourself.
Help to enhance your positive feelings may be easier than you think.
Here are some easy ways I discovered to motivate myself to do a little bit more each day, toward attaining my weight goal and body image, whether I am in the house or outside soaking up the sun.
1) Wear a Pedometer
I find when I clip a pedometer on my belt or the waist of my pants that I compete with myself each day trying to “up” the steps.
I have never been good about competing with others, pushing myself to the limits to attain a look or weight that others have has just discouraged me. Competing with myself and setting my own goals have helped me in many areas of my life. I stopped looking at others and concentrated on my own needs.
Therefore, with my self-competition, every step counts, and the pedometer makes you think about how many steps you take. Each day, I want to top the day before, and I have found this fun.
Before I knew it, I was walking faster, dancing around the house, and marching in place while at work. I didn't care about what others were doing or even what they thought. I received self-satisfaction by seeing that my numbers on the pedometer were higher each day, and I was feeling better.
I was amazed at how much that little pedometer motivated me to keep moving, which burns those pesky calories.
Setting my own goals and feeling proud when I reached them motivated me much more than looking at gorgeous women and wishing I could have their bodies - I think the same goes with men, too.
Competing with self will motivate much more than trying to compete with others.
Choices on Wii Fit Plus
2) Use a Wii and get Wii Fit Plus to go along with the standard games such as tennis and bowling.
Another way I motivated myself was with Wii. Wow, there are so many things you can do with Wii Fit Plus! I started having fun, not only competing with myself by trying to beat my own scores but by having fun while doing it.
With the Wii Fit board, I can do yoga, aerobics, strength training, and balancing. It does not matter if there is a blizzard outside, I can still be working off the fat, building the muscle, and even helping my mental and physical balance with the Wii.
Wii Fit helped me set a goals and keep track of my weight. I found that while I watched TV or a movie I could set it up to step on and off the Wii board. It counts my steps and estimates the calories burned. I love reading those daily stats and watching the increase on the graph.
I wasn't just sitting there watching TV. I was toning up for the oncoming summer wardrobe. I was also wearing my pedometer.
I can tell you that with the Wii, you feel more like you are playing than exercising, and with all the games that require you to get out of your chair, you are actually playing and exercising.
I believe it is much better than buying a gym membership that you may or may not dedicate yourself to all year long. It is too easy to fall back into staying home. But with the Wii, it is like there is something to look forward to when you get home, and it is much easier to fit in when you don't have to spend time driving to the gym and worrying about what others think of how you look in your exercise clothes.
Come on, ladies, we know we do it... We get all gussied up for the gym... Peeshaw!! To heck with that. I want to look good when it counts, like on the beach.
Gardening Leaves You Feeling Satisfied
3) Look outside.
The leaves are returning and the grass is growing. The temperature is going up and the sun is shining.
Maybe you would like a small garden. Even though I am not a great gardener, working in the soil and planting flowers and vegetables makes me feel productive and good about accomplishing something.
Gardening is a motivator that produces food and flowers, but it also takes off the calories and reduces stress.
When I am bending, squatting, standing, reaching, picking, pulling, hoeing, and pruning; I am exercising and cutting calories. I am also feeling pretty good about myself.
The sun does wonders for our emotional well-being.
Let your face and arms soak up the sun's natural vitamin D for 10 - 20 minutes.
After you have soaked up a few rays, put on your sun-block, a big floppy hat on, grab your gloves and go play in the dirt.
Did wonders for me, physically and mentally.
Fitbit is the best motivation I have had in years!
4) Walking - Take Advantage of the Weather
I have to force myself to get out of the house some days but once I do, I feel great! While you are looking outside seeing a lovely sunny day with a light breeze, get outta that chair and go for a walk. (That is what I had to tell myself to do.)
I love seeing what is new in the neighborhood or town. It makes walking so much more interesting.
Mix it up and choose different paths and places to walk: the country, the park, downtown. I find that I learn much more about my area by choosing different places to walk.
Take the pups with you so they can enjoy the day, too. My mini-Dachshunds are just as excited about exploring the sights as I am, plus it gives them their needed exercise.
Call a friend to join you. I enjoy talking to my girlfriend as we walk. We talk about everything and share the experience.
Don’t forget to wear your pedometer. I love that darn pedometer. As I stated, it motivates me to do better and a little more each day.
The thought of losing weight can be depressing. But I have found that creative ways to motivate myself into an activity or activities can be fun. It has put some move into my missing groove.
Remember, a little each day is helpful, and the more you do the more you will want to do. The endorphins have to be kick started. Once they are, I promise, you will feel and look better.
Have fun and good luck!
© 2011 Susan Holland