The Failure to Exercise may be "Exercise" instead of the Exerciser

Many of us (and our family members) know "exercise" is good but don't do it on a regular basis. The reason might not be us. It could very well be "exercise" itself! Why? Because "exercise" as we know it is not designed or conducive to becoming a long term habit.

In looking back a few decades ago, we made a huge mistake when we put Physical Education into the schools. Who did we bring in to write the curriculum? Typically, the football coach who knew a lot about short term conditioning to get a group of kids into condition in order to compete in a series of pre-determined events that had a definite ending. With these and similar short term goals, "exercise' was a must.

Once out of school, many of us have continued to hold on to this short term approach, even though our goal changed to long term or a lifetime of physical activity. After all, we all have to adhere to that genetic principle of "Use - Disuse" - if our body parts are used they get stronger. If not used, our body parts get weaker and atrophy. In short, we cannot store fitness. Whether we like it or not, it has to be an ongoing process. The "no pain, no gain" mentality of the harder we push the better we are doesn't work here because, for most people, the endeavor doesn't last. After all, who wants to go through even moderate pain on an ongoing basis?

The better alternative is to look at a long term approach that's designed to last. The keys become making the physical activity as fun as possible and setting modest goals that are easy to achieve. We do this by picking activities that we can enjoy or learn to enjoy (think out of the box here). We do this by starting out and continuing at low to moderate intensity levels that allow us to talk or even smile during the activity. We do this by not pushing ourselves to the point where is becomes so painful it feels like work. We do this by stopping the activity today early enough so we can or want to do it tomorrow and the day after that. We do this by sharing the fun with friends and family. We do this by expecting to have fun.

Here's an example. We call it the "cafeteria talk walk". Find a friend or friends that you enjoy chatting with and make it a date to walk and talk for a short distance several days a week. You'll most likely forget you're walking and soon begin to look forward to it. Another example would be to ride a stationary bicycle at a moderate pace while reading or watching TV. Soon, you'll likely forget you're riding.

Many of us can make a significant upgrade to our well being by simply keeping our physical activity pleasurable. And the pleasure only multiplies when we share the "physical activity fun" approach with others!