What’s your favorite way to exercise? How come? What if you had to chose one exercise to do for the next year, what would it be? There are so many different exercises to choose from, there is no wrong answer! I will be highlighting 3. Any exercise is integrative throughout our bodies and is beneficial on every level. You really can’t go wrong.
Let me start by telling you about the first exercise routine I remember starting when I was little. It was a sequence of exercises I found in a magazine called YM(Young and Modern). It is similar to what Teen Vogue is today. Anyway, in the middle of the magazine, there were always exercise sequences with catchy phrases like, “Toned in 10”, “Ultimate Booty Burner”, etc. And so, I would be in room at 10 years old, on my floor doing donkey kicks, leg raises, squats, lunges, and bridges. Little did I know this was the start of something that would be long lasting. Everyday, I made sure I was doing these exercises, and would anticipate the next month’s issue. I don’t know if it was out of boredom, or being made fun of for being fat, but in an era of Jane Fonda VHS tapes, I was loving it. Feel the burn! Suddenly, I’m doing these exercises with my friends at their house, in gym class, it was everywhere. These specific movements and sequences are better known as Strength training or body weight exercises. Body weight exercises are popular due to the fact they can be done anywhere. You don’t need anything, but you guessed it lol, body weight. You don’t have to go to the gym, carry any equipment, or risk a higher chance of getting injured. Body weight training offers much more variety in movement. If you are the type to get bored, this may be for you.
Next is cycling. As a child, I loved my bike! It was a purple 10 speed Huffy. I rode it everywhere. My friends and I would ride for hours. We would ride into different neighborhoods miles away. I thought I was so cool when I learned how to ride with one hand. When I could ride with none, forget it! RIding my bike was so much fun. I haven’t rode bikes in quite some time until recently my friend led me on an adventure through the city. I felt great. I was so sweaty and invigorated! I see cyclists on the side of the road. Really into it. In big groups. They have all the gear, with a really nice bike. Cycling became so popular a few years ago that there was a shortage on inventory and I couldn’t buy my son a bike! Cycling is environmentally friendly, affordable, accessible, and a great way to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Once you invest in a bike, there are not a lot of ongoing costs. Just routing maintenance. Bike riding can give you a sense of adventure. You can explore. It takes you further distances the walking or running would. The routes are endless.
Lastly, Yoga. Yoga is not for everyone. Some find yoga very slow and boring. But for someone who is always on the go and could use a little slow down would find yoga very beneficial. Yoga was a game changer for me. It reminds me to stay rooted into the earth. I didn’t discover yoga until I was in my early 20’s. I am always hyper and have high energy. If I do yoga in the morning, it calms me down for the whole day, and can help me set the tone and intention. Yoga also helps me easily keep my routine of meditating, as that’s how I end my yoga sequences. Such a great addition to the practice. Yoga implements a lot of deep breathing, balance, and stretching. It has so many health benefits I cannot even list. There are over 50 benefits of doing yoga. I have not gotten to the level of maximum flexibility, but the stretching is great. Inhaling and exhaling energizes you with oxygen and life! Add yoga to any meditation or exercise routine you already do, or do it alone. The benefits abound!
Whichever exercise you choose and for whatever reason, I’m sure it’s a good one. You cannot lose! You have your own personal or fitness related goals and reasons why you exercise. Anything counts. It doesn’t matter which exercise you do, it’s about how it makes you feel, and how you feel about yourself.