Don't underestimate the importance of the mind in exercise. What do I mean by that?
If you get your mind to focus on the benefits of exercise, rather than the inconvenience or the work involved, you're more likely to stick with your program.
As a runner, it can be very tempting at times to cut the workout short or slow down near the end of my run; who is going to know?
Instead I tell myself, on some tough workout days we all have now and then, that I've only got a few minutes or another mile to go and then I'll feel great afterwards and I won't be wishing I had just done the extra time later. I don't know about you but I tend to beat myself up mentally if I shortchange my routine.
Put the negative thoughts out of your mind and concentrate on the benefits you are getting and see if that doesn't help you get through your workout and feel better later.
I will be adding more information soon at TudeFitness.com so be sure to stop by and check out this site.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Why Run?
In my opinion, there is no better overall exercise than running.
Think about it. Athletes from practically all sports incorporate running into their routine. I was in the army and we started every morning in basic training with a run.
You can get a good workout in by simply incorporating some running into it. Let's say you are doing your daily walk. After you have walked for awhile and are warmed up thoroughly, start to run for 30 seconds. You should be breathing a little harder. Now, simply start walking again.
Do that 4 or 5 times during your workout and see how much better you feel at the end of it. You will have done a minimum of running but what happens is; you get your heart rate up during those seconds. Then you walk but your heart rate stays up above normal for a period of time.
One of the goals of aerobic exercise is to get your heart beating at a higher rate than normal during your workout. There's an optimum target rate which you won't reach walking, but you'll come a little closer to it during the running. It will carry beyond the 30 seconds so you'll be getting a little freebie here.
If you do this just 5 times during a 30 minute walk, you'll have actually run for 2 1/2 minutes. Your heart rate will have been above your average heart rate for walking for 5 minutes or so. And I'm betting you will be feeling even better about your exercise when you finish.
Think about it. Athletes from practically all sports incorporate running into their routine. I was in the army and we started every morning in basic training with a run.
You can get a good workout in by simply incorporating some running into it. Let's say you are doing your daily walk. After you have walked for awhile and are warmed up thoroughly, start to run for 30 seconds. You should be breathing a little harder. Now, simply start walking again.
Do that 4 or 5 times during your workout and see how much better you feel at the end of it. You will have done a minimum of running but what happens is; you get your heart rate up during those seconds. Then you walk but your heart rate stays up above normal for a period of time.
One of the goals of aerobic exercise is to get your heart beating at a higher rate than normal during your workout. There's an optimum target rate which you won't reach walking, but you'll come a little closer to it during the running. It will carry beyond the 30 seconds so you'll be getting a little freebie here.
If you do this just 5 times during a 30 minute walk, you'll have actually run for 2 1/2 minutes. Your heart rate will have been above your average heart rate for walking for 5 minutes or so. And I'm betting you will be feeling even better about your exercise when you finish.
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