Revising the exercise mind set

It is so easy to get my mind set on an "all or nothing" mentality when it comes to exercise. However fitness does not live or die by 60-minute workouts, agonizing boot camp routines, planks or running a 5K. These are not a part of my exercise plans. Although I truly envy people who have the energy and determination there is middle ground and I thank SparkPeople for helping me to see that short spurts of exercise, when they accumulate, share similar benefits of longer workouts.

If I cannot fit in my usual routine, I use SparkPeople videos; the chair routines are great when I am not feeling very energetic. I love the stretching routines and the articles on basic yoga poses which really fit in a small space or small amount of time. Some people get their steps in by walking around the house.

I know my body will reap numerous benefits just by becoming active for small spurts of time. This approach is perfect for times when I am rushed or my schedule is crazy busy, I am just not feeling the “exercise love” or I find something much more interesting to do like the laundry. Or as winter approaches it is too dark in the morning and too dark at night.

It is so easy in the winter and as the holidays take over to avoid finding time to maintain my exercise routine. Even 10 or 15 minutes of exercise will add up and if I commit to doing something each day for November, it may help carry me over the holidays, through the darkness of December and into Spring.