Personalized exercise

A

At the start of every new year, many of us promise ourselves that a certain number of times a week we will go to the gym, go jogging, attend an exercise class, etc. But many of us struggle to fit exercise into our lives, or we start off well and then give up.

B

The key could be to find the right type of exercise for you. After all, if we end up doing something we enjoy and can see the benefits of, we are more likely to carry on for longer than a few weeks. Studies suggest that six weeks are all it takes to form a habit, so once we have managed to continue for that length of time, chances are that exercise has become a routine part of our lives that we do not question. So what exercise is right for you? Read on to find out.

C

First of all, you need to determine your motivation. Are you mainly interested in de-stressing or in getting fitter? If your ultimate goal is relaxation, then ask yourself if you want to do this energetically, in which case a type of martial art or exercise based on boxing may be right for you. If you have a calmer style, then you could choose solitary exercise, such as walking the dog, doing some gardening, or opting for a brisk daily walk around the block. If you get more motivated from working with others, then you could join a yoga, pilates or t'ai chi class, all designed to stretch and strengthen your muscles and with the added benefit of calming the mind.

D

If it is fitness and weight loss you are after, then group activities include military fitness, typically organized in local parks, walking and running groups, dance classes (try line dancing, tap dancing or ballet). Contact your local council for details of those. On your own, you could go horse riding, swimming, or if you fear that you will choose not to leave your house, download fitness and motivational exercise programmes that you can do at home.

E

Finally, even people who are incredibly busy have no excuse. It is getting easier to fit exercise into our lives, rather than having to make so many changes to our lifestyles that we are doomed to fail. If you have particular time slots available, then you could book some time with a personal trainer at the weekend who can come to your house, or you could meet them at the gym. During the week, you could use the daily commute for your exercise, by walking faster, parking the car further away from work, or getting your bicycle out. If your life is not as regular, you could choose the next couple of minutes you have spare to try an exercise DVD, or get the skipping ropes out and do some skipping. You could also go outdoors to your nearest fitness trail, or put your running shoes on and run for any length of time, as everything counts when you are doing exercise.

F

You see? There is no excuse. Whatever your lifestyle, you will be able to find something that suits you. Just sit down with a cup of tea, read this article again, have a think about your options. Then finish the tea, get up, get going, and don't stop.