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Thursday Thirteen
By Nancy Lindquist | June 28, 2007
Thirteen Reasons to Get Off the Couch and Exercise.
I’m mostly posting these for me, but as a personal trainer, albeit a non working personal trainer, I feel like I also need to cattle prod the masses. You there, in your sweats. Yes, the one with the bag of chips, zzzzzt, off the couch.
1. In order for 99% of people to lose weight, you need to eat less and exercise more. There is no magic pill, no problem with your glands (a true glandular problem is VERY rare) and no excuse, other than the inability to move. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true.
2. You need to be a good example for our youth. Their much larger than we were, at their age. I’ve been morbidly obese. It sucks.
3. When you first start it sucks, but after a couple weeks you’ll look forward to exercising. Yes, you really will.
4. You will have more energy to do the things you want to do.
5. You will be able to climb stairs without gasping. I hated gasping when I climbed stairs.
6. You will be able to eat, within reason, a wider variety of food. No, you won’t be able to pork down a bucket of ice cream, but a few Oreos won’t kill you.
7. Endorphins are nice things. They really do make you feel good.
8. There’s something soul satisfying about picking a goal and tackling it that exercise brings you.
9. Nothing better than getting outside and seeing your world.
10. The couch is not your friend. What’s more, it secretly hates your ass and is making plans to ruin it.
11. Everyone ages. Deal with it and move on. Exercise will make you feel vital, longer.
12. You get to buy cute exercise clothes. Hey, no one ever said I didn’t have my priorities straight.
13. A scale headed in the direction you prefer, is a beautiful thing.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:05 am
I think I might get of our couch now and go and excercise… Maybe soon, Lost is on!
Great list! Please stop on by and check out ours, I think you might like it…
Bernie
June 28th, 2007 at 9:14 am
I was one of the lucky persons who could eat what they want and don’t put on weight until two years ago, suddenly my jeans shrinked. I had put on weight for the first time. My grandma used to say the best diet is “eat the half” that’s what I did and fortunately rather quick my Jeans fitted again. Now I pay attention (also for the first time)
June 28th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Good post. I struggled with this in my late teen and twenties. Then I ended up in Japan where the diet is simply much healthier. We also don’t have a car, so I walk everywhere. I still have about ten pounds I’d like to lose but after giving birth to three boys I’m still less than what I was when I graduated high school. And my self esteem is way higher.
I do have a problem exercising which is why all the walking I do helps. But I never deny myself food. That is the surest way to set yourself up to failure. (Just remember everything in moderation).
Btw, Woo Hoo on your release this month. Saw your cover up on the Samhain site. I’m so excited to be with them.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Hey, I love #10!
As a guy who gained a TON of weight when my wife got preggers, I know what it was like. I was 236 pounds at a whopping 5′9″. I’d eat meals with my wife…even after I’d finished one.
“I’m so hungry, I could go for McDonald’s,” said wife.
“Yeah, a 20 piece Chicken McNugget sounds good,” said I.
Ugh…
June 28th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I certainly have to agree with your list. The more you do, the better you feel…and you want to do more. It builds your metabolism.
Thanks for the visit.
June 28th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
What a great TT! For the most part over the years, I’ve done well with exercising, but here in the last little bit I fell off the wagon and am scrambling to climb back on. Thanks for the motivation!
Happy TT, and thanks for visiting my blog!
June 28th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
The worst feeling is having to skip my trip to the gym when work gets just too busy. I end up resenting it. Sometimes, though, I find I’m not giving my body enough rest over the course of a week. But I can testify to all the things you’ve said (except the cute workout clothes… simple shorts & tee for me). I get cranky when I don’t get my workout or get out on the soccer pitch!
Happy TT!
June 28th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I absolutely love excercise. I taught aerobics for 10 years and used to do everything and anything. Lately, because of health problems. I’ve had more trouble doing the things I want but I’m going to be taking a health & movement dance class in a few weeks. Can’t wait!
Thanks for the visit!
June 28th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I always had a bad time getting off the couch before. But last year, I started karate. And I think I have found my sport. Now I have a reason to lift my butt off the couch without an effort… I even try to do soemthing else to be more in shape to perform better at it!!
I think the most difficult part of working out is finding the right exercice for you!!
June 28th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
A good reminder that I need to get off the couch and start working out again. Thanks for the reminder!
June 28th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
You know, it’s those dang kids that I keep yelling at that prevent me from exercising. How’s that for an excuse? Actually, I was doing pretty good until the past three months, walking and going to the gym at work. You gave some good reasons for me to get back to it.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
love your #10 about the couch hating my ass. That is so true! What a wonderful list, and hats off to you for all of your life changes! I got some work to do here, that’s for sure, especially as an example for my babies. That is my vow. Thanks for stopping by my blog!!
June 29th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Great list! I wish I could exercise more. I’m doing what I can, but I long for the times I could go the gym for hours…
Thanks for visiting my random TT!