Healthy Exercise: 5 Ways to Get Started Today

I’m a firm believer that exercise should be incorporated into your healthy regime. When I was at my heaviest (207 lbs.), I hated exercise. Any way I could excuse myself from sweating I found it. Once I made a conscious effort to lose the pounds I knew it had to include both dieting and exercise.

For many people dieting and exercise together when you’re overweight seems like a daunting task. The word “diet” alone is scary enough but pushing you to get up at the crack of dawn or to come home after a long day at work to exert yourself, seems like too much pressure. Taking a walk when you’re heavy or joining a gym seems embarrassing.

How you look at exercise has a lot to do with whether or not you’ll allow yourself to take that path. If you look at exercise from a healthy perspective both mind and body you may be able to release yourself from the negativity the word conjures up.

Here are 5 healthy ways to look at exercise:

1. Exercise at your own pace. Competition is not the key. Easing your way into exercise is important for it to become long-term. In the beginning I only strength trained with my friend Jorge’s “3-Hour Diet” book. It took me 8 minutes. I slowly incorporated other exercises as my weight started coming off. Slowly incorporating exercise into my day made the whole idea less stressful and more doable.

2. Exercise with a friend. When I first decided to add physical fitness to my daily routine I had a friend who knew my plight. Her kind gesture to call and start walking with me was greatly appreciated. During the summer months we walked and talked at least 2 or 3 times a week. In the winter we found a local mall in our area that opened early for walkers. Walking became my favorite form of exercise. I love nature and being outdoors. My vacations revolve around walking and staying fit. I can take my tennis shoes anywhere and I’ve taken in some beautiful scenery wherever I go.

3. Exercise for fun. Finding an exercise that fits who you are is important. If you don’t like aerobic exercise then don’t do it. I love Bike riding and aerobics. I love walking and Zumba classes. You may find hiking and rollerblading or running and strength training are your forte. Whatever it takes do it to make it last. Exercise should be fun and exciting. Doing many different forms of exercise will keep you interested.

4. Exercise with a Plan. Make it fun and print out a calendar from your computer or buy one at an office supply store. Dedicate each day to something physical. Penciling in a routine will keep you on track. We all pencil in doctor’s appointments and family agendas, make your life a priority too.

5. Compliment Yourself. This is the most important thing. Don’t wait for others to notice a change. If you go that extra mile on your walk or if you finally figured out what time of day works best praise your efforts. The littlest things matter. Your opinion is what counts most of all.

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Go Green! At Home Spa Treatments for a Greener Healthier You - A 3-Part Series for Earth Day

While others are celebrating Earth Day, this week I’m making a conscious effort to look at going green for a healthier lifestyle. Changing the way we look at our homes and how we live in them is important. I’m a firm believer that our environment is conducive to a healthy body and mind. For instance my stress level is up when I look at the clutter that can pile up during one week in my kitchen. I’m relieved to organize, get rid of or donate anything I feel is getting in the way of leading a pressured life. However, going green with the way we treat our bodies rather than our home is another surefire way to help planet earth. This week I’ll be sharing some of my favorite green ideas in produce, fitness and for pampering your body.

Let’s talk pampering. I like this first because we tend to put this to the wayside when we are thinking health. There are so many ways we can nourish our bodies. Using things right from our produce aisles at the local fruit market or grocery store helps save the environment and our pocket book.

I remember doing some of these eco-friendly things as a teenager when I received my first health book called Marie Osmond’s Guide to Beauty, Health & Style from my mom. Yes, I know this probably dates me but it was this book that started me thinking about healthier possibilities and ways to achieve them using what I had at home.

I was starting to look at ways to save some money as a teen and the book talked exercise, eating healthy and homemade facials. As any teenager knows funds are always low and these things are great to use in place of the more expensive products. Nowadays we’re all pinching pennies and homemade everything is in again.

I’ve taken these recipes from some favorite sites. I also love the idea of having a spa party at home using some great plans I found on an eco-friendly spa day party site. Try some of these and let me know what you think. Have a party and celebrate Earth Day a little differently than you did last year.


Vegetable Toner
Adapted from Natural Beauty by Aldo Facetti:

1 cup chopped cucumber flesh
1 cup lettuce leaves
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup chopped tomato

Put ingredients through a juicer, or puree in a blender and strain. Press solids to extract all liquids. Toner will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but for maximum effectiveness, use immediately.


Blueberry Facial Masque

¼ cup local organic blueberries (these provide the most antioxidant power as they were just picked)
1 tbsp raw organic honey
1 tbsp organic olive oil

Method

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend well.
2. Evenly apply all over the face, leaving room around the eyes and mouth.
3. Leave the masque on for 5 minutes allowing it to fully sink in hydrating and nourishing the skin.
4. Remove the masque with a damp cloth.

Aloe and Cucumber Mask

1 large aloe plant leaf, washed and chopped, or 1 cup aloe juice
1 cup chopped cucumber

Combine the aloe leaf (or aloe juice) and cucumber. Puree in a blender. Apply the mixture to a clean face and neck and leave on 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

From The Ciminelli Solution: Recipes for Beauty from the Inside Out by Susan Ciminelli (2006, Collins)


Peach Lotion (for dry or normal skin)
This recipe is courtesy of Jeanne Rose "Herbs & Things"

• 1 Peach
• 4 drops tincture of Benzoin (known to be STRONG sensitizer)
• 2 oz. coconut or sweet almond oil
• 1 1/2 oz. orange flower water and 1 or 2 drops orange oil

Wash, drain, mash, and then strain the juice from 1 peach through muslin or cheesecloth. Add to it 4 drops of tincture of benzoin, 2 oz. coconut or sweet almond oil, 1 1/2 oz. orange flower water and 1 or 2 drops orange oil. Beat together until it is fluffy and pour into a clean 4 oz container. It will keep for a longer period if you store it in the refrigerator. Use the lotion to moisturize your skin whenever it feels dry.


How to whiten your teeth with strawberries:

You need 1 strawberry and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
From Health.Com:

Crush the strawberry to a pulp, then mix with the baking soda until blended. Use a soft toothbrush to spread the mixture onto your teeth. Leave on for 5 minutes, then brush thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the berry–baking soda mix. Rinse. (A little floss will help get rid of any strawberry seeds.) Carrel says you can apply once a week.


Other Things That Might Interest You:

Homemade Beauty Recipes

The Beauty Cookbook: 200 Recipes To Make Your Kitchen Your Spa