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Keeping fit not a futile exercise
Are you avoiding it? Do you look at it like it's the plague? Have you piled clothes on top of it on purpose?
Of course, I'm talking about the bathroom scale -- the Scrooge of the bathroom. As if our tightening jeans aren't enough, the scale is always bringing our overweight behinds back to reality.
The average person gains approximately seven pounds over the holidays. That's the same size as a newborn baby added to your body over the course of one month.
The day before Thanksgiving every person should be required to strap two 5-pound bags of flour to a belt and wear it around all-day just for perspective on how they'll feel Jan. 2.
While we're already half-way through the holiday season, it's not too late to do something about the weight gain. It will require drastic measures (that's drastic, not elastic as in waistbands) in the form of exercise, but the change is not as simple as it sounds.
First, you must figure out when to exercise. Are you a morning, afternoon or night person? Perhaps, 2 a.m. appeals to you.
As a newly-minted morning person (thanks to early-rising small children), I've opted for the predawn hours. While quiet and tranquil, morning workouts present unique problems. For example, in-line skating before the sun rises means you have to keep an eye out for vehicles' headlights, but also deer. I'm considering attaching those deer whistles to the skates as a precautionary measure.
With a time-frame decided, the next step is to choose an activity. Again, each comes with pros and cons.
Consider swimming. On the plus side, swimming is a low-impact activity and fairly easy to begin. On the other hand, you will have to wear an outfit that broadcasts every bulge, ripple and dip.
Even worse, the consequences when you tire during swimming differ from other activities. Reach the point of exhaustion on the treadmill and you can simple step off to the side. Run out of breath in the pool and there is an entirely different result -- it's called drowning.
A few other pointers to remember once exercise does become a daily habit. 1) Just because you've exercised does not mean you can eat a four Pop-tart breakfast. 2) Exercise today for that entire apple pie you'll eat tomorrow.
If you are still not motivated to exercise, there is still hope.
According to a recent study, thinking about exercise actually better than nothing. People who thought about moving their thumbs had stronger thumb muscles who did not think about exercising that all important muscle.
So, while you're sitting in front of the T. eating your fourth helping of candied yams, keep thinking: "Just one more lap. Just one more lap."