Move your ass! (Part 1)

Laziness is a trend in this country. Actually, laziness is cherished. We can't walk to work, nor do we walk to the supermarket. There are very few outdoor spaces to walk freely in. You are stuck between La Marina, Raoucheh, and the waterfront if you live in the city. None of these places are green and being a girl, I have to admit that it is not the best place to exercise alone. So we all end up overusing our cars, and limiting our walks around town to the bare minimum.

Furthermore, at home, most of us do the minimum in terms of household chores since maids are found in most households.

We are a nation of couch potatoes, and believe it or not, in 20 years from now, most of us will be obese and have health issues because of this excessive sedentary lifestyle. Problems that our parents are already facing, like excessive weight and some diseases,  have become a normal part of our culture.

But now let's get back to you. You're young, you feel full of energy, and lets face it, happy hour with the guys or spending some time at the beauty parlor is a lot more fun to you than going to the gym after a long day's work.

But who said that exercising had to be the same for everyone? You're not a fan of the gym, you hate running shoes and above all, you hate the way you look in shorts and a t-shirt. We can fix all that in no time.

Rule #1: Never pick an activity that you wouldn't enjoy

I'm no big fan of treadmills and weights, and I really hate it when a coach tells me after two long hours of exercising that I should work more on my abs and avoid a devilish category of food they call "carbs". Therefore, I've experienced exercising in all its forms. I've tried hiking, aerobics classes, Zumba, cycling, walking outdoors, sports DVDs, tae-boxing, and yoga. All are completely different activities. By broadening your spectrum, you will eventually find something that you really like. Some will pick basketball or football with colleagues after work. Some will enjoy a walk with a neighbor at sunset, and some will indulge in martial arts or dancing, and others will enjoy being at home alone with a sports DVD that will challenge them. Go out there and experiment, and if you don't like it, stop it and move to something else.

Rule#2: Anything is better than nothing

So you have a tight schedule and everybody says that if you don't exercise at least three times per week, it's not worth it. Between work, studying or home duties, you can easily fit an hour per week. 

Well, an hour per week is still better than none whatsoever. Maybe later on, you will have more time, or maybe next week, you will have a gap in your schedule that would help you fit another hour. At least you would already be motivated and ready for it. So, if you can only go for a walk on Sundays, then go for it! Or you can only go to this Zumba or body pump class once per week. Go for it! It will get you started, and it will lift your morale. In fact, endorphins, which are the happiness neurotransmitters, will be secreted. Better once per week than never!

Easy, right? Why not give it a shot?

The rest of my tips in a few days…