|
|
Confessions of a Couch
Potato
Dr. Wayne Neal
I have a confession to make. I am a couch
potato and do not like to exercise. Most people are shocked to discover this
secret since I am thin. Being thin is not equal to being healthy. The reasons I
don’t like to exercise sounds like a student’s list of excuses for not doing
homework. If you can relate, there is hope!
Three
Steps to Being a F.I.T. Couch Potato
I use the acronym F.I.T. to explain the three steps: Fun, Increase slowly,
and Track progress. This is the recipe to turning any ordinary
couch potato into a super spud!
1. Fun
The
first step is to add a dash of fun. The number one reason I hate to exercise is
because it is as fun as a root canal. My patients have taught me how to make
even exercise fun. I have one patient who rollerblades outside to get a
wonderful workout.
Another
way to make exercise fun is to add music. Another patient lost 15 pounds by
roller skating to his favorite songs at the roller rink. Some use the theme to
Rocky. Others jam-out to the disco songs of the 70’s. Whether it is classical,
country, or inspirational, the addition of music makes all the difference. Turn up the volume and do the Mash Potato!
Another way to spice up your workout is to include another person.
Walking around the block or the mall is much more exciting with someone else.
This has worked well at home. My daughter loves to count for me as I do my
stretching routine. This helps her learn numbers and keeps me in stitches with
laughter! It is also great motivation.
As I am watching a relaxing movie on the TV, she begs me to exercise with her.
We are spending quality-time together and I’m getting a workout, too. This is
called a multi-tasking workout.
2. Increase Slowly
We
live in a microwave society… instant meals, instant relief, and we expect
instant results! The best way to view exercise is to look at a baked sweet
potato. I love to eat them! My grandmother made them the old fashioned way...
cooked slowly in the oven. The microwave potatoes just don’t taste the same.
The second step to being F.I.T. is to increase the heat slowly.
Another reason I hate to exercise is because I hurt myself by doing too much
too quick. After making a New Year’s resolution to get fit, I would about kill myself the first day in the gym! After
pulling a muscle or hurting my back, I decided exercise was not for me. What is
a couch potato to do? Start easy and slowly add to it. The motto “no pain, no
gain” goes not apply to couch
potatoes. Couch potatoes are like potato chips…
remember to handle with care or they will break!
3. Track Your Progress
The third step is to keep track of your progress. Use a calendar or chart to check off the days
you workout. This provides motivation to stick with the program. It also will
show the connection between working out and the way you feel. The days I
workout I feel much better physically and mentally. This motivates me to get
into the habit of doing something everyday, even if it just for 5 minutes. For
me, it is better to do a little
workout each day rather than one big session once a week.
Another important way to track your progress is to get a physical.
Have your doctor do a complete physical with blood work. This will give you a
baseline and eliminate any contraindications to physical activities. You will
also be able to monitor how your lab values change as your overall health
improves.
Getting Started
The way I started my
journey to being a super spud was using a 5 minute stretching DVD called Functional Fitness. It is a spine friendly routine that is
inexpensive and requires no equipment. It is the best workout I have found for
those who do not like to workout… like me! (For more information on the DVD
call 1-888-244-8948.)
A
fun resource is the book by Linda Buch, The
Commercial Break Workout: Trim to tone two minutes at a time.
This book is designed for couch potatoes who want to watch TV and workout at
the same time. You can also use a mini trampoline called the Rebounder to do
the same thing. Who said exercise had to be boring?
For further information
on this topic, you may contact Dr. Neal at 770.952.5353, or by email at DrNeal@humberparkerson.com.
The Highest Level is
the monthly e-mail newsletter of the
© Humber Parkerson Clinic 2006
December 2006 issue of The Highest
Level
