Strategy #4: Exercise

If you're like me, you probably don't think you can do it. It is important because it burns calories and it helps grow your muscles.

Every bit of activity helps and you can start out small:

• take the stairs instead of the elevator a few times a day


• do 20-30 reps of lifting a 10 pound bag of potatoes 2 or 3 times a day


• do 10 minutes of pilates a day (youtube has many pilates videos such as this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQAKl2FGeTI which have easier steps if you can't do the full workout.)

However, it's best to work your way up to at least 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise a day. It's important that whatever you choose to do, you feel like you have accomplished something at the end of it and you can motivate yourself to do it every day. It's also good to know that you can increase the intensity of your routine gradually as you continue to get more fit.

For me, this activity is walking. I incorporate it into my daily routine by walking home. By the time I have reached the bus stop, waited for the bus, been driven home, and walked home from the bus stop, it only takes about 10-15 minutes more per day to walk home rather than bus depending on where my last class was at the university. I can motivate myself to do the walking because I know I want to reach home so I can have lunch/dinner, get working on my homework, and finish what I need to before I can relax. I make it fun by walking along to upbeat music and dancing a bit on the way. :) Of course it's going to be hard to walk home during the winter, but I figure that by the time the snow comes around, this form of exercise will be pretty routine in my life and I can keep myself motivated by making a playlist and walking on the treadmill at the gym until it is over. I also know that I can increase the intensity (slooooowly, over time) by jogging, running, and ellipticals (using an exercise machine that simulates walking uphill). For example, when I got to the end of my street, I got myself to run up the street to my house rather than walking. Every bit helps.

Tip: Bring water with you when you go to exercise. LOTS of water!