"Playtime!" Remember how excited we all got whenever we heard that word as children? It was great! You didn't have to tell us twice, we were out the door. "Playtime" was fun. We could; laugh, run, tumble, climb, sing, play tag, kick a ball, swing, dig, spin, roll, walk, bike, pretend, chase a rabbit, play tug-of-war with a dog. It was fun, and the whole time we were exercising! The key, it was "fun"!
If you have "the right frame of mind", "the right attitude", regular exercise can be "fun". If it's "fun", you'll want to do it again! By doing it again, and again, it becomes a habit, a way of life. Can you imagine how great it would be to have some "fun" everyday? How could you not benefit in mind and body?
No matter what your age, with some creativity and the right attitude you can have "fun exercising". Don't forget, you should always ask your doctor what he or she thinks before you start your creative program. Your doctor might have a terrific suggestion for you, so ask.
"Consistency" is pretty important too, you want to be able to do the activity / the exercise again. So "moderation" plays a role, especially if you're just starting out (and you haven't been exercising for "some" time). Let's say you like to walk (but you haven't been walking further than the mailbox for some time now), well you might want to set a goal for walking around your block once to start. If you like to run or bike, same deal. You want to be able to finish and feel good, not dead. The creativity part, you ask a friend to come along and you talk along the way, laugh, joke (have fun). Improvise if the conditions are bad, walk inside the mall or on a machine next to your friend, but be consistent, as best you can (make that time a priority).
When you first started, you and your friend exercised (3) times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri). After (4) weeks, you both decided you felt pretty good, had more energy and were pretty anxious to try some dance class you saw advertised at the library. Go for it, the class happens to be on Tuesday and Thursday at almost the same time of day you're already exercising on the other days. Think of the dance class as your reward, a treat, and have fun!
Another (4) weeks went by, you can't believe how fast those "(5) laps" around the block went. You've "mastered every dance" taught in your class and you are anxious to show the world what you can do. You both decided to take your spouses to a holiday dance at the firehouse this coming Saturday and your both determined to win that dance contest (Winner gets $500).
What have you done here? You became "more fit" mentally and physically. How? By having the right attitude in regards to exercise, you "had fun" (reduced stress in your lives), you exercised consistently "improving your level of fitness"(stronger heart, better circulation, better wind, sound sleep), you ventured into "new territory" pushing beyond your comfort zone and "experienced life".
Like a child, "how to benefit from regular exercise"; by doing! Young or old it matters not, simply "do" and improve your heart!