by F.J.Cain

Created on: February 28, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Gym memberships are like bridesmaids dresses, you wear them once and then you stuff them to the back of the closet. Something happens to you mentally, you feel like you have already achieved your goal by purchasing the membership. You go once or twice, and then you cancel one class, and then you start making excuses why you don't have time to go.

The problem is we are excuse rich and time poor. We need to build exercise into our daily regimes so it becomes the usual. Not something that we do when we become panic stricken because our suit pants were hard to do up this morning.

Yes people, it is possible to get fit and stay fit without purchasing expensive gym memberships, spandex exercise outfits, water bottles, pedometers, heart rate monitors and the list goes on. With a little planning you will become fit, stay fit and saved your hard earned money.

If you have an under exercised dog in the bag yard, get that lead out of moth balls, and take them for a daily walk. The best time to get the maximum calories burning is first thing in the morning before you have breakfast. Get up thirty minutes earlier and take Fido for a walk, re ignite your friendship with man's best friend.

Incidental exercise is the key, if you normally take the lift, take the stairs. Build it up gradually, if you work on the 23rd floor, I would not suggest you do the whole 23 flights first try.

How close is the corner store, is it in walking distance? If so next time you run out of milk walk or cycle there.

Instead of watching television with the kids, grab a ball and take them to the park. You achieve quality time with the family and run off a kilo or two in the process.

Speaking of watching the television, take the batteries out of the remote and change the channel the old fashioned way.

If you commute to and from work, get off a couple of stops earlier and walk. Gradually increase the amount of stops over time.

Incorporate exercise into family activities. Rather than go to the movies organize a family bike ride, you can have a picnic lunch, and cycle home again.

Weight training or resistance training is also good for you. You can achieve the same results without having to purchase expensive weights. Filling empty plastic cool drink bottles with sand will provide a work out just the same.

Take your lunch breaks and go for a walk. Make sure you leave the office. This has the benefit of clearing your head and trimming your waist line. You are less inclined to eat comfort food if you are taking care of yourself.

Drink enough water, at least 8 glasses a day. This does not include the water in the cups of tea and coffee that you are having. This helps you eliminate toxins and function well.

Make sure you get enough sleep, during sleep your body regenerates itself. It is important that it has this time to do so.

It sounds incredibly simple but it works! In the last twelve months I have lost 24 kilos. I know that I will continue to lose weight, and gain health because it is now part of my daily regime. It is about balance, you need equal time for work, rest and play.

Speaking of which, my dog is barking, time for our walk!

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