To the gym... in a hurry! Like many women, I found "diet" and "exercise" to be nagging and dreaded words that brought no motivation to change. I would stay on track for a week, maybe two, then find myself right back where I started. I just couldn't find the time or energy to devote to exercising, and fast food french fries were just too tasty. When I didn't see results immediately, I would get discouraged and lose any motivation that I had managed to summon up. But this time I knew I had to do something differently. I soon abandoned my old idea of "diet" and "exercise" as I began to learn about the importance of physical activity for my overall health and well being. Armed with a different perspective and a definite goal, I decided to make some changes. I want to share some things I have learned along this road to better health. Change your perspective First, block out all those images of skinny people in tight outfits running for an hour, five days a week. Forget the claims of a fabulous stomach in seven days. The goal is to be more physically active, not become a fitness maniac. Physical activity is so much more than "exercise" or "fitness"; it can be anything to make you move more than you do now. The best part is that new research shows that physical activity doesn't have to be strenuous to achieve health benefits. Forget the days of "no pain, no gain." Just 30 minutes of moderate activity accumulated over the entire day can benefit your health, making you look and feel better. Now, this is do-able! Physical activity is everywhere. It's at home, at work, in your neighborhood. You can choose to set aside time in your day to be more physically active - take a walk, go to a health club, or participate in a recreation or sport activity. Or you can just make physical activity a part of your day - work in the yard, vacuum, take the long way, walk the dog. I chose to join a health club. I lift weights for strength, stretch for flexibility, and swim and use an upper arm ergometer (bicycle for your arms) for aerobic exercise. A purposeful increase in physical activity made a huge difference for me. I soon found that I didn't get as tired during the day. My daily activities were easier, because I had more strength and endurance. My clothes fit better. Overall, I just felt better. Getting started This is an opportunity to make choices for your own health. The first step is to decide that your health is important enough to make changes. No matter how long you've been sitting on that couch, it's never too late to be more active. Once you've made the choice, the key is deciding where to begin and staying motivated. Here are some hints for getting started and sticking with it. Remember that any increase in physical activity is better than doing nothing. Find something you like to do to that increases your level of physical activity. The more fun you have, the more likely you'll want to do it. Set realistic and achievable short-term goals. Avoid large, vague goals such as getting in shape. Don't attempt too much too fast. Increase your physical activity in small increments over time. You can start with as little as five minutes a day. If it is part of your daily routine, you are more likely to stick with it. Talk to your doctor and make sure you know your body and are aware of any health or safety issues that might affect the way you choose to be physically active. Involve your spouse, a friend, kids, or pets to make it more enjoyable. If your old habits return, don't worry; tomorrow can be a fresh start. Find some way to create accountability. Have a friend or family member ask how you are doing with your goals or chart your progress. If you find yourself getting bored, find a different activity. The possibilities are endless. Reward yourself! My wedding day has passed and I reached my first goal, but this is just the beginning. If I am going to stay healthy and independent and continue to do the things I love, I know I have to remain active. I've found the benefits far outweigh the effort. You can do this! Don't wait any longer! Isn't your health worth it? By Lauren Howard, Consultant, NC Office on Disability and Health