I see so many people 25 and older who need to get active.
Here's the problem: We leave high school at age 18.
Many of us have been active in sports or clubs and this has kept us in shape.
But now we move on to college, jobs, and the military.
The training and activities we took for granted are not as accessible.
We start to lose that tightness.
We add a few pounds.
We promise ourselves we will get more active.
We put on a few more pounds.
We say we are getting older, it happens.
We eat, we drink, many of us smoke and life gets more complicated.
We get married, have children, there isn't enough time for staying in shape, or it's a luxury we can't afford.
Of course, all of these things are just excuses.
I know it because I have said and used all of them.
I left high school and joined the U.
S.
Navy.
After being discharged, I came home and went to college.
The next thing I knew I was a 220-pound twenty-something guy who smoked and drank too much.
Occasionally, I would try and do something about this but it never lasted long.
I was 33 when I decided I didn't like how I was aging.
I had played in the men's softball league, done some running, but still had all the bad habits.
So first I had to stop these.
Not having these bad habits will give most of you a huge advantage over me.
At age 35 I qualified to run in the Boston Marathon, which I did the following year.
Today I'm a 170-pound, 51-year-old training for that next event.
When I run today, people say 'I wish I could do that' or 'I wish I looked like that' or 'I wish I had your ambition.
' There are a lot of days when I get up that I don't want to run or bike or lift weights.
It's much easier to do nothing.
It always will be.
So I override that voice in my head and just go out and do it.
The feeling I have when I'm finished is all the reward I need.
This is about getting in shape.
Lots of people talk about it.
So how to do it? First, forget advertisements that tell you can have rock hard abs in six weeks working out 20 minutes a day three times a week.
This is a lie.
The first thing you have to do is get active.
This doesn't require a lot of time or money.
Everybody deserves an hour to himself or herself everyday.
What to do with that hour? Don't try to do too much.
Sometimes, I get up planning on running six to seven miles, but I'm a little tired or the desire isn't there.
So I start out to do only three.
Sometimes I only do three, other times the natural endorphins kick in during the three miles, and I finish the seven.
So if you're reading this and think I can't run around the block, don't.
Run down to the end of the street and back, walk around the block, but move a muscle.
Do something.
You will be surprised at how with this small beginning we create the urge to do more.
The key is not to do too much but enough.
Follow the same process if you want to get back on your bike.
Begin by riding leisurely for 20 to 30 minutes.
Just being out is often enough to make you want more.
I began lifting weights to improve my upper body strength due to a car accident in which I was driven off the road injuring my neck and shoulder.
I had always disliked lifting weights and for the most part avoided it.
But after the accident it was suggested that I do this.
I've come to enjoy it and found it's a huge advantage in my running, biking and food intake, especially sweets.
This is because lifting really cranks up the metabolism and burns those calories throughout the day.
Again, if you want to lift weights, don't let your mind beat you.
Start out with light weights.
You will be able to quickly build on this.
In lifting, technique is important so go slowly and avoid jerky motions.
On days when you were planning to lift a lot and you lack that drive or desire, go with a light work out that day.
Don't let your mind beat you.
In getting active and starting a workout routine your mind is your worst enemy.
Your mind will always say "slow down, this is going to hurt.
You don't have to do this.
" Override that voice in your head.
Do this, and you are on your way.
If you are convinced or even are willing to believe that maybe this exercise routine is for you then you're still in the ballgame.
Exercising and getting in shape does not have to be expensive.
The one thing you will need is a good pair of sneakers, now called running shoes.
You should be able to purchase a decent pair for around sixty dollars.
Yard sales are a great place to pick up weights.
You can also check newspapers for finds under a $100.
A lot of this equipment is almost brand new.
It was probably bought around New Years of the previous year and got very little use.
Take your time and pick up pieces here and there.
I have running shoes, a bike, weight bench and weights that over time I purchased for about $600.
Running, walking, doing crunches, pushups pull ups are free and are the core of a good workout.