Don't Just Veg Out - Work Out

From www.weightwatchers.ca
By Christi Clifford 23/11/2005

We always have a reason not to exercise:

"I don't have enough time.""I'm tired." "It's raining." "I think I left the oven on."
Some days you just want to go home, put on your pajamas and sit in front of a warm, glowing television. Well, who says you have to sweat it out in the gym? You can burn calories in your own living room and you don't even have to miss your favourite TV shows! You've already blocked off Monday nights for "Corner Gas," all you have to do is make the most of that time by doing a little exercise.
What's the best part about working out in front of the TV? It takes your mind off working out! Follow these tips and take the advice of some of our online message board users to get started.

Get off your duff

Congratulations! You've made it off the couch. What now? The trick is to start small—but not so small that you're really just lying on the floor. Do some push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, lunges, jog in place, dance or just stretch. Message board user FUNWIFE says, "It takes me about 20 to 30 minutes to do some toning each night." It may not sound like much but it's something, and you're sure to feel it the next day (in a good way). So after starting small, try turning it up a notch each week. Slowly increase the number of repetitions until you find an amount and an intensity level that you feel comfortable with.

Mix it up

Come up with a weekly schedule based around TV shows you watch regularly. For example, try weight training on Mondays, yoga or Pilates on Wednesdays, and ride the stationary bike on Saturday mornings. You could even vary your workouts within a single show. Start out by stretching while the program is on and doing some more vigorous exercises during commercials. Once you feel stronger, switch it around.

Prove your resourcefulness

You know that thing out in the garage under the stack of boxes? It's called a treadmill. Perhaps you haven't seen it since the 80's. It's easy to ignore out there, but just try to forget about it when it's in your living room.
Thirty minutes on a treadmill at the gym can seem like an epic tragedy, but if you're watching a favourite show, it can be a breeze. Before you know it you've walked a few miles!
And you don't have to have fancy gym equipment to get a good workout in your home. All it takes is a little imagination. Message board user deasmom says, "I like to use soup cans as weights and resistance training bands. March up and down your stairs, if you have them, or march in place." You can also use small (but weighty) household items like a dictionary, jugs of water or a bag of flour (just make sure these are tightly sealed) to strengthen your arms and back.

Channel-hop

The Outdoor Life Network and TSN air the aerobics show "The Caribbean Workout" several times each weekday across Canada. And if aerobics isn't your style, there are all varieties of exercise videos available from the library, video store, book store or internet. Message board user DAWNYA73 likes the "8 Minute Workout" series. It focuses on your abs, buns, thighs and arms. She says, "I'm bad at getting myself to do them but a couple of days ago I started getting up 15 minutes earlier in the mornings and doing the abs at least."
Indulge your inner couch potato and appease the health nut within you at the same time! Exercising has never been more convenient; just know that the time is there and make use of it. So tonight, instead of pajamas put on your gym clothes, turn on the television and get moving.