Articles
Exercise is no longer a dirty word!
If you think that exercise has to be hard work, and therefore not something to be enjoyed but just endured, then you need to read a fascinating new book called 'Exercise and the F word FUN!'
This book certainly lives up to its title, so that by the time that you have finished reading it, you'll be enthusiastically looking forward to the next time that you can exercise. And that's regardless of how long it is since you last participated in any sort of regular exercise program.
Nor does it matter what your current level of fitness is either.
That's because the contents of this book are ideal for those just starting out with exercise, as well as for those people who are now ready to go to the next level with their exercise program, maybe because they're bored or because they have run out of ideas.
But above all, this book clearly demonstrates just how much enjoyment, self satisfaction and yes, fun, can be gained from exercising!
The bonus, of course, is that the exercises described in this book can also make you healthier than ever before, and so drastically increase the odds in your favour of avoiding diseases such as diabetes.
The author of 'Exercise and the F word FUN!' is Martha Lourey-Bird who is regarded as one of Australias leading instructor trainers (she was a winner of the New South Wales Fitness Leader of the Year Award). And as well as being a scientific adviser to Weight Watchers, she is also a lecturer in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales.
One of the first things that strikes you about the 'Exercise and the F word FUN!' book is its presentation. Lots of colour and photos have been used, and along with an easy to read style of writing, this book is a pleasure to pick up.
The next thing that you notice is the positive vibe that emanates from the book. Martha says that she 'passionately believes that exercise is for everybody', and this passion is clearly demonstrated in the book that she has written.
The content contained within 'Exercise and the F word FUN!' has been divided into three major parts.
Part one, titled 'Get Ready', helps to put you in the mood for exercising. Examples of the sorts of topics covered in this part of the book include:
The benefits of exercise
Excuses used for not exercising when it comes to opting out of exercising, Martha quickly points out that she's heard every excuse there is!
Details of exercise opportunities for everyone, from busy singles and professional types through to couples, newlyweds and retirees.
Suggestions for people with a pre-existing medical condition like arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, and so on.
The different stages of fitness.
Mood and motivation.
Setting realistic goals.
And most importantly, having fun while you exercise!
Part two, 'Get Set ', focuses on what you need to know about exercise and its three main ingredients, namely, cardio, resistance and flexibility. Martha explains that 'you're far more able to enjoy exercise when you really know why you're doing what you're doing!'
One other important aspect of exercise that should not be overlooked safety is also covered in the second part of the book. And remaining safe whilst exercising largely comes down to be being prepared, as well as being aware of what can go wrong.
Martha's safety recommendations include firstly, getting your doctor's approval to exercise, especially if you haven't exercised for a considerable amount of time, and secondly, staying in control. That second recommendation means to exercise at a level where you can still talk, and as Martha says, 'stop immediately and consult your doctor if you feel dizzy, nauseous, short of breath or have pains in the chest either during or after exercise'.
Part three of the book, simply titled 'Go!', is, as you may be able to deduce from its title, a section that's full of daily work out ideas.
To help you to find out what works for you as quickly and as conveniently as possible, these ideas have been organised into four chapters that are respectively devoted to:
1. cardio exercises;
2. resistance workouts;
3. the ins and outs of a no-fuss, low cost exercise circuit that you can set up and use at home, and
4. a selection of stretches to keep your body in good working order.
'Exercise and the F word FUN!' concludes with a series of week-by-week plans.
Martha has included these plans because they 'give you the most from your exercise efforts and include variety to keep your exercise program fun and interesting'. Charts associated with the different plans can be easily photocopied as many times as you like.
I can guarantee you that, by the time that you have finished reading this wonderful book, your idea of exercise will have been dramatically transformed. It will show you that the positives to be gained from regularly exercising will be so great that you will want to make exercising an integral part of your life from now on.
And yes, you will no doubt discover that exercising is indeed a lot of FUN!
So what are you waiting for?
If you want to make a positive and lasting change to your life by exercising, this book can show you how to do it!
For more information about 'Exercise and the F word FUN!', or to purchase a copy, go to the relevant section of the Web site of the book's publisher, 'Insight Publications'. To do so now, click here