Exercising Every Day -- day 1

It's no surprise to anyone that most Americans are overweight, but aside from poor diets and meal planning, I think a large percentage of that can be attributed to the fact that so few exercise on a regular basis. While I've always had a steady exercise routine myself, I've noticed that lately I've been slipping through the cracks a bit and that I've been missing days here and there.

My new solution?

To exercise every day. To spend at least 30 minutes doing cardio, and 30 minutes doing some form of strength training, every day, for the next 45 days.

I also feel much more motivated when I go through with these things and keep them posted on this site. I feel like I have a bit more responsibility riding on my shoulders, so I think by tracking my progress on here it'll help to fulfill my goal of doing this everyday -- never slacking off. Tomorrow, June 16'th, 2009, is the official start date. Wish me luck!

Exercising Every Day -- day 10

It's hard to believe that 10 days have already flown by! I've noticed a TREMENDOUS increase in my energy levels when I exercise early in the morning, especially in regards to cardio. I also notice that if I get it done first thing when I wake up, (assuming I have the time) that not only does that boost of energy carry me through out the day, but I also feel good knowing that I got my exercising done and over with.

So what have I been doing to exercise? Everything from running and biking (with a bit of jump roping) for cardio, and pushups, situps, weight lifting, and a myriad of other things for my strength training.

The only negative aspect I've seen so far is that my lower half has become extremely sore as of late. For cardio I've been trying to find a balance of biking and running, but I may have to throw some other types of cardio in there too. 10 days of these in a row has really worn out my thighs and calves, and although I know they're getting stronger, I don't want to push myself so far past my limit that I end up hurting myself instead of helping.

With that being said, my biggest piece of advice to anybody who's thinking of doing something like this is: add variety. Whether it's in regards to cardio or strength training, make sure you work your entire body instead of just focusing on the same few areas. Not only will those areas become overly sore, but you're not getting everything out of it that you could be getting.

Exercising Every Day -- day 17

Wow, 17 days in and hard to imagine I'm already a little over a third of the way there. Being that it's summer, I've taken up swimming as one of my cardio requirements. 14 days of running / biking is very strenuous on the lower body, and I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT if it's not something you do on a regular basis.

I've also taken up eating more, as I think between the constant weight lifting and cardio combination that my body is going to need more fuel to keep my metabolism going at such an increased rate. So far my weight has managed to stay the same, but I think that's due to a combination of fat loss alongside increased muscle mass, so despite getting leaner, my actual body weight isn't going anywhere.

Exercising Every Day -- day 25

After nearly a month of exercising everyday, I've learned a few important tips along the way:

• When in doubt, exercise first thing in the morning
• Make sure you get plenty of sleep each night
• If a muscle group is still sore from the previous workout session, then move to a new muscle group
• Drink water before you exercise, during your exercise, and after you exercise
• Exercising actually helps to curb your appetite. You may need to increase your caloric intake to keep up with your bodies energy demands, but you won't have a craving for junk food like you used to
• Motivation is the key to everything, and before long if you want to keep going you're going to have to discover what it is that makes your body tick; something you can draw upon whenever you need that last burst of motivation to drive it on home.

Exercising Every Day -- day 30

The easiest way to get burnt out, with any exercise program, is getting stuck in a boring routine which offers you no drive or excitement to actually make the commitment to exercise. Exercise doesn't become an enjoyable, healthy experience -- but rather a boring, tedious one. It feels like "work" which it never should.

Mix up your routine, make it exciting and enjoyable. You could have the most constructive exercise program ever made, but if can't follow through with it then what good is it going to do for you? You dig yourself into a hole trying to follow through with something you don't enjoy, and in the end it's not worth the time and energy.

When I exercise I actually get excited to do so. I like seeing what I can push myself to do, and I mix up my routine enough that it never gets stale or boring. It doesn't matter if I'm going for a jog or lifting weights, when I exercise I make sure to have a good time along the way. If you're not then I'd seriously suggest going back over your routine and changing things up a bit. It doesn't have to feel like Christmas every time you're in the gym, but if you're going in with feelings of resentment then we may have a problem here.

Exercising Every Day -- day 45

45 days later and I can say I've not only transformed my body completely, but I've also developed a whole new attitude about exercise. I've realized just how addictive it can become when done correctly.

I'm not talking about those guys who live at the gym 24/7 and constantly feel the need to be pumping iron; I'm talking about all the positive effects it's reaped on my body. It's like a miracle drug that does everything you need it to. It helps me sleep better, curbs my appetite for junk food, gives me more energy throughout the day, and even helps me to look better.

Who wouldn't want a toned physique?

There are some negatives involved though. In the beginning, especially when I wasn't adjusting my routine enough, I had some pretty bad soreness in my lower body which really took its toll on me throughout the day. Nothing worse than having to constantly hobble around because it hurts to just walk.

I think I was at roughly 176lbs when I started, and I'm now around 170 even. My chest and abs are more defined and my arms and legs are much stronger. Keep in mind I'm not saying this to brag, but rather to inform you that if I can achieve results I'm happy with, so can you. All it really takes is a will to succeed and a determination to follow through with things. 45 days is a long time to exercise everyday, especially when we lead as busy schedules as we do now; yet I knew I wouldn't be happy with myself unless I pushed through this. Now that it's over, I feel an entirely new level of respect for my body and what it's capable of.

Chances are if you're reading this though, exercising may be a weak point for you, much less exercising everyday. That's quite a lot to put onto yourself at once, and so if this is an undertaking you're interested in, I recommend setting up a goal worksheet and going through your routine week by week. You'll notice a transformation in yourself that wasn't previously there, and as things progress you can up the ante as needed.

With all that being said, exercising really is like nature's medicine, and if for nobody else, you owe it to yourself to treat your body well and feel the way you deserve to feel. Not sluggish and burnt out -- but energetic, fit, and mobile