Sweat Does the Body Good

If you live in a big city as I do, you are no stranger to bumper to bumper traffic jams. Sitting for hours on end in the car is like a medieval kind of torture that leaves me wishing that I was Amish and lived on a farm requiring lots of manual labor. Then I stop and knock some sense into myself! I live in Los Angeles and I have to make the best of it.

Feed up with commuting, the last thing on my mind is "Gee, I think I will wake up earlier then usual, get into the car, and DRIVE to the gym." Anything with the word drive in it seems instantly unappealing. This is where a helping of daily exercise and a side of stretching comes in. Studies have shown that even a small amount of exercise can be very beneficial for our health. Outside of the weight loss benefit, there are many other positive factors including warding off a litany of disease and improving stress management. Yes! I said stress management! (Did I just yell that?) It is also a fact that long hours in the car contribute to tightness in the legs and hips. The simple act of stretching everyday for about 10-15 minutes can improve circulation and flexibility and make those car runs less torturous.

I know that you have probably heard this advice a million times. Then take it. Start with an early morning walk if that's all you can muster up the energy for. You will find that using energy creates energy. Soon you will be running around the block. Maybe even sign up for an annual walk/run event to inspire and believe. Enlist a workout partner to help motivate you on the days that you just want to hide under the covers. Better yet, start a fitness challenge at your office. A little friendly competition does the body good.

Take the first step towards fitness and health. Don't wait until you can't even walk around the block, commit to the ritual of daily exercise and stretching and your body will thank you. After a while instead of moaning in pain, you will be singing to the radio during your commute, unfazed and ache free.

Lavinia