Browse
our Frontpage

Exercice, the spark of life

Gloria Spencer
07/15/2005

Starting from scratch

In the beginning, you should start by taking it easy. If you start out with an unrealistic routine, as is usually the case with the born-again exerciser, you are setting yourself up to fall. In that case your guilty feelings about not being able to keep it up might cause you to give it up exercising.

The best way to begin an exercising program is to something you can do on your own, something that's easy, convenient and free; then you will never have to say you can't afford it.

Walking is a great way to get started, and it doesn't require any athletic prowess. But please, don't start with an overly ambitious distance. The often mentioned famous “2 miles“ are unrealistic for many; you will never keep it up. No, you might not keep up one mile, either. Start slow means start slow.

For the first three days, increase it by a block, until you reach a distance with which you are comfortable.

Maintain that distance until you are forced to go farther; until the distance you are doing is simply not enough and you must do more.

Ideally, a good exercise program should always leave you a little “hungry” and wanting more. That way, it will always be something you want to do, something you'll look forward to doing and something you will continue doing.