Workouts That Don't Feel Like Work

So your doctor says you need to exercise more, or maybe you've come to the realization that just dieting isn't enough. You need to exercise. I think now more than ever there are a variety of activities and exercise routines people can do to be active and healthy. Even if you're not the athletic type.

Exercise shouldn't feel like a punishment. Regular exercise not only helps your body, but it helps your mind. It will help control your weight, strengthen your bones, reduce the risk of heart disease, and help you sleep better. Exercise can help relieve stress and improve your overall quality of life. Reward yourself with exercise. Find a way to make it part of your daily or weekly routine.


Dance

So you like to go out to the club on a Saturday night or just dance around the house while doing chores. How about dancing for exercise? Dancing is a fun way to work your whole body without it feeling like a workout. Try one of these:

1. Zumba
2. Belly Dancing
3. Pole Dancing (don't judge by the name, it takes a lot of strength to hold your body up!)
   
4. Jazzercise (one of the original aerobic classes, there's a reason it's still around!)
5. Ballroom Dancing

Stretch

Want to improve your posture, flexibility or just relax? Try yoga or pilates, a la Jennifer Aniston. Today there are a variety of styles of yoga and pilates, so try them out to see which suits you best. Here is a basic guide of 8 major types of yoga.

1. Yoga
2. Pilates

Jump

Remember when you were a kid and wanted (or had)  trampoline? You'd bounce for hours on that thing! It was fun, and little did you know the amount of muscle you were using. Trampolines are trending, with businesses popping up with space to jump for hours. Many even offer dodgeball events or specialized workout classes besides "open jump".

Get Wet

Get in the pool! Don't just work on your tan, but work on your body too. Swimming is a great way to exercise without putting any weight or strain on your body. If swimming laps isn't your thing, just kicking around or treading water works your legs and butt.

Fly

Get in the air with a trapeze class or antigravity yoga! Want to feel suspended in air and build strength at the same time? One of these classes may suit your fancy.

1. Trapeze
   
2. Hammock/Antigravity Fitness

Games

Grab some friends (or your kids) and play. Indoors, outdoors, wherever you can! Think of your childhood.

1. Ultimate Frisbee
2. Hula Hoop
3. Hopscotch
4. Mini Golf
5. Tag
6. Dodgeball
7. Kickball

Wheels

Getting rolling with one of these fun activities! You can do any of these alone or with a buddy.

1. Ice Skate
2. Roller/Inline Skate
3. Bicycle
4. Scooter

What other fun activities can you think of that don't involve a gym or weight lifting? I think you can take almost anything that involves movement a make it a workout. So get to it! Have fun while being active, either by yourself, with friends or family.

Lower Standards of Beauty

You heard that right, lower standards. You may be asking why, but the reason is they are so highly unachievable that girls, young women (and boys/men too) are dying from eating disorders and from whatever supplements they take to try and be the ideal image of beauty. This young woman wrote a powerful post claims that we need to set lower standards for a positive body image. I couldn't agree more.

I know I will never have (naturally) large breasts, I don't have a six-pack, I will never have long lean legs, I will not have perfect clear and tanned skin. As someone who herself is average, I am 5'2 and 125 pounds. Not too fat and certainly not skinny, but in the middle, a little meaty here and there. I have only recently become okay with my body, though I still have bouts with myself and my confidence, but this other young woman who is similar in her average-ness hit the nail on the head. I'm just going to post what she listed needs to be done to change body image, or you can click the hyperlink above to read the full article.


[the following list is not mine, I do not claim to be the owner of these words, I do not take credit whatsoever for them.]

1. We learn to be happy with who we are internally before accepting ourselves externally. (Yes, I am aware that sounds like a load of psychological crap.) But this is huge, really. I promise. I was the master of turning on the confidence on the outside, when on the inside I was eating myself alive because I wasn't happy with life as a whole. Sure, this was mostly during my drinking, but my drinking may be someone else's relationship problem, another person's depression and so on. Everyone has that thing that makes them tick and until that is resolved, it's difficult to be content.
2. If we don't like something, we need to take action. B*tching and moaning will only get us so far, not to mention set a bad example for younger girls. If we want to be more fit, get our butts to the gym. If we want to eat better food, stop buying crap. It's both as simple and as difficult as that.
3. We need to do it for ourselves -- not for husbands, boyfriends or the opposite sex in general. Sure, it feels fantastic to be appealing to them. But if you do something for someone else, it likely won't last or as mean as much. Guys are great, feeling sexy is great -- but do yourself a favor and do it for you.
4. Don't dress how you feel, dress how you want to feel. What I mean is this: If we wake up feeling crappy and unattractive (and we all have those days), we shouldn't just say screw it and throw on sweats. If we do, we'll just feel even worse later in the day. Put in some effort to look presentable, and feeling like it will likely follow.
5. Remember that men struggle too (while keeping in mind #3). Women seem to have this idea that all men desire a model brimming over with sex appeal, and that's not always the case. Think about it -- that's not what we expect from men, so why would that be what they expect from us? Many guys like when women have a little something to them, when they take care of their bodies but aren't a stick figure. Being a confident person is a turn on.
6. We need to strive for healthy, not skinny. There is a difference. Of course the preferred option would be healthy and skinny, but not everyone is born with the ability to constantly diet and live at the gym in exchange for that perfect body. Healthy looks different on different body types, and women (hell, men too) need to realize this.
7. 
   
8. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I couldn't have said it better. It's all about positivity, people need to stop shaming one another. It happens all too often to regular people and celebrities alike. As soon as someone gains weight or loses weight, or gets a bad haircut or color, it becomes a battle. It's difficult enough that we battle with ourselves, but to have to battle with friends, relatives, peers, or complete strangers? Enough is enough. People think that nowadays with social media and the Internet they can attack others because they can hide behind a screen, which while you can, I ask you to think how the other person hiding behind their screen feels? Whether you think you know someone or not, remember you don't. Remember to think how you would feel if someone said or did something to you. Think twice before you attack someone else. The negativity needs to end so positivity can flourish. And don't be fake about it, don't be nice to a child but then mean to an adult. I'm sure you've heard this phrase, "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all". It's an oldie, but a goodie, and can really change how people see and feel about body image.

Give respect, get respect.