Exercise and sports have always been an important part of my life, and many teen girls on my website, todaysgirls.com, ask me how to get into shape.
To me, exercise is a lifestyle and is important for everyone to maintain a healthy life. It’s a simple solution for stress, weight problems, depression, menstrual cramps, boredom and your all-around health.
It builds self-confidence and self esteem, but often teens who don’t exercise on a regular basis have two complaints: Exercise is boring, and it causes discomfort such as sore muscles, abdominal cramps and shortness of breath.
If you feel that way, you’re not alone.
Here are my suggestions if you want to start exercising regularly.
1. Pick an activity that you enjoy and love. Choosing fun ways to exercise will keep you moving and active. Most people who pick a sport or exercise routine that they don’t like are more likely to quit.
2. If you want to join a team at your school, pick a sport that appeals to you. It takes time to master new skills, so don’t be discouraged if you’re not the best on the team.
Stick with it until you get past that awkward beginning stage. Eventually, you might get to a point where you're having fun. If you don’t get to that point and it’s not for you, try something else.
3. If you’re not athletic, try walking 30 minutes a day. Pick a time that you can commit to every day and walk. You’ll be surprised how much you will feel and what it will do for your body and health.
4. Weight lifting is a great way to tone your body, and you will see results within a month or two. Find some simple exercises on the Internet and start with light weights. Here is a link to get started.
5. Be patient and stay with it. The results might not happen quickly, but they will happen.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20_
