I was recently approached by Susan White, a researcher and writer, who asked if she could write a guest blog. When I looked at some of her articles, I was impressed with how she had found some excellent resources on the net for the subjects she was researching.

For regular readers of this blog you’ll know that I am a strong advocate of regular exercise for anyone, but particularly if you have been living with a mood disorder. The evidence is overwhelming; exercise is the best self help strategy for those of us that are susceptible to depression. I decided to challenge Susan to find some helpful websites to stay with a regular exercise program. So without further introduction, here they are.

10 Websites That Can Help You Stick to Your Exercise Program

Along with a sensible diet, it is probably the most important contributor to good health, and without exercise to substantiate and augment your choice of healthy food, you’re not doing the best you can to promote your health. A good diet provides you with energy and nutrients to get on with life, and exercise improves your wellness quotient by augmenting your physical and mental health, improving bone and muscle strength, boosting blood circulation, and keeping you fit and strong. The problem with exercise is that most people have trouble sticking to their routine; laziness sets in or work takes priority, and sooner or later, working out is relegated to the wayside. If you want some inspiration and motivation to help you stick to your exercise program, look no further than these websites:

1.      Everyday Health: This is a great place for people whose busy schedules don’t allow them to follow strict and time-bound exercise programs. It teaches you how to take advantage of everyday activities to boost your health and get your daily dose of exercise.

2.      Mayo Clinic: Get information from a trusted online source on why exercise is important for you and why it must form a part of your life.

3.      Mama’s Health: This site has a comprehensive yet precise overview of the various dangers caused by the lack of exercise. When you don’t work out, you tend to become overweight and even obese, and this could cause significant health issues.

4.      Living Health: If you’re worried about accidental injuries when working out, check out this site for safety tips when working out – find out the best ways to exercise without causing harm to your body.

5.      About Exercise: If you’re on vacation and worried about gaining weight because of all the good food you’re eating and the visible lack of exercise, this site offers great tips and tricks on how to work in a workout into your vacation.

6.      Essortment: If you’re stuck at home with no access to a gym or park, find out how you can continue working out at home with these great exercise programs.

7.      Medicine Net: Sidelined by an injury and worried you’re going to gain weight because you cannot exercise? Check out this site for safe ways to work out when you’re incapacitated by illness or injury.

8.      Web MD: Pregnant and worried about unnecessary weight gain and the wellbeing of your unborn child? Go here to find out how you can exercise safely when you’re expecting and stay healthy in the process.

9.      Workout Mommy: The best way for new moms to lose weight is to start exercising as soon as your doctor says it’s ok to start working out; and if you’re looking for ideas and tips on the fastest and safest ways to lose weight, this site offers great advice.

10.  Senior Fitness Suite: As you age, it becomes harder to maintain the intensity of your workout program; you’re worried about your safety and fitness. Continue to work out with no worries with tips and advice on senior fitness from this website.

Exercise is an integral aspect to a healthy life, so ensure that you stick to your workout routine without providing room for excuses.

By-line:

This article is contributed by Susan White, who regularly writes on the subject of surgical technician schools. She invites your questions, comments at her email address: susan.white33@gmail.com.

I’ve checked out the websites and they do all have a great perspective on different elements of maintaining exercise.

I also wanted to add two sites myself:

SparkPeople.com is a free online diet and healthy living community with over 3 million members who provide support and motivation to each other. I first saw an article on this in Fortune Magazine described as the “Facebook for dieters”. It boasts some very impressive results and is entirely free. There is a lot of social support to help you achieve your goals.

FitDay Another free site which I have heard very good things about. A friend of mine is writing a weight loss book and she rates this very highly.

Navigating a meaningful life

I truly believe that we all have wonderful strengths and gifts, and by using these for the benefit of others (and ourselves), we can have a wonderful life. I am presenting two seminars about how I believe this is possible for everyone – unfortunately only in the Sydney area – but if there is enough interest we may look at presenting it in a webinar format. It is hosted by my friends the Brahma Kumaris – there is no set cost – you are invited to make a donation.

Saturday September 11, 10.30am- 4pm Wilton – a beautiful retreat about 1 hour south west from Sydney CBD. Register here

Wednesday September 15, 6.00pm- 8.00pm – East Sydney – City Fringe Meditation Space

Register at  eastsydney@au.bkwsu.org

If you have tried any of the exercise sites or ideas above please let us know how you found them. Likewise, if you have found something that works for you, please let us know by responding to this blog.

Kind Regards

Graeme

Tags: back from the brink, depression anxiety, depression help, depression research, depression treatments, exercise and depression, graeme cowan, self help

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