A famous author once said that every time he felt the urge to exercise, he would simply lie down on the sofa until it passed. Indeed, some people seem to thrive well enough on a lifestyle that seems to include no exercise at all, except the lifting of utensils to eat and glasses or cups to drink from. The reality for such people is that they have probably been able to reach a balance between the exercise that they do and their food intake, so that they are neither extremely thin or too fat, and seem to be able to manage to do whatever interests them in life. The reality is that bodies thrive on exercise and exercise keeps you feeling healthy, and even a moderate walk around the block will stimulate your circulation, promote good digestion and help to shake off a sluggish mood.

Even though people may feel perfectly happy doing absolutely no exercise at all, settling down to watch television after a hard days’ work at the office, they can without realizing it, be selling themselves somewhat short on what life’s potential is all about. Some people think they do no exercise at all, until you find that they have helped with their neighbor’s shopping, collected the children from school, and brought in and ironed the washing, while keeping an eye on the tea. In fact both these types of “non exercisers” could put a spark into their life, and perhaps a sparkle in their eye by looking at some form of exercise program that will take them out of their comfort zone.

It may not be until the car breaks down and he has to walk to the bus that your average couch potato will actually realize the dismal low to which his overall level of fitness has sunk. It may not be until the busy housewife takes a break for some low key stretches and bends, or takes a walk round the park with a friend that she will realize that exercise can be relaxing and that exercise can be fun.

Without proper exercise you may age prematurely, suffer from hypertension, lack flexibility and tone in your muscles, tire easily or feel chronically exhausted, have heart or lower back problems, and tend to put on weight more easily. Vague feelings of depression may accompany a lifestyle that is totally without any form of physical exercise. If you lead a sedentary life and have some doubts about your fitness, or feel frazzled from running around all day completing endless chores, and would like to make a change, there are many easy options available to extend you just a bit into the experience of exercise for fitness, fun and pleasure. You could make a start by walking to your local community centre to see what is on offer there. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step – and you are stepping in the right direction for a healthy and more productive lifestyle when you set out to get yourself fit.