Exercise for Free

"I need to exercise more!" What? The human body was meant to move! Stand up, walk, run, step up, step down, jump, lift, twist, bend and stretch. Believe it or not, your body was made to do all those things. If you don't use it for those purposes, you're cheating yourself and your body out of good health!

An automobile engine that's never started can "freeze" - that means the oil has drained and no longer lubricates moving parts so that when you try to start it, they "seize" and refuse to move - the engine can't run, because the parts are frozen to each other. Our bodies are much the same way. If we never move or move them too little, they begin to freeze up from a lack of lubrication. Moving our muscles keeps them supple and strong, moving our joints keeps them lubricated and protected.

Very few people in our sedimentary world get as much exercise as our bodies were made for, so most of us need to make an effort to keep in operating order. Now, because our world is not only sedimentary, it's materialistic and consumerist, the first thing that pops into our heads when contemplating exercise is "Equipment."

Equipment? Like stationary bicycles, treadmills, weights? Yes... and like spandex and water bottles and terry cloth head bands!

NOT!

There's no reason to BUY things to allow your body to do what it does naturally. That doesn't even make sense.

Instead of buying a treadmill and forcing yourself to a boring 30 minute session, why not go for a real (free) walk? Outside, even? Walk briskly, or, if you're tired, stroll. It will do you good, both mentally and physically. More of the battle is mental than we usually recognize (or admit), so a real walk is a lot more beneficial than staring at the TV while repeating step after step after step after step... and not going anywhere, not even in your imagination. Go somewhere. Let your legs and feet take you on a journey in the most basic and frugal of all transportation methods. You might need good shoes, but other than that, wear whatever clothes you already have. Total cost? You figure it, but it looks free to me.