There are many ways to find success in life. You can even achieve success with gentle exercise. Even if you are not the most athletic, everybody can exercise gently. The beauty of gentle exercise is that as it is not strenuous, you can improve through practice. You will find that you have achieved success by progressing in the activity you are doing.
When you reach that point where you know you have “levelled” up, it is a feeling of empowerment and success. You need to take that feeling and internalise it at that particular moment. Enjoy the sense of accomplishment. This feeling will create a momentum inside of you that you cannot stop. If you achieve this, imagine what else you can achieve in life.
So what forms of gentle exercise can help you do this?
Table of Contents
1. Walking To Success
Walking is the ultimate gentle exercise. Nobody can do it at differing speeds, but it is also completely free. You can also pretty much walk anywhere. Well…do not set off into the Australian bush, if you are not prepared, we may never see you again. It’s a big place!
You can walk alone, with others or even with your dog – Woof! Woof! It is a way to clear your thoughts, breathe fresh air and simultaneously lose weight or tone up.
Use A Pedometer
Grab yourself a Pedometer. They are a great way to measure your steps each day. You can also set yourself a daily/weekly target to have something to aim for. Having a target to aim for is just the same as in life. When you start hitting your step targets, it will build your confidence.
You really can do anything if you put your mind to it. So what are you waiting for? Grab those trainers and get walking!
2. Lift vs Stairs – The Ultimate Battle
We have all been there. You have made this major decision many times during your life. Do you take the lift off the stairs? You can almost see the little Angel and Devil sitting on your shoulders, arguing away. Sometimes it depends on how tired we are and our mood or if we are with other people.
You Can Make a Choice to Have Success With Gentle Exercise
Some people may not consider this gentle exercise, but it can be. You are responsible for how fast you walk up or down the stairs. You can stop at any time you want. No law says you have to keep going till you collapse. Take your time. If it is a question of time and you think the lift will be faster, you would be wrong. Students at the University of South Carolina, Aiken, discovered it could take twice as long! The wait was the leading cause of the delay.
Somebody who opts for the stairs will feel the benefit, and it will spur them into action. Taking the healthy option gives you confidence and increases your energy. These are two great attributes to help you achieve success. The health benefits of using the stairs are tremendous. The University of New Mexico found that you can burn 15 calories when climbing three flights of stairs.
An average flight of stairs is 12 steps. Even two flights of stairs climbed daily can lead to an amazing 6 lbs of weight loss over one year. So next time you decide between the Lift and Stairs, make a wise choice.
3. Yoga
Yoga is not only for middle-aged women who wear glasses and drink green tea. But Yoga is for everybody! It is a very progressive form of exercise. Over time you can see how your body becomes more flexible. This newfound flexibility, in turn, creates a feeling of accomplishment and confidence. Some massage therapists claim regular Yoga is so good for the body it can put them out of business!
It is not always necessary to go to a class. Although, if you can find one near you, it is nice to be in a group. But in the beginning, there are some excellent Yoga videos that you can play on your Tablet or PC at home.
Success with gentle exercise is possible. So go on, create your quiet Yoga area at home. Then work your way through this video for complete beginners.
Enjoy!
Sally Leslie is the founder of The Leslie Link. She speaks, runs workshops, and coaches leaders and senior professionals, helping them build the emotional intelligence, meditation practice, and resilience. She’s the author of Think Clearly. Lead Calmly. A Guide for Leaders Under Pressure. Based between Newcastle, UK and Mallorca, Spain. Sign up to her Calm Leadership newsletter.
