Amy Culver - The Queen Of Lean


Holiday stress


Holiday season isn't all just about food


Plan ahead to stay on the right track


Prioritize this Thanksgiving


Choose treats wisely during the holidays


Starting a weightlifting routine


Healthy body has right signs


You need a livable food plan


Tailor your food according to needs


Plan strategies for when life gets hectic


Traveling can challenge eating habits


Parenting your own inner spoiled child


Long-term motives create long-lasting results


Interval training works for anyone


Check ingredients when eating out


Get out of the house for your workout


Lack of sleep may lead to weight gain


Cooking extra saves time and calories


Even small changes can make an impact


Swimming is a good
all-around exercise


Don't let slip-ups destroy your plan


Make your lifestyle and health compatible


A little exercise can yield big results


Food plans can help you eat right


Moderation is weight-loss key


Give your weight-loss plan time


Combat post-holiday blues with activity


Choose holiday calories carefully


Good kitchen tools make life easier


Enjoy feast in moderation


Start planning holiday meals now


Don't buy Halloween candy too early


Theaters offer healthy snacks


Try to avoid evening snacking


Tips to stave off hunger pangs


Stuck?  Reassess your routine


Avoid peaks and valleys in diet


Measure size of food portion to help tip scale in your favor


Learn to love being thin


Change your lifestyle; don't just diet


Fruity thoughts to keep fit


Water can ease cravings


Working a pool into your exercise routine


Stay focused, move forward


Delay caving to craving


Review of daily plan should include diet & activities


Holidays are never-ending


Measuring food is key to weight loss


Food-logging can help in weight loss


Find ways to make exercise fun


Reserve time for your exercise program


Substitutions for your holiday treats


Moderation is key to good diet

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Reserve time for your exercise program

Planning for difficult tasks "in the future" is easy, isn't it?  Were you planning to start an exercise program "after the holidays" but now find little motivation to get moving?

It happens to all of us.  My advice is to start small and live-able and work up from there. 

Often, the first hurdle is finding the time.  You need to make exercise a priority in your life, and then put it on your schedule.  When is the best time of day to exercise?  The answer is, whenever you will do it.  I have to exercise early or I'll get too busy and it won't happen.  Other people can't get out of bed early enough but find they are able to do something after work.  Some are able to get in a lunchtime workout.  The time may vary from day to day, but whatever time you can stick to is the best time for you to exercise.

Next, you need to determine what you are able to do.  Physically, if you haven't exercised in awhile (or ever), you don't want to start lifting heavy weights or running long distances.  A good starting routine might be a 20-30 minute walk.  I started out doing 20-30 minute water aerobic classes.  Sometimes I couldn't keep up and just jogged in the pool.  I reasoned that it was still better than sitting on my sofa. 

There may also be financial limitations.  Walking is free.  You can also purchase small, inexpensive weights at stores like Sports Authority or Target. 

If the weather is not cooperating or if you are not comfortable going out for other reasons, there are a lot of good exercise videos available.  For a beginner, I suggest staying away from titles that sound like extreme workouts.  They can be unsafe and you are likely to end up feeling discouraged.  Look for workouts that have words like "beginner" or "starting out" in the title or description.

Take a few minutes.  Set your priorities and your schedule.  Start with what you can do right now and work from there as you are comfortable.