The lazy girl's guide to getting fit

There are many women who have health problems and cannot do the everyday workouts in gyms or even walk very long at a time, much less jog. This labels these women as lazy. In their hearts, they would rather be out there on a bicycle to tone those muscles and lose weight. But in a real world, it just isn't physically possible, as the added stress to one's body causes many more chronic problems.

A woman with Fibromyalgia who lives in chronic severe pain every day of her life cannot fathom a workout plan, much less find a way to get her body tone and fit. What one needs to do is learn what IS doable and what can help in a person's everyday life to tone and lose those extra pounds.

The first thing you need to concentrate on is your diet. This doesn't mean you have to go on a strict diet or a diet at all. It just means to start thinking and eating healthier and quit eating fried foods altogether. Stop eating fast foods, deep fried or even battered fried foods. Learn to bake or broil your meats instead, letting the fatty, oily, cellulite creating juices drain off and away from the meat, poultry, pork, etc. You can learn to use a broiling pan, even if you aren't broiling. Be sure to cut off all fat from your meats, then wash and season them, even leaving the spices on overnight for more delicious taste. Then broil (quick, hot cooking) them on each side for 6 minutes. If extra cooking is needed, just adjust the times and turn them again for a few extra minutes. The most important thing is to let the juices drain away and off of the meats. You will learn over time, like in 6 months, the extra inches you have gained all over your body will start to disappear. Do not eat fatty meats like hamburger meat at all, they are not only artery clogging, the fat in them over time can create reflux disease and disorders causing heartburn. Leave fatty hot dogs and bologna alone too. Switch to turkey breast or chicken lunch meats instead. You can also find extra lean and light hot dog wieners too.

Doing housework, in small 15 minute intervals will help also. Those who cannot clean and do chores around the house all at once will love this. Turn on some motivating music, get that vacuum cleaner out and get your blood pumping for 15 minutes at a time. You can do one room, then take a break for 5 minutes if needed, drink some water and relax. Then get up and do another room for 15 or 20 minutes at a time. You can dust at the same time, or get a broom and sweep your baseboards as well. You have to allow your body and heart time to get the blood pumping and get your muscles working. Do this all over the house, try to make one chore into two or three chores. For instance when sweeping the stairs, sweep the baseboards, dust the rails and baseboards with a washcloth, sweep one stair at a time and clean the walls or safety rail at the same time.

Learn to do your dishes in intervals also. Wash them and rinse them, then take a break, coming back to dry and put them in the cupboards where they belong. When you eat a meal, always wash out the foods in your bowl or plate and it will make it that easier on you when it comes time to washing them.

When sitting at a computer in your chair, you can do exercises also. Do neck stretches, stretch out your arms and shoulders. Lift your feet off the floor for several minutes, then relax them. Practice tightening your buttocks and relaxing them. Do your kegal exercises if needed. There are so many ways that we can train our brains and bodies into exercising, even when we're sitting and doing nothing.

Make yourself a routine, write it down if necessary as a To-Do List, the things you want to get done around the house. Write down the errands you need to run and the things you need to pick up from the grocery store. You will be amazed at how much more you are able to get done. You can even make sure you get out each day and get your walking done by going to the grocery store one day. Then go to the Dollar Store the next day. If you have a doctor's appointment, make that something to do on a different day. All these things help when doing them in intervals, rather than all at once.

Learn to walk to the mailbox instead of driving to it on your way out. If you have animals, take them out extra times a day for a walk or to just let them use the restroom. There are so many ways you can learn to keep yourself fit and tone and lose weight. You just have to motivate your mind and learn the easier ways and healthier ways to do it.

I personally have lost 53 pounds in 6 months by doing all of the above, so I am living proof that it is possible. I live with chronic pain every day of my life, with Fibromyalgia and cannot do the things I used to be able to do. But I have learned how just changing the way you cook things, driving past those fast food restaurants and eating at home instead helps. The preparation to cook your meal and cooking it, is exercise in itself. You have to learn ways to get exercise and motivate yourself, so you can stop sleeping all day, laying on the couch watching television, or reading magazines. I have done all those things and they have gotten me nowhere. Even with the pain I suffer, I am able to take a walk, even extra walks, with my dogs. I walk to the office to pay my rent instead of driving. I walk to the post office to mail my bills, instead of driving 1/4 of a mile.

There are so many ways you can lose weight and get your body in shape. I personally went from a size 4X in men's shirts to size L or XL in women's shirts. I now have a new wardrobe and love to go shopping for new clothes. That's good exercise too and the time flies while shopping and searching for that perfect shirt or outfit. Go shop at a thrift store, second-hand or Goodwill store where you have to work and search to find what you want. Take the lazy out of your life and add good health, a leaner, more toned body and a new wardrobe instead.