I Don’t Exercise and Neither Should You

When you were a kid, did you ever bug your parents to let you go outside and play? I did. My summers were filled with riding bikes, skateboarding, playing ball, and outdoor games with neighborhood friends. Wintertime meant sledding, ice hockey, snowball fights, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. These activities burned up an incredible amount of calories and they were all things I loved to do. I did them as much as I was allowed. Not once did I ever ask if I could go outside and exercise—I wanted to play.

Like most adults, as I got older I stopped playing. I also avoided the “e” word like the plague, because exercising wasn’t fun. Going to a gym, running on a treadmill, or lifting weights wasn’t like playing as a child. Before long, my scale started to show my lack of activity. Thoughts of having to exercise so many minutes on so many days per week, and guilt over not doing it, didn’t motivate me to stop the weight gain. Then I wised up. Burning calories has the same effect on the waistline whether or not I have fun doing it. I decided to stop exercising and start playing again.

Now, instead of making myself exercise, I use every opportunity to do the things I love. I mountain bike, trail run and hike near my home. When I travel, I always pack play clothes so I can run whether it is in Central Park or on the beach. On vacations, I walk the course when I play golf, take photos from the bottom of the Grand Canyon, or rent a bike so I can explore area trails. When I can’t play as much as I want, I feel disappointed, but never guilty. Just like when I was a kid, I look forward to playing everyday, so I make it a priority.

If you could play again what would you do? Here a few ideas to get you started:

• Take a class to learn to play. Learn how to do something you have always wanted to do, that requires being physically active – perhaps photography, plein air painting, dance, or yoga.

• Make play dates. Instead of meeting family or friends for lunch, get together at a trailhead or park and play together. Buy a pair of aluminum snowshoes so you can play in the winter too.

• Plan vacations around play. How many different National Park trails have you hiked, beautiful golf courses have you walked, or wild rivers have you fished?

• Fill free time with play. Instead of watching others play on TV, join organized groups that play regularly, whether it is bird watching or senior softball.

Whatever you do, don’t exercise. Just play and have fun, then watch the pounds melt away!

The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.