A Stimulus Package That Will Make You Feel Good

I love sweat pants. They are arguably the most versatile, comfortable article of clothing ever made. EVER. I sleep in sweat pants, I run errands in sweat pants, and most importantly I PRIORITIZE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY in sweat pants. It’s no surprise when I say that a box of new sweat pants are enough to get me revved up about physical activity, or any activity for that matter. My stimulus package came early! You are overdue a stimulus package this quarter. Instead of waiting for your federal stimulus package, go out and get yours!

“You don’t have to be a gym rat or a marathoner to get health benefits from exercise.”

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Make Your Own Stimulus Package

We are all looking for ways to make the best out of our current situations. Now is the time to take advantage of our time by doing what we have put off for so long (check out “If I Only Had ____, I Could Be More Physically Active!“). What you need is to get back that FEEL GOOD FEELING. You need that feeling of accomplishment. Need something to stimulate you? Create your own package. Yours should motivate you to get active! You may not have the same penchant for sweat pants as I do, but you know what will get you moving.  Whether its resistance bands, a new pair of shoes or go big with a home gym. Check out our interview with Everyday Active-Dad Bernardy Darguin, Peloton Showroom Manager.

Find what will stimulate you to stay focused on PHYSICAL ACTIVITY and GO GET IT! Find a way get excited about Physical Activity!  

ZERO SUM GAME

The ways to get to that feel good feeling is INFINITE! When it comes to Physical Activity, it is not all or nothing. The phrase “At least it’s something” actually applies here. You need to get a little movement going, a little exercise. Regardless of the level of intensity. Slow and steady, moderate or high intensity, I guarantee you will feel FANTASTIC! Whether it’s 15 minutes or 30. It just feels good. You get to decide what that “something” is. Your “Honey-Do List”, that counts. Maybe this will lead to some Sexual Activity, that counts! 😊 Going fishing? That counts too!

Focus on the Short-term benefits of exercise. Focus on how exercise makes you feels.

Not to get all sciency, but there’s a Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (METs) to measure the amount of energy you use (or don’t use) for everyday tasks.

Sitting on the couch watching T.V.—there’s a MET for that (it’s 1.3).

Gardening—there’s a MET for that (it’s 3.5-6.3).

Stretching—there’s a MET for that (2.3). At your desk at work—there’s a MET for that too (1.5). I think you get the picture. Don’t just take my word for it, check out the Compendium of Physical Activities here. The purpose is to compare the METs you use doing close to nothing, to the METs you use doing other activities. You can even use it to help you gradually increase your METs as you gain confidence.

Get stimulated

What will be in your stimulus package? A fishing pole? A garden hoe? A violin?

Share with us what will stimulate you back to Physical Activity.

Let us know when your Stimulus Package arrives, take a picture and post #ActiveDadStimulus

Stay Motivated! Stay Healthy!