Fitness Basics: Never Give Up Exercise

It is the easiest thing not to start working out. Who wants to start something that has to continue for the rest of your life? And who's willing to take the chance of reversing benefits, once there is a gap? Who needs sweaty T-shirts or showers to wash off evidence of what looks like the outcome of a bullfight? Who's craving for the grunting of carbon dioxide emerging from the nostril, the grinding of bones against the gravel and the gnawing of muscles crying out in pain? What's the use of all this grief?

And think of all the creativity that you need, to rustle up excuses, day after day.

Nah, exercise is for loonies with nothing to do, for rich women to drool over male trainers, for brawny men who have no brains and for flaky dolls who parade on catwalks.

Now do I have your attention? This one is for all those who agree with any or all of the above!

Never give up because:

• Fitness does not happen one fine day, but heart attacks do
• You lose 1 per cent of your muscle mass every year because of non-activity
• You add a few extra minutes to your life span with every 10 minutes you put in daily.
• Your bones won't turn to brittle bits
• Your brain (both left and right side) needs the stimulation and the increase of oxygen it receives from exercise and then works for you by reacting faster and sharper
• Heart diseases, cancers of the prostate and colon and breast and ovaries won't single you out
• Your heart will beat faster only when you're on the run or when you've seen that hot number walk past
• Blood pressure's going to be on your side

Aesthetics

• Your little black number will continue to look good on you rather than on your dog
• Your T-shirt will continue to show the ripples you have worked hard towards
• You'll outshine your best friend and workout partner sooner than you think
• Your wrinkles show up much later than Anita's
• Any activity wipes years off your face

Bonus points

• Holidaying in a little bikini (or trunks) will be something you look forward to
• Climbing up the staircase will not leave you panting like your colleagues
• You can have one ice cream/ bag of chips/ pizza every week without having to worry about where it will show
• Beats the life out of stress
• Perks your libido and sexual performance
• Sends out positive vibes about you
• Gives you a sensory keenness
• Enhances your creativity enough to come up with 1000 more excuses for not wanting to!!!

If all of this doesn't work to convert you, as a final and parting shot, dwell on this:

Imagine a punching bag hitting you back. I mean it's sane, legal and politically correct to vent your spleen on it. Try hitting your spouse, your partner, the guy who overtook you on the road, your next-door neighbour or your boss for exactly the same reason. Ouch!