Getting Started Blog

Despite the overwhelmingly obvious benefits, exercise is frequently skipped, often conveniently missed, and commonly hated. The list of excuses made is endless – from dislike of a gym’s distinct aroma of sweat to schedules that provide too little free time and flexibility. Excuse makers (you know who you are) must realize that exercise is an activity to find time for, be excited about, and look forward to.
 
Finding a fondness for physical activity isn’t hard – just think outside the box for motivation.
Use a little creativity to adapt the activities you already enjoy doing – like socializing or dancing – into activities that will get your body moving toward a healthier lifestyle. After all, exercise isn’t an activity reserved for intimidating gyms and a great workout doesn’t have to include treadmills or weight benches. Our bodies can get a great workout just by doing physically demanding activities that we enjoy.
 
Here’s some ideas to get you started:
 
Zumba. If you enjoy moving your body to the latest rhythmic beats, then try Zumba. While grooving to Latin-inspired music, you’ll hardly feel like you’re working out.
 
Gardening. For those with two left feet and a green thumb, gardening might be a better option than Zumba for exercise. Planting trees and flowers, pulling weeds, and mowing the lawn are great ways to get your body moving while doing something you enjoy.
 
Socializing. For the chatty types that are capable of walking and talking at the same time, gather a group of just-as-capable (and just-as-chatty) friends for a regular gab-fest. Meet every Saturday morning for a walk-and-talk. As you exercise your mouth by chatting, it will feel more like you’re enjoying a night out than a workout.
 
Volunteering. Try an activity that could benefit you in several ways – like volunteering. Building houses with an organization like Habitat for Humanity, for example, could be very rewarding. By hammering nails and sawing lumber, you’ll give your body a workout, while at the same time meeting new people and helping others in need.
 

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Meet Katie Gilmore, marketing pro and new Graphite user. We'll follow Katie, and three other guests, as they take a 60-day, self-monitoring journey to reach their wellness goals. The series begins with each guest explaining their goals, history of weight loss, and personal tips for staying motivated. Check out Katie's story and stay tuned for more of her experiences along the journey.

I really struggled with my weight from about 2003 to 2007. During that 
time, I was able to get my weight under control a couple of times, but
 couldn’t keep it in check. In ’07 my sister told me about an online calorie counting tool.

I used that and for the first time was able to really understand how many calories I was eating. It helped me learn how to spot high calorie add-ons like sauces and cheese. I used it until I got to my goal weight and felt comfortable that I could stay there. I used it again in 2010 to stay on track for my wedding.

I stay motivated because I want to get up every day and know that I can 
pull any outfit out of my closet and that it will fit. Another
 motivation for me is being in decent shape so I can do social things
 with friends, like go for a bike ride or a hike.  With this tool, I want to get past just calorie counting and make sure
that I’m getting the right nutrition. Specifically, I want to get my
 recommended fruit/vegetable servings each day. I also want to get into 
the habit of eating breakfast during the week.

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