2005 Tip #4:
Have Heart!

Since February has heart day on the 14th and is designated as “Heart Month,” here are some thoughts on what to do for our hearts.

First and foremost, in general, just move more. The little steps add up. Stairs instead of the elevator. Hand tools instead of power tools. Stretch and move around the office while on the phone. A short walk around the block after dinner instead of TV.  Pick some exercise you like and start a plan to do more of it.

Here’s a few responses from our group to Tip #2 on “What’s helping?”

Randy Perry shares this:

“What has proven to help me get in shape is to get up every morning at 5:30 to do some form of exercise. However, even if I do not feel well or am not up to a workout, I still force myself to get up so that I don’t get used to the idea of sleeping in. I have found that once I am up I tend to get bored and want to do some exercise.”

Isaac:

“Here is a winning idea: walking meetings. The concept is simple: for those meetings that don’t require extensive note-taking, go for a walk around the block, or, if in a place like Sacramento, around the Capitol mall.

Of course, I also recommend dancing. I would highly recommend doing a Tip about dancing, especially social dancing, as a way to exercise and socialize in a very healthy manner.”

Craig:

“What helps me is getting up at 4:30 every morning, then getting on my bicycle at 5:10 for a three mile ride to the train station for the daily commute to work. Sometimes in the evening I will get off the train one stop early for a six mile ride back home instead of just the shorter three mile ride. Make exercise a part of your daily routine.”

Check out http://active.com/ for other ideas. They also have a great on-line newsletter.