Today I stepped into the garden for the first time in many months. I did some weeding while the chickens helped out by fertilizing the soil and grabbing stray bugs and worms.  I enjoyed moving around in the sunshine so much that an hour flew by wordlessly.  

Doing what you enjoy is key to successfully increasing one’s activity.  Figure out what you enjoy, and you’ve lowered an important barrier to getting more exercise.

My husband is a fan of the ever-present, original Law & Order series.  A while ago, he set the DVR to record practically every episode.  He watches them while he works out on the elliptical, and then takes it one step further by watching the first five minutes of the next show at the end of each day.  It’s a teaser that gives him something to look forward to for the next day’s workout.

If it were me, I’d be watching Jeopardy reruns.

Then there’s my friend Liz, a professor of English Literature with a secret penchant for trashy romance novels.  She gets on her exercise bike, opens one of those novels, and time slips by as she reads.

You could keep walking shoes in your car, stop at the mall (or the park) on your way to work (or home), and walk for 30 minutes.  

You could buy an exercise (or yoga or Tai Chi) DVD, or download one to your laptop, and do it a few times a week with your kids.

Or you could garden with your chickens.

Whatever brings a smile to your face.