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Exercise shouldn't necessarily feel like work

By: Krystle Wagner Posted: 07/27/09 5:05pm

Without fail, there’s one boy who can always make my day better — my 21-month-old cousin.

Lately, I’ve found very little time to exercise and, as a result, I’ve been feeling like a failure. But while I was home during the weekend, I was fortunate enough to play outdoors with my favorite little kid. His favorite thing to do is to play outside and be pushed around in his cozy coupe (one of those little kid cars) when he isn’t making himself dizzy by spinning in circles or running around.

As I pushed him around the backyard in his cozy coupe, I began to realize that, in a sense, I was getting exercise. It had never really occurred to me before that running around with my cousin could be considered low-level exercise. It’s too much of a stretch to consider it a substitute for working out; that’s why I consider its difficulty level low.

My cousin is active and he’s always on the go. We sat down only a few times during my afternoon with him. I didn’t just jog or walk as I pushed the cozy coupe, I ran and made abrupt turns, at which he laughed. Every time I stopped, he would look up at me with those big brown eyes and say “again.” When I sat down later that evening, I could feel the day’s activities in the backs of my legs. It didn’t compare to running, but I could tell that I had spent the afternoon running around.

I had another great time with my cousin realized afterward that I’d had a great day of exercise. Yet again, he was able to brighten my day.

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Summer of Fitness

State News features writer Krystle Wagner gives you the skinny on her journey through a summer of fitness. Read as she examines all aspects of her strides to become a fitness fanatic.

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Commentary:

anon

07/27/09 9:32pm

I think you are lazy and don’t genuinely want to improve your lifestyle. You just need something to write — or should I say complain — about.

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Marie

08/05/09 10:26pm

Maybe you should fast about it.

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Maria Simon

08/06/09 12:24am

I loved your article… it reminded me of when my children were young. I’d like to share a funny graphic with you.

http://www.typobounty.com/Funny/Women_Weight_Loss.htm

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been there

08/06/09 7:07am

Marie – maybe you should learn how to move on & anon – you obviously have never chased after a little child and at least the writer is doing something other than sitting at a computer (other than her job). And Maria – it does bring back good memories doesn’t it.

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to been there

08/06/09 8:47pm

I’m sorry, but running after a kid is not considered “exercise”. That’s considered “physical activity”. There’s a difference between those two. Before you start foaming at the mouth, educate yourself.

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Marie

08/08/09 11:05pm

Why should I move on? This blog is repetitive and boring. I’m not sure if I should write a letter to the editor, as this has never been printed. Does the SN not read comments? They’re present every time someone reads the article on this website.

I guess I’m just disappointed that the author hasn’t defended the entries on fasting. She stated a lot of facts without backing them up and endorsed it as a healthful decision. It’s irresponsible and it’s bad journalism.

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