You've heard enough about it and your ears are full of it. Your teachers tell you about it, your parents nag you about it and the doctors extol its virtues.
EXERCISE! Why is it so important and why all the fuss? Isn't it enough that you already carry those books to school? After all that is a form of weight lifting. Then why do some more?
Like it or not, exercise is a necessary evil. Being physically fit will help your body stay healthy and ready for action any time. Just as you feed your mind doing puzzles and homework, you need to feed your body with food and exercise. Playing a game of catch will not only make your body fit, it will also make you feel happier. A chemical called endorphin is released when you exercise. Endorphins give you the sense of well-being. If you have had a hard day at school nothing beats a good game of catch or cricket.
I can't care less
If you care about yourself, then you'll care about exercise. Exercise can make you feel good physically and mentally. You'll be more charged to do well at school and above all, it will help you have a good time with your friends. Even if it's simply kicking the ball and throwing it to your friends for ½ hour, it can do wonders to your body. So, if you care about yourself, then exercise is for you.
But I have loads of homework
What's the use if you don't have the energy to complete your homework? Playing an invigorating game of cricket or football or simply helping out with chores is a good way to recharge your body. Round up your friends and get them to toss a Frisbee or play a game of catch to get that body moving. Do it before you dive into your homework and you can finish it on time.
What's in a name?
Exercise by any other name is still exercise. How about playing a game of basketball or tennis? It's still exercise, only that you are also having fun. Chase your friend in the playground for a game of tag. That's exercise too. Swim or splash in the pool. That's exercise. Just don't lounge on the sofa. That's not exercise.
I hate sports
How about for fun? Don't take up a sport where you are expected to bring a trophy home. Instead choose a sport or game that you might really enjoy. If you are forced to participate and expected to excel, you are probably going to not enjoy it that much. Go for something that you might like. Try something different. Skipping rope one day, cricket the next and simple stretches the next. If you do something different each day, you are more likely to stick to it.
Ditch the lift
Have you taken the stairs instead of the lift? Race your parents to the top floor and see who gets up first. Do this once and you'll get hooked. Ditch the lift as much as you can. Needless to say, you may not want to huff and puff up to the 21st floor. Instead, try to walk as much as you can instead of taking the lift. You'll keep fit and save energy.
Apart from the many reasons in favor of exercises, a simple reason to exercise is to just have fun. Get off the sofa, run around with your friends, kick a ball, or bat an over…..it all counts. Just don't call it exercise if you don't want to.
