Ok, so I’m late in posting my New Year’s Resolution.  Better late than never!

This year I’ve decided to exercise more.  I try to do the healthy eating, but I’ve really sucked at the whole get moving part.  Especially after a long day at work.  Once I’m in my house I just really don’t want to leave.  For any reason.  At all.  I’m a home body.  I watch TV.  I read.  I play on Pinterest (probably way to much).  So I’ve got to find a way to exercise more.

Luckily for me, my parents Christmas present provided just the right opportunity.  (Whohoo money!)  We pooled that with a little from savings and invested in a new elliptical.  I love elliptical machines.  All the workout provided by jogging with none of the pesky joint problems.  So far I’ve worked my way up from no exercise to 20 minutes a day.  I want to push and go longer, but my hubby suggested I stay at 20 minutes for few days (he knows me well, I have a tendency to work so hard the first few days that I can’t move by day three and then I really don’t want to work out anymore.)  I’m hoping to try 30 minutes on Monday 🙂

Why the push to work out more?  Well, the pants are a little more snug than they were last year.  But more than that, exercise provides so many benefits.  It has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol (the “good” stuff) while decreasing LDL cholesterol (the “bad” stuff)(1).  It reduces risk factors for metabolic syndrome(2).  It can improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin and thereby reduce insulin resistence(3).  And…it will allow me to eat a sundae every now and then.  (gotta keep in mind the important stuff)

1.   Academy of Nutrition and Dietitics Evidence Analysis Library. “What is the relationship between physical activity and coronary heart disease
events?”  Accessed 5 January 2013, http://andevidencelibrary.com/conclusion.cfm?conclusion_statement_id=302

2.   Academy of Nutrition and Dietitics Evidence Analysis Library. “Is physical activity associated with the metabolic syndrome?”. accessed 5 January 2013, http://andevidencelibrary.com/conclusion.cfm?conclusion_statement_id=250025

3.  Academy of Nutrition and Dietitics Evidence Analysis Library. “What is the effect of physical activity (for at least 3 months) combined with MNT on metabolic outcomes in persons with type 2 diabetes” accessed 5 January 2013, http://andevidencelibrary.com/conclusion.cfm?conclusion_statement_id=250567.