The Important Thing About Exercise Nobody Tells You

When it comes to exercise, you should spend an hour at the gym at least 4 times a week, working in your cardio, lifting weights, and sweating your life away, right?

For some people, this works for them, for others, not so much. I don't love getting up at 5am to fit in a workout before going to train someone, but I know that if I don't do it, I will most likely avoid it in the afternoon. So the early gym morning routine works for me.

For other people, exercise is something they absolutely detest and must rely on a personal trainer to whip them into shape - I'm not complaining - this is how I am making my livelihood!

And for some, they think that if they absolutely cannot exercise because they detest the gym - this is OKAY! You do not have to go to a gym and run on a treadmill (or outside for that matter) or lift weights if that is not something that is a sustainable plan for you.

Like with food, I practice a routine that works for a lifestyle, rather than just a temporary improvement. When someone tells me they hate to exercise or they can't stand the thought of going to the gym, I immediately ask what it is they like to do in general.

Here's the thing - nobody is forcing you to exercise, but if you want to feel good and keep your health in good shape, you need to at least move! This doesn't mean training for the next 5k, but at least go for a walk. Do you like to listen to music? Great! Plug your headphones in and walk in the woods or on a boardwalk or in a residential area - where ever you are - the first step is getting out the door.

Once you start moving, YOU WILL FEEL GOOD! Don't believe me? Take it from the New York Times about the importance of moving and the negative impact of sitting all day!

Find something that you will enjoy - swimming, walking, tennis, basketball, dancing - you don't have to be in a gym to count something as exercise! Seriously - I took a pole dancing class for my sister's bachelorette party (pictured) and it was a workout! Not to mention a great laugh and tons of fun!

Written by Maddy Swertfager