Lose Yourself (with all due respect to Eminem, Nick Zero and Tone Atlas)

'Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?"

-Eminem

So, today I wanted to write about exercise. Why? Because I care about you all and want you to do something for you, your family and your friends. Stay healthy, stick around and live a long life. 

A couple of quick statements:

1. Kids who grow up in a house where exercise is the norm will exercise more as adults.

2. Exercise can help relieve stress and help make the brain stronger.

Let's get you jump started on exercising (if you aren't already.) We'll use my daily walk as an example, but you can change it to fit your routine.

Just Start- Pick up your iPhone, smartphone or whatever your device is; plug in your headphones and step out the door. Start your music, audio book or podcast and walk. Go for five minutes, ten minutes, whatever. Pat La Duca, trainer extraordinaire, recommends 45 minutes to two hours at a brisk pace. You'll get there, just start for now!

Get a smartphone program-I use Digi Fit on my iPhone. It is free, tracks most activities and you can run your music through there. It will announce intervals and times. There are a ton of free programs for working out. Get what works for you.

Lose Yourself- 

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime 

Whether it's a playlist, book or podcast, lose yourself. Let it go. The time will fly. My playlist is set for around 45 minutes, starts slow, gets fast paced through the middle and slows down at the end. Warm up, workout, cool down. 

Here's my list:

 1. Fix you - Coldplay

2. For What it's Worth - OneRepublic

3. He Got Game - Public Enemy

4. Lose Yourself - Eminem

5. Dreams - The Cranberries

6. For Taking the Trouble - Jackson Browne

7. Willing and Able - Prince

8. Clocks - Coldplay

9. Gloria - Paul Schwartz

10. Big Yellow Taxi - The Counting Crows

11. As - Stevie Wonder

Play Games- It's too cold. My back hurts. I don't have time.  When the little doubts and excuses creep in, say to yourself "Well, I'll just walk five minutes." "I'll just walk to the corner." You'll find you want to push yourself and do more. 

My knee was acting up today and I had to do it. I only did 1.5 miles, but that's pretty good considering I wasn't even going to go. 

I am very competitive and I try to go a little further, a little faster everyday. It works for me. I don't care how fast any one else is going, I'm just trying to be better than I was yesterday.

"You can do anything you set your mind to, man." - Eminem

If you are healthy and strong, you can do anything you set your mind to. Are there any exercise tips you have? Please share them via the comments!

(Photo is from thehuffingtonpost.uk)