Kelly Ripa and Friends at Soul Cycle!

I often teach youth and adults about choosing the best exercise.  Sometimes the word exercise can seem negative.  I mean who wants to really get up and go “work out” if they can just relax all the time?  But exercising is an important part of a health plan to nourish your body and your mind.  I recommend choosing things that feel good and make you happy.

I have tried a ton of different things to stay healthy and in shape but find that what I like changes.  When I was young I joined track and jogged.  I used to love jogging along on a treadmill.  And then I started to like jogging alone outside.  I trained for a 5K and 10K (they were tough for me- so if you do one of these be proud of yourself!).  And then I joined The LA Leggers a running group that would jog along the ocean and through the west side of LA training as a group for distance running 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and marathons.  And then one day it just wasn’t fun anymore.  I just didn’t like it.  So after struggling a bit and feeling ashamed of myself- I realized it is not cool to do a workout or activity you don’t like.  And I just hung up my running shoes (smart because now my knees really hurt and are often achy- something running since I was young contributed to).

Once I gave that up I started trying other things.  And I recommend you do the same.  I like to use the cool social coupon sights like Groupon, Living Social and Bloomspot to buy packages/classes to new places and try them out.  I also love using the Elliptical in my gym.  I grab a magazine, turn on the tv and put in a good workout.  But the one class I REALLY love is Spinning.  If you haven’t tried it I recommend you do.  Of course you may not like it but I hope you enjoy it and maybe even love it!  Spin class is a group class with stationary bikes where the teacher pumps good music and leads you up and down hills and varies resistance, speed and position to get in a really fun conditioning workout.  Kelly Ripa loves Soul Cycle in New York City (they just opened one in West Hollywood).  But I really like YAS on Abbot Kinney (Venice) and Revolution (Abbot Kinney and Montana Ave.).

Remember to try new things, get a workout buddy, try new music, get a cool outfit together, etc.  Keep trying til you find what you like and do that.  And when you don’t like it anymore try something else.  It’s the easiest way to stay in great physical and mental health!

Finally Free,

Bridget Loves