But I Hate to Exercise! Creative Ideas to Help Increase Your Activity Level

To the uninformed, they can be two of the most depressing and intimidating words in the English language: diet (ugh!) and exercise (double-ugh!).

But to those "in the know," eating healthy doesn't mean starving yourself with rice cakes and water. It's actually all about enjoying delicious, nutritious meals in appropriate portions. In the same manner, staying active doesn't mean sentencing yourself to a lifetime of spine-numbing sit-ups and sweaty gym locker rooms. Instead, it's about finding creative and enjoyable ways to make fitness part of your daily life.

And yes, I just used the words "creative and enjoyable" to describe exercise. After perusing a few of the following tips, you might even be enticed to add these adjectives to your own exercise vocabulary. (Important note: Though the activities described below vary in terms of intensity, all require at least a bit of exertion. As always, individuals with health issues or who have been sedentary for long periods of time should consult with their health care providers before undertaking any new exercise regimen.)

• Get a hobby - Think "leisure activity" and "exercise" don't belong in the same sentence? Think again. If you enjoy photography, take your camera and head to the nearest park for an afternoon of nature shots. Not only will you come back with a collection of great images, but you'll discover that tracking those butterflies or positioning yourself for that perfect waterfall shot got your heart pumping and your muscles moving (in other words, you were exercising!). Painting, sketching/drawing, and journaling are other creative hobbies that lend themselves to physical activity, once you decide to head outside for inspiration (and invigoration).

• Get the beat - Inspired by "Dancing With The Stars" or that old Fred Astaire film you watched on television last night? You don't have to be famous or classically trained to enjoy the emotional uplift and physical boost that comes from "cutting a rug." Take a friend to a dance club, sign up for ballroom lessons, or just close the curtains, crank up the tunes, and turn your living room into your own private dance studio. The music might carry you away, but your heart, lungs, and muscles will get a workout as well.

• Get a clue - If technology is your thing, don't limit yourself to hours spent staring into a monitor or hunched over a circuit board. As personal global positioning (GPS) devices have become commonplace, a sport has evolved that incorporates these little gizmos along with creative thinking, the thrill of discovery, and a willingness to get out and explore. It's called "geocaching," and it has caught on with thousands of players across the world. Players hide items and logbooks at locations around the globe, then post the GPS coordinates of the hidden treasures on the Internet (think scavenger hunt for the Information Age). Other players use the information and their personal GPS devices to find the hidden goodies, sign the logbook to verify their find, and sometimes exchange the items they found with something they brought along.

• Get a bargain - Online shopping has done wonders for bargain-hunters and last-minute shoppers around the world, but even the most obsessive consumers would be hard-pressed to qualify typing their credit card numbers and hitting "send" as exercising. Thankfully, there are still ways to boost your health while you drain your wallet. Many shopping malls open early for walkers (providing a climate-controlled environment that is particularly appreciated on steamy, rainy, or frigid mornings). And many communities also host open-air flea markets on weekends when the weather is nice, which can be a nice enticement to spend some additional time on your feet and in motion.

• Get a dog - Obviously, bringing an animal into your home is a big decision that takes a significant obligation from you and your family members - so don't even think about this option unless you have a strong desire to add a loveable mutt to the household mix. But if you have a dog - or have neighbors or friends with canine companions that you get along with - then odds are good that you've got a walking buddy who's always ready to accompany you on a jaunt. Most healthy dogs love long walks and fresh air, and sometimes those puppy-dog eyes can be all the motivation you need to get up and get out of the house.

• Get some wheels - This option is decidedly not for everyone, but if your health, fitness, and coordination level allows you to hop on a bicycle or strap on a set of skates, you may be ready to shift your "exercising and fun" effort into high gear. As gas prices soar and environmental concerns continue to rise, cities across the United States are becoming more bicycle-friendly, with many metropolitan areas adding special bike lanes and adapting the rules of the road to encourage commuters to embrace pedal power. And though the traditional "disco ball and pulsating music" skate rink still exists, the advent of inline skates has taken that activity outdoors in record numbers. Both bicycling and skating come with significant safety risks and regulations that vary from location to location, but enthusiasts find the exhilaration of rolling down the road to be unmatched by other activities.

• Get a group - Finding others who share your interests can be a great way to increase enjoyment, stave off boredom, and keep you motivated (it's a bit harder to blow off your evening walk around the block when your best friend is already at the corner waiting for you). Whether you're meeting for an evening stroll, a weekly bike ride, or an occasional photo safari in the local park, adding a social aspect to your exercise routine is one more way to take the work out of your workout.

Scouring your local flea markets for bargain baubles won't get you on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and dog-walking isn't likely to be an Olympic event anytime soon. But each of the activities described in this article are attempts to demonstrate the ease with which physical activity can be combined with virtually any interest.

Exercise has a cumulative effect on the body - and the more you enjoy doing something, the more likely you are to continue doing it. Don't let anyone's misconceptions about the "drudgery" of working out keep you from finding ways to stay active and get fit. The opportunities are endless, and the only boundaries are the ones you place around your own imagination.