Great Hip Hop Workout Songs

Great Hip Hop Workout Songs

If you have seen the Tony Little Gazelle infomercials, you know all about the good points of owning one. It is a great addition to your work out repertoire as long as you know how to make the most of this handy piece of equipment. My number one reason for loving the Gazelle was because it was perfectly quiet. I also liked combining upper and lower body workouts to burn more calories.

I had a rough start, however. My Gazelle sat in the house for four years until I really committed to using it regularly. I was an avid runner and exercised outdoors. After my son was born I did very little exercising. My problems began when I insisted on "running" on the Gazelle. It was not the same as my outdoor jogs. I was exhausted in five minutes. Naturally, I thought I would never be able to master it. My next hurdle was looking at the clock every other minute. This was boring. Why did I enjoy running so much, yet I couldn't make it through 4 minutes on the Gazelle?

Four years went by and it gathered dust. I got on it every once in a while wondering how do people go this for 30-45 minutes or longer? It became a joke to me. I got on and got off in less than a minute. I am not exaggerating. I began to think how nuts people were to use any kind of workout equipment. At least at the gym there are rows and rows of TV sets.

My concentration was pitiful and I think that was my biggest problem. I went through a strange period in which my mind could not slow down and enjoy exercising like I used to do. Maybe it has something to do with motherhood because I was constantly thinking of what I had to do next. Forget my beloved yoga practice. At a time when I needed it the most, I was too hyper to sit down on the floor for asana practice. I tried work out shows on TV but I couldn't keep up with the complicated moves. Kick boxing was fun, but the hip hop, and belly dancing routines were not for me.

I was painfully out of shape which depressed me. I just had no patience. Running was too frustrating. All I had left was walking. It was my only enjoyable exercise as long as the weather allowed it.

The Gazelle became my friend again when winter cut out my walking routine. This time I had to forget about my boredom. You know the saying: if you are bored it is because you are boring. It was time to recommit to exercise and make it interesting. I told myself if I did ten minutes on the Gazelle, I would be pleased. I started small avoiding any unrealistic expectations. I discovered the time was useful to meditate. I was permitting my thoughts to be calm and in the moment. I could plan my day and make mental notes about my schedule. Over time, I needed paper and a pen handy so I could write down spontaneous ideas. My exercise time was helping my brain and body. After ten minutes I talked myself into doing five more. On really good days I would add another five minutes to it and last twenty minutes or more.

I got into the habit of warming up with an easy stride so I didn't get frustrated and quit. Once I became accustomed to the back and forth motion, I could lean forward or backward to challenge my arms and back muscles. Facing sideways to work out the inner and outer thighs took more practice. Standing with both legs on one foot platform, I can lean sideways toward the front bar and contract the oblique muscles of the abdomen. Some of these moves are not listed in the workout manual, but they work.

The Gazelle is a simple exercising tool, but it provides a full work out when the user doesn't look at it as silly or boring. My approach is not rocket science. A small time commitment and a new mind-set made working out fun again.

Dr. Lisa Ann Homic, a chiropractor and wellness coach in Auburn, NY, also started the Numbers Don't Lie Diet Program. Visit http://www.CreatePurpose.com

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