So maybe
“Disco Inferno” isn’t your thing, but music really has the power to get you
moving. Have you ever been casually strolling down the street, when you hear
the music from a passing car and suddenly you can’t help but move with a bit
more spring in your step? Music is an amazingly energizing force, and could be
your secret to a slimmer summer.
Music Motivates
A
research study conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University showed that
listening to music during exercise can lead to greater weight loss and a
reduction in body fat. According to researcher, Christopher A. Capuano, “It’s
not that music causes you to lose weight. It causes you to be more adherent.”
In other words, participants who listened to music were motivated to stay with
their exercise programs, and in turn had greater success.
Find Time for Tech
With the
advent of mp3 players and cell phones that play your favorite tunes, music has
become totally portable. Some of these gadgets can be pricey and a bit
intimidating at first, but with a little exploration you will find that it is
easy and affordable to customize your music choices. Take a look at an online
buying guide for a sample of what is available (See resources below). There is
also no shame in sticking to trusted favorites like a good old portable CD or
cassette-player.
Make a Mix
Music is
extremely subjective. What is easy-listening to some might be sheer torture to
others. That is why making a playlist or a mix CD can be a great way to personalize
your exercise routine. Here are some tips for choosing the most motivating
tunes:
- Match your music to your
routine. Slow strength-training routines like yoga or Pilates are best
suited for mellow tunes, while walking or jogging call for fast songs.
- Promote a “warm-up” period in
your routine by starting out with a slower song and then building to one
that will make you pick up the pace.
- Make every 3rd song
more energizing, so if you start to get tired the change in tempo will help you get your second wind.
- Vary your musical selections on a regular basis so you don’t get bored. With music downloads available
for under a $1 each it is easy to update your mix.
- Save your favorite song for last so you are motivated to keep moving.
We’ve
been programmed to think that exercise is unpleasant, but by teaming up
calorie-burning activities with the music you love, you’ll soon find that
working out can actually be fun. In addition, looking at exercise as your “me
time” when you are free to pop on your headphones and unplug from the rest of
the world will help you look forward to it every day.
Music Buying Resources:
MP3 Player Buying Guide (from CNET.com)
MP3 Player Buying Guide (from Walmart.com)
Choosing an MP3 player (from Circuit
City)
Playlist Resources (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playlist
References
Sarnataro, Barbara
Russi.
Exercise
Music: Tunes to Get Fit By. WebMd.com. November 30, 2006.
retrieved 6/22/07,
Link
