Exercise

Hello, Everyone. Today’s blog will be a shorter one. The topic on my mind is exercise, which is just as important for blind or visually impaired people as it is for sighted people. How can you exercise if you can’t see?
First, you should consult a physician before beginning. Next, you should consider how to exercise based on your lifestyle. What I mean by this, is to exercise based on your surroundings. For example, if you work in a building with a staircase that is well-vented, walking up and down steps is great exercise. If you live in walking distance from a track, this may be another option, assuming the weather cooperates. I own a treadmill, and I have begun to use it on a regular basis. I love to read, and so I decided that when I read, I will also walk on the treadmill. This way, I am being more active than passive. There are also other pieces of exercise equipment you could buy for your home. One benefit to these is that they can be used in any weather situation, but remember, they will only be effective if you actually use them. I say this because my treadmill does not get used as much as it should. I am hoping to make my new routine a habit, but only sufficient motivation will make this happen for me.
Speaking of motivation, one way to ensure you will exercise is to put yourself in a position that requires you to be physically active without your doing it for the purpose of exercise. For example, one job I had required me to walk up and down multiple sets of steps each day, and I benefited from this even though I hadn’t planned it as part of my exercise routine. Joining a gym might be another option. Paying for the exercise time may make you more motivated to actually do it. Also, exercising with someone else also helps motivate one to exercise, though this is not always possible. Another helpful suggestion may be to look up the benefits of exercise online and read these each day to encourage yourself.
You may be wondering how to do certain exercises as a blind person. I am not a trainer, and so I would rather not discuss this. However, if you know others who do exercise, ask them to show you. Or, if you sign up for a gym, ask if someone there can assist you.
One last thought is to remember to develop a plan for yourself that you can do for a lifetime rather than burning out by overdoing it at first. Exercise is something you should enjoy, and thus, you want to make doing it a pleasurable event for yourself. This means not forcing yourself to do a physical activity that you do not enjoy or doing one you do enjoy to the point that you begin to dread it. Start with small goals, and build up to longer times. Some types of exercise include swimming or playing in water, walking, playing ball, riding a stationary bike or a tandem bicycle if you have a partner, any type of stretches, jumping rope, and walking up and down steps.
Don't forget to pass the word about the Blindness Blog to those who may find it interesting. Also, I do enjoy receiving your comments, and so please feel free to do so.