For me, getting in the required 20 minutes of exercise every day was daunting.  I was already going to my gym 2-3 times a week, but having to exercise daily was much more difficult.



The main reason for this is that I live in the Frigid North, where, for most of the year, going for a 20 minute walk is tantamount to Shackleton's epic journey to Antarctica. 

Thankfully, I am able to have a gym membership, but even with that, it can be hard to get there.  (I am a stay-at-home mom of four kids, and packing up four kids with hats and boots and coats in the dead of Winter is . . . well, just click on the link above for explanation.) 

So, what to do?

Here are a couple of options if walking/running isn't going to work for you or if you want to change up your routine:

1. Youtube videos.  Seriously.  You can find anything on Youtube.  Pilates, Zumba, Crossfit, you name it.  Best yet, most of those types of workouts (Pilates especially) require no special equipment.  (Special disclaimer: I am by no means fit or in any physical condition to give specialized exercise advice. As with anything exercise related, be smart, and don't do anything stupid.)
2. Pinterest.  Again, just do a search, and you'll find tons of great exercise routines that require little or no equipment.  Depending on your familiarity with the exercise lingo, you might have to do a websearch to figure out what a "burpee" is (my hand is raised and waving), but most exercise directions (ex. "1 minute of jumping jacks") is pretty self-explanatory.
3. Tabata or HIIT.  This is "High Intensity Interval Training", and can really torch a lot of calories, especially over a 20 minute period.  Be sure to include plenty of stretching and cool-down time with this though.  As the name says, it can be intense.
4. Workout magazines or e-magazines.  I don't personally subscribe to any special magazines like "Shape" or "Fitness", but my gym does, and I have to admit, I tend to work out harder after perusing a magazine with pictures of amazingly fit people doing things I can only dream about.  Plus, these magazines usually have lots of great exercise routines or stretching exercises included in each issue, along with good recipes.

What do you do for your daily exercise routine?

One of the great things about the Game On Diet is that it's much easier to figure out an appropriate meal (as opposed to counting calories).  However, if you're like me and a bit OCD with amounts (I'm also notoriously bad at estimating), here's a way to find out what an appropriate portion size is for you.  (Also know as "stealing from Archimedes "Eureka!" moment.)



* Fist of Carbs:
You will need a glass measuring bowl for this.  (I colored my water blue so that it would be more clearly visible in the photo - no, I am not sticking my hand in Koolaid.)  Fill it about half way full, and note the measurement.

 

 Make a fist and stick it up to the wrist into the water.

 

Note how high the water rises. Subtract this (risen) amount from the previous amount.  In my case, it's 1 cup.  That means then that I can have up to 1 cup of carbs with every meal.

* Palm of Protein:
Again start with your glass measuring bowl.  This time, however, only put your fingers into the water (including the thumb, obviously).

Note how far the water has risen.  In my case, it's gone up 1/4 cup (from the original 2 cups).  Subtract that amount from the amount that you got for your Fist of Carbs.  (A "palm" is basically a fist minus fingers).  So, for me, I can have up to 3/4 cup of protein with each meal.

Of course, you can use the same technique for measuring your thumb, but I figured that was a bit unnecessary, unless you happen to be blessed cursed with abnormally large thumbs.

 



The Game On Diet advocates drinking water - lots and lots of water.  3 liters to be exact.

Now, once your body gets used to drinking that much fluids, keeping up the habit isn't hard, but the first week is definitely a challenge.

Here are some tips that I have found, many of them from fellow Game On players:

* Don't use disposable plastic water bottles.  For one thing, they're terrible for the environment, and with all the water you're going to be drinking, why waste the money?  If the taste of water is a big factor for you, perhaps invest in a water purifier or purchasing water in the bulk 5 gallon sizes from the grocery stores.  Remember, you're going to be downing buckets and buckets of water, so it's not a bad investment.

* It's a lot easier to down the 3 liters of water if you have a water bottle with a straw. 

My sister in law gave me this tip, and wow, was she ever right!  I found I could easily chug down a quart of water if I used a straw, but trying to drink the same amount from a cup was much more difficult.

* I think it's a good idea to invest in a pretty water bottle.  You're more likely to stay positive about drinking the water if you find the bottle attractive.  Decide what size bottle you want as well.  I personally like a medium-sized bottle that fits in my car holder easily, but my Mum doesn't like having to fill her bottle very often so she goes with a liter sized bottle.  (But then, she doesn't have a baby and diaper bag to haul around with her as well as a heavy load of water!)



* Try not to wait until bedtime to finish your quota of water -

- unless you also want to either 1) invest in Depends Underwear or 2) make frequent nighttime bathroom visits.



* Finally, if you do find yourself nearing the end of the day and you have to get a lot of water down, make sure it's warm.  It's a lot harder to drink cold water quickly, but if it's room temperature you can easily get it down.