As the new year starts a common mantras is "I need to exercise more", which is just second to "I need to eat better", which comes right after "I need to lose weight".  "Exercising" brings the first-of-the-year-no-membership-fees gym membership  Gyms see over half of their annual memberships starting at the beginning of the year with the New Year's resolutions.  This is OK, I've got nothing against them, except that 4 out of 5 people don't even use their newly minted memberships and they're expensive, loud, and filled with folks multi-tasking as they "run" on the treadmill, read the Wall Street Journal, and watch CNN on the overhead screen.. But, if that's our thing and it gets you going, then good.  

The word "exercise" comes tethered with images of starts and stops, big metal pulley work-out machines, and before dawn wake up alarms.  Why not shift your mindset and think of "moving" rather than exercising.  Movement comes in so many forms, shapes and sizes. Think tai chi, rowing, swimming, running, fencing, dancing and, of course, yoga.  What about golf or tennis.  

Here are a few ideas:

Tai Chi or Qi Gong -  This is a meditative practice that builds strength and balance through slow, deliberate movement.  It can counter stress and be done alone without equipment or fancy yoga pants.  According to Energy Arts  "the goal, rather, is a feeling of relaxed power. Relaxed power comes when the muscles, rather than fighting and straining to do something, just loosen (open up) and allow the energy to flow through".  

Running, Cycling, Tennis, Fast Walking, Yoga -  If you need to lose weight, you'll need to move more often and bring your heart rate up (get a heart rate monitor).  Walking and running just requires a good pair of shoes and maybe a sports bra.  Increase the value by calling your buddies to join you.   

Movement with others -  Add a secondary, and incredibly important component to your movement--relationship.  More important and healing than "getting in shape" is our connection to others.  Think team sports, like golf or soccer. Take salsa lessons, join a walking group or find a Zumba class.  

Is the need for quiet and alone time more valuable than kicking a dirty ball around a soccer field with a bunch of sweaty teammates?  Find a tree-lined single-track trail for a vigorous (or not) hike.  Create a private space for dance or qi gong or shadow yoga. 

So you decide what movement suits you best.  It can be structured or organic, sweaty or not, rhythmic or frenetic, expressive or introspective, team-centric or a solo affair.  You have lots of choices.  It's not all about the gym.