Many of us have made New Year’s resolutions about exercising and losing weight.
Exercising is something that I have changed my attitude on throughout the past twelve months.
I now have a positive outlook towards my commitment to exercise regularly because I recognise the health benefits.
I incorporate exercise into different areas of my life. This means I get incidental exercise as well as scheduled exercise.
Exercise is something that is more natural to us in our youth; as we run around with boundless energy.
Unfortunately, this can become a distant memory as we age unless we make a commitment to create a lifelong change.
An article I recently read in UHG Connecting Business and Healthcare suggests we need to start by thinking about our attitude to exercise. (http://www.uhg.com.au/adviser-news-1.aspx)
The key message in the article is that, ‘creating lifelong change is more about our head than it is about our body.’
The first thing we need to change regarding exercise is our attitude.
We all know that exercise is a substantial part of good health.
Here are the 9 Key Points from the article
1. Stop waiting for the right time before starting an exercise program; It never comes!
“I’ll start exercising next Monday, next week, next month, when the kids are at school, when it’s not so dark in the morning, when all the planets align, when Tasmania reconnects with the mainland.” Sure you will. The only person you’re fooling is you.
2. Don’t make excuses to get out of exercising (E.g. It’s raining or I’m too busy.)
Consistency is the key – The number one reason people don’t get in shape and stay in shape is – they don’t finish what they start. It doesn’t matter how much potential you have, how great your intentions are at the outset or how many resources you have at your disposal, if you don’t consistently apply yourself (even when it’s not fun) you won’t get where you want to go.
It might surprise you to learn that about eighty-five percent of people who have current gym memberships don’t go!
3. There are no “quick fixes”.
Many people don’t want to hear that transforming their body is more about attitude, commitment and self-control than it is about finding the right program, gym, diet, trainer or miracle-pill. Good attitude typically equals a good outcome.
4. Don’t only exercise when it is fun or entertaining.
Getting in shape won’t always be fun or entertaining – DON”T BE PRECIOUS!
Sometimes getting fit is boring- so put up with it! If being a little bored means that you might live longer, have a better body and improve your quality of life, put up with it or change your attitude. If you want to be entertained, see a movie!
5. Don’t wait to be motivated.
Motivation is temporary. For most people motivation is an emotional state; a feeling that comes and goes. We can’t rely on it to get us to our goals because it isn’t always there! If you experience motivational peaks and troughs you’re not a loser; you’re normal. Motivation is great when it’s there but when you don’t feel pumped to do that workout, do it anyway.
Changing your body is more about self-control and consistency than it is about being in the zone. It’s possible (necessary perhaps) to exercise even when you’re not motivated. You might not love the process but you’ll love the results.
6. Make time to exercise.
Some people blame their busy schedules for not keeping up their exercise plan. If we were to spend 5 hours per week exercising you would be spending 97% of your time not exercising. It is not a time thing, it is a priority thing, an organisational thing and an “I can’t be bothered” thing. It’s all about organisation and implementation. Timetable your exercise around your other commitments and create a realistic schedule that can be maintained for the long haul.
7. Don’t get in shape for specific events.
Too many people spend their life getting in shape for summer, birthdays, weddings, school reunions and other significant social occasions. Like athletes, they peak for an event… and then get fat again. Sad really! Creating your best body is about the next few decades, not the next 6 weeks.
8. Don’t use failures as an excuse to quit.
There is nothing wrong with making mistakes, as long as we learn from them. Everyone slips up now and then, so don’t give up!
9. Don’t get too tricky with the process.
If your goal, like many people, is to lose weight and fat, then all that is required is to move your limbs, get your heart rate up, get a bit sweaty, get a bit uncomfortable and do it often.
Do make a start today to set yourself up for a healthy future.
