Have you ever heard yourself saying, “I’ve tried to exercise before but I just can’t seem to stick with it!” For many of us, exercise is at the bottom of our to-do list. If we get to it…we get to it! We all know exercise is good for us. We all know exercising regularly will help us lose weight, keep weight off and is the best thing for our health but for some reason or another….pick one:
“I don’t have the time!”
“I am not motivated!”
“Exercise is a pain!”
“I don’t like to sweat!”
“I hate exercise!!
….Our best intentions seem to fail!
Until now! I want to encourage you, don’t give up! Whatever your challenge or whatever your experiences have been I want to share with you over the coming blogs proven steps, helpful strategies and stories of inspiration to help you get fit and stay fit!
Getting started or starting all over again!
1. You can Do it!
The first step to getting started and creating an active physically fit lifestyle is to begin believing that you can do it! No matter what your past experiences have been in getting or staying fit nor how many times you have tried and failed in the past….you have a choice to take responsibility for your future. Commit to changing today…right now!!
2. Determine your goals:
To assist you in making fitness a regular part of your life entails “getting real” with yourself; identifying where you are and determining where you want to be.
- A. Where are you right now? (Which statement below best represents you?)
- I am intending to exercise (at least 3 days per week) in the six months.
- I am intending to exercise (at least 3 days per week) in the next month.”
- I am taking action now to exercise (at least 3 days per week).
- I have been exercising regularly (at least 3 days per week) for at least the last six months
- What do you “wish” to accomplish in the future? Ask yourself, “If I were as healthy and as fit as I could possibly be, what would I look like? What would I feel like? What would be different about me? How would being fit and healthy benefit my life?” Take a few moments to dream and write down anything that comes to your mind.
- What do you “want” to accomplish in the next year? What would you like to accomplish in the next 3 months, 6 months and the next year? Take a few moments to write down your specific long and short term goals relating to your health and fitness.
- What “ways” will help you reach your desired goals? Relating to your fitness program, ask yourself this question, “What one thing can I do, that I am not doing right now that if I did it on a regular basis I KNOW it will help me reach my desired fitness goals? Maybe it is scheduling your exercise sessions before the week begins…take some time to brainstorm the possibilities.
- What are you “willing” to do to reach your goals? Relating to your future personal fitness program, what obstacles do you need to overcome to help you get back or stay on track? What support systems can you put in place to help “coach” and support you to do the things you know are best for you?
3. Check your Fitness Expectations:
Thoughts of “I am going to get skinny in a month” or “I am going to work out every day of the week for two hours a day” can sabotage your future fitness plan before you even begin. These unrealistic expectations can lead to experiences that decrease your self-confidence and ultimately lead to terminating your fitness program.
Instead of setting unrealistic goals and expecting perfection from yourself begin by systematically “planning experiences” that you know you can achieve.
Instead of beginning your future fitness program with the idea that you will exercise 6 days your first week when you have not exercised in 6 months begin by planning to:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator 3 out of 5 days this week
- Park your car a little further away and walk into work
- Walk for 10 minutes, 3 days this week at lunch
- Perform your 4321 workout for 10 minutes at least 3 days this week.
Remember, you don’t have to be perfect to be personally fit! If you miss an exercise session or were inactive for a short period of time, which will happen, don’t beat yourself up with condemnation or punishment. Simply assess your lifestyle at the time, learn from it, forgive yourself and plan to get back into your new active lifestyle as soon as possible. Don’t waste time beating yourself up…just get back to it!
Maintaining an active healthy lifestyle requires confidence, a good plan, persistence and most importantly forgiveness! Put this all together and the future of your fitness looks very bright!
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