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For some folks, working out
is the highlight of their day. Others look upon their
exercise routine with emotions similar to a stint on the
rack. The secret of a successful exercise program is to set
it up in such a way that it's fun, not work. We all work
enough as it is; we don't need to be making more for
ourselves!
So, before we even think
about ab crunches or leg lifts (ugh!), let's define some
goals for ourselves. First, we have to know why we want to
do this. To feel better? Doctor's orders? To trim some of
the love handles off? To play a competitive sport? To keep
up with the kids? Listen...any reason is fine...just know
what yours is, because that will determine your mental
approach.
Why does what you think
about your workouts matter? Because if you don't believe in
your gut that this is something you truly enjoy doing, or at
least feel is worth it to get the results you want, you
won't incorporate it into your life. And if you won't fit
it into your life, sooner or later you'll stop doing it.
And if you stop doing it, you'll chalk it up as just
another failed attempt at "shaping up". And that's the
last thing we want to have happen.
Let's talk for a moment
about a couple of very basic concepts about human beings.
First, we were meant to move. The way our bodies are put
together, the sizes and shapes of our muscles, the way our
skeletons are hooked up, even the way our eyes and ears
work, were all designed to be used while we're in motion. We
need to keep that in mind as we plan our exercise routines.
Second, we humans, for the
most part, resist change. Even with the purest of
motivations and the best of intentions, it takes someone an
average of 21 days...three weeks...before a new way of doing
something becomes a habit. So...remember, if you stick with
your new routine, once we set it up, one day at a time for
three weeks, it will have become a habit, and you won't have
to think about it, you'll just do it!
So...let's talk about
activity...movement...getting our bodies in gear.
Now...list on a sheet of paper five physical things that
you like to do. They can be absolutely anything, from
walking the dog in the park to cleaning out the closets
(some people actually get a charge out of this!), to bowling
or golf to hitting tennis balls back and forth with a
friend. I mean literally anything you like to do that isn't
couch potatoing.
Do you see a few activities
on there that you really enjoyed at some point in your life,
but haven't done in a while? Like since the flood of Noah.
When you start to realize that you are depriving yourself
of the enjoyment of those sports and activities, it starts
to make you want to go out and find a buddy to hit tennis
balls with....or take a walk...or take a swim.....doesn't
it? Sure it does, you really like those things, that's why
you wrote it down. And why aren't you doing them? Well
mostly because you just got busy doing other things, and
haven't really taken the time to do some of the activities
that you really enjoyed.
So go ahead, add something highly
enjoyable back into your life. It's a great stress reducer,
it gets you outside into the fresh air, and you'll get some
exercise without grinding it away on a stationary bike.
Now, don't misunderstand. Bike time can be great time....
but the activity of doing things outside with friends just
seems to add some pep and variety to your daily routines.
See what we're getting at?
Many of us, simply through the pressures and adjustments of
life in the job lane, have let activities that we truly
enjoyed drop out of our lives. How many of your favorite
activities have a last time column that has been over a
year? Or even ten years? Now, don't dump all those
activities back into your daily routine. Chances are you
are a lot busier and can’t handle it right now, but you can
be sure that adding one or two back in to your life, will
have some very good results. Start slow, be careful...and
enjoy!
It’s important to point out
that we are not discouraging a formal exercise program or
aerobic workout. As a matter of fact we recommend it. But
we are also realists and we know that to be effective an
exercise program must fit into your lifestyle.
Exercise:
List some activities that
you have enjoyed doing in the past that include some form of
physical activity. What kind of things would you enjoy
doing that would give the benefits of exercising, but not be
part of a formal program?
Examples:
Dance class (maybe swing or
latin)
Tennis lessons
Golf lessons or playing
Daily walks with a buddy
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