Now, I assume most of you that follow this page probably already work out have a good regiment going (especially if you’re working out with me! ). So please feel free to share this with this many people that you think can benefit and motivation to start working out more. And then send them my way. Ha.
Simple ways to fall in love with physical activity…
If you’re like most of the people I know those exercise resolutions you made for New Year’s or for the upcoming summer are now just a distant memory. In fact it is said that seven out of 10 Americans can’t make exercise a habit despite their best intentions. That’s mostly because the common reasons for starting an exercise program like losing weight in time for reunion or the summer are weak
long-term motivators. But there are ways you can learn to motivate yourself to make exercise a regular part of your life. Elite athletes as well as every day people who are committed to exercise have some insider tips and now I’m going to share them
with you now…
Make Your First Experience Positive
The more fun and satisfaction you have while exercising the more you’ll want to pursue it and work even harder to develop your skills. (Duh!). Even if your first experience was negative it’s never too late to start fresh. Choose a sport you enjoy and work to improve your skill level or find some friends who already do group classes and join them and make it a social event.
The key is finding a strong beginner level coach enjoys working with novices (Like a Personal Trainer…). For instance the YMCA offers beginner swim lessons, many gyms offer first time group classes, or was sometimes even give you an introductory walk-through of how to use certain machines. Your friends have a favorite dance class, play racquetball or even practice karate ask them for a referral to an approachable teacher. City recreation departments also often host beginner level classes for variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
Or you could always try a private lesson. The confidence you game will motivate you to try it out in a group setting next.
Focus On The Fun, Not The Fitness
Forcing yourself to hit the gym four times a week sounds like a chore and you’ll likely stop before you have the chance to begin building your fitness level. But things that could seem silly like bowling, dancing, throwing frisbee, hiking, or tennis, etc. all sounds fun and you’re still be getting some physical activity that helps promote weight control… Reduced risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer… Stronger bones… And I certainly improved mood. As you start to have more fun you want to become more involved and your fitness level improve over time.
Crucial Strategy: get hooked on the fine and you’ll get hooked on the activity for life.
Find Your Competitive Streak
Let’s be honest, we all have one so let’s tab into it and use it no matter what activity were choosing. Jogging outside? Make it a game by spotting landmarks in the near distance, like trees or homes, and push yourself to pass them in a certain number seconds. Try to catch someone in front of you if running on a bike path. Swimming laps? Try to match the pace of the slightly faster swimmer in the lane next to you. Or keep track of the time it takes to swim 10 laps and try to beat your time. Even writing the recumbent bicycle at the gym can be turned into a competition by moving your work out into the spin studio where you can privately compete against other class members for pace or intensity.
Practice The Art Of The Con
I’m sure we’ve all overheard a pair of weightlifters in the gym so you recognize this tip: the spotter encourages the lifter, “One more, just one more!” and then after the lifter completes one more left, the spotter again urges, “Now just one more!” So whats my point… Learn to make this tip work for you by learning how to “self-con” yourself. So,… lets say you’re too tired to workout… Tell yourself “I’ll just drive to the gym and park. If I’m still too tired, I can leave.” (Or just book an appointment with a personal trainer… Hint). Anyhow, Usually this is enough to kick-start your workout. You can always play games with yourself like while swimming say, “I’ll just do 5 more laps,… ok now two more,… ok fine three more after that.”, etc…
Cultivate A Mind-Set Of Continuous Improvement
“Getting Better”… Its what motivates great athletes to keep pushing it. Lifelong exercisers have a yearning to improve that acts as both a motivator and a goal. Help yourself get better by educating yourself… Or learn from a trainer… You can read books about a sport or professional athletes, or read magazines about fitness, read articles online (or my FB page), or even book a private appointment.
Another thing that helps is offering yourself rewards for hitting certain benchmarks. Treat yourself to a massage for completing a goal like running 3x a week for a month or losing your first 10lbs. Be creative… You will have EARNED it!
One More Thing…
Obviously I have been pushing the PT option during this and its for a good reason… I have a career for more than one reason. I have always said Trainers wear many hats: Commitment, Instructor, Helper, Depender, Encourager, Motivator, Friend, Coach, … The list goes on and on. Working with a PT can be one of the best decisions for your mental and physical health that you can ever make. Finding the right one that genuinely cares and is knowledgable is the key to unlocking a new door in your life. Now get out there and make it happen,… or I will.
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