Lots of things can inspire people to get fit. It could be trying on bathing suits for summer or walking up stairs and having to stop before the last step to catch your breath. When people have that special moment that reminds them they’re out of shape, they often vow to start an exercise program. Sometimes, they begin immediately, while other times they decide to wait, either for their day off, an opportunity to join a gym or for a number of other reasons. Why wait to start? You’ll be more successful if you act on the desire when it’s strongest.
Getting started doesn’t have to be formal.
You don’t have to join a gym or find the “perfect” program to get started. You just have to do something. Go for a walk. Do some jumping jacks in the living room. Dust off your bike and go for a ride. Doing something, anything that’s exercise that you can do immediately is the best way to start. If you’re completely out of shape, take it slowly, but try to get in at least a half hour, even if it’s three ten minute sessions. Something is always better than nothing.
Don’t waste precious momentum looking for the perfect exercise or gym before you start.
Getting exercise is all that counts. It doesn’t mean you will always workout on your own or use walking or stair climbing as your only form of exercise. It just means that it’s a place to start. When Newton created the law of motion, stating that an object in motion stays in motion, he probably wasn’t talking about working out, but it’s true if you’re talking about a program of exercise. Just get started and work out the technicalities later. Find your special workout home, while you’re doing at home workouts.
Set solid goals immediately.
It doesn’t have to be extremely formal. Decide what you want to achieve and a time frame to accomplish it. Make it realistic. If you want to lose 20-pounds, your time frame should be two to three months, not a week. It should be specific, naming a date. If you intend to workout on your own, lay out a program of exercise as soon as possible. Identifying the number of reps and sets for each exercise. If you feel lost trying to do that, seek out the help of a trainer who can create the perfect routine for you.
- Exercise is important, but so is healthy eating. Whether you want to lose weight, have more energy or just feel better, consider adding a program of healthy eating to your plans.
- Procrastination is your enemy. The longer you procrastinate, the more difficult starting seems. It also leads to depression and lethargy. Start moving and the happy hormones exercise creates will help you accomplish the formal steps.
- Start by blocking out time every day for exercise and make it an appointment with good health. You’d put a doctor’s appointment in your calendar, so consider your workout time a way to avoid a lot of future doctor’s appointments.
- It takes about three weeks to establish a habit, so make sure those first three weeks are easy to accomplish. Gradually increase the intensity of your workout to maximize the benefits and don’t try to overdo at first.
For more information, contact us today at LIV Fitness