I wish I could tell you that I love exercising.
Truthfully, I don't. I didn't pack on 147 excess pounds
because I liked exercising. What I do love is the weight
that I now maintain, the health that I feel, and the
clarity in my thinking. All of these are possible because
of healthy habits that lead to a happier, healthier life.
I've struggled with maintaining an exercise routine. My
thinking is that for only 30 to 45 minutes a day a few days
per week, I get to maintain my weight loss, feel stronger
physically, mentally and emotionally. Things don't hit me
and I don't feel like a victim of life. My weight loss has
given me that! So, for exercising a few minutes out of the
24 hours per day that I'm given is a small investment for
the huge payoff of a happier life. If only the stock
market and our economy would pay off in a big way for such
a small investment!
I need motivation to continue exercising. Through
coaching, I was able to come to the realization that 30 to
45 minutes per day a few days a week gives me a happier,
healthier life for the 23-1/2 hours in the rest of my day.
Now, that's a major payoff. That's my motivation. Through
coaching, you can find yours too.
Motivation is generated or dismissed in your head. So,
here's some ways to convince your head to get fit, stay
fit, and invest in yourself through exercise:
1. Exercise out of the gym. All activity and movement
equals exercise. Exercise is a mindset. Rather than drive
around for 10 minutes looking for the closest parking
space, park in the last row where there are virtually no
other cars and walk to your store. You'll get there
quicker, burn less gas and burn more calories. While
others are mindlessly standing on the escalator or wasting
minutes waiting for the elevator, climb the stairs. Again,
you'll be there while the others are wasting their time and
hanging on to calories they could have burned. Look for
opportunities to be active. Exercise doesn't count as
exercise if it is within the walls of a gym. Think of
exercise as all ways that you move your body.
2. Set an exercise goal. Decide that you'd like to
participate in a walk/run event, train for a long distance
walk, work with a personal trainer, increase your frequency
or duration by a certain time. Give yourself rewards for
reaching your exercise goals.
3. Ban boredom. Who wants to exercise if you are bored?
Mix it up. One of the most popular television shows is
celebrities that are learning ballroom dancing. Many of
them have toned and lost impressive amounts of weight.
Take dancing lessons to have fun and count as exercise.
Other fun forms of exercise can include bowling,
snowboarding, Zumba, swimming, water aerobics, walking your
dog, or even laser tag. Rather than think of exercise,
think about exercise combined with fun. Actual physical
activity isn't boring at all. How you do it though can be.
Reframe exercise as exercise combined with fun.
4. Exercise Multi-Tasking. While you're exercising, watch
your favorite recorded television shows or dvd. Listen to
audiobooks only while you're exercising. Load up your iPod
or MP3 player with your favorite motivational songs.
Listen to those tunes only while you're exercising. There
are video games that you can dance to that definitely work
up your heart rate as exercise. You'll have so much fun
you'll forget you're movement counts as exercising.
5. The more the merrier - bring a friend. Exercise with a
friend, coach or personal trainer. Anyone to make it fun,
share the companionship of exercising together plus the
bonus of accountability.
6. Turn challenges into successes. Does your vacation
give you an excuse to put your exercise routine on hold?
Do projects at work derail your workout time? Does weather
put the freeze on your regular activity? Look at these as
opportunities to further deepen your commitment to yourself
and exercise. Look for ways to incorporate activity into
your vacation, set limits for your work projects, bring
your exercise and activities indoors. You'll strengthen
your commitment and exercise muscle into a no-give
dedication to your health.
7. Exercise Stars. After you've worked out and felt
great, write it down. Create a log or journal with your
comments after a work out. Use images of past successful
exercise experiences to remind yourself how great you feel.
When motivation is questionable, pull out your notes of
past exercise sessions to remind you of those powerful
positive feelings.
I can't say that I'm in love with exercise. I'm friends
with it and I like it very much. What I am in love with is
my life following weight loss, maintaining my weight,
feeling happier, stronger and healthier than ever before in
my life. All of that for a mere 30-45 minutes per day?
Now, that's an investment and dividend payoff that gives
and gives the other 23-1/2 hours in your day. Exercise is
the investment that keeps on giving all through your day.
An investment in yourself is the best one of all.
----------------------------------------------------
Cathy Wilson is a weight loss life coach. Cathy lost 147
pounds six years ago. Her passion is helping clients
achieve their weight loss and life goals. Cathy works with
clients to create a weight loss life plan that is
customized to each client. Cathy is a member of the
International Coaching Federation, International
Association of Coaches, and Obesity Action Coalition.
Visit Cathy's website:
http://www.LoseWeightFindLife.com
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