Most of us have trouble sticking to our exercise schedules. Oh, we have great intentions, but life seems to get in the way on a regular basis. We hit the snooze button instead of getting up early to exercise, we work late or meet someone after work instead of going to the gym, it looks yucky outside so we decide not to run, we don’t schedule properly around our kid’s activities, and the list goes on. Here are suggestions for overcoming 3 physical fitness obstacles faced by many of us.
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Exercising or performing some type of physical activity gives us energy. Consequently, if you are too tired to exercise in the morning, or after work, or on the weekend, one of the best things you can do is … exercise! Why? Because it gives you more energy. It may sound crazy, but think about it for a minute and you’ll get it.
The absolute best way to exercise on a regular basis is to get out of bed 30 or 60 minutes earlier than you really need to. Then spend that time performing some type of physical activity. I alternate between using dumbbells and the treadmill every other day for 6 days each week. I do not plan any workouts or physical activity for Sunday. Works for me and just might work for you. Give it a try.
Some people like to walk during their morning or afternoon breaks, or during lunchtime. If you like this idea, you might even find a co-worker or two to join you. At the very least, you can choose to use the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Every little bit of physical exercise helps.
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If you are too lazy to exercise (and, at times, who isn’t?), you should re-examine your goals. You must set realistic expectations in order to establish a routine that you will continue to follow. It’s not important for you to run a 5k in less than 25 minutes. What’s important is that you take action, do something, get started. If you can only walk 1/2 mile, then walk 1/2 mile. Work up to 1 mile, then 2 miles, then 3 miles. If you can only lift 5 pound dumbbells, then do it and be happy that you are able to do it. Keep lifting 5 pounds and you’ll find yourself graduating to 10 pounds, then 15, then 20.
One of the most important things you can do every day is to get some physical activity. Include an exercise routine in your daily schedule just as you schedule business or social activities. If you try to work it in here and there, you simply will not exercise on a regular basis. It’s got to be important to you if you’re going to fit it into your life.
You can make progress every day if you take action every day. I can tell you from personal experience that it is easy to become addicted to physical activity if you truly believe it is important to your quality of life and if you will make it a priority to exercise on a daily basis. No excuses!
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Most of us are not as glamorous as movie stars. And most of us will never look like those muscle-bodied athletes at the club. So what? Who cares? The most important thing is that we realize the importance of exercising in order to keep our bodies healthy … and, that we’re willing to do it.
You don’t have to be a natural-born athlete. If you can walk, if you can sit up, if you can lift your arms, or if you can move your wrists, you can execute some type of physical activity that will help to improve your body. If you’re too self-conscious to work out with a friend or in a group, do it by yourself until you develop enough self-confidence to go public. Like the ad says, “Just do it”.
After all, if you wear out your body, where are you going to live?
