With the start of a new year comes the traditional promise to
yourself to improve upon the person that you were last year.
The New Years resolution is a tried and true commitment to be
more disciplined with yourself. The most popular resolution,
one I‘m sure you have made yourself many times, is to
get in shape. And if you’re like many other Americans
your efforts rarely last through January.
So what is it you’re doing wrong? Why
don’t you stick to your goal?
Most of us are looking for that quick fix. That
magic pill that will make us thinner, stronger, healthier. But
if you have tried any of the products on the market today that
make these claims, you are already well aware that they don’t
work. There is one, and only one, way to lose weight, get healthier,
or build muscles. And that way is through hard work and a commitment
to yourself to exercise and eat better.
So, you’ve made your New Years resolution.
You are going to get in shape this year. Perhaps these tips
could help you achieve your goals. 2010 is your year. You can
do it!
First make a commitment to yourself that you
are going to get healthy and stay healthy. No fad diets, no
compulsive exercise. You are going to start exercising and eating
better, and you are going to keep doing so for the rest of your
life. This is not a quick fix, it is a permanent solution. It
takes six weeks to create a habit. Therefore, you have to stick
with your fitness regime at least that long in order to get
into the swing of things. And you won’t see results right
away. It’s like teaching a child to read, they have to
start with the alphabet and work up to reading novels. The same
goes for exercise. Your muscles have to learn how to contract
and relax. They have to learn how to move the way your brain
is telling them to before they will start to tighten up and
look different. We call this the mind-body connection, when
your body is trying to do what the mind is telling it to do.
This can take up to three months depending on how active you
have been in the past. But don’t be discouraged, Rome
wasn’t built in a day. Take your time and do this right
and you will not gain the weight back. You will get in shape
and stay in shape.Use the following plan to help yourself prepare
for and execute your goals.
www.SavonExercise.com lists five steps to a
fitness lifestyle.
1. Contemplation – Think off all the benefits
you could gain by exercising, like increased energy, stress
relief, better health, and weight loss, just to name a few.
2. Preparation – Figure out the
details. Where do you plan to exercise? What equipment do you
need? Are you going to join a gym? Set aside the times you will
exercise.
3. Take Action – Start exercising and start eating better.
Set goals for yourself every few weeks and work toward them,
this will keep you motivated and keep things fresh.
4. Keep it up – Don’t give up. Make your exercise
sessions as fun as possible. Work out with friends, or to music.
Get support from your family, friends, or a couselor. Exercise
is wonderful for combating depression and stress.
5. Maintain your fitness – Once you reach your goal, don’t
start to slack. Maintain your exercise schedule and be aware
that if you don’t use it you’ll lose it. And you
don’t want to start from the beginning again, do you?
Please remember this is not something you’re
going to do just until you lose 10 pounds. This is a commitment
you’re making with yourself to be healthier, to stay in
shape, sleep better, decrease stress, stay happy and have fun.
This new active lifestyle is one you’re going to keep
for the rest of your life.
If you need that extra push and the accountability
of an exercise appointment hire a Personal Trainer. I would
LOVE to help you reach your fitness goals. I offer great programs
that fit not only your schedule, but also your budget. Give
me a call and we'll get you started on the path to a fitter,
healtheri you today! 727-437-8004
* Gemma Hughes is an Exercise Physiologist,
Personal Trainer, Master Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor.
