WHY IS IT SO HARD TO EXERCISE? FIVE STEPS TO GET YOU MOTIVATED

 

You know you should do it, and you know why: exercising is critical for safeguarding your health and setting a good example for your kids. So why does it seem so hard to get yourself moving? The truth is you CAN, but knowing how and why to exercise isn't enough. You need to develop the right mind-set to get and stay motivated. Here are five steps to get you moving in the right direction - and keep you going.

 

1. FIND PERSONAL MOTIVATION TO EXERCISE: What you need to get you up off the couch is a reason that's important to you. There are all kinds of benefits to getting fit. Which matters most to you? Something as simple as taking a walk after dinner every night helps to: control your weight, strengthen your bones, enhance your muscles, reduce your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

2. SET REALISTIC GOALS TO GET FIT: CDC guidelines call for adults to do 2 1/2 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week. That's a 30-minute walk five days a week. You can aim for these exercise guidelines, but don't try to meet them at the start. People lose their motivation to exercise when they try to do too much too soon. Set weekly goals, gradually adding more time and intensity.

3. STOP THINKING OF IT AS EXERCISE - DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY: You don't have to go to the gym to get a good workout. It's all about moving more - however you do it. What else can you do? Almost anything that gets you and your family moving:

Walk the dog, or walk a neighnbo's dog

Have dance contests with the kids instead of watching TV

Go to the park and play hide-and-seek

Shoot hoops with the kids

Walk or bike to the store instead of driving

Get off the train a stop early and walk the rest of the way to your office

4. PLAN HOW TO FIT EXERCISE INTO A HECTIC SCHEDULE: For busy parents, a major obstacle to getting fit is lack of time. If you wait for time to open up, chances are you won't be able to squeeze in a walk or a dance class very often. If you plan ahead for potholes on the road to fitness, you're more likely to stay on course. When you think through solutions to problems in advance, you're less likely to give up when a pothole comes along.

5. BOUNCE BACK FROM SETBACKS: You've set a reasonable fitness goal. You've prepared for potential problems. Yet somehow you still didn't make it to the gym today as you had planned. Don't let that be your downfall. When this happens, it's time for an attitude adjustment so you don't completely lose your motivation to exercise. Start thinking of yourself as someone who exercises. Eventually, that will become your identity.

 

 

source: www.webmd.com