Bodies By M.E.

When I ask long term exercisers what keeps them coming back for their next session the answer is usually the same; exercise is fun and it makes me feel good. A large portion of our society just cannot relate to this mind set. Here is the problem: the mind is willing, because intellectually we all know “it’s the right thing to do”. There is copious amounts of health related information available to us on a daily basis. However there is a huge disconnect between the couch and the unused sneakers by the front door. Here is my advice:

• Start with small attainable goals that you can incorporate into your lifestyle, so exercise does not become inconvenient.
• Choose something you like to do which leaves you pain free, for instance if you have artheritic joints, swimming may be a good choice.
• Get a partner, exercising with someone else can make it fun. I find that exercising with a friend that I can share a laugh with to be a catharsis itself.Laughter has been shown to raise your endorphin level to induce good feelings.
• Vary your routine, walk one day bike the next. When you are tired, take a nature walk. Household chores add up to health related benefits.
• Find the right time of day
• Do what you comfortably can, forget the no pain no gain mantra.
• Do not get discouraged, it takes weeks or months before you notice changes.
• Here is the big one, make exercise fun, read, listen to music, watch TV. Try to create your own little party for one.Be creative and make your exercise the best part of your day so you want to do it again.

Happy New Year! Like Janis, the god of Roman mythology, the god with two faces, one looking back and the other looking forward, we reflect on 2007 and plan for 2008. Making new years resolutions is a time honored tradition. Half of the most popular resolutions involve health and fitness. For example losing weight, getting fit, eating better, drinking less alcohol, stopping smoking, stress reduction are usual short term goals.

Here is the big question, how do you make a new years resolution develop into a lasting life style change and are you ready to consistently make the effort to implement these changes.

Some tips:

1. Examine your motivation honestly, are you being realistic and accept the responsibility

Required for change. This type of motivation will be sustained long afterthought guilt and discomfort from over indulgence.

2. Be realistic!

3. Focus on changing the behavior a little at a time, not the end result.

5. Behavorial changes must be made non-negotiable, for example, exercise needs to be as non-negotiable as going to work in the morning.

6. Allow for imperfection, accept your mistake, make a you u-turn and move on.

7. Here’s the big one, The only way to start is to start! Starting now is just as convenient as anytime.

If you begin now rather then later you will have a jump start to a more healthy and satisfying life.

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