When the Surgeon General issues a warning on the dangers of inactivity, you know something is wrong. That was in 1996. Since then, the statistics have not changed significantly: 25% of the American population remains sedentary, and 60% do not exercise frequently (source: http://www.cdc.gov).
For exercise enthusiasts, we could do worse than to follow the Surgeon General’s Healthy People Report’s hour-a-day recommendation. Naturally, this is a guideline, and as you are well aware, any amount of exercise crammed into your hectic schedule will result in healthy benefits. However, there are many additional reasons to exercise.
If individuals exercised modestly, says Janet Kneiss, a physical therapist, the frequency of injury would be much lower. The 15 or so individuals a day who come in with back and neck pain often do not want to exercise and are looking for a fast cure.
What, in her opinion, is the solution?
I believe that if individuals could just reframe the notion of exercise as labor and instead concentrate on the pleasure of doing it, they would have a more pleasant experience.
Therefore, if exercise alone can keep you injury- and disease-free, how can you prevent it from becoming a chore? Here are a few suggestions:
Do something you enjoy: This may seem trivial, but it is worth noting. As previously said, most seasoned fitness enthusiasts, as well as neophytes, would agree that if you do something you love, you will stay with it. What do you like doing? Walk? Run? While watching the tube, why not spin the treadmill? Alternatively, how about broadening out and attempting something new and different, such as kickboxing or martial arts? It’s a fantastic idea to include diversity; it will help keep your workouts new and exciting.
Change it up! In the spirit of diversity, you may also alter your daily routine. For instance, consider dividing your workout sessions. If you take a half-hour stroll in the morning, spend the afternoon stretching or resistance training. Simply adding some variation to your routine may help keep you engaged.
Schedule a meeting with yourself. Make an appointment with yourself to exercise. Keep a checklist of it in your schedule. If you’ve never exercised before, begin slowly [10-15 minutes] and gradually increase. Begin by exercising three times a week and gradually increase your time and frequency. If you like exercising, consider tuning in to your biorhythms. If possible, plan exercise at times of high energy.
Strive to be the finest version of yourself. I received an e-mail from a buddy informing me that he was preparing for another 5K relay event. I was not taken aback. When he was 40, having never ran before and lacking runners genetics, he chose to run despite being 15 pounds overweight and asthmatic. He had made his decision. He trained for a year, lost weight, and joined up. His first objective was to just finish. Yes, he did. Was he able to reach the finish line despite an asthma attack? He did, but he continued. He now trains and strives to better his time with each event. His key, he tells me, is to appreciate the trip, to be present in the moment, and to strive for personal excellence.
What, therefore, is the take-home message, Laura? You inquire. Dismiss what everyone else is doing. Maintain a singular focus on yourself, doing what you love and what is enjoyable and interesting for you. Acquire as much knowledge as possible on health and fitness. Then do your best. By doing so, you will serve as an inspiration to others. In summary: A statement from one of my favorite inspiring authors, Dr. Wayne Dyer: “I don’t want to be better than anybody else; I simply want to be better than I was yesterday.”
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