Spring Is Here! Motivate yourself to Exercise
Spring is here and as the seasons change, so do we. This is the time of year when many of us want to start feeling the healing warmth of the sun by getting out in the fresh air and becoming active.
One of the most frequent questions I receive at this time of year is, “Peter, I’m out of shape – how do I get motivated to workout?”
My question back to them is, “What is more important: money or your health?”
Invariably they answer, “Of course, my health!”
Then, I ask them how many hours they spend each week working out. Most reply with, “Oh. Well…I need to start doing it more.” Or, “I don’t have the time.” Even, “I don’t have the money to join a gym.” However, when I ask how many hours a week they work, their answer is typically 8-12 hours, 5-6 days a week.
For those who don’t have time to exercise because their life is spent climbing the ladder of success, consider this: While trying to win and achieve success in the world, what is the cost to your heath? You may eventually win at being successful, but in the end is that extra money really worth sacrificing your health?
As I write this article, about 60% of the USA’s population is obese. According to the US Department Of Labor*, the average person over the age of 15 gets about 6 hours of leisure time per day and about 3 hours of that time is spent watching TV. This means an average of about 18-20 hours per week, per person that could be spent improving their health and well-being.
How does one get “motivated” to workout on a consistent, long-term basis?
You don’t. It is not about “just working out” for the vanity of losing weight and looking like a svelte magazine model. There must be a change in your mindset and lifestyle. When you “just work out”, you simply go through the motions of doing a set of pre-organized exercises – hardly inspiring for long-lasting change. However, when you begin to think in terms of achieving a healthier mind and body, it transforms your thought process into an important life decision.
In order to properly train your body, you must also train your mind. This is much different from “just working out”. This mindset is not about how to work out better, but how to enhance your health. Consider ways your body and mind could improve that will give you a lifetime of health and longevity. Where are you at this point in your life? What can you do on a consistent and gradual basis that will be healthy and sustainable for the rest of your life? Your training will take on a different tone and the chances of it becoming a good habit increase exponentially. Training your body and mind, rather than “just working out”, will change from doing a workout routine to creating on-going enhancement and continual improvement of your life. This healthy mindset will grow into a habit as natural as eating and breathing.
Just as the mind is a part of the body and the two cannot be separated, properly training your mind will also properly train your body. Find ways to gradually start improvements towards a healthy body and mind for rest of your life.
Where do I start?
“Begin at the beginning,” the King said. ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Just like Alice in a crazy wonderland, many of us are confronted by a myriad of confusing options. Rather than looking for the latest workout fad that may not fit your individual needs, ask yourself where you are in your life right now and what would be the best way to start training. If you are still not sure, start by walking. Walking with a friend or a loved one is an amazing activity that warms up your body, readying it for the next level of training.
5 Simple Strategies to Start Living Healthily
– Eat a least one large salad per day.
TIP: If you keep only healthy, flavorful foods in your home, you will only eat healthy when you are tempted to snack.
TIP: Go shopping when you are not hungry. This will help you steer clear of buying the foods that are unhealthy.
– Walk at least one-half to one mile after you eat a meal. This will help tremendously with your digestion and start getting you in shape. Walking is one of the best ways to get healthy.
– Drink at least 3/4 to 1 gallon of purified water, per day. By drinking this amount of water, it can burn up to 400 calories, per day. TIP: Rid soft drinks from your diet.
– For those having trouble with finances, buy a video at a garage sale or find an exercise program you like on the Internet. Join a walking club, dance to your favorite music or just get up and start moving your body.
TIP: Your body needs to sweat at least 1 hour, 4 to 5 days a week though exercise (Not sweating in the sauna! You can always sit in the sauna after you exercise.)
– Pick one day a week and make it your day of eating your favorite dish. Whether you like pizza or pancakes, treat yourself to an indulgence, one day per week. Life is short, and yes, you should treat yourself.
Earning a living is a vitally important part of life. But, if you often find yourself sick, tired and lacking energy, perhaps it is time to invest in yourself by building an energetic and vibrantly full life. Forget about “just working out” and discover (or re-discover!) an activity you enjoy and begin to train your body and mind. This should become part of your lifestyle and not “just” be a workout. Proper training of body and mind, makes you feel happier and more attractive, leading to an increased positive outlook, improved self-image, return of youthful energy and so much more.
Find what works for you, and “just” go out and do it. The first 20 – 30 days are always the biggest challenge, but it gets much easier as time goes on and you will be on your way to achieve a wonderful Quality of Life.
If you need more info or are looking for a healthy training program, see my previous articles here on Perreault Magazine and also check out my website for helpful ideas and more information.