|
The Perfect Fitness Plan for You |
|
|
|
|
Written by Joan Eison
|
With the beginning of each new year, a buzzer goes off in our heads
that says "clean slate, resolve to do things differently." And,
among the things we most want to do differently is to be healthier, get
fit and loose or maintain weight. With complete enthusiasm, we
scour the magazine covers, search websites, TV specials, news programs
and reality shows looking for "the magic bullet." Then, we
earnestly ask our friends, "Have you tried Weight Watchers? Have you
tried the South Beach Diet? Have you tried Yoga or kick-boxing?"
You just want to know the name, the website, the address or telephone
number so that you can get turned on and tuned in.
There is a key and the key is "routine and perseverance." Experts
say that almost any program will work as long as you stay with
it. How many of you-- raise your hands--have ever tried the 7
boiled eggs, 7 bananas, 7 hotdogs diet? We have all tried them a
time or two and managed to loose a few pounds; however, the 5 pounds
you lost in the bathroom comes back the next week.
What we practice tends to become an everyday life habit. Think
about all of the things that you do in almost the same way and same
order each day. How do you put your make up on? Mascara and
then blush? Do you make up your bed and then shower? Many
fitness experts say that making a habit of exercise and incorporating
it into your day-to-day schedule is what really makes it stick.
Selecting a time of day or day of the week that seems like a reward,
rather than a chore is very important to maintaining the
practice. If you wait until there is nothing else to do, it won’t
happen. What gets scheduled and planned tends to get done.
Although we know that we need regular exercise to stay healthy, our
subconscious often sends conflicting messages, such as feeling silly in
exercise clothes, or that exercise is not appropriate for certain ages
and sizes. And, many working parents feel that it is selfish to take
time for themselves.
Changing negative self-talk to positive is a major step in reaching
your fitness goals--or any life goals for that matter. Replace
mental messages about "too busy, too long, waste of time" to thoughts
of how you will feel overall. Create a powerful image of yourself
receiving a standing ovation from a packed auditorium of people who are
thrilled that you are working diligently to meet your desired
goals. Create a vision that speaks to you about reward and
achievement and make sure that you are playing it full blast every day!
|
|
|
Articles 