How many times have you started an exercise program or joined a gym only to lose interest or stop going? I can tell you that I personally had a membership to a total of 3 at one time and did not go to any of them! Typically people join at the beginning of a new year after the holidays when they are making all those good resolutions to be fit and trim.  But usually by March fewer people are going to their gym regularly. So what is it all about? What exactly inspires us to exercise and work on our nutrition to be fit and healthy? How can we stay on the right track to reach our fitness goals?

According to an article in Reuters in Nov. 2008;

1.Only1/3 of US adults are regularly active                      

2. If you buy exercise equipment you are 73% more likely to initiate exercise

   but not necessarily for the long haul

3. People with a higher sense of accomplishment tend to exercise more

4. People who view exercising as a lifestyle change are more apt to continue exercising

According to Real Womens’ Fitness the most superficial reasons for exercising are; 1.Usually we feel good after exercising

2. We can avoid doing work or study using a good excuse like exercising

3. Wanting to fit into a new outfit

4. Socializing with other gym members

5. An opportunity to eat junk food using the excuse that it is a reward for exercising

6. Wanting to spruce up to look good for an event

7. Being able to say you exercise and boast about how much weight you can lift or how 

    Much cardio you can do, etc

Health, guilt and appearance are the top motivators for most of us. But it seems that the best motivators are what come from within us. It also helps if we understand what the true benefits are of exercising and consider it a lifestyle change for the rest of your life.

Important points to help us with our fitness trek include;

1. Make a commitment with yourself. Try compiling a poster board with pictures of women or bodies that you would like to have. Make affirmations daily, something like “I am going to continue on this fitness journey as it will make me feel fit and have a quality lifestyle” post it on you refrigerator and say it to yourself every day.

2. Enjoy your exercising. Do something that is fun; make it something to look forward to. For many years I was a swimmer I loved it and it helped me to feel serene and tranquil. You might enjoy hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, kite boarding, volleyball, basketball or many other sports. Mix a sport in with your more regular exercise activity. The whole idea is to get your body moving as well as mixing up the routine. Don’t bore yourself with the same thing day in and day out.

3. Set up a fitness plan with a friend. When I was swimming I had a friend who I met three times a week at the pool. Neither one of us wanted to disappoint the other. I have another friend who I walk with on the beach. If we make an arrangement we tend to stick to it. You could also set up time reserved for fitness fun with the man in your life.

4. Set goals for yourself. Start small. For years I swam and did aerobics and kick boxing but as I got older kind of let it slide. To restart back to a fitness regimen I made myself a goal of just getting through each exercise session 1 day at a time and build up my strength. Train for something like a 5k run for a charitable cause .You will have a goal and meet likeminded individuals as well as getting fit.

5. Reward yourself. My reward is when I know and feel I look better. It doesn’t hurt when my man says I am really getting firm either! Promise yourself a massage, Mani Pedi, or a new dress. But make sure you do your part in meeting the goal.

6. Start a journal. Journaling your progress is a way of looking back and seeing what progress you have made which in itself is a reward.

I had fallen out of exercising in the past few years although I had done aerobics and swimming for many years. I was very fortunate to find a local gym that is owned and operated by a masters’ trained sports medicine graduate. I go there three times a week and do training on a semi-private routine. Usually I work out with 4 other people in my session for 45 minutes. We always do different routines which include weight training and cardio. It is a great way to work out because you get to know the people you are working out as well as having some accountability set up with your co-exercisers and trainer, and get a lot of one on one training from the trainer. You never know what exercises you are going to do so it is always a surprise. When the session is over and the perspiration is rolling off my brows I am a happy woman feeling good that I am on my way to a better body, better health and better spirits.

Regular physical activity is of great benefit to our health. In order for our bodies to keep functioning at the level we want them to we have to keep our bodies moving. We need to care for our skeletal muscles, bones and mind to achieve optimum health and a long lifespan. We have all seen older people that are weak and seem to suffer from one health problem which is then compounded by another, then another one. So you say, alright that makes sense, but how can I fit it in with my busy life? Well, here are some suggestions for you to get fitness in your lifestyle.

1. One of the main excuses that people make for not exercising is that they do not have time for it. Look at your schedule and see where there would be time to fit in ½ hour on 3 to 4 days. Possibly this is a lunch hour, or before work. The options are yours, but once you see the available time that is when you need to fit your exercise in.

2. Another excuse that people have is as simple as lack of motivation. Take a picture of yourself and compare it to one taken 10 years ago. Do you see a difference in your body or how you appear? Maybe you have to realize that it’s time to take action. Maybe accountability is the answer for you. You could investigate hiring a trainer or going to a gym for set classes. Also it always helps to have a partner in exercise. Maybe your husband or friend would join you in your exercise plans.

3. Many people say they find exercise boring or would rather be doing other things. Try to find something that is fun for you. Consider activities that may be fun for you such as tennis, basketball, and swimming, running on the beach or something else that you like to do. Check it out on a calorie chart and see how many calories you would use in a ½ hour time frame. Don’t do the same activity each time you exercise. Walking on the treadmill each time gets pretty boring.

4. Make good use of the time you exercise. Many people spend an hour on the treadmill watching TV or reading a book. Make the work out intense. If you have time or energy to read a book while you are on the treadmill you are not working hard enough to make much of a difference.

5. Some older people may fear an injury. Make sure you have had a thorough physical exam prior to starting an exercise program. An equally important step is stretching and flexing your body prior to exercise and after exercising. Keep your joints flexible.   

6. Some people travel in their work. But this shouldn’t stop you from exercising and keeping fit. Most hotels now have gyms, swimming pools and areas to walk. If you prefer, find a mall and go for a power walk in the mall. During a lunch break try going for a power walk outside after being stuck in a conference room all morning.

In studies done in the United States researchers have found that there could be up to 50% of people who are not regularly active. Don’t become part of this statistic, live an active life and prevent complications from not being fit.  

Become Fit and Become Empowered in Life

Are you feeling fat, unable to lose the 20 pounds that you have put on in the last few years? Are you gaining a middle body bulge? Many of us have a hard time losing weight and getting fit because we do not find the time and then after awhile it’s even harder to find time because you have replaced exercise time with other things. But when we feel and look fit we are empowered. We feel like we have more chance of going after goals, dealing with work issues and forging ahead in life. Have you noticed when you look and feel good you can rise above the challenges life poses for you? When we look and feel fit our self-esteem goes up and we have more courage for challenges in life. Hence, we are empowered.

Think about someone you know who is fit and trim. Do they seem to have lots of energy? Do they seem to always be accomplishing something? Do they seem to like the challenges in life? Do they seem to always be optimistic? They feel this way because they have empowered themselves to live a healthier, stronger and powerful life. We can all do this but have to make the commitment to ourselves.

Take a picture of yourself. This is a good way to really view you. A video is even better. The pictures tell the truth better than a mirror. Is the picture showing you as you would like others to see you? How we present ourselves to the world affects how others interact with us. If we feel and look good, we show that to others, that is the picture they have of us. That empowers us.

Imagine the rest of your life. Do you have goals, aspirations that you want to achieve? Empower yourself to start taking care of your body first. This is where it starts. Imagine that your body is the house that houses your life, spirit and soul. It must be cared for in order for you to thrive. Empower your mind to realize this.

If you have children or grandchildren, think about what kind of image you are presenting to them. Are you a role model and are you empowered to teach them to be fit? This is something that you will pass down to the next generation and hopefully your children will pass down their empowering ideas to their children.